10gal Stocking Questions

[Hanna1187]

Hello! I am new to fish keeping and would like some opinions/advice on my possible plan for a 10 gallon tank.

After a lot of reading online I was thinking about building up the following community:

- 2 guppies
- 3 platies
- 3 ghost shrimp
- 1 netrite snail

My questions are:

-Is this an acceptible community for a 10 gal? I don’t want to over stock and have tried to consider like environment needs and dwelling levels for the tank.

-I don’t want more fish so is it okay to get both male or both female guppies? How about the Platies? Also, if it is okay to get either all male or all female, is it better to get males or females?

-Should all the platies be the same kind? For example all three Sunburst or can I get a combination such as 2 Sunburst and a Mickey Mouse?

-I don’t want to add all the fish at once so I am wondering if I should I start with platies or guppies first since this is a new tank? (I have already done a fishless cycle).

-Is it okay to add either the 2 guppies or 3 platies to start off at the same time or should I start with only one fish and then add another later and so on?

-Finally, I am wondering if it is okay to start with the snail and the 3 shrimp right off? Or do I need to slowly add them in one at a time too?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

 

[ElmerDavis]

Hey there, welcome to the fishkeeping world! Your plan looks pretty solid for a 10-gallon tank, but here’s some quick advice:

• Stocking: Your community sounds fine, but keep an eye on water quality since 10 gallons can get crowded fast. Regular water changes will be key!
• Guppies & Platies: Stick to all males or all females to avoid breeding. Males are usually more colorful, but females are less likely to squabble.
• Platy Types: Mixing types (like Sunburst and Mickey Mouse) is totally fine—they’ll get along just fine!
• Adding Fish: Start with the hardier platies first, then add guppies later. Adding 2-3 fish at a time is okay, just monitor ammonia levels.
• Shrimp & Snail: You can add them right away since they have a low bioload, but make sure the tank is stable first.

Sounds like you’re off to a great start—good luck with your new aquatic buddies!