View Full Version : Child's tank
Grassguy
10-21-2003, 4:57 AM
Hi all. I'm kinda new to this forum, but not exactly new to aquariums. One question. I am now cycling a six gallon tank I just got for my five year old son. Any advice on some good fish for him. I'll need something colorful that he will enjoy watching while going to sleep. Y'all seem to give some good advice. I'd appreciate any suggestions.
A tank that small doesn't allow for much, but if want colourful and fun to watch platies seem to fit the bill. You can safely add three adult platies to that tank and they will live happily there.
Otherwise fancy tailed guppies might be another option.
Grassguy
10-21-2003, 7:11 AM
Thanks.:) I was kinda thinkin that way. It will be mostly his decision, but I will be a very strong guide. I don't plan on letting him get anyhthing that will outgrow his tank. I just don't have much experience with small tanks (the smallest I had before this one was a 33gal). Would some snails be good in there as well? Last time he went to the LFS with me, he seemed kinda drawn to them.
OrionGirl
10-21-2003, 8:26 AM
A couple snails would be okay, but they will need to be fed--lettuce, zucchini, algae wafers, etc. They won't be able to survive on just waht gets through the platies. A couple of shrimp, like amano's, would be nice as well, and are neat to watch.
JSchmidt
10-21-2003, 10:57 AM
Cory catfish can be pretty zany, especially if you have a bubble wall or something similar for them to play in.
My kids each have a tank in their room; the 4 year olds have some harlequin rasboras (good, active mid-tank swimmers) and some small tetras. My older son has a kissing gourami, but your 6 gallon tank rules that out.
The most important thing: get something hardy. It saves a lot tears and fish funerals. Zebra danios are pretty good; they're fairly hyper, which kids seem to like. Only problem is they're not the most colorful fish in the world...
HTH,
Jim
Traci
10-21-2003, 11:40 AM
I picked up a couple of long finned leopard danios and they are very pretty. They zip around alot and their fins are quite nice. When they play near the top they seem to be almost gold. They'll reach 2 inches, but are very thin bodied, so a small school of 3 would probably do well in a 6 gallon.
Another way to go is to get a center piece fish. This could be a betta or paradise fish and then get a small school (3) of cory catfish. The catfish stay small are very peaceful and keep things clean (they still their own sinking food). And the betta will rule the tank and look very beautiful doing it. Add some java fern (can't beat it for ease of taking care of) and everyone will be happy.
Whatever you do don't overstock or you will end up with lots of dead fish. Understocked in the small tanks is the way to go. And you can still add a snail in there as well.
MaryPa
10-22-2003, 5:48 AM
Platys would get too territorial in a small 6 gal tank.The only thing I personally would even think of putting in it is a betta and about 2 african dwarf frogs.The frogs are so funny,your 6 yr old would like them much more than fish.Just be sure to let him know they can`t be handled out of water.Teach him to hold a squished tubiflex cube in his hand and let the frogs eat out it.Seems this would be more interesting to a child his age.The betta will be there for mom and dad to enjoy looking at;) Remember the filter,small gravel and heater,both bettas and adf`s are tropical.
Platys aggressive in a small tank? I have 3 of the guys in a 5 gallon and they do wonderfully and hangout together all the time just waiting to be feed. Happiest fish I have ever seen.
MaryPa
10-22-2003, 2:34 PM
I had a 5gal quarentine tankl and put some platy in it the males faught until their Q time was up and they were put in a 10 gal. Then the were ok.Now that was my platys yours must have been taught manners:D
aquariumfishguy
10-22-2003, 2:50 PM
Certain livebearers can get fairly big...and platies should really have a minimum of 10 gallons...that doesn't mean they need 10 gallons per fish, but they do need room to swim around in. After you have a 10 gallon for platies, you could get up to 8...possibly 10!
Grassguy
10-28-2003, 4:30 AM
Thanks for all the suggestions.:) Just wanted to let y'all know, that the tank finished cycling Sunday. We cleaned a little algfae of the glass, and I took Kevin (my 5yr old son) to the LFS yeaterday. I showed him the fish y'all recommended plus a few others that I thought might work, and he chose (drunroll)...one red male Betta and 3 emerald cories. They seem to be settling in and doing fine. Thanks again for all the great suggestuions.
Good luck. Sounds like a nice tank. Make sure to keep testing those waters and try to get your son to help. Teach him now how to properly take care of a fish tank so that we can have knowledgable members in the future to keep the board going!!
Grassguy
10-28-2003, 6:10 AM
That's part of the reason for getting one now. He's been helping with the water changes so far. First I'm gonna focus on him feeding the fish (supervised of course). Then we'll get into water testing.
I think it will be a good way to teach some responsibility. And if he helps, it will truly be "his tank".