is there a right order for adding fish to a tank?

Question

I had heard to start with the small fish to cycle your tank, then to add the bigger fish later. But the lady at petco, said that you can't add bigger fish because then the ones that are already there will try and establish dominance. So what do i get first the 3 little platys or the 2 bigger gouramis?
and is 3 platy's (2inch) and 2 guoramis (dwarf, 3 inch) to many fish for a 12 gallon tank?

Answer 1

What order to put fish depends on their level of dominance. Introduce less dominant first, and then more dominant because the dominant species won't have an established territory to defend yet--which means they're less likely to attack other fish.

I would put the platy fish in there first to help cycle the tank. Platy are amazingly sturdy fish in my experience and are peaceful tropical community types. They will NOT bully or otherwise attack your other species of fish (though they will do so to theirselves). You do need more females than males, or else the males will constantly harass the females and it could potentially kill them. If you're getting 3 platy, go with 1 male and 2 female, or all 3 female or all 3 male. You can tell the difference by looking at the bottom fin closest to the tail. If it's a rounded triangular shape, it's a female. If it's angular and pointy at the tip it's a male. If you want them to breed, you'll need to add NON-IODINE and non-chemically treated salt to the water at the ration of 1/2 tsp. per gallon.

I would then add the gouramis. Since you're getting DWARF gouramis, you should have no problems. They too are peaceful. People appear to think you're getting opaline or other varieties of gourami which DO get very large and are semi-aggressive. - DWARF GOURAMIS ARE PEACEFUL -. People should do their OWN research before trying to give conflicting advice to others:

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/anabantids2/p/dwarfgourami.htm

Keep in mind that the general rule of thumb is 1 gallon per 1 inch of adult fish size unless you have a very small schooling fish.

This means you'll need 6 gallons just for your platys (they actually can get to 2.5 inches, but they school, so I'll keep the estimate at 2 inches), and 6 gallons for your gouramis. So, yes, your 12 gallon is sufficient.

Regardless of the advice of the previous poster, do NOT get a rainbow shark--it's not an 'algae eater' like a pleco! Rainbow sharks are SEMI-AGGRESSIVE tropical fish and must be put in with other SEMI-AGGRESSIVE tropical fish. It will harass less-dominant fish than itself. The same goes for Red-Tailed sharks.

If you want a 'clean up' crew, get ghost shrimp, an 'otto', or a snail or two.

Hope that helps

Answer 2

Guouramis are aggressive fish and probably should not share a small tank with Platys. You should do some research on fish to see what types of fish are compatible. As far as the number of fish, a good guide for tropical fish is a gallon of water for every inch of fish. Unless you really like the gouramis, I would get rid of them and put some Mollies and Danios in with the platys. They all get along and are hardy and active fish. Just add them 2 fish at a time a month apart so you don't overwhelm the environment of your tank and kill the fish.

Answer 3

gouramis shouldn't be placed with platys (make sure you do your research - pet store people don't always know what they are talking about). they will most likely eat your platys. They also will outgrow a 12 gallon. For a peaceful community 12 gallon, especally if you are just starting out i would reccomend platys, guppies, and maybe some glow light tetras (stay away from neon tetras they have been overbred and die easily). An algae eater like a rainbow shark or a pleco would also be good, but will again outgrow your tank.

There is no order needed for those fish, just make sure your tank has been running for 48 hours before placing your fish.

And remember at least 2 female fish for every male fish.

for your tank i would suggest
3 female platys & 1 male platy (or all females)
2 male guppies (with no females they wont be aggressive)
5 tetras

the person above me suggested mollies, but they like slightly bracksih water, so you would need to play around with salt. I wouldn't reccomend them for a beginner tank

the person below me said not to add a rainbow shark because it is aggressive. one shark will not be aggressive (i've kept them before in peaceful community tanks). more then one will be aggressive towards each other. It would work with the other fish i have suggested (and yes it does eat algae as well as other food). I would just be worried about it out growing your tank.

that is why you must get research from more then one source.

Answer 4

No they aren't too much for the tank nor will they cause a problem to each other as they are all community fish. Start with the three platys first (after your tank has run for a week) and add salt for freshwater aquariums at the same time. Wait at leas ten days before adding your gouramis.
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Answer 5

Personally I like doing Fishless Cycling for this very reason. Fishless Cycling not only takes less time to do, but at the end of the cycle you can put your full load of fish in there together without having to stage them

Here is the article - good luck!
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

Answer 6

i think of you will have a difficulty with the numerous fish interacting at the same time. Cherry barbs are ordinary for being very teratorial, and could combat different fish. the numerous tetras could combat with them?

Answer 7

Easy!
One fish
Two fish
Red fish
Blue fish!

Answer 8

No.. there is no order for with///by which you add fish to a tank