Zebra Danio question

[Newbneedshelp]

i just got a 10 [acronym:5edc5d3003="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:5edc5d3003] and set it up and i got some Zebra Danios for it to help it cycle. well anyway they keep staying to the bottom of the tank, they seem happy and are active, but i was wondering if that was normal (i thaught they would be more on hte top area of the tank).

[kmlong]

Just wondering, did you dechlorinate your water? Also what are your water readings? I wouldn't think its a problem with them swimming on the bottom. they would be coming to the top for air if they were lacking oxygen. They could just be adjusting to the new tank. Just watch your ammonia levels and do those water changes. Also are the fish eating? If they are i would not worry too much about it. Do you have any decor in the tank to give them cover? If not you may want to try that.

[rubysoho]

I would definatly keep a close eye on them. I started my 10 [acronym:df0853fce7="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:df0853fce7] with 5 zebra danios and right away they were at the top swimming like crazy and playing in the stream of my filter. How many did you get? They feel more comfortable in numbers of 5 or more, so maybe that is an issue. Also, do you have any fake/real plants or other decorations in the tank? If it is just an empty tank, they may feel vulnerable. Get some test kits for your water, the droplet kind, and see what your parameters are. That may give us more of a clue as to what is going one.

[Newbneedshelp]

i have two real plants...ferns i think and drift wood, i need to get an amonia test kit, i only have a [acronym:7bba2bd63e="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:7bba2bd63e] one at the moment. I just got the fish today and got 4 of them and they seem to be fine they are just near the bottom, and now they are moving more to the middle.

[kmlong]

what is your water temp? you'll want to keep it around 78.

[rubysoho]

hmm... maybe they just need time to adapt. I guess it could just be a variation in the species' personality... One thing I remember doing was that I kept the light off when I put the danios in the tank, just so they could feel safer. Keep us posted on them. I origionally bought my danios just as starter fish (before I knew about fishless cycling) and was going to return them to the pet store, but I ended up liking them too much. They are realy fun to watch, especially when I'm trying to put off writing a paper or something for class

[Newbneedshelp]

Ill be sure to keep you informed and the water temp is 80, im trying to frop it but my house was very warm earlier, cooled off now. i hope the temp drops tonight

[lannen]

Just a quick thought. You don't have to strong of a current in your tank, do you? I think it would take an awful lot to disturb your fish, but hanging around the bottom might be a way to avoid strong currents.

[Newbneedshelp]

thats it i think because i just fed them and they went to the top, i have a penguin bio wheel filter that makes a current that is probly to strong for their liking. and thanks for all the help!!

[Newbneedshelp]

and if anyone could tell me, how often should i be checking the [acronym:2aa8da9783="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:2aa8da9783], amonia, [acronym:2aa8da9783="Parts per million"]PPM[/acronym:2aa8da9783] and so on. During and cycle and after. thanks