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Can danios live happily in a ten gallon? And if so, how many can fit comfortably?

I'd say, "yes"!
Perhapes a hand full.
Actually that might not be a good indication of how many.
Since some people have small hands while others have larger hands.
Danios are relatively slim fish, so I would say a dozen would do fine.

What sort of plants would you suggest?

Danios like alot of swimming room, and need to be in groups of atleast six. You could fit a group of six in a ten gallon. But thats pushing it, and thats all i would have in there.

Danios tend to stay at the top of the tank .. they are really active but usually only dart to the bottom for eating their eggs. 12-15 would be about right for a 10 ... but i would also add some other fish that are bottom dwellers ... siamese algae eaters (although more of a mid tank fish) and probably a few cories ... dont add all at once its easy to send a small tank into a mini cycle.

Another option would be a mystery or apple snail (although they will eat any plants you put in there).

Plants ive found that work well in a small tank with standard light are java fern, aponogenton bulbs, dwarf saggitaria, and chain swords. I would assume anubias would do well because they are aot like java fern .. but i have never got my hands on any <g>.

Bdadawg

yes. maybe about 4-5 of them.

Danios are a highly active fish and really need as much swimming room as you can give them. Although you could place a small school (I would say 6 to 8) of them in a ten gallon, it would be really cramped swimming quarters for them.

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

I feel that only a small group (six or seven) danios would fit in a ten gallon. They are fairly small fish, and aren't super wasteful, but they need a lot of room to swim around. Danios are always on the go, and a mere ten gallons of water doesn't provide much of that space, especially if there are other fish in the tank. Danios would be much happier in a twenty gallon, where there is quite a bit more room.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

IME Danios will become stunted in a 10 gallon, even if it's just a small school.
If you want danios go with a larger tank, if you need something for the 10 go with something smaller. If you must have danios in the 10, get them as adults if @all possible. Providing some water current with a powerhead would likely be appreaciated as it will give them something to play in.

^_^


[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

I currently have 8 Danios in a 10 gal with a fairely strong current for them. I keep the decorations to a minimum to give them plenty of space. But i would also like to get some tetras since they are smaller and take up litle room. How are the danios going to react to the Tetras if they are introduced into their environment?

My experience is that tetras don't generally like fast current....they also appreaciate some places to hide out (specifically the smaller ones).
The danios are likely to be too active for the tetras as well. I'd advice against adding them.

^_^


[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

I have 6 Zebra Danios in a 10 gallon by themselves. The tank is very active with just the 6 of them in there. I have a larger tank waiting to be setup, they will be moving into that tank as soon as possible.

As was said before, swimming space is the important part with Danios. These 2" fish are very fast and active all day and all night. Bio-load wise, a lot of Zebra Danios could be kept in 10 gallons. But it would be cruel to even come close to the max.

rule of the thumb 1"/1gal... but to make ur danios feel better..ill go for less...6-8 (7 is just right)..there will be more room for them to swim around.

Inch per gallon is a very old rule and is only true for some fish in the case of some tanks. For instance you could not put a 10" fish in a 10 gallon tank...it couldnt' turn around. For similar reasons you can not put active fish (say 2 rosy barbs) in a 10 gallon tank. While they can turn around they don't have the room to move.
A better "guidline" for stocking is to use surface area of the tank /14 for tropical fish.

^_^

[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

i agree that the 10 gallon causes stunting because mine where small in the 10 gallon and i only had 6 in there. They do not stay at the top that is not fact mine are all over the tank. Even when i moved them to my 55 gallon they stayed mostly at the bottom and in the mid of the tank. I would be careful going with java soon as you turn around your gonna be like where all these fish come from!!!! If you have good water control the danios will mate everyday well atleast mine does. I hope you have a lid on the tank because i found out that they are very good jumpers.