It's a 5 gallon tank and I've already got an apple snail (brigs) in it. I didn't realize they were schooling fish. That's what I get for not doing full research before buying. I knew they were hardy and would probably withstand my 5 year old. :lol: Should I return them? Eventually I want to upgrade to a 10 gal. but I don't know when that will be.
It's a 5 gallon tank and I've already got an apple snail (brigs) in it. I didn't realize they were schooling fish. That's what I get for not doing full research before buying. I knew they were hardy and would probably withstand my 5 year old. :lol: Should I return them? Eventually I want to upgrade to a 10 gal. but I don't know when that will be.
Lupin is correct in saying that your tank is too small to support a school of these fish, but zebra danios are a hardy, readily adaptable fish. I don't think that it would be necessary to return them and would probably think it ok to get a couple more to put together a mini-school. But, in doing so, you must realize that the tank would be very close to its maximum limit of fish. It will certainly allow the fish to school somewhat. It would also give you an idea of what size tank to get in the future.
I recommend you upgrade, instead of a 10g, to a 29g. For just a few dollars more, you can get 3x the tank and 10x the enjoyment. And the larger tank would allow you a much wider selection of fish and options.
We haven't returned them yet and I'd love to get a few more. How many could I put in this little 5 gal. tank? That's all we'd be adding to this tank. I wanted something hardy to withstand the rigors of an occaisonal overfeed by my 5 year old.
It would cost more in gas than the fish did to return them, so I was going to check with a friend to see if they would take them once I found a suitable replacement. But if I could get a few more and make that work for a few more months, I'd love to do that.
I've already put my hubby on notice that we'll be getting a larger tank. :lol: Everytime I check Craig's List and find something that would work, I make sure to let him know. :wink: Maybe I'll wait til he's gone on a business trip and get one all set up while he's gone.
IMHO 5 g is little more than a vase.
the only things you can have are snails and shrimp.
having said that if you really have to have a fish, 5g is acceptable as the minimum size for a male Betta splendens
Zebra danios are not a high maintainence fish. However, the tank is really maxxed out. With this load, you will need to preform regular maintanence. This is mandatory to maintain the health of your fish. The reason fo the larger tank is to allow for aditional swimming are. When you are able, I would upgraded to a 29g, not a 20g(price difference in a combo kit is slight). This would allow your population to grow and give you more options to decorate and maybe add a couple of more small species. The larger tank will also make the maintainence a little easier and not quite as critical.
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