How would you do it? Celestial Pearl Danio tank options.

[Sir Tristen]

So, I'm getting ready to acquire some CPD's here in a couple weeks, and I just got a 10 gallon tank on top of my 20. The 10 gallon has some used filter media from the 20 to start the cycle, and I added ammonia, but I'm starting to wonder what the best option is here. When I get the CPD's, they will be my fish of choice, the one I'm most concerned about, so I want to give them the best home for them.

I am considering either adding them to the 20 long and taking out the platys, or putting them in the 10 by themselves. The platys would go into the 10 in their place. I've read that having some tank mates sometimes makes the CPD's less nervous, but I don't know if a dwarf gourami and some corys are good tank mates. Also, the 20 is somewhat established, and has a lot of plants, whereas the 10 is cycling and plants would have to be added (something I intend to do either way.) Around Thanksgiving, I'm going to be leaving, so I'll need to put something in to hold the cycle on the 10 (possibly the 3 female platys)

What would you guys do for the CPD's

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I would personally do a species tank with CPDs. The other thing they should have is plenty of plants. They will be most comfortable in a well planted tank.

[Wild Turkey]

Good advice ^
Corys are a good tank mate for anything thats peaceful for future reference. none of the popular species are aggressive, ever.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

The only problem with Cories is they prefer warmer water then the CPD does. CPDs are going to be comfortable with water that ranges from 72-76. Cories are generally happier with temps 76-80 with a few liking it up to 84

[Wild Turkey]

Pandas are perfect for that temp but i cant think of any others off hand that like it cool at all.

But, i wasnt suggesting it, i think CPDs are good as a species tank like you said. Thats why i said for future reference, just mentioning what a great community fish they are.

[NickFish]

Agree with the above, a species tank would be best.

They are calmed down by certain tank mates, peaceful tetras and the like, but not platies. So adding them into a tank with platies really wouldn't have any effect on their behaviour, I would do a species tank.

[Sir Tristen]

Thanks for the replys!

The danios would have only been in with the corys and the dwarf, but it seems that the species tank is the way to go. I may put the platys in the new 10 to hold the cycle for a few days while I'm gone and just before I get the CPD's, but then I'll put them back in the new tank.

I changed the sponge in my AC 70 for the cycle in the 10 gallon (it fit perfectly in the aquatech). Would it be better to finish off with a fishless cycle, or put the 3 female platys in now as the media should be more or less cycled? I added some ammonia to hold the cycle, but maybe switching over the platys would be better?

Also, will the male platy get stressed without fellow platys in tow?