10 Gallon Freshwater Community Aquarium Stock List

FreshSaltyFish

AC Members
Jul 10, 2009
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Hi there everyone,
I'm new here, but not to fish tanks, nor forums. I currently am running a 55 gallon saltwater reef, but I have a free 10 gallon tank on my hands that I want to use to make a nice peaceful freshwater community aquarium. I'm one of those people who like the natural look of things, or in other words I think fake/plastic = tacky. Here's what I plan on stocking in it. I have some questions after the stock list.

FISH
2 Neon Tetra
2 Red Platy
2 Marthae Silver Hatchet
2 Ghost Glass Catfish

INVERTEBRATES
1 Red Cherry Shrimp
1 Olive Nerita Snail

ROCK / SUBSTRATE / PLANTS / MISC.
Lace Rock
Sand
Dwarf Hairgrass
Driftwood

QUESTIONS
1. How many watts of lighting do I need for the Dwarf Hairgrass?
2. How many Lbs of Lace Rock & Sand do I need?
3. Is 2 of the same fish enough for community aquarium fish to school?
4. Am I overstocking?
 
:welcome: to AC!

Your stock list will not work. Glass catfish, neon tetras and hatchets are sociable by nature. The are best kept in groups. Unfortunately a 10g is very limited. If I were you, change the list to 5-6 neons, 5-6 ember tetras and 5-6 dwarf species of corydoras (Corydoras hastatus, Corydoras habrosus or Corydoras pygmaeus). You can still retain two platies making sure both are males. Having a ratio of 1:1 male and female will not work as the female will be constantly harassed by the male.

Aim for at least 1-1.5 inch thick of sand only. As for the red cherry shrimps, I'd aim for at least 10. One defeats the purpose of even bothering to own them as you would not be seeing it most of the time preferring to hide amongst the plants.

I'm leaving the plant question to others as I have no experience with dwarf hairgrass.
 
I can't have a Glass Cat? What about Bettas with the Tetras and stuff? Ohh, and thanks for the warm welcome.
 
The glass catfish need to be kept in groups otherwise they will pine away. A lot of glass catfish kept in less than four do not last for a long time as a result of solitary life. As they reach 6 inches in length, they take up a lot of space in a 10g. Not something you really would want to see in your tank seeing as they look like goldfish in a fishbowl.

You could attempt bettas definitely but this will be trial and error. Make sure you have a backup tank as most bettas tend to be aggressive and may harass your other fish. If you still want shrimps, I would not bother with bettas as the betta will simply gobble them up. If you insist, you could try sparkling gouramis. Get the youngest ones as much as possible as they are basically shortlived fish. I have not had one lasting for a year at all even though they were able to reach their max size of 4 cm.
 
Thanks, you're a big help. I've looked it over and here's the new stocklist.

FISH
5 Neon Tetra
5 Marthae Silver Hatchet
5 Dwarf Corydoras Catfish

INVERTEBRATES
5 Red Cherry Shrimps
5 Snails

ROCK / SUBSTRATE / PLANTS / MISC.
Lace Rock
Sand
Dwarf Hairgrass
Driftwood

Will this work?
 
What species are these snails? Your fish stocks are good so far. If you hope to keep snails, make sure your pH and hardness levels are high enough as soft and acidic water can severely erode their shells. If you want to keep nerites, I suggest keeping one only as they need a constant supply of algae and will ignore any prepared foods. Make sure your tank is well established with plenty of algal growth for the snails. If this is not an option at all, aim for two Pomacea diffusa instead. Mystery snails are fun to keep and they will readily eat anything you provide them although they are not efficient algae eaters.
 
Ok I'll think about getting those. Thanks. Do you think I can get 5 of them?
 
Which snails are you talking about? I'd still advise one nerite only. For Pomacea diffusa, I go with a guideline of 2.5g per snail. These snails poo heavily and you may need plenty of water changes if you want to put more than one or two in your 10g tank.
 
Well, I've decided to update the list again. This is my final list.

FISH
5 NEON TETRAS
5 HARLEQUIN RASBORAS
5 DWARF CORYDORAS CATFISH

INVERTEBRATES
5 RED CHERRY SHRIMPS

SUBSTRATE
SAND

ROCK
2 PIECES OF LACE ROCK

LIVE PLANTS
DWARF HAIRGRASS

MISC.
1 PIECE OF DRIFT WOOD

Sorry for being a pest for updating the list constantly...
 
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