Iam Getting a 20 Gal tank and need som egood starter fish for it. i was thinking of some type of catfish insteaad of a placotomas(Dont Think I Spelled That Right) and maybe a small shark.
2006-07-15 16:03:49 · 11 answers · asked by mud92 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
i would like to get something more exotic than golfish.
2006-07-15 16:09:08 · update #1
Instead of getting your common plecostamus from Wal Mart or something, I would suggest some apple snails or corys. A 20 gal. tank is really too small for a regular pleco because they grow quite quickly and can reach sizes of like 18". Stay away from goldfish because they are messy and need more space requirements than other fish. If you want to maximize activity in your tank I would start out with some tetras and maybe fantail guppies or something. This can give you a lot of color and activity to look at and they are relatively easy to care for.
Oh yeah, be sure you cycle your tank without fish first so it has time to accumulate good bacteria and won't harm your fish when you introduce them. This means fill it with the water, gravel, decorations, and run it just like you would if it had fish in it.
2006-07-16 05:41:14 · answer #1 · answered by musicmonkey_73 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dannios are a good choice for starter fish. Catfish are a bad idea because they don't have any scales. This will make them succeptable to "new tank" syndrome. Zebra dannios are real hardy fish. I wouldn't recommend any kind of exotic fish to start. I would keep the dannios for at least 6 weeks, then add the exotics. However, there is an alternative. You can buy some bacteria that's made by Biospira. You can add exotic fish right away without starters if you use biospira. And biospira is quite inexpensive. Good Luck!
2006-07-16 00:05:05 · answer #2 · answered by janie d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good starter fish would be guppies, neons, some ghost shrimp. Most pet stores can tell you good community fish. Watch the aggressive ones because they will eat the other ones. When I was standing in line at the pet store with some fish, one of my sharks ate a neon in the bag. The catfish can sometimes get big, but they are good for eating the crap on the bottom of the tank.
2006-07-15 23:09:00 · answer #3 · answered by pamela_d_99 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can't go wrong with a placotomas (sp). You never have to worry about the aquarium getting mucked up with algae. I never had any luck with sharks, though I like them. They are shy. I liked the live breeders like guppies, swords, and platys. I also like gouramies (sp) and angels, but they can be a little aggressive in a community tank. Make sure you have a filter and supplies to change it, a top with light kit, a thermometer, a water test kit, something like "Start Right" to condition tap water. If you get live bearers, make sure you have some floating plants, either live or plastic. Have fun and good luck. Oh, I like neons, too.
2006-07-15 23:14:07 · answer #4 · answered by Darby 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I think that goldfish are THE worste fish in the world... DO NOT get one!! 1. They dig around in the gravel (if you want live plants)2. They are dirtier and have higher ammonia rates (fatal to fish... will kill other tank mates)
but, maybe that is just my opinion...
I think that Mollies are awesome fish! (I do not personally have them, but, as soon as I can get another tank I'm going to get them -- no room right now)
The ones at the store, and my friend's, follow our fingers... and it's really awesome... Plus they are some pretty good looking fishies! But, it all really depends on your personal preferences
2006-07-16 00:16:20 · answer #5 · answered by weezer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a couple faintail gold fish. at the store they are pretty small but they will live for about 2 years and they get really big. they are great starter fish. make sure you have a good filter(gold fish poop alot) and i would rather get a catfish than the pleco. they look cooler.
2006-07-15 23:28:15 · answer #6 · answered by fishdude 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tetras are a good fish to start with. You can gradually introduce some others after a few weeks once the water has stabilised.
2006-07-15 23:21:50 · answer #7 · answered by Neil S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a pet store that specializes in fish
So many pet shop employees really don't know
and will 'wing it'
Tell them you'd like a small shark and what ever would be compatible with it
2006-07-16 09:31:26 · answer #8 · answered by Blossom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Piranhas, Hammer head sharks or even eels
or maybe just your fingers should you splash the water long enough.
2006-07-15 23:59:32 · answer #9 · answered by Angus. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe get a couple Cory cats too !!! -They'll wiggle their faces in the gravel and eat up the "left overs".
2006-07-16 06:14:04 · answer #10 · answered by lilith 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋