Giving Fishes As A Gift To A Complete Beginner?

[Willeh]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and I must say this place is a great wealth of knowledge and I'm extremely lucky that I stumbled upon it.
Now I'm in a bit of a 'shall I do it, shall I not?' situation. My sister's birthday is next Sunday and I was thinking of what to get her apart from giving her money which, to be completely fair is a bit boring and she has plenty of make-up and nail sets and whatever else so getting her those wouldn't be much of a surprise. So after some thinking fishes came to mind - they're different, would be a bit of a surprise and she has a future career idea of being a vet therefore taking care of a fish would probably reinforce that decision or make her rethink that decision.
Anyway enough of that, I've done some reading about beginner fishes but I still need a clear answer from you experts. Is success only found in taking care of fishes in 10 + Gal tanks or can you take care of them in smaller tanks and still do so with success?
Also, could somebody recommend some easy, hardy beginner fishes? or are the fishes listed in the 'Recommendations for a 10 Gallon tank' good options to go for?

Any suggestions and help are appreciated, thank you!

 

[Corleone]

Well, first review this thread, at least in passing (since it isn't you keeping the fish):
http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...shless-Cycling/

Bigger tanks are generally easier for beginners - the extra water dilutes problems, and there are less limits - but you can have success in tanks under a gallon. There's scarce few fish suitable at the bottom end of size ranges, but many invertebrates are still an option. Personally, I think a 20-30 gallon tank is a good range for a first time fish keeper. They have a good balance between the lighter work of a small tank when things are going good and the stability of a big tank when things are going bad, and also have a very wide range of stocking options. The smallest tank I'd recommend is 5 gallons.

Anyway, the most recommended course of action when setting up a new tank is the link above - fishless cycling. That would mean the tank would be unsuitable for fish for about a month, during which ammonia is added to the tank in controlled amounts and water testing is used to gauge the development of the bacterial filter. Afterwards a reasonable stock of fish (even some moderately sensitive fish not usually recommended for new tanks) can be added without risking new tank syndrome.

For a gift, my advice would be to print the first post of the thread on fishless cycling, and include that (and the URL of this forum) with a gift of a tank/hood, heater, filter, and a liquid based test kit (aside from the test kit, many starter kits are available that include the hardware needed, though some of these kits are poorly filtered). These are the pricey parts of a new setup. The forum, as you mention, has a wealth of information to guide her the rest of the way.

 

[toshapetriji]

I agree with Corleone. Help her buy equipment but get her to do a fishless cyce.

 

[Amunet]

First, I would think twice about getting someone a fish as a gift.
The fish hobby is NOT one that should be taken lightly, due to the amount of work involved, and the money spent.

If you're still determined to get her fish as a gift, don't get her anything yet. Maybe get her a card or something for her birthday, and explain to her about the fish gift and then show her everything that it requires. She might not want that kind of responsibility.

 

[sb_onefish]

I would advise against giving any type of living thing as a gift. The person may or may not want the responsibility that comes along with it. Or be in a position to handle the responsibility and/or the ongoing cost.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Willeh. I am going to join others here and suggest that an animal, any animal, is not a good gift. Any pet at all has needs that must be met and unless someone chooses to get into the hobby themselves they are not likely to do what is needed. If your sister has shown interest in fish in the past, a gift certificate to a local pet store might be appropriate but you would still be telling her that you expect her to get a pet that she may not want.