Tank Mates

[SickLid]

I just recently added a new betta to a 10-gallon tank with 3 zebra danios in it.

The zebra danios had the run of the tank for about two weeks before I added the betta. During those two weeks, they displayed typical danio behavior- chasing each other around and sprinting across the tank.

Now since I added the betta the danios typically stay less than an inch from the top of the tank huddled together. Obviously, there are a little stressed out by the betta. When the betta comes by they freak out, and I have even seen them jump out of the water a few times (the hood will keep them in). One interesting point to mention is that the danio that was the lowest in the original pecking order is being the bravest. He is the only danio who has ventured to the bottom of the tank, and he has been hangin out there away from the other two (till the betta comes by).

The betta on the other hand seems oblivious to the danios. He is the most active betta I have ever had, he seems to enjoy swimming around the tank exploring (my previous bettas just sat at the top of the tank and didn't do anything). Once in awhile he will swim close to the danios to check them out, but he typically can't get too close before they freak out. Of course, the danios swim about 20 times a fast as the betta so there is no way he could catch them (even if he wanted to).

I have only had the betta for a day now, so this a new phenomenon. I was wondering if there was anybody out there who have kept a betta with danios and if they have experienced simliar behaviour. I am hoping that the danios can become accustomed to their new tankmate because I really enjoy having them swim around the tank. The house is a little bit chilly now, so I don't want to move the betta to a bowl. I wouldn't want to anyway since he seems to enjoy the tank so much.

Thanks,

M

[FinAddict]

I am in no way an expert with Betas but the betas are a very teritorial fish and the danios a scared of him. From what I have seen before they will probobly not ever get along with each other. I will post this question to the other moderators and see if they can help you out a little more.

[SickLid]

Thanks FinAddict,

I woke up this morning and its seems everything is back to normal in my tank. The danios, for the most part, are swimming at all levels in the tank. They have resumed their normal habit of chasing each other around the tank. I have even seen them approach the betta. One interesting thing to note is that the danio that was the highest in the pecking order now seems to be the lowest. She was usually the one who did all the chasing, now it seems that everybody else is chasing her. She doesn't seem to be full of eggs right now, so maybe that is the reason for the behavior.

M

[AquariumPro]

Hi:

It is normal behavior for some schooling fish to be wary of any newcomer, especially if the fish is larger than they are. This behavior can be reduced in two ways in the future:

1) Increase the size of the school of Danios.
2) Add more cover to the aquarium in the form of tall plastic or real plants that provide some line-of-sight cover. A well-decorated tank will solve many problems like this.

[SickLid]

Here is a picture of my 10 gallon aquarium:
<img src="http://members.cox.net/che4hire/Aquarium.jpg" alt="" />

Sorry, it is kind of big.

M