I'd like some more opinions

Berserkr

Berserkr

AC Members
Feb 10, 2007
16
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0
Tulsa, OK
Ok so I'm slowly working on the process of setting up a moderately planted 10gal. Have yet to buy the filter, etc thought it's coming piece by piece since the guy selling the tank didn't have all the equip with it as advertised. Anyway, in an attempt to ease the impatience and whatnot of waiting for all this to get together and the cycle, I'm working on plausible stocking options. based on some recommendations I've seen on here and my own tastes, what started as a simple invert tank w/snails for my terrestrial snail obsessed 3 and a half year old boy, here's what I've got:

6 Harlequin Rasboras

1 Male Betta (of course will have plenty little hiding spots and floating plants)

2 Apple snails

My second option replaces the Rasboras with tetras, either neon or cardinal though I'm leaning toward cardinal out of personal preference, but the numbers of tetras I could stock and my hard water concern me. As does the LFS-ish store here, honestly. Who keeps suggesting a fishy cycle, but their stock seems healthy. Other than that I don't know of any other stores other than Petsmart which was horrific, here in Tulsa. I'll puruse posts to see what I find in that regard. Please let me know what you all think of these options, or any other options, the only thing that must be there are the snails...got to have the snails...
 
If you've gotta have snails, there are plenty of other snail species out there that might engage your three year old. Healthy apple snails can reach fist, or even, apple sized, and they tend to try to leave the tank at night. How about some ruby red MST? Indigo snails? Both easy to keep, will breed in your ten without leaving it, and provide great eye appeal for a three year old.

As for the fish, I'd limit it to the one betta. He may become nippy on the tetras, or worse, the tetras might swarm him in that small a space, going after his big tail display. I've had harlequin rasboras that tore up all my male guppies overnight. And that was 2 against 200.... Kinda depends on the fish, but I'd start with a betta, and see how he works out first.
 
With a 10 gal. you should stay away from shoolers. They won't be very happy.
the male betta and snails is not a bad idea.
Just be prepared to do water changes every two days until you get a filter. Snails multiply very quickly and will funk a small tank fast.
 
any other ideas of fish to go with the snails in that tank? I'm not going to put anything but plants in there until it's cycled, so I'm not worried about the snails wonkying up my tank. I was thinking apple snails because the breeding would be easier to control. I'd actually rather not mess with that end of things at the moment.
 
I talked to the LFS since I finally found a seemingly reputable one. Said harley's should be fine but they can be nippy. then I actually saw a male betta with some cardinal tetras. amazing. I think that's what I'll go with. Although the colors of the cardinals kind of hurt my face...lol. beautiful. I just don't know how many I can stock in there, they had that set up in what looked like about a 12 or 15
 
as far as snails go, i'd ask your LFS if they'll take the babies (mine will, although it depends who i talk to whether i get anything for them)

If they will, its a simple matter to deal with breeding. Personally, i love malaysian trumpet snails. They don't touch my plants, are very hardy, and so small that you can have tons, and watch them clean the glass, and stick to what ever ornaments, caves, etc they find. But if you can't eventually get rid of offspring, they won't work for you (in 6 months mine went from 12 to a hundred or so with nightly feeding of shrimp pellets)


If you want the betta with cardinals, and the betta already living with the cardinals is for sale, I'd buy him. Some bettas just don't like tank mates, and can be a PITA to convince to live with anything but snails. Mine is tempermental, and lived with others for a while, and then when i moved him, and added some cories, he HATED the cories. -shrug-
 
6~7 cardinals would be about max, that would be my first choice too, i love the colours of a cardinal.
 
Thanks alot! I only saw two cardinals total in the lfs, it wasn't a big place and was mostly marine, but I didn't get to spend much time there, kind of in and out. The betta with the cardinals would be great, he doesn't seem to care too much that there are other fish in there with him, and he's a really great dark red which matches the cardinals a bit. Still have to cycle my tank, so I hope he's still there!
 
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