Guppies And Tetras

[alias_B]

I am new to owning tropical fish. I currently have a 5 gallon aquarium that is ready for some inhabitants. I will have a 10 gallon aquarium in a couple of months that I can transfer the fish too. My question is this: will my 5 gallon tank safely occupy 2 male guppies and 3 neon tetras, until I can get the 10 gallon tank in 2-3 months?

Another question: Will two male guppies continue to live peacefully together or will they eventually start bullying each other?

One more question: Will my neon tetras and my guppies continue to get along with each other or are they not compatible tank mates?

 

[LongS]

Neon tetras will be fine with guppies, but you would be wise to stay clear of neons for the time being until you get a mature tank and it is fully cycled. They tend to die in tanks that aren't.

Guppies are sociable, two males will be perfect if you don't want babies. Believe me they can become an absolute nuisance.

 

[alias_B]

What type of tank set up do guppies prefer? For example, do they like a lot of vegetation and hiding places or do they prefer more open water and swimming room? What about water temperature? Also, what type of food is best for them... flake, pellet, etc.

Also, any advice on tropical water maintance will be appreciated. For example, how much aquarium salt to use to initially set up the aquarium and how much to add during routine water changes?

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Read the beginners resource pinned topic in the freshwater aquarium section, it will have plenty of things to get you started, and check out the fish profiles and the livebearers section about guppies and their care. As to aquarium salt, you won't need any at all.

 

[LongS]

You won't need any salt but a little every now and again is supposed to keep them healthy and immune system healthy.

I have only started using it the past month.

I have quite a few live plants in my tank, they seem to prefer it as they will swim in amongst them looking for bits of food and can hide if they need to rest. I prefer live plants as i think it keeps the water nice and clean, but obviously along with regular water changes.

Guppies will not tolerate poor water conditions. They are sensitive to ammonia levels so stay well on top. Apparently they used to be hardy fish, but i do not have this opinion of them. With good water they will thrive and breed like crazy so beware.

For feeding time, i feed them flakes, bloodworm, shelled peas once a week and they will even eat my loaches algae wafers. Infact they will eat whatever is put into the tank, even cucumber.

Feed them a varied diet to keep them healthy and you will see thier colours really come out.

 

[Assaye]

In a big enough tank, tetras and guppies can be fine. However, 5 gallons is too small for much other than 3-5 male guppies, IMO.

Tetras need groups of 6 or more and will be more likely to nip other fish or get stressed in a small group. They also need 10 gallons as a rock bottom minimum tank size. I would suggest something like green neon tetras or ember tetras for a 10 gallon. I would also strongly suggest adding the tetras when you get the big tank, rather than over stocking your small tank because you know a bigger tank may be on the way. It means that if something bad happens and you can't gte a bigger tank, you fish don't suffer.

Have a read of the information here on setting up a new tank, stocking tanks and the all-important cycle!

 

[alias_B]

Thank you all for the help and advice. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[alias_B]

I have decided to only purchase the guppies for now. Will 3 male guppies survive in the 5 gallon tank for 2 or 3 months until I get the 10 gallon tank? Also, any information on caring for guppies would be appreciated. I have cared for goldfish before, but I have never had tropical fish.

 

[alias_B]

I have decided to only purchase the guppies for now. Will 3 male guppies survive in the 5 gallon tank for 2 or 3 months until I get the 10 gallon tank? Also, any information on caring for guppies would be appreciated. I have cared for goldfish before, but I have never had tropical fish.

I have decided not to get the guppies right now... I know, I need to make up my mind and I think I have... I think. I've decided to purchase a Siamese Fighting Fish, also known as a Betta. So, I have a few new questions pertaining to Bettas.
First Question: Can a betta live in a 5 gallon tank for 2 or 3 months?(This is how long it will be before I have the 10 gallon tank to put it in.)

Second Question: What kind of water conditions do bettas need to live happily?

Third Question: Do bettas prefer an aquarium with a lot of plants and hiding places or do they prefer more open aquariums with lots of swimming room?

Fourth Question: Once I have the 10 gallon tank, I would like to get 3 or 4 guppies to go in it along with the betta. Will these two types of fish be compatible?

Fifth Question: What do I need to look for when purchasing a betta?(How can I tell a healthy betta from a possibly sick betta)

Sorry for all the questions guys, but all I've ever owned is goldfish. So, tropical fish are new to me and any information you can give me on caring for them (specifically bettas) will be greatly appreciated.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

You might have better luck in the betta section of the forum, there are also pinned topics there about keeping bettas.

 

[LongS]

Do not mix a betta with a male guppy. They will kill each other. Bettas attack nearly everything with long flowing fins, as it looks like them. That is also why you never mix two male bettas in the same tank. They will fight to the death.

Some people have had success with female guppies and bettas but this isn't something i would really risk unless it is a big enough tank.

In my experience bettas love planted tanks with slowish moving water. Although if extremes are avoided they should be fine with medium flow.

In a smaller tank white cloud mountain minnows would make great little companions for a betta. I'd maybe stay away from tetras until you get the big tank, but after that some tetras will be fine such as glowlights, penguins, neon, cardinal, runny nose and possibly harlequin rasboras.

Stay clear of barbs with bettas, and certain types of nippy tetras.