Hi Robyn,

I wrote a couple weeks ago. I have a 5 gallon hex with 3 zebra danios and 2 ADF. The tank is cycling and everyone is fine so far, but the more I read about danios and the more I watch mine, the more I think that maybe the tank is not big enought for them b/c they are so hyper. They chase each other constantly and also seem to like to swim very close to my frogs, sometimes even skimming their bodies--that worries me. The frogs seems to ignore them, but still it worries me.

I'm thinking of taking the zebras back b/c I don't want them to be unhappy, or possibly hurt each other or my little frogs. I want to try some other small fish that is less hyper, good for beginners, colorful, and gets along with my ADF. I was thinking maybe 3-5 male guppies (maybe only add 1 guppy per week)? I'm not married to the guppy idea, they just seem to be cute and easy to deal with. Do you have any suggestions? Please note that the tank is still cycling.

Thank you,

Trina

Zebra danios are very active. They aren't normally overly aggressive but sometimes they can be with each other. I don't think they're harm the ADF's. A 5 gallon tank is not that big so one could argue it's too small for danios simply due to how hyper that they are.

If your water is moderately hard, then the guppies would be an okay choice. They are slower than the danios. If you have soft water, I'm partial to white cloud mountain minnows. They are pretty calm. There are many small, calm fish that would do ok in your 5 gallon tank. Many of the smaller tetras would work if you have softer water.

Good luck!

Hi Robyn,

Thanks for the reply.

I have slightly acidic water--pH of 6.7-6.8 or so.

I think the white cloud minnows are beautiful and actually wanted some, but I live in the middle of North Carolina and my tank never gets below 72 or so (this is at night with the A/C on), and usually stays at around 80-82 during the day--this is without a heater, it's just plain hot here! I read that white clouds like coolish water. Is this true?

About the guppies, I really love how they look. However, I only want males (don't want baby guppies) and I've read and been told that males will become aggressive with each other if there are no females around. Do you have any thoughts/experience on that?

Several people have suggested a male betta, but I worry about possible aggression directed against my 2 ADF--especially when they shoot madly to the surface for air and possibly disrupt a male's bubble nest. As you know, the ADF are so little, it wouldn't take much to hurt or even kill them. I can't have that, I love my litttle frogs so much.

If I can't do the guppies, what are your thoughts on bettas with the ADFs? Would you suggest a male of female betta?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Trina

White clouds are happiest in the low to mid 70's degrees F and won't like 80 some degrees for too long.

I haven't had guppies in almost a decade. I had both sexes. Mine didn't fight much that I recall. I would think that when the tank is just males, they may fight less because they have no females for which to compete. At the same time, they may get frustrated and chase each other or try to mate. Guppies like water with a pH of 7 to 8 or more. Your water is almost neutral. Maybe some tetras would work.

I had a male betta once. He lived with other fish and got along fine. I think I had him before the ADF's in the same tank but I do not think the betta would harm the frogs. Of course, fish are individuals so there are "good" fish and "bad" ones. Female bettas are generally nicer to similar fish (other bettas, gouramis, long-finned fish) than male bettas but act about the same towards unrelated species like ADF's. Since the males are easier to find and more colorful, a male probably makes more sense. My male betta never made a bubble nest. Male labyrinth fish sometimes make bubble nests when there are no females (or similar fish) around but sometimes they don't. They usually need an incentive. If you have some water movement on the surface, a male betta would be even less likely to make a bubble nest. If you try the betta, let us know how it went. Bettas and ADF's like similar small live/frozen foods so there may be some competition there but otherwise, if I were setting up such a tank, I wouldn't be worried (at the time of setup anyway; you can never predict how things turn out for sure).

Those dwearf frogs are eating machines they will one day try or eat your danios and they secrete slime which is bad for fish.
I had them for yrs from early grammer school to high school . Had 3 of them huge eating machines but neat and active

Bianca, you may be confusing African dwarf frogs (ADF's) with African clawed frogs (ACF's). The ADF's will not eat a healthy danio. Mine certainly don't eat much. The ACF's on the other hand will eat fish, grow much larger, and can eat a lot. Neither species secretes slime. They do shed but the skins are not toxic in any way.

Oh okay I guess I was as mine ate like pigs even feeder guppies hey would eat