Help, so worried about new fish!

[chipped]

We added to our established tank today 2 new fish. We had 2 goldfish and a lovely zebra danio. Wanted 2 more zebras but was told we could have any of about 4 diff small fish. So we (ds) chose a giant danio and a type of minnow (I can't remember what). Introduced them to the tank over an hour period at about 4pm. The2 danios are sticking together and seem thrilled! The poor minnow ('felicity' ) however has been chased around by all of them and has now hidden behind the Stingray filter, been there hours . She is tiny and stays at the surface. Do they thinkk she is food? What should I do? I feel terrible for her.

I thought Danios should be in groups of about 6 or more, and then that should stop them chasing the other one.

you could get a breeding net to separate the minnow

Danios and minnows are shoaling fish, so both need groups of at least six. How big is your tank? If it's big enough then it's best to return the giant danio and get zebra danios instead and either also up the numbers of the minnows or return the lonely one.

Thank you all. Interesting, explains why the 2 danios are sticking together. I aquired the zebra with a new tank someone gave me ages ago. Had no idea he was so lonely It's all really new to me so I am learning as I go along.

I will do what is best for the fish. I don't even know capacity of tank, I'll go measure it when ds2 is asleep and perhaps you could advise me further. I bet you say it's too small!

Will the danios and the minnow not stick together at all? I am happy to buy more if the tank can take it. The goldfish were the originals, bought for my children in a small plastic tank by my lovely, well meaning neighbour! From there I have progressed through 2 bigger tanks (acquiring the zebra en route). I've since heard goldfish are not very good fish to keep in a tank, perhaps they need to be found a new home?? Would they be better in a pond? My parents have a large wildlife pond, would that be suitable or is that a stupid suggestion?

Sorry, I'd never normally have pets that I don't know how to care for, this feels such a mess.

30cm wide, 39cms tall, 61cms long.

Sorry crap at maths so don't know how to work out capacity

It's 64 litre - tis the same as mine, we have an external filter for it though.

Put your dimensions and fish you have in here and it should give you some good info.

That's too small for the goldfish...it would be better to put them in a pond and increase your minnow and danio numbers. However, goldfish and wildlife aren't always compatible - if your parents are happy to have them that's great, but they may have fewer frogs from then on!

Yes, it's between 60-70 litres.

Best is to rehome the goldfish, the wildlife pond sounds like a good idea.

Then I suggest you decide on either danios or minnows and up the shoal of one of them and return the other. And after possibly add something else. Although no, thinking about it I think they both prefer colder water and most tropical fish want it warmer. Will come back later with suggestions.

Actually, forget that. Even zebra danios would prefer a 3ft tank, so do the minnows. Would you be willing to return them all and start afresh with a new, compatible stocking?

I'm thinking a shoal of neon tetras and two dwarf gouramis would be good in your tank, but they need higher temperatures.

Thank you for your replies, sorry to have not responded for so long. Hah, knew it wouldn't be easy!

Dps are considering the goldfish/pond idea but they are very Eco friendly types and were a bit when I first asked. Will they eat the frogspawn, is that it?

The danios seems happy, the minnow is still hiding. I dreamt I found her on my cup of tea last night and she was really happy, despite how hot it was. Any chance she'll be able to emerge from hiding or do you definitely think I need to at least return her? Poor Felicity, shop (usually good and knowledgable) said any of the danios or minnow would be fine.

Goldfish will eat tadpoles, yes. If you're putting them in a pond then it needs to be at least a metre deep at the deepest point so they can shelter from extreme weather. If they are fancy goldfish (the fat ones with long fins) then they can't go in a pond at all.

Poor Felicity the minnow :( she will be lonely on her own, it would be better to rehome her and the danios who will need a bigger tank to zip about in.

If you got a heater then you could keep some small tropical fish. Don't use the aqadviser site though, it gets it right sometimes but half the time it is way off the mark. It's good for getting ideas but make sure you do loads of research too.