Starting up a new tank? which fish?

C

cuticom

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Dec 8, 2006
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Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia
Well, I'm getting a new tank and would really like to get a single shark to go in it. Either a rainbow shark or a red tail shark. The tank I'm getting is a 50 Litre, would that be suitable for them? If so what type of fish would go with them, either a group of three of the same species or another single.

Sharks are what I really like, and am hoping I can have one LOL, if not what fish that are NOT small schooling fish, that do ahve some personality are suitable for that size tank?

Thanks ever so
Emma
 
Sorry, but that size tank is too small for any species of shark. They all grow much too large.

If you're looking for solitary fish with personality; I'd recommend either a betta or a dwarf gourami for your sized tank. Bear in mind though that these are solitary fish, and generally you cannot have more than one per tank. There may also be compatibility problems depending on what else you wish to add.

You could probably do one of either the dwarf gourami or betta and also a small school (8-9) of neon tetras or similar. (beware if you end up going with a betta that some individuals are highly intolerant of tankmates, and can only be housed individually)
 
Nah, I've got four bettas, they are quite happy in their tanks.

I'm not particulalry fond of gouramis either, Mum had some and they just floated aroound the tank, though the kissing ones were hilarious.

Would some type of cichlid be okay? Paradise fish are another choice, but the only pet store we have in the area houses them with 50+ goldfish and they are completely beaten up by the time you get them. Otherwise I'd probably get one of them and some type of cold water cat fish.


I'm picky with fish, for some reason I really dont like the schooling fish which just swim in circles and do nothing. Like fishies with attitude that actually come up to the front of the tank whne you're around like the Bettas do.

They don't really ahve to be pretty fish, just something with attitude LOL. Oh and it also needs to be available in Australia.

Emma
 
I must say that I have purchased a Paradise fish and he lives in a 10 gallon tank (40 liters or so) that is heavily planted all alone. And I love that tank. He paces the front in a an aggressive manner, takes food from my hand. Will jump for food and even bites me when I do some plant trimming. He is a great fish with tons of personality. If you can get a healthy one I would highly suggest it.

I don't know how they would do with some other fish, but you may be able to get a small school of cory catfish in the tank, or perhaps a small group of khulie loaches, which are very cool as well.
 
My brother used to have one, he was soo cool. I'm gonna look at the other pet store we have, but i highly doubt they'd know what a paradise fish is, let alone have one.

We don't have khuli loaches here. Can paradise fish live with other paradise fish? or are they liek Bettas?
 
They are fine when overstocked such as fish tanks at the store are. But they don't do well in a regular tank with just a couple. They are like bettas in that respect. I must say that a single one will not be hard to watch though as they will be out and watching everything you do.
 
Why exactly is that size tank too small for a shark? The rainbow ones only get to about five inches long don't they? Wouldnt that be plenty of room to swim around and set out their own territory?
 
Rainbows reach 6 inches. The problem with sharks in smaller tanks is they are very active swimmers and need room to swim.
 
I have a nearly full grown, 5", Rainbow Shark in a 200L tank and I consider that the smallest tank this species should be put in. They NEED space to roam around and patrol their territory. In a 50L tank he would get to a certain size then he would just sit in one place and do nothing, boring for you and boring for the fish.

I have a male Paradise in a 50L tank and he has quite the personality. Occasionally I hang a small mirror in the tank, he bashes it with his nose, flares at it etc, I think he enjoys it??? If you can find a female you could try and breed them but otherwise I would just put 1 paradise fish in there. Males will fight.

My Paradise is good with small schooling fish (neon tetras, danios, etc) and cories. Anything slower and bigger seems to become a target for him.
 
setting up a tank

cuticom said:
Well, I'm getting a new tank and would really like to get a single shark to go in it. Either a rainbow shark or a red tail shark. The tank I'm getting is a 50 Litre, would that be suitable for them? If so what type of fish would go with them, either a group of three of the same species or another single.

Sharks are what I really like, and am hoping I can have one LOL, if not what fish that are NOT small schooling fish, that do ahve some personality are suitable for that size tank?

Thanks ever so
Emma
Click to expand...

Hi Emma
My tank was 65 lit. and i didn't know anything about nitrogen cycle. I had 4 swordtails and 4 zebra danios. After more than a month, I passed through the nitrogen cycle with no harm! The good thing was i read about the new tank syndrome and i began to "partial water change" 2 or three times a week.
I recomment these two kinds of fish for you which are very hardy.

regards
 
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