I'd like to get a fish for my apartment, but I don't know what kind?

Question

I just want one, maybe two, but I don't have much room for it. I used to have a bunch of fish as a kid but...I was stupid and mixed a bunch of fish together that shouldn't have coexisted, to keep it simple, lol.

So anyway, I really only have room for a large bowl or a small rectangular tank...maybe a 10 gallon tank. I don't want something too fragile because I'll feel really bad if it dies. But something that's not too much trouble with water temperature, pH level, tank cleanliness etc.

I definitely want a fish with some personality though. I hate those fish that just hide all the time...I want something cool that will swim around a lot and interact with you, and maybe another fish too.

So if you can suggest anything I'd really appreciate it. I'd like to add an underwater plant too, and a castle or something for it to swim through. I definitely want something cool and colorful, but not too expensive...Lets try to keep it under $50-75 a fish. Thanks.

Whoa sharks would be awesome...but I'd probably need a pretty big tank, and are they hard to take care of?

Hm...I might be able to get a larger tank to put in the kitchen. Or maybe a decorative tank to put in the living room. But I always thought that fish grow to their environment? Like goldfish in bowls or small tanks stay small, then you see goldfish in ponds that are like a foot long!

The thing about goldfish are that they're just kinda boring to me...I want a fish that's cool and different. But I'm sure I have to find a balance between something exotic/tropical and something hardy.

Don't get me wrong, I will care for it, I just don't want something that requires me to check the pH everyday and closely monitor the water temperature...I'm a college student in electrical engineering, so I'm very busy throughout the semesters!

I was looking in the puffer fish links and I found this guy, he's so cute!

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/C_Travancoricus/Dp1.jpg.html

Answer 1

I think i would go to a good aquarium shop and have a good look around possible read a book and get to know more about them before you buy. Other people likes dislikes and moods will be different to yours. Have a relaxing day and look at some fish.You will know what sort of fish you want when you see them then ask the guy in the shop.Good luck and enjoy

Answer 2

Good singular fish are oscars, but they require tanks of at least 50 gallons since they get more than a food long. And goldfish also get big, plus are happier in groups. For a single fish, a 10 gallon tank or even five gallon woudl be awesome for a betta. They can live seven years with GOOD care, and a filter, and are hardy. They also are smart and very pretty and cool to watch. They watch you also. Catfish are cool, but often get BIG and do best in groups. Upside down catfish are awesome and smaller, but do best in groups and hide a lot of the time. If I were you, I would consider a 30 gallon -- they arent as big as htey sound, and give you more options. Good luck!

Puffer fish are awesome, but do take a lot of work and are brackish. Don't get a goldfish if you think they're boring. I think the fancy varieties ahve cool personalities. But I also want to get some puffers or similar brackish fish in the future.

Answer 3

I have a ten gallon set up with parameters similar to yours. I have 4 banana yellow barbs(classified by the pet store). They are very hardy and adapt well to tank changes. With these fish I clean the tank about once a month. Which for me includes a 10-15% water change, thoroughly cleaning the hang on filter, etc. And my fish live on. I have had them for about almost 6 months now. If you want more than one type of fish in the tank you can reduce to about 2 barbs and add 2 bala sharks. I have observed these in a seperate tank and they seem to interact quite well. Oh yeah, an aquarium kit is always a good option when on a budget.

Answer 4

Bettas, guppies (all males), danios, cherry barbs, killifish, a dwarf gourami, and such would all be capable of living in a 10 gallon. If you want something a little different, add in an African dwarf frog or freshwater shrimp.

If you want something with lots of personality, look into dwarf puffers - these are a freshwater species and like a planted tank. You can probably keep one male either by himself or with 2 females. They're sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, so you'd have to cycle the tank first, and they are fin nippers, so shouldn't be kept with other fish.

Info for these in the links below:
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h701elmers_freshwater_handbook.htm - see communities 1-3 for freshwater fish for small tanks
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/C_Travancoricus/
http://www.pufferlist.com/puffer/freshpuff.php?puffid=3

Answer 5

I like red sharks and algae eaters
Some pointers on a healthy fish tank....
Use sand for the bottom about 2-3 inches.
Use a water wheel attached or built into your filter.
Use PH up tablets
Use Start right chlorine eliminator in your water that you add to your tank.
Drain water at least two to three times a year (Reason for the sand) the sand enables the fish to clean the bottom...
Clean filter with Dawn detergent at least once a week.
Clean filter insides when needed using a tooth brush and Q-tips.
Use Gold fish pellets and use about 4 pellets per two fish a feeding, feed about twice a day.......overfeeding can dirty the water and make it acidic!!!! This kills and shocks the fish (acting sporadic and wanting to jump out of the tank...the acid is eating their scales and stressing them out. Another reason for changing the water)


Algae eaters life span about 6-7 months (These guys clean the tank).

Red sharks...mine are two years old and going strong.

Happy Aquatic Environments!!!!

http://www.quotessummercastles.blogspot.com
RD

Answer 6

Betta fish are very hardy fish..they don't even need an air filter because they come to the surface of th water bowl to breath air..they have a tiny lung they use to breath..they have wonderful personalities that you can see right away..they are like humans ..some are shy..some are show offs..they come in a ton of different colors ..you have to be careful though because they like to be the king of their castles..they don't always get along with other fish..as well as they have such beautiful finnage that other fish can't help up take little nips at them.. I think bettas make wonderful pets. lots of pros to this fish and very little cons..they live a long time too...good luck with whatever fish you choose

Answer 7

In a 10 gallon tank, you could probably keep Yoyo Loaches. These guys are awesome and I'm not sure you could kill it if you tried. I would suggest only keeping 2 of them in a 10 gallon, but you should add other fish too. Look to add a smaller schooling fish like Danios or Neon Tetras. Be careful though, because Neons are often poorly bred and prone to disease. The Loaches should not get too much more than 4 inches and will rarely stop swimming and playing. If you want a cheap, easy-to-maintain, plant, try Java Moss or Elodea/Anacharis. You don't need to add fertilizer for these plants, just make sure they get enough light (about 2 watts per gallon). For Loaches, add some 5 inch long sections of PVC pipe to allow them a comfort space if they are startled. For feeding, they will eat anything (I feed mine algae wafers, shrimp pellets, flake food, blood worms, cucumber slices, and I've also heard they will eat banana slices!). Make sure you don't overfeed them though, they will eat until they really might burst. If you do decide to give them fruit (cucumber/banana), you can leave it in there for a few days. If you can tell they have not begun to eat it, take the old piece out and give them a smaller fresh piece. These guys will also eat algae on your tank walls and clean your gravel or sand for you. They may nip each other until they feel secure, but unless they are actually hurting each other (drawing blood), do not be frightened. Mine chase each other around and "bite", but after their little games, their fins are in perfect shape. Another note on sinking food (fruit, shrimp, algae wafers, blood worms), do not feed them more until the food you gave them earlier is gone.

If you end up getting Loaches and they like banana, let me know!

Good luck!

I just read other responses, do NOT, under any circumstances, try to put an Oscar in a 10 gallon tank, it will be way too big way too soon! I would not recomend a redtail or Rainbow Shark either because they can get quite large and often attack smaller fish (I'm pretty sure mine ate my little Gold Barb)!

Answer 8

You can get Lyretail Mollies or Goldfish. There are many different varieties of Goldfish and all of them are pretty, so if you want to aviod the boring plain gold cheap looking ones, there are bright ones with bug eyes! Lyretail Mollies can be kept in groups. IMPORTANT: remember for every inch of fish you have, make sure that there is a gallon per each inch. dont pack your tank too tightly!

Answer 9

If you got a male Betta you wouldn't need a really big tank and they really don't need a heater, You can use a heater if you got another fish that did need heat. But you can only have one male Betta. You can also put other fish in with him as long as they don't have fancy fins and are about the same size as the male.

Answer 10

looks you don't want to spend to much time dedicated to the aquarium.
I would recomend a 10 gallon tank with 3 cold water goldfish. You don't have to worry about the temperature, but they make a lot of waist, so you have to vacum the gravel, at least every two weeks, changing 50% water.