What kinds of fish should I get my husband for Christmas?

Question

I am no fish expert, and neither is he, so I need a little help. I am going to purchase a new tank, probably 8 -12 gallons, and would like to know the best (colorful, low maintenance, affordable, non-aggressive) types of fish that can live together. Any other useful information, like preferred water temperature or other equipment that I need to buy concerning a specific fish, would be highly appreciated. Also, an estimate of the cost per fish would be great.

This is a surprise (he's brought up getting a fish tank quite a few times in the past year or so) so I can't really ask him his opinion without him getting suspicious. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Here's a really good website that you can go to, to find a type of fish you think would fit. It also tells you the price per fish. And when you click on a fish that you like, it will tell you where it came from and what kind of water it can live in. like for example, if you were to pick the Demasoni Cichlid, which is a very pretty blue with black striped fish. In the yellow box next to the picture of the fish it will have a chart, to see what other fish it is compatible to live with. It also tells you how big the fish will grow when an adult. The only thing is, on that website you can have the fish shipped to your house. If you don't want to do that you can find your local fish store, after you have an idea of what kind of fish you want to buy. The website is LiveAquaria.com

Answer 2

There are so many different types of fish out there its best to ask him what kind he likes. Maybe he doesn't like the little tropicals and wants something like an ocsar and buying a 8-12 would just be a waste of money. The next time he brings it up just be like what kind but don't act like you really care, then be like we don't have room for a tank or whatever so he doesn't think that you are actually thinking of getting him something. Before you buy anything though look up some info about the fish that you are thinking about getting, like how big they get, how much space do they need, will they need a heater and what temp does it need to be kept at, things like that. The rule of thumb doesn't apply to all fish, so don't always go by that and for the fish it does apply to its the adult size not the size that is it when you buy it.

Read about cycling a tank too, when a fish tank is new you can lose a lot of fish because the tank doesn't have the beneficial bacteria in it yet to convert the ammonia into a not as deadly form. Doing a fishless cycle is best but then you will either have to have it set up somewhere that he can't see it for around a month or do a cycle with fish in it and only get a few to start and keep a close eye on the water params and do a water change when needed so the fish don't die.

Answer 3

Get some guppies. Male in particular. They come in more color varietys then any fish I think. If you really plan to get a 8 to 12 gallon tank, these guys will do you well. These fish fit all your criteria(colorful, low maintenance, very affordable, and very peaceful). They make good tank mates for other fish as well like the bueatiful neon tetra. Read up on how to keep a fish tank though and the nitrogen cycle.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Aquarium Set-up Basics

1. Obtain as large an aquarium as possible.

2. Purchase the following aquarium set-up components.

* For filtration we recommend an undergravel filter for both stability and ease of maintenance. Provide a minimum of 2 inches of some kind of non-calcerous gravel on top of the undergravel filter.
* Buy a thermostatic heater, thermometer, and either a good air pump with airline tubing, or a powerhead that pumps at least 3 times as much water per hour as the size of the aquarium.
* Make sure you purchase some kind of a water conditioner that removes chlorine unless you know there can be no chlorine added to the water. It is better to be safe than sorry in this situation.
* Purchase test kits for ammonia and nitrite (minimum).
* Now is also a good time to buy any ornaments that meet your fancy.

3. Set up the aquarium on a sturdy floor in a draft free area

* Put the undergravel filter in place with either the air stones or the powerheads in the uplift tubes.
* Rinse the substrate material thoroughly before placing it on top of the undergravel filter.
* Fill the aquarium with water, be sure you treat it with a chlorine remover.
* Place the heater, ornaments, thermometer, and any lights in or on the aquarium.

4. Run the aquarium for several hours.

* Let the aquarium 'run' for at least a few hours, preferably 12-24 hours, so the water is oxygenated and the temperature is stabilized.

5. Cycle the Aquarium and then add fish

* Three methods of cycling the aquarium are described here, see Cycling the Aquarium.
* You must monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels, using test kits, until they are both zero (or very close to zero). During this period (called the nitrification cycle) the ammonia will peak first then drop off as the nitrite peaks, then the nitrite will drop off to complete the cycle. The aquarium is cycled when they are at zero and that will indicate when it is safe to add fish.
* Don't add fish in the middle of this process. The initial fish will have a good chance of surviving because the levels go up gradually instead of all at once, so they are able to adapt to these changes.
* After about six weeks, when the aquarium has "cycled", it will be safe to add additional fish. This is indicated by the levels of ammonia and nitrite having drop to zero.
* Add new fish slowly and keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels to make sure the aquarium is stable.


The common peaceful inhabitants u can keep are different kinds of goldfish available, some tetras, etc
In order to know detailed account on fish species, please visit this link
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/fresh.htm

Answer 5

I have a 14gl hex. It has guppies, a swordtail, a baby parrot, a small albino pleco, a flounder, 2 platties, and 2 female bettas, I think that is all in that tank.
I also have a 10gl with mostly african cichlids, they get along with each other but not much else, but they are very colorful. they also get pretty big, you would eventually have to upgrade the tank.
What I want to do is get another 10gl with several different types of goldfish in the different colors.
I have about 450 gallons of fish tanks set up right now, so I have a little bit of everything.

Answer 6

most likely you're gonna end up with a 10 gallon being that 8 and 12 are usually custom sizes. because the tank size is so small, i recommend that you stick with fresh water and not salt water fishes. a heater and a water filter are usually prefered. since you want non-aggressive fish, stick with some community fish. don't get gold fish cause they produce alot of waste and not that colorfull. cichlids are agressive in nature, but if you don't give them feeders, their agressiveness drops a couple of levels. but i am going to have to recommend the 'guppy'. they are hardy little guys and comes in alot of colors, designs, and fins. guppies are enjoyed but beginners and expert aquarium/fish owners. they are also easy to breed, if you want to go that route too. there are even show guppy competitions held every year or so i believe. look them up, i am sure these guys are close to what you want. good luck with the christmas present...

Answer 7

I wouldn't get that small of a tank, you will only be able to get two fishes.
Go for a bigger tank a 30 gallon tank to start off with.
I have Angelfishes in mine and I love it.
I ended up getting another tank later which is a 50 gallon and it now houses six Angelfishes and a pleco.
Fishes need at least five gallons of water each.

Answer 8

well go to pet city and inquire from the sales rep, they can tell you better about what you can get with your preference mentioned. for a small tank like that, get a small fish like african chichlid but they grow so make sure you don't clutter the tank. you need the pump and filter, the bubbles and the heater. decorate it with his favorite background, rocks and some aquarium stuff like a fish house, tower, boats that you can arrange on the bottom of the tank. make sure you get a light with your set, try different color light to make it fancier. unless you wanted a salt tank, you can get exotic fishes that is so beautiful..we have 55 gallon octagon tank right now with different fishes...

we wanted to have a 100 gallon tank so we can get a baby white & blue stingray, it is fascinating to watch how the baby swim and we love his features and colors, we saw him and unable to quit thinking about him..maybe someday when we upgrade the tank...

Answer 9

the line skill isn't a huge deal, however the potential of line that's made for does rely, otherwise the reel would be too vast or too small. once you have become a reel for 12 pound line (as an occasion), it is going to likely be the right length for 12 pound line, and carry sufficient line for fishing with it. maximum reels are made for a type of line strengths (like 8 to fifteen pound) so p.c.. one that is nearly based on the potential you think of he will use.

Answer 10

a few fancy goldfish..like an oranda or a bubble eye ($5-7 ea)is an option or a small grouping of community fish like neons,cardinals, lemon tetra, gold tetra (about $1.50 ea)which are all small & i would recommed about 5 of each. 1 male betta ($5) is another option, colorful & content to be solitary.other colorful community fish: black mollies, platys or swords are also inexoensive. rule of thumb is an inch of fish per gallon 8 gal= 8 inches total of fish, 12 gal= 12 inches....