Good 10 gallon inhabitants for kids
- Thread starter BettaMomma
- Start date
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
SO-
I just called the fish store here in town. It's a really really nice store - t hey have a great selection of fish and the guys that work there are really knowledgable.
He said I should get 2 - 3 zebra danios to cycle the tank and then there were several options for adding fish once the cycle is done.
Opinions?
I just called the fish store here in town. It's a really really nice store - t hey have a great selection of fish and the guys that work there are really knowledgable.
He said I should get 2 - 3 zebra danios to cycle the tank and then there were several options for adding fish once the cycle is done.
Opinions?
I let my 7 year old nephew pick out fish for the 10 gallon tank I gave him.
He picked 2 Mickey Mouse platies, 2 guppies and 2 albino cories for the bottom.
I have 5 zebra danios in my 55 gal, I had a problem with water in my tank and they are very hardy fish(at least in my experience with them). I don't know if they would be happy in that small of a tank as they like lots of swimming room.
What about a couple of male platies or guppies to cycle the tank, then you could just add other fish to go with those.
He picked 2 Mickey Mouse platies, 2 guppies and 2 albino cories for the bottom.
I have 5 zebra danios in my 55 gal, I had a problem with water in my tank and they are very hardy fish(at least in my experience with them). I don't know if they would be happy in that small of a tank as they like lots of swimming room.
What about a couple of male platies or guppies to cycle the tank, then you could just add other fish to go with those.
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
That actually sounds like a pretty good combo, considering what everyone's told me here in this topic!
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
OKay! Just thought I'd ask. I'm sure the couple of danios we'd have gotten thank you. 
littlefishie
I Harth Darth
The only problem with the platies and guppies would be that you'd need to get all males to prevent them from dropping 80+ fry per female every month. And all males among guppies can lead to them being nippy towards each other.
And cories like to be in groups of 3 at least.
And cories like to be in groups of 3 at least.
In my experience the male guppies will chase any kind of female you have in a tank, but if there isn't a female they have coexisted peacefully. Cories are fine with only 2, they just have to have a companion to hang out with on the bottom.
So if you don't want to take a chance on the male guppies, get an assortment of platies they have all different color combos out there.
So if you don't want to take a chance on the male guppies, get an assortment of platies they have all different color combos out there.
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
Well guys...
an update on this -
the dad has decided to cycle the tank with a couple of leopard danios.
Wish them well.
eek.
an update on this -
the dad has decided to cycle the tank with a couple of leopard danios.
Wish them well.
eek.
They can but won't if they have the choice of mating with their own kind. Could I also point out that mollies and danios are unsuitable for a 10 gallon and even swordtails can get too big and need at least a 15 gallon. Platies are the best fish to cycle a small tank with. I know it's probably too late but anyway. Also, I have seen 6" yo-yo loaches so beware.
My personal suggestion for a small, hardy, colorful community would be 2 male platies (cycle with those if necessary), 1 honey gourami and either 4 pygmy cories (they school in the middle layers) or 4 (male) guppies or 4 male endler's. A loach that would also work is the khulie. A couple of khulies could go in place of the pygmy cories/guppies/endler's. The honey gourami could also be replaced by a dwarf gourami which might be more colorful but less hardy.
My personal suggestion for a small, hardy, colorful community would be 2 male platies (cycle with those if necessary), 1 honey gourami and either 4 pygmy cories (they school in the middle layers) or 4 (male) guppies or 4 male endler's. A loach that would also work is the khulie. A couple of khulies could go in place of the pygmy cories/guppies/endler's. The honey gourami could also be replaced by a dwarf gourami which might be more colorful but less hardy.
BettaMomma
Fish Aficionado
She is determined she wants to get a couple of leopard danios and some neon tetras.
I've tried to talk them into other options but I think her mind is set.
Would this be a tragedy waiting to happen??
I've tried to talk them into other options but I think her mind is set.
Would this be a tragedy waiting to happen??
Neon tetras require a matured tank and would pobably become stressed from being in such a small group with active danios in a new tank and die. The danios wouldn't enjoy it much either cause they require a 20 gallon minnimum and need to be in groups of 5 at least. You might actualy find the danios act territorial in this tank rather thn like typical schooling fish. This would result in some aggression between them - though not serious - it could be stressful. Not to mention that all fish are sensitive to ammonia and nitrIte spikes that would almost deffinately leave them with long-term problems that would potentialy shorten their lifespan.
Yes, I am a pessimist - but an honest one
The fish could survive if they are lucky.
Yes, I am a pessimist - but an honest one
The fish could survive if they are lucky.
littlefishie
I Harth Darth
And this is where you go do a famous BettaMomma rescue, and get those danios outta there! 
And then tell her father what he's doing by putting those fish through the cycle, and see if he still wants his little girl to see that.
And then tell her father what he's doing by putting those fish through the cycle, and see if he still wants his little girl to see that.
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