Fish suggestions for new set-up - HELP MUCH APPRECIATED

[Ryan32185]

Well, I was looking through my basement when I was home from college for Christmas break and I found a nice 10-gal all-glass aquarium. I liked having goldfish when I was little so I want to get some fish and have a nice set-up. Here is what I have purchased so far as this is just in the planning stages:

10-gal Glass Tank
Marineland Emperor 280 (probably overkill but I want a good 3-stage filtration system)
Heater
Hood with floruescant light

So, now is the part where I decide on what are good beginner fish? Bettas? Since my tank is not very big, do I have any other options? I like some of the tetras. Also, will I need to have live plants?

Thanks for your help! I know there are many other discussions like this out there but I needed a specific answer as to what I can have or will be OK with my tank limits.

-Ryan

[tricksterpup]

Ryan,

Well if you want a Betta, why not go with an Asian theme tank. A pretty schoolar would be the Harlequin Rasbora and some Kuhli Loaches.

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/sbs/cyprinids/sbs_rasbora2.jpg
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddbal49.jpg

[Ryan32185]

I will look into that. What are examples of a few fish that would live well together and not be extremely hard to take care of? I like the Black widow tetra and some of the tetra fish so could I group a few of them together in a 10 gal. tank without too much difficulty? What would you advise, if this is reasonable, the setup (ex. plants) be like? :huh:

[Ms.Bubbles]

No you don't NEED to have live plants if you have a good filter, but plants add a lot to the tank in terms of oxygen & giving the fish a sense of security & place to sleep/hide (plus they look awesome). With a 10 gallon tank, you will need at least 15 watts of fluorescent light (6500 K colour) to grow the low-light plants successfully.

On to stocking, I've got a VERY happy betta in a 10 gallon palace with plants & driftwood. He's one of the (many) bettas that don't really get along with other fish, so if you go with bettas, be prepared that he may have to live alone in that 10 g of yours, although he may tolerate a few peaceful fish or a few small catfish. Also, bettas don't like a lot of current in their tank, so if you have a really big filter it might be too much.

[Ryan32185]

What about tetras? I like the neon and black tetra and I assume they will live well together? What other smaller fish will live well with them? My goal is to make a small community of a couple different kinds of fish.

Thanks

[tricksterpup]

What about tetras? I like the neon and black tetra and I assume they will live well together? What other smaller fish will live well with them? My goal is to make a small community of a couple different kinds of fish.

Thanks
Ryan, if you are going to create a school, its best to keep 6 fish of the same species. A 10 gallon will fill up really fast after that.
Most small tetras will get along but I would do that when you get a larger tank. I would start off with a tetra, rasbora, or danio of your choice, about 6. A few either Cories or Kuhli Loaches for a bottom feeder if you want some and a Betta. You really can not add to much more. As for plants? I recommend Java moss, hardy plant, Java Fern and wysteria. All pretty hardy fish.

[Ryan32185]

Thanks tricksterpup for the help. OK, well after taking all your advice into account I came up with the following:

6 - Bleeding Heart Tetra OR Black Widow Tetra

4 - Clown Loach

1 - Betta

Plants - Wysteria, Amazon Swords

Filtration - Emperor 280

Decor - Rock with hole in the middle so fish can hide, other stuff not sure yet

Lighting - What do you recommend? The hood I have has a standard flurosent bulb.

Any special preparations for the tank like certain gravel, etc.

[tricksterpup]

Thanks tricksterpup for the help. OK, well after taking all your advice into account I came up with the following:

6 - Bleeding Heart Tetra OR Black Widow Tetra

4 - Clown Loach

1 - Betta

Plants - Wysteria, Amazon Swords

Filtration - Emperor 280

Decor - Rock with hole in the middle so fish can hide, other stuff not sure yet

Lighting - What do you recommend? The hood I have has a standard flurosent bulb.

Any special preparations for the tank like certain gravel, etc.

Ryan, Clown Loaches will out grow that tank, they will get big, about 12 inches. I would suggest a smaller species of loach. Kuhli stay small, about 3.5 inches max.

here is a size comparison of the clown.
http://www.loaches.com/species_images/clown_loach_capitol_aquarium_03.jpg

For more info on loaches check out this site. http://www.loaches.com/species_index.html

the reason I recommend Kuhli loaches, they are a good beginner fish.

As for plants, those are fine, but I do want to warn you, Amazon Swords do get big as well. I have one that takes up a third of my 55 gallon tank. Its HUGE. I prefer grass plants in my tanks. Take a look at my tank blog, not updated for awhile but it does have a picture of my current 20 gallon tank.

[Ryan32185]

Oh ok, I did not realize that. I will stick with the Kuhli loaches. Any gravel or decor recommendations that would fit the environment im trying to create well?

[tricksterpup]

Oh ok, I did not realize that. I will stick with the Kuhli loaches. Any gravel or decor recommendations that would fit the environment im trying to create well?
Ok, what I do when I buy gravel, i buy the local stuff at my LFS. It tends to be cheaper and look more natural, about 40 cents a pound. I recently picked up some large grain sand for my 75 Goldfish tank. I mixed it with some of the larger stuff I had and looks pretty nice. This stuff will work nice for live plants. If you are going to with normal output bulbs, I would go with a regular plant bulb at your lfs. If you can get a higher output bulb then go for it.

If you are into different types of filters. I own a Waterwonders filter and it looks nice. Check out my blog to see the wood one in action.
http://www.tetra-fish.com/images/product/WWDFS_268.jpghttp://www.tetra-fish.com/images/product/WWDFR_268.jpg

Now if you go with Kuhli, they will like to hide but with four of them, they will play nice together, they are schoolers.



for info on the waterwonders filter
http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/category.aspx?id=835

tonight I will take pictures and add it to my blog and post here of the sand setup and of the current 20 gallon live plant setup with a Betta and Danios.

[Ryan32185]

Great, thanks alot!

[cherrypie]

I'd probably start off with something like.

A pair of peacock gudgeons.

http://www.g-hoener.de/images/18%20Sonstige%20Arten/Tateurndina_ocellicauda_Pastellgrundel_a.jpg

and

Three Panda Cories to help keep the floor clean and because of their cheerful disposition.

http://www.desertratdemocrat.com/archives/022505.jpg

Then maybe add something else down the line.

Personally I love my Kuhli loaches, but they often disappear for months on end, only to reappear and be active daily for several weeks. You can't really be sure they'll be out frequently enough for you to notice them, which is why I recommended the panda corys, they're small, very active, fun to watch and they get really attatched to each other.

[Marinemom]

As far as filteration goes, the more you have for them the better off they are. Just make sure that the current in the tank is not too much for the fish. This will cause undo stress to the fish and could cause an outbreak of disease. Panda cories are great but remember that cories are very social little beings so I would recommend at least three of them. This way they can all hang out togather and sleep togather under or near some driftwood as they often do. The harlequin rasbora is a very peaceful little schooling fish and would be really cute with the cories. You can add a betta if you like and maybe a mystery snail for algae cleanup.(not the same as the snails on plants which everyone can't stand). They do not breed in the tank and do a great job with the algae.

Be happy!

Marinemom

[DeputyChiefJR]

I LOVE CHERRYPIE'S IDEA!!!!! CORIES ARE THE BEST!! and those gudgeons are mad cute!

[Roan Art]

Cherrypie,

Peacocks are hard to get over here. Dunno if an LFS would carry them or order them. They can be bought on line, but usually in "packs" and not as pairs.

Also, the ANGFA guys have said that they can be nasty at times, but I've heard a few people here say theirs are laid back. Could be "washed out" breeding, like with bows. Regardless, you sure they'd be okay with a betta?

My Goo obos are *extremely* laid back, cool dudes, and get along will with all my Boesemani, however they are in a 75g heavy planted tank.

I would rather have 2 males for every female if I were to restock. Do the male peacocks do the rearing as with the Goo obo? I'm thinking of stocking some with my Boes after I move the Goos in with my M. affinis Pagwi.

Roan