What fish to get? Compatible?

First a little background. About seven months ago we bought a little ten gallon aquarium. We had six zebra danios and two sunset platys. We have recently went to a 30 gal tank. It is finally cycled and everything is good and ready to go. We have the danios in there as well as the platys. I have a wish list of fish I want, but doubt I have room for all of them. Plus I am not sure how each type will do together. But here is what I really would like to have in there:

6-8 zebra danios
1 red tailed or rainbow shark
the two platys plus maybe another one
4-5 tiger barbs
From what I have read these fish should be compatible together, but I would love to have feedback. Also more than just getting along do they like the same part of the tank. I don't want all the fish wanting the same area?

Now the other fish I really like, but am not sure of compatibility is neon tetras. I have always loved them, but don't want to get them if they will be harassed and unhappy. So basically two questions.
1. Are the above compatible? If not why? Is it all that don't work, or just one or two.
2. If they are is the 30 gal. too small? What size would I need?

I have read that the danios are sometimes difficult with other fish, but mine all seem pretty easy going.

The second part of this is for my nearly 7 year old daughter. She was telling a friend about her "inherited tank". When hearing how small it was he offered his 35 gal. So somehow she ends up with a bigger tank than ours She really would like some silver dollars, but it seems to me they get pretty large. If she had those would that be about all she could happily have in there. She has major say in what fish will go in there, but I have final approval. I mean I want her to get the fish she wants, but not at the cost of what is good for the fish. She also really liked another fish, but I cannot recall the name of it to check it out. Maybe you can help? It was very small (currently), white looked like a small catfish, stayed near the bottom, needed a group of three or more. I also think it said it liked to have a place to hide. Any thoughts as to what it is called?

Any suggestions for her tank? I think I am going to get her some neon tetras for hers, if they will not go in mine. She also said she would like a variety of fish.

The 10 gal. currently has guppies. She would like to move some into the new tank, but not neccesary.

I appreciate anyone who has been able to get through this far, and any responses you have. Sherry

downloader said:

I think your girl is talking about albino corys, they stay small under 2" and are most happy in groups.
As for your tank stay away from the tiger barbs, they will eat the baby platys. I suggest you have the zebras, platys, and neons and maybe add a cory.

www.bluewhippet.net

Click to expand...

Thank you. The albino corys are what she was talking about. Perfect little fish for us. It stays pretty small.

I have male platys. Actually just realized that. But thought the barbs were more wishful thinking than actually compatible. I had just found a couple of sites that had this mixture working. Thanks for your reply. It is always good to get feedback from people who have experience.

kyle3 said:

unfortunately the red tailed shark needs a much larger tank.

the other 3 kinds of fish are all mid water schooling fish-

b/c the tiger barbs get larger and need at least 6 i would skip them and go with a school of neons like 10 of them and 10 of the danios

then you could have a school if bottom feeders too, perhaps 5-6 corys

another bottom feeder that's really cool (you might have to special order but it's worth it) are dwarf loaches/ chain loaches- these guys are supper cute and more active than they're larger cousins. you could have 6 of these and they would be very happy.

a
cheers-Kyle

Click to expand...

For future reference what size tank would the red tailed shark need? The site I looked at said they only get about 3.5 inches long. but it must be on the small size with its measurements because it also had the tiger barbs at 2 inches. Anyway we may eventually go larger with a larger tank. My husband and I both really like the sharks. And the barbs are really neat looking.

I think the corys will make a nice addition to the existing tank.

Thanks for the feedback. I thought the silver dollars would be too large when grown. I do not want any overcrowding or unhappy fish.

My next question. What order should I add the fish? I would assume increase my danios first. Then when time to add more would the corys or neons be next? And when I do add the neons should I do just part of the group at a time or the whole group of ten. Thanks again for your help.

CatLover said:

I have a friend with a silver dollar in her 90 gallon tank. He is huge.



Just remember to add fish slowly.

Yeah, the shark is totally not an option for either tank.

Most of the small tetra are really hardy and easy to keep. Check out your tetra selection and tell us what she likes. Danios are also a small schooling fish. I had about 6 long finned blue danios that were mean as all get out. I think they were mentioned above. Some people find them very peaceful, I guess it just varies.

Anyway, tell us what you decided for your tank and your daughter's tank.

Click to expand...

It is so hard to find reliable information on some sites. That is why I wanted to confirm here. Do not want to have a tank of unhappy or scared fish.

I currently have some danios. They seem to be pretty easy going. They chase each other some, but I have never seem them bother the platys. Maybe they don't like to pick on platys.

Going slow is so hard. Especially with a child, but she will have to deal with it. She is ready to go to the store now. She understands we have to wait, but does not like it I will make sure I let you all know what we go with. But it will be a while as her tank has to cycle.