Fish That Can Be Kept In Ones And Twos

[dthoffsett]

I'm getting ready to set up a 10gal hospital/quarentine tank. I'm looking for a species I can keep two or three of in the tank to keep it cycled, and so I don't have to look at an empty tank.

When I'm using it as a quarentine tank for a non aggressive species I'll keep the 2/3 fish in there, when I'm quarentining cichlids or using it as a hospital tank, I'll add the fish to my existing community. (See sig below for occupants of 29gal).

So, I need suggestions for something that stays small, can be kept in twos or threes, and is community safe. I'd prefer to keep only males or females if possible to avoid a population explosion.

The tank will have gravel, a couple of live plants, and a few rock caves, but will be pretty sparse, so it's easy to catch the fish when needed.

Thanks for any and all help in advance.

 

[GuppyDude]

Male plattys maybe? They are the first to come to my mind. Male guppies would get eaten by cichlids, swordtail males will get agressive, and mollys arnt quite hardy enough to stand alot of medicine. I assume you'd want a couple males, as you dont want fry.

 

[dthoffsett]

I'm thinking a couple of males since I don't want fry. However, when I have cichlids in the tank I will move the 2 or three fish into my community tank. If I have to treat a fish I will move the healthy fish into the community as well.

Guppys might be an idea, can more than one male be together though?

Mollies are out, cause they need salt, and I'd like to avoid that in case I would have to treat a catfish.

Any other ideas?