Hi everyone

I'm new to the site and to fish keeping, so sorry if I miss any info out, and I apologise in advance for the fish-keeping mistakes I have already made.

I have a 10 gallon tank (taller than it is long) which has been set up since November 2011. I started with two female zebra danios (have since learnt about fishless cycling so sorry for that; and am now well aware that my tank is completely inadequate for danios. Again, sorry, I've learnt so much already, especially to come on here for advice rather than listen to staff in pet shops).

I got two more danios a few months later. One died within hours of it being in the tank, the other was unbelievably agressive and had the other two burrowing into the gravel and under plants hiding from him. He had to go back, wasn't fair on my girls.

One of the females was always much rounder than the other, and for about the last two or three months she just carried on getting rounder, to the point it was really affecting her swimming. Did a bit of research, maybe she was eggbound? I also noticed her back becoming more and more arched. She was still feeding but two days ago went dramatically downhill - really couldn't swim well, and eventually lodged herself in the corner of the tank to die. Couldn't watch her suffer anymore so used clove oil, poor sausage.

So now I am left with one female zebra danio. She's feeding well, lovely bright colours and swimming around as normal. Funnily enough, she was the one who was bullied relentlessly by the other danios. But now I don't know what to do about putting other fish in there. I definitely do not want any more danios - my tank is not big enough, it's not fair on them. I know they're schooling fish (although mine always kept themselves to separate parts of the tank), but I'll just end up going in circles getting more danios. I don't know anybody with a tank who I could give her to, and I know I've not given her the ideal life, but she seems very healthy. Would I be best leaving her in there on her own, or would she be okay with other fish in there? That leads me to my second question - what fish would you recommend for a 10 gallon tank (really want a bigger tank eventually, but have to wait til I'm out of the parents' house!), and what numbers? I want something peaceful. Quite like the look of neon tetras, but am completely open to your advice - anything that will be happy and healthy in a rather small tank.

10 gallon
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10
Aqua One filter
Currently heated to 72F
Twice weekly water changes of approx 20%

Thanks in advance for your advice, and let me know if I've left anything out.

SarahL

Hi Sarah and welcome,

I appreciate your dilemma, and agree that in this case buying more Danios would be the wrong move. If you're absolutely certain you can't re-home her then the other option is to add something else that's compatible with her.

Unfortunately, with only 10 gallons and a taller tank you're very limited, plus whatever goes in there needs to be compatible with your Danio in terms of water conditions and temperature. Neon Tetras wouldn't be possible as they need higher temperatures then Danios and, surprisingly for such tiny fish, they do need more space than you have.

I think the best option would be to just add some colourful shrimps, such as Red Cherry Shrimps or Amano Shrimps for now, if your water pH and hardness are suitable. Can you post those please?

Later on, when the Danio eventually dies of old age you may be able to add some other very small fish with the shrimps, but that depends a little on the dimensions of the tank as well as the pH and gH.

Where abouts are you? It may be that someone on here could rehome her.

I know very little about fishkeeping (apart from the amazing advice Ive had on this forum)so I wouldnt even begin to know if they are suitable for your water or tank but I love my little Endlers. I too have a small tank and they are such fun fish and definately my favourites and very entertaining to watch. I have 5 males and they are boisterous but peaceful with the other fish.

Are you anywhere near N London? I could add a danio to my 6 - they are fairly elderly now but I will be replacing them as numbers fall, so I should always have a shoal on the go.

Fishlady - I was afraid you'd say that, but I know you're right! Perhaps I should put Operation Bigger Tank in place. What is the minimum litre/gallon tank you would suggest for 6+ danios? And, bearing in mind I eventually don't want any danios at all, what would be a suitable tank size for neon tetras?

The pH is 6.4, and according to another post on this site, the water in my area is slightly hard.

As for rehoming, I live in the North West (St Helens)

The problems there are twofold. Firstly, the right size tank for Zebra Danios is a lot bigger than you have - 3ft long, which may be more than you can fit in, and secondly, if you were to do that and add more Danios, the situation where you have less than the ideal number would keep recurring every so often and be never-ending. Also, as they are temperate rather than tropical, you'd need to stick to other temperate fish who prefer cooler water too.

If you're keen on Neon Tetras, then a 60 litre tank, 2 feet long is enough for a small shoal. Possibly if you were to ask at a local fishkeeping shop they might take the Danio in if you were buying Neons from them?