I just bought a new 10gallon starter kit from walmart this morning. Everything is working fine and I'll probably get the fish tomorrow. However, how many fish will I be able to get and should I make this tank a tropical fish tank or a goldfish tank? I'm a beginner at this
2007-02-04 12:25:38 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
DON'T get your fish tomorrow... your tank needs to cycle first. check out this site
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article14.html
tropical, it's not nearly big enough for goldfish. common goldfish needs ponds and fancy goldfish need 20+gallons when adults.
I'd suggest 5 female bettas so you don't have clone fish. they come in many colors and have quite a few different fin varieties.
however you could also try 4 or 5 guppies or tetras, or 3 or 4 mollies or platies. if you get 3 mollies or platies you can add one male betta.
2007-02-04 12:43:38 · answer #1 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3
2007-02-04 13:25:25 · answer #2 · answered by cead 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be whatever kind of tank you wish for it to be. The rule of thumb is that you should have at least 1 square inch per fish. You could get a "school" of fish like guppies or neon tetras. You could 20 or so of these. I would buy some "sucker fish" which suck the sides of the tank and clean it. Make sure that you have some sort of castle or rocks or something. Some fish like to hide and this will make them more comfortable in their new home.
You may already know this but when yuo put the water in the tank, first treat it with Aquasafe or something of the sort. Ask for it at Walmart of the pet store.
When you get the fish, you should float the bag that they're in, in the water (it will float) for about 15. Then cut open the top of the bag and pour them in. They will be fine.
2007-02-04 12:37:40 · answer #3 · answered by Crouton 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the general rule is 1 gallon per fish, however it totally depends on the size of fish. smaller fish like neons, you could have 10 of...but i have 8 in my 10 gallon...and it's a mix of sizes. everyone seems very happy as well.
you should do a little research online to see what fish get along best. also note that goldfish are awesome, but they like cooler water and different ph levels than the average tropical fish. i recommend getting a placostemous to keep your tank clean. another bottom feeder like a friendly catfish of some sort....maybe some platties, drarf frogs, tetras, etc. anything that's mellow. otherwise you'll get an agressive tank and that's no good and not easy to manage as a starter.
good luck!
2007-02-04 12:38:45 · answer #4 · answered by mozthecat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the surface area of the tank not the gallons as many people would say but a normal 10 gallon tank can take 1 3 inch fish and tropical because goldfish aren't good fish
2007-02-04 12:30:13 · answer #5 · answered by w0n9f3ihung 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You would be seriously over stocking the tank with that many fish. the 5 neons and the pleco would be about it. The guideline is 1 gallon for every 2 inches of fish not including fins and for some fish it is 1 gallon per inch of fish. I have seen seriously over stocked tanks do well but I would be careful.
2016-03-29 05:09:50 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get fish yet! The tank isn't cycled, the fish may not live through the cycle. You need to get a test kit for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates and look up fishless cycling. It is very important to cycle to build up beneficial bacteria so the water doesn't build up toxins. Fish produce ammonia and without the bacteria they die quickly. It can take a week or more to cycle right.
Don't make this a goldfish tank either, its too small. Goldfish make more ammonia than most other fish.
2007-02-04 12:40:53 · answer #7 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Gallons do matter, as the more clean water the more the dirt spreads out. Surface area can be taken into account, though, since that is how the air will get into the water. Basically 1 in of fish per gallon. If you want a supper clean tank, 1/2 in per gallon.
2007-02-04 12:33:50 · answer #8 · answered by None N 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the thumb rule is one inch of fish per gallon. but i have 10 full ygrown fish and 2 baby fish in my ten gallon tank and it very clean. also they all get along just fine. another thing is i would get a tropical fish tank because you can get more than one species of fish and if you get mollies, platies, guppies, or swordtails they will breed alot. another thing is if you get one of those types of fish be sure to get 2-3 females per male. i have 7 females and 1 male in my tank. as for the other two fully grown fish im not sure what they are. (they are egg layers) and i have a pleco (common algae eater) and im not sure what he/she is but its name is Charley. Also remember that you will need a heater and air pump for tropical fish but you can get both of those for under 20 dollars at Wal-Mart
2007-02-04 12:39:55 · answer #9 · answered by ohsnapitscharity 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tropical tank will give you more color. I always heard 1 fish per gallon. But I have about 20 in mine. I have smaller fish like Neon's and I have a frog and some shrimp as well as a Placostomos (algae eater). Just keep your filter clean
2007-02-04 12:36:18 · answer #10 · answered by smjohnson55 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋