i hav a rectangular fish tank measuring 24 x 15 x 11 (l x h x w)
i currently hav no heater or filter or lights so i need to know what would be needed for the tropical fish that you recomend.
i think my tank is 14 or 15 uk gallons if that helps
all information and recomendations would be greatly appreciated!
thanks a lot!
2006-11-11 01:43:11 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
oh and if you could post the price of the required equipment and type of fish!
2006-11-11 01:46:34 · update #1
To have guppies and a lot of the other fish mentioned in previous answers you first need a HEATER!!!
Get an external filter, it does a better job and needs less maintainence.
An air pump to add oxygen to the water.
A broad spectrum light is also an essential addition.
You need gravel, hiding places for the fish, plants(live or fake but I prefer live!), rocks etc for decoration.
Next join http://www.fishcrazy.co.uk/index.php it is a fish forum and is brilliant.
You need to cycle your tank see http://www.fishcrazy.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=10893.0 which is also on the Fish Crazy website.
Once you have cycled you tank (up to 6 weeks) you can start thinking about fish. Good hardy community fish are guppies, platies and mollies. Tetras prefer more mature water so leave it a while before you get any of those. Get a couple of bottom feeders eg Golden Algae Eaters or Chinese Loach, they help keep the tank clean of algae as their name suggests:). Then once you have some experience you can look at the many sites and decide what you want to keep. Remember that 1cm of fish need 1 litre of water so you will be able to work out what you can safely put in.
2006-11-11 02:29:51 · answer #1 · answered by huggz 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
That's a pretty good size to start with...the bigger the tank, the less fluctuations you have to worry about.
You will need a heater for most tropical fish, 100watt ($20). A filter is also very important (about $40). Not sure about lights, mine have come with hoods and lights. I'd also get an airstone ($4) and a pump ($10) to make sure there's enough oxygen in the tank.
As far as good fish for a beginner:
White/Black skirt tetra
rasbora
Rummy nose tetras
mollies
guppies
cories (for the bottom level, get at least 4)
a gourami
a betta
white cloud mountain minnows
danios
You can also try neons, but they're not as hardy and like to die. Some fish to stay away from because your tank is not big enough: cichlids (except for shell dwellers), any sharks, tinfoil barbs, koi, most goldfish, kissing gourami, pictus catfish, common pleco, and many more. If you want to try tiger barbs, make sure you get a lot of them (5+) so they can spread out the aggression.
When you set up the tank, do a fishless cycle first. If you can get your hands on some old gravel or filter media (take it from someone's tank that is currently in use) it will make your cycle go quicker. Also, get dechlorinator.
The best thing to do is decide what kind of fish you want and do research. Don't always believe what the people in pet stores say, it's their job to sell fish and they don't necessairily care about the survival of the fish (some do, you just need to make your own decisions). Here's a website full of great info... www.aquahobby.com
2006-11-11 14:21:17 · answer #2 · answered by Carson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd highly recommend checking out http://www.fishgeeks.com They were an invaluable resource when I first started keeping fish.
Easy beginner fish are platies, mollies, and danios. You're going to need a filter of some sort, a light so you can keep live plants (they help keep the water in better condition for the fish, using some of the nitrites and nitrates that your fish excrete along with ammonia). You're also probably going to need some sort of heater if you live in a cool climate. I only really need my heaters for the large tanks - the small ones (I have three that are 5 gallon) don't really even need them because the lights keep the water warm enough.
Make sure you read as much as you can before you get started. Good luck.
2006-11-11 07:33:34 · answer #3 · answered by c4sgurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you add a filter (a simple side filter is fine) and a lid with light, you can try guppies, zebra or gold danios, white cloud mountain minnows or a betta (or combinations thereof). If you add a heater, there are many more fish you could get, including platies. I wouldn't start with tetras, but they are an option later on. One thing about tetras is that they like to be kept in groups of 5 or more, so in a small tank, you may not be able to get that many depending on the type of tetra and its eventual size. Some people are suggesting mollies, but these are not good fish to start with. Mollies are brackish water fish, so they require salt in their water to thrive longterm. They would need to be by themselves or with other brackish fish.
Whatever you decide on, start with only 2 fish, then if they survive ok for at least 2 weeks, you can add a couple more and continue in that manner, only a few fish at a time.
2006-11-11 06:00:24 · answer #4 · answered by Sweetseraph 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guppy's definitely, I can't stop my little devils breeding this year! I have just cleaned the filter today and discovered 4 more!. Platys are quite easy also, zebra danio and Tetras.
You need.
A good filter
Heater
Air stone
I have a florescent light tube fitted in the hood (don't leave on continuously though)
Good gravel, wash thoroughly in plain water before use!
Ornaments are optional but add interest
Weed, plastic or real, you can get some really good artificial weed now, if opting for the real stuff soak in salt water then rinse thoroughly in clean fresh water, this is to get rid of snail eggs.
Have fun
2006-11-11 02:14:22 · answer #5 · answered by Pawstimes16 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
what is the best tropical fish for a beginner?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
i hav a rectangular fish tank measuring 24 x 15 x 11 (l x h x w)
i currently hav no heater or filter or lights so i need to know what would be needed for the tropical fish that you recomend.
i think my tank is 14 or 15 uk gallons if that helps
all information and recomendations would be...
2015-08-06 13:24:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I keep tropical fish you need the filter.heater & lighting also your tank needs to have bacteria in it.This usually takes six weeks to speed the process up put a bit of fish flakes in filter (every other day).Before you buy fish you should research them other wise they will keep dying also you will need a power head this aireates the water allowing fish to get oxygen.They need cleaning every 4 weeks.Start with guppies or neons & I hope you know what your doing.Goodluck
2006-11-11 05:23:20 · answer #7 · answered by Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guppies are easy to care for but you need to get a heater and filter first.Go to your library and read up all you can before you start as you need water safe products etc. as well .My son didn't use these and all his fish died.
2006-11-11 07:24:31 · answer #8 · answered by sanny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
istarted with swordtails and mollies three years ago but my water didnt suit and i kept losing them after 2 or 3 months, i even had baby swords but couldnt get my water right so lost them as well. i ended up getting cichlids and they are great they also have different personalities some aggressive some placid. you have to watch out though and make sure they all get on reasonably well or they will wreck your tank! and make sure you get a couple of pleccos or your tank will be filthy in days.
2006-11-14 06:39:30 · answer #9 · answered by abbyg24 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crocodile fish is the best for the beginners, they are very hardy fish, but u should be careful while feeding them.
2006-11-17 18:57:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋