Danio behavior

[mdellasalla]

I recently bought 3 longfin zebra danios to cycle my 2.5 gal tank. There is a large bully male, a medium sized female, and a tiny male.

Ever since I got back from break, the tiny male has had his caudal fin clamped. He still eats and swims normally. I looked him over for any diseases but he seems fine. Is this just a result of being picked on and chased by the big fish? Or should I still suspect a disease of sorts? They just made it past a big ammonia spike, maybe the smaller one is more inclined to ammonia poisoning than the others?

This is the first time I have had danios myself, my brother always had them so I am not sure how to read their social structure

Any help would be appreciated!

[bettalvr]

Had to ask the hubby about this one! LOL He says it probably is that he has been picked on and that this is his way of showing submissiveness. Says he's probably a little scared with the others being bigger (and the stress of 2 males & 1 female). Should be fine, just keep an eye on the little guy. . . even tho they are schooling fish, make sure he has places to hide just in case he feel threatened and wants to. (prob won't hide, but at least he will have the option). From me: tell big boy to quit picking on the little guy!

[hvincent]

They pick on the little guy so much; it's funny to watch, but I feel so bad for him! He does manage to get some food, but he tries to stay as far away from the other two as possible. Which is hard when the bigger ones are on either side of the tank and just bouncing him back and forth. They don't seem to be hurting him, just freaking him out a lot. Poor kid.

[mdellasalla]

I haven't seen the female pick on the little guy. It is sad that he is so much smaller than the others. Maybe once he gets bigger, I will get a few smaller ones so he isn't on the bottom anymore.

[bettalvr]

And I"m sure he's confused since they are schooling fish. . . he thinks he's supposed to be with them and can't b/c they're picking on him. (sounds like they're in elementary/middle school!)
Just wait til he grows up! They won't pick on him then. . .

[mdellasalla]

Yeah I asked them to give me the three smallest they had so that they can cycle the 2.5 gal and I can move them to the 10 gal before they get too big. I think the big boy is just overly excited to go from the bottom to the top.

Danios are nice little fish though I kind of like the leopard ones even though they are kind of hard to find.

[mdellasalla]

Haha I just gave them their evening food and tiny danio ran off with a huge flake in his mouth to behind the plant while the other two fought over the little pieces. Hehe I feel proud of him, smart little cookie.

[wiccansinger]

aww... that was so clever of him ^.^ haha my whiteclouds and neons just have to wait until the guppies, vailtail <- (angel fish), and some small shark thing have eaten their fill... although i usually cheat by putting the food near the filter so it gets pushed down into the water.

[mdellasalla]

He is learning to use the plant, there is a spot the big bully can't fit through and he hides there a lot when he is chased. He is less clamped now.

[wiccansinger]

thats really good news ^.^ however i will feel sorry for him when he outgrows the hiding spot.