10 gallon tank setup?

Question

I have 2 goldfish in my 10 gallon right now. (Please don't lecture me about it. I already know, they grow big and raise ammonia, and yes, i check my water. the pH and the ammonia is at a good level.)
Next time I want something more interesting, like a Betta/Neon Tetra/Oto combination, or a Guppy/Oto combination,
would these work well, and could i get the numbers that could go into a 10 gallon?
Thanks for alll your help.
The people in the fish section are great. =)

Oh yes, and I DON'T want to breed the guppies.

i meant after i'm done with the goldfish.

Answer 1

Once you upgrade the goldfish to a larger tank, either of the combinations you propose has the potential to work. I can't say 100% that it will, as some bettas won't accept any tankmates, although many will (as long as the tankmates aren't fin nippers, have long fins and resemble a betta, or large enough to bully the bettas).

In a 10 gallon, you'd be limited to a single male or female betta if you want to keep other fish (you can keep multiple females together, and you should keep at least 3,although 5 is better - they can be aggressive, but not to the point of males - keeping multiple females allows them to spread out the aggression, and they'll establish a "pecking order" among their group). Otos should be kept in a group of at least 3, while neons should be in a school of at least 6. Guppies can be kept in any number as they don't truely school.

For your first combination, I'd suggest 1 betta, 3 otos, and 6 neons (and plants, either real or fake, for for the neons to use as hiding spots). For the second, 3-5 otos and up to 6 male guppies. Don't worry if these combinations exceed the "inch per gallon rule" - this "rule" is seldom appropriate given power filters as long as you do weekly 25% water changes and are careful not to overfeed your fish. Which ever combo you use, add the fish in smaller groups, not all at one time. And if you go withthe betta, keep an eye on the interactions between it and the other fish to make sure they're getting along and be ready to separate them if any problems arise. It's not that likely that this combination won't, but you can't predict the individual personality of each betta. It may also help to add the betta last, so the other fish know where they can go for refuge if it does harass them.

Answer 2

You should take cautiong when placing neon tetras with siamese fighting fish. It generally doesn't matter as long as your guppies doesnt populate. For the tank combination, I would advice that you get these:

Set-up#1:
1 Betta (duh!)
6 Neon Tetras
3 Otocinclus
*You can probably add more neons or otos but for now, you shoudl have a minimum of this for schooling behavior

Set-up#2:
6 Male Guppies or Female Guppies
4 Otocinclis Catfish

I like the neons set-up better since the neons are cool fish.

Answer 3

Well whether you want to breed them or not, they will unless you only have one sex. Besides it's fun having babies swimming around. I don't know what Oto are? Betta/betas don't do well with other fish, not even others of their own kind. Neon Tetras are good, non aggressive fish as are guppies. You could get a bottom feeder or two now to add interest: plecostomus, spotted catfish, loaches? They work with most other fish. Neons and zebra danios are interesting little fish that school and move quickly. If you get other fish in there before your goldfish get too big, they can coexist. Be sure to change the water, dumping out water and replacing it with treated water. The water you take outis good for watering your plants. Recycle!

Answer 4

Well goldfish are not tropical fish. They thrive around 70 to 76 degrees whereas your tropical fish require temps from 78 to 84 degrees. Go to the fish store and ask them if there are any fish that will go with the goldfish.

Answer 5

what are you going to do with your goldfish.? i too have gold fish i have had one for going on ten years and he is a whopper. his name is chopper and he is big. so gold fish can be fun too. he is in a ten gallon tank and does not seem to mind. other varieties of gold fish are cool. we had a lions head and fantails. etc. guppies breed so do mollies. have not had good success with the smaller breeds in my area . dont seem to live as long.but good luck