could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon

plecosrawesome · 04-29-2011, 08:04 AM

hi, i was wondering if i could keep 3-5 zebra danios or neon tetras in a 5 gallon with a betta, and maybe some ghost shrimp and a mystery snail. if i can which would be better the danios or the tetras?

ReStart · 04-29-2011, 08:29 PM

Yeah, I'd vote yes but I'd go with the Neons, at least as far as keeping the Betta safe. Some Zebras nip, mostly out of boredom I think. Plus the Neons are smaller fish, keeping the bioload less.

jrman83 · 04-29-2011, 09:11 PM

Danios, no. Why would you want to put so many into a 5gal tank? They are really not good for much but 1 Betta. Adding 3-5 Tetras, ghost shrimp, and a mystery snail is just asking for trouble keeping fish alive.

holly12 · 04-29-2011, 11:43 PM

Mystery snails are from the Apple snail family, and Apple snails grow to the size of a fist, so just be sure of the size it will grow to first, lol.

Maybe 1 or 2 Zebra Nerite snails and some ghost or red cherry shrimp? (Personally, inverts' can be much more fun to watch than fish sometimes).

plecosrawesome · 04-30-2011, 06:21 PM

ok so i gues i will just do a betta and maybe 3-4 tetras and 3 ghost shrimp?

holly12 · 04-30-2011, 10:05 PM

Neons/Cardinals should be kept in groups of 4 or more, (preferably 6 or more), yes I know - I only have 2 - but that's because every time I bring another 3 or 4 home they die off until I only have 2 left..... I have weird luck with Cardinals, lol.

You could probably get away with 4 neons, but they do like to swim around. I would go with a Betta, ghost or cherry or amano shrimp and 1 or 2 Zebra snails. You can try the neons though - you may have luck with them. (Be warned Bettas will eat shrimp that will fit into their mouths, so make sure any you put in the tank are too big for him to eat).

Gizmo · 05-01-2011, 02:34 PM

Definitely no on the danios, of any kind - danios are fast swimmers that prefer tanks with a lot of current, and they are fairly aggressive for community fish, as stated above. Neons would be the better pick of the two, but I wouldn't go higher than 3-4.

HOWEVER....

You could do a school of 4-5 galaxy rasboras (a.k.a. celestial pearl rasboras). They are close kin to tetras, they are absolutely gorgeous fish, and are very very small (fully grown, less than 1"). However, they are very timid and very delicate fish. Just a warning.

jrman83 · 05-01-2011, 03:30 PM

....and hard to find.

snail · 05-02-2011, 12:33 PM

They'd also make good snacks for a betta, so don't mix the two

. I sit in front of my celestial pearl danio tank a lot and they are not that timid any more. They also seem stronger now but I did loose some when I first got them. Love them but a bit pricey to get a school going for many.

Do you have the tank or the betta yet? A 10gallon would give you more options.

plecosrawesome · 05-02-2011, 12:50 PM

i have the tank and plan on getting the betta for my mom this week for mothers day

snail · 05-03-2011, 04:08 AM

As mentioned the zebra danios are no good for a 5 gallon, they really need more space and tend to be nasty when kept in a group of less than 6. As well as neons ottos and pygmy corys are sometimes recommended as betta tankmates but a 5 gallon is pretty small for more fish. Personally I'd try some shrimp and an apple snail and leave it at that. Bettas love a planted tank so instead of more fish you could get some plants which will make the tank look nicer to look at too.

If you do add tankmates be ready for the fact that some bettas won't tolerate any other life, if so you'll need a backup plan.

plecosrawesome · 05-03-2011, 09:02 AM

ok yeah i think ill get a betta, mystery snail, and maybe 3 ghost shrimp

jrman83 · 05-03-2011, 09:13 AM

That sounds safe and with a tank that size it's always good to play it safe.

snail · 05-03-2011, 09:14 AM

sounds like a plan. Some bettas will eat ghost shrimp, others wont bother them. Try to find larger sized shrimp to minimize the chance.

plecosrawesome · 05-03-2011, 10:01 AM

ok thanks for the advice

freshwater77 · 05-26-2011, 08:21 PM

Both neon tetras and zebra danios are said to be compatible with bettas, but if you wanted the betta to have tankmates, I'd go with the tetras. My danios are kindof aggressive and all the tetras I've had couldn't care less about any of the other fish. I'd be confident about the ghost shrimp (only the really small ones get eaten quickly, I've found). I know nothing of snails, so I can't help you there. I think four neon tetras, a betta, and a few ghost shrimp would work just fine (and be fun to watch), so long as the tank wasn't terribly crowded with plants... Good luck! =]

04-29-2011, 08:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
plecosrawesome plecosrawesome's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 248 Name: Anthony Location: Pittsburgh,PA Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 70 Times Said "Thanks" 71 Times Was Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon hi, i was wondering if i could keep 3-5 zebra danios or neon tetras in a 5 gallon with a betta, and maybe some ghost shrimp and a mystery snail. if i can which would be better the danios or the tetras? __________________ Current Tanks: 90G,30G,10G,10G,5G,38G,20G

04-29-2011, 08:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
ReStart ReStart's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 321 Name: SammyLee Location: Mid-South My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 37 Times Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 63 Times in 55 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon Yeah, I'd vote yes but I'd go with the Neons, at least as far as keeping the Betta safe. Some Zebras nip, mostly out of boredom I think. Plus the Neons are smaller fish, keeping the bioload less. __________________ 60g tall, all artificial plants, Rainbow tank; 55g for African Cichlids. 20g long for fry; 20g hex, 2 black Angels at my desk; 10g planted, with 50 Molly fry; 10 gal, 2x 13w cfl lightning, planted; 2g hex for "Buddy the Betta"; Wanting a 200g +, MTS getting bad.

04-29-2011, 09:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,463 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,382 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon Danios, no. Why would you want to put so many into a 5gal tank? They are really not good for much but 1 Betta. Adding 3-5 Tetras, ghost shrimp, and a mystery snail is just asking for trouble keeping fish alive.

04-29-2011, 11:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon Mystery snails are from the Apple snail family, and Apple snails grow to the size of a fist, so just be sure of the size it will grow to first, lol. Maybe 1 or 2 Zebra Nerite snails and some ghost or red cherry shrimp? (Personally, inverts' can be much more fun to watch than fish sometimes). __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

04-30-2011, 06:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
plecosrawesome plecosrawesome's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 248 Name: Anthony Location: Pittsburgh,PA Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 70 Times Said "Thanks" 71 Times Was Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon ok so i gues i will just do a betta and maybe 3-4 tetras and 3 ghost shrimp? __________________ Current Tanks: 90G,30G,10G,10G,5G,38G,20G

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04-30-2011, 10:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon Neons/Cardinals should be kept in groups of 4 or more, (preferably 6 or more), yes I know - I only have 2 - but that's because every time I bring another 3 or 4 home they die off until I only have 2 left..... I have weird luck with Cardinals, lol. You could probably get away with 4 neons, but they do like to swim around. I would go with a Betta, ghost or cherry or amano shrimp and 1 or 2 Zebra snails. You can try the neons though - you may have luck with them. (Be warned Bettas will eat shrimp that will fit into their mouths, so make sure any you put in the tank are too big for him to eat). __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

05-01-2011, 02:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gizmo What do fish think about? Gizmo's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,350 Name: Guy Miller Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 183 Times Said "Thanks" 451 Times Was Thanked 603 Times in 573 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon Definitely no on the danios, of any kind - danios are fast swimmers that prefer tanks with a lot of current, and they are fairly aggressive for community fish, as stated above. Neons would be the better pick of the two, but I wouldn't go higher than 3-4. HOWEVER.... You could do a school of 4-5 galaxy rasboras (a.k.a. celestial pearl rasboras). They are close kin to tetras, they are absolutely gorgeous fish, and are very very small (fully grown, less than 1"). However, they are very timid and very delicate fish. Just a warning. __________________ Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

05-01-2011, 03:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,463 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,382 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon ....and hard to find.

05-02-2011, 12:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
snail snail's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,639 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,935 Times Said "Thanks" 361 Times Was Thanked 633 Times in 590 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon They'd also make good snacks for a betta, so don't mix the two . I sit in front of my celestial pearl danio tank a lot and they are not that timid any more. They also seem stronger now but I did loose some when I first got them. Love them but a bit pricey to get a school going for many. Do you have the tank or the betta yet? A 10gallon would give you more options.

05-02-2011, 12:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
plecosrawesome plecosrawesome's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 248 Name: Anthony Location: Pittsburgh,PA Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 70 Times Said "Thanks" 71 Times Was Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon i have the tank and plan on getting the betta for my mom this week for mothers day __________________ Current Tanks: 90G,30G,10G,10G,5G,38G,20G

05-03-2011, 04:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
snail snail's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,639 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,935 Times Said "Thanks" 361 Times Was Thanked 633 Times in 590 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon As mentioned the zebra danios are no good for a 5 gallon, they really need more space and tend to be nasty when kept in a group of less than 6. As well as neons ottos and pygmy corys are sometimes recommended as betta tankmates but a 5 gallon is pretty small for more fish. Personally I'd try some shrimp and an apple snail and leave it at that. Bettas love a planted tank so instead of more fish you could get some plants which will make the tank look nicer to look at too. If you do add tankmates be ready for the fact that some bettas won't tolerate any other life, if so you'll need a backup plan.

05-03-2011, 09:02 AM	#12 (permalink)
plecosrawesome plecosrawesome's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 248 Name: Anthony Location: Pittsburgh,PA Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 70 Times Said "Thanks" 71 Times Was Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon ok yeah i think ill get a betta, mystery snail, and maybe 3 ghost shrimp __________________ Current Tanks: 90G,30G,10G,10G,5G,38G,20G

05-03-2011, 09:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,463 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,382 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon That sounds safe and with a tank that size it's always good to play it safe.

05-03-2011, 09:14 AM	#14 (permalink)
snail snail's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,639 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,935 Times Said "Thanks" 361 Times Was Thanked 633 Times in 590 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon sounds like a plan. Some bettas will eat ghost shrimp, others wont bother them. Try to find larger sized shrimp to minimize the chance.

05-03-2011, 10:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
plecosrawesome plecosrawesome's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 248 Name: Anthony Location: Pittsburgh,PA Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 70 Times Said "Thanks" 71 Times Was Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon ok thanks for the advice __________________ Current Tanks: 90G,30G,10G,10G,5G,38G,20G

05-26-2011, 08:21 PM	#16 (permalink)
freshwater77 Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 29 Name: Lauren Location: Florida My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 11 Times Said "Thanks" 9 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: could i keep zebra danios, or neon tetras in a 5 gallon Both neon tetras and zebra danios are said to be compatible with bettas, but if you wanted the betta to have tankmates, I'd go with the tetras. My danios are kindof aggressive and all the tetras I've had couldn't care less about any of the other fish. I'd be confident about the ghost shrimp (only the really small ones get eaten quickly, I've found). I know nothing of snails, so I can't help you there. I think four neon tetras, a betta, and a few ghost shrimp would work just fine (and be fun to watch), so long as the tank wasn't terribly crowded with plants... Good luck! =] __________________

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