Fish Selection Frustration

[jaimeg]

Hi there, I am very new to all this, so I'm getting confused about what to choose for our tank. My husband wants to go tonight to get some new fish.

10 us gallon tank

We aleady have 4 zebra danios, and one peppered cory. We plan on getting 1 or 2 more peppered cories tonight to keep him company (unless we are talked out of it!) I'm guessing we can get 3 additional fish MAX, maybe tonight or next week.

I searched and found a list of both "compatable with zebra danios" and "10g fish" and neither has a fish on both lists, so I'm confused about what to choose.

The compatable with danio list goes like this (and each seems to have a reason I can't get these):

1. one male betta - I was told the danios may nip his tail
2. catfish - got this!
3. Chinese algae eater - we already have a snail
4. clown loach - get too big
5. gouramis - schooling - would only 3 be ok??? sparkling gourami on 10g list (just noticed this!)
6. molly - need larger tank
7. platy - too big
8. pleco - too big
9. rainbows - need group of 6?
10. one red tailed shark - too aggressive? my son would LOVE one, but I'm worried about tank mates
11. swordtail - need bigger tank, tail nip

I've come to find out that maybe the zebra danios are too large for the tank (to energetic), but it is too late and we are keeping them because our kids are attached.

So, what am I to make of this list? should I pick things off the 10g list (from this site) instead??
Which of these do you think would be MOST compatable with our 4 zebra danios??

1. pygmy cories (3)
2. endlers livebearer (3)
3. spotted rasbora (3)
4. myers hatchetfish (3)
5. sparkling gouramies (3)
6. honey gouramies (3)

I appreciate these list sooo much, I just get confused in making my selection. I would like to head off to the pet store tonight with a few options, just in case they don't have the first choice.


I wish I had found this site BEFORE we got the other fish, live and learn, I guess.
Thanks!

 

[dwarfgourami]

All of those on your second list might be fine, the problem is the size of the tank. Using the conventional inch per gallon rule, you are fully stocked even before you add the additional cory and 2 danios to make up a real school (note: in all the posts we get involving aggressive danios, they are always kept in too small a group). Add those fish and you are slightly overstocked. Ideally, you should add 2 corys, but I feel this may be pushing it- peppered corys can grow to 3 inches. I would concentrate on making the tank look interesting (caves for the corys, plants maybe), providing a good varied diet and observing behaviour. The more you study the fish, the more interesting they become. But upping the numbers slightly would make for more natural behaviour.
Platies would not in themselves be too large for a 10 gallon, but your space is already taken. As for the red-tail shark, afraid you'll need to tell your son that they need a MUCH larger tank. 40 gals or so.

 

[jaimeg]

Ah nuts...I was hoping to hear "get one more zebra, one more cory, and 3-4 small fish from the 10g list. They'll be fine as long as your good with water changes." I think I'm going to have to be watching craigslist for a bigger tank!

Until then, I hope I can convince my husband that he shouldn't overstock the tank! He has a "they'll be fine" theory that has me worried about his next trip to the store!