I wanna get some fish...?

Question

i have a lotta questions. I just want the simple easy fish....not to big...It's a 10 gallon tank... Im wondering what kinds you recommend. I would like several different types. How many is too many? thanx!

Answer 1

http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/basic/index.cfm
Read this book first. It is free.

Answer 2

It would be a real challenge to keep several different types of fish in a 10 gallon tank. So many of the smaller fish are schooling, social creatures and just can't be as healthy or behave as naturally when they're alone.

Also, how many are too many completely depends on what kind of fish you get, and not even entirely on their size. For example, tetras and bettas are fairly clean while goldfish, livebearers and plecos are poop machines.

If variety is what you what, livebearers comes in lots and lots of colors, are pretty easy to take care of, and are active adn fun. You could get 8 or 9 guppies OR 4 or 5 platies or mollies. Pay attention to the max size on the mollies you buy though... the sailfin and dalmations can grow to half a foot long! Also, be sure to buy in a 1 male to 2 or more females ratio.

You could also do a small school of 6 neons and 1 dwarf gourami. Dwarf gouramis also come in lots of bright, beautiful colors. :) Don't be tempted to get more than one though -- the males almost always get territorial with each other as they grow, and mixing males and females is only okay until they breed, and then the male will do his best to kill off everyone else in the tank to protect his nest.

One fancy goldfish would be tight once it reaches full size, but okay in a 10 gallon. Avoid getting more than one even though they're so cute and tiny in the store. Those are babies and they grow really big really fast.

Whatever you choose, please read about cycling your tank, as that will keep you from all those illnesses and deaths that are so frustrating with brand new tanks.

And good luck. :)

Answer 3

If you have a lot of questions, you need to slow down and do a little reading before you go any further. I would suggest you get a good basic aquarium book and read up a bit, but until you do here's a couple of links to get you started. Hopefully they will answer some of your questions.

As far as pretty fish for a 10 gallon I would suggest you google tetras and livebearers. Those groups of fish offer lots of choices for that size tank and "play well together" as tank mates. They are also very pretty and active fishes.

http://www.algone.com/beginner_index.php
http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/putting%20together.html

Hope this helps

MM

Answer 4

10

Answer 5

I completely agree with MM, you really need to do research if you have a lot of questions. while you're deciding on fish you should start cycling the tank, which can take quite a bit of time, here's a great site on cycling:
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article14.html

however, if you want variety in color and fin shapes I highly recommend a group of FEMALE bettas. great for beginners because they're very hardy. tetra and livebeares are my next suggestion, my only concern is tetras can be wimpy fish and die easily if you don't know what you're doing.

for a ten gallon 5 to 7 female bettas would work great. I have a mystery snail in with my female bettas and they love following it around the tank, I recommend them highly to keep the tank free of algae but also to serve as entertainment for the girls.

good luck with your new tank... bellow I have a sites you can check out about good beginner fish:
http://www.tropical-aquarium-fish.com/html/selecting-and-acclimating-your-freshwater-tropical-fish.htm
check out #1-3 on this site - http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h701elmers_freshwater_handbook.htm
bettas:
http://www.healthybetta.com/articles/New%20To%20Bettas/keepingfemalestogether.htm
http://www.healthybetta.com/articles/New%20To%20Bettas/malefemale.html

Answer 6

Small tetras do well in a small tank. Goldfish could do well too. Goldfish don't require as much as tropical so they may be easier maintenance. If you get guppies only get males or your tank will be overcrowded quickly. I have 2, 60 gallon tanks (this can be done with 10 gallons) to keep guppie population under control, males in one tank females in the other.

Answer 7

I have three tanks 2 10 gal and a 25 gal and this is what I've learned
The basic rule of thumb is one inch of fish body size to gallon of water so if you want several get small fish. Stay away from Wal-Mart my experience has been they die quick. Most tetras are easy to take care of and pretty too you just need a filter and a heater. You can get supplies cheap at wal-mart just don't buy the fish.
Start with a small feeder fish they are $0.10 at most fish stores keep it in the tank for about a week to build healthy bacteria for the fish. after that you can put it in a small fish bowl for yourself or give it to a child as a fun first pet.
If you want several different types stick with non-aggressive fish (this is usually listed on the tank at the pet store) and avoid school fish (also listed) school fish require 3 or more of their own kind.
The most simple to care for are your basic gold fish if you don't want to deal with a heater and being careful of what breed to buy. They start out small but they can grow very big. But they are also the messiest so will have to clean the tank often.
regardless of what you get make sure one of your fish is a freshwater pelco there the long black fish that cling to the side of the tank they eat algae and will keep everything nice and clean

Answer 8

Guppies are easy to keep alive and go with about any other fish and you can have 2 inch per gallon

Answer 9

Neon Tetras are very pretty fish with flurescent colors.

Stay away from Guppies; they seem to be born pregnant.

A good "rule of thumb" is one fish per one gallon of water.