I Want To Start A Community Tank. :)

[moohug4]

Hi! So I want to start a community tank, but what fish are good to go with red wag platys? Can you help me?

 

[karin]

Hi Moo.

we need a lot more information in order to help.

What are the dimensions and the gallons/liters of the tank?
What is the substrate? Live plants?
How long has the tank been up and running?
Any existing fish?
Do you understand how to "cycle" a tank (if not read beginner's resources at the top of this section, particularly the part on cycling and fishless cycling)
Do you have a heater?
What type of filter do you have (make and model)

That should help us give you some good advice.

 

[moohug4]

Hi Moo.

we need a lot more information in order to help.

What are the dimensions and the gallons/liters of the tank?
What is the substrate? Live plants?
How long has the tank been up and running?
Any existing fish?
Do you understand how to "cycle" a tank (if not read beginner's resources at the top of this section, particularly the part on cycling and fishless cycling)
Do you have a heater?
What type of filter do you have (make and model)

That should help us give you some good advice.

Its' a 20 g
About an inch of gravel, no live plants, just some plastic ones.
It's been running for about 3 months.
Red wag platy's, 2 bottom feeder sucker fish, and 2 eel like small fish that eat the stuff on the bottom.
I do know what cycling is.
I do have a heater, for my 20 gallon.
My filter: Whisper 20i, internal power filter.

 

[Joshwainwright]

You should really research the nitrogen cycle before progressing any further. A good place to find out everything you need to know is the Beginners Resource Centre.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

 

[tropicalfish16]

Hi! So I want to start a community tank, but what fish are good to go with red wag platys? Can you help me?

Platy's are a very good fish to start off your tank because pretty much all other tropical fish go with them. For instance: guppies, mollies, bottomfeeders/catfish, and others!
For me platy's always live long. I haven't had luck with mollies, but I know people that have. It really depends on the fish, I guess.
Good luck with your tank!

 

[Unknown10101]

Yes I agree with tropicalfish16!! I have to add to her list though, and I also think that some Mollies can be a little snippy towards platies. Any fish that is part of the Tropical Community and not the Semi-Agressive, or gold fish should work.
I had a platy once and it died, but I've had many mollies. Just be sure that if you buy platies, to get one gender if you don't want babies (which are cute and fun.) Yup, well, that's all I have for now! Thank you!!

 

[lilfishie]

we will need to know what the 'bottom feeders' and 'eel fish' are, get a picture up if your unsure, also i hope your feeding them and there not just getting scraps (the comment eat stuff off the bottom makes me assume no specific food for them)

 

[moohug4]

we will need to know what the 'bottom feeders' and 'eel fish' are, get a picture up if your unsure, also i hope your feeding them and there not just getting scraps (the comment eat stuff off the bottom makes me assume no specific food for them)

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZMIJGAnF54
Here's a video. The eel fish is a beige and brown striped, and the bottom feeders are brown with white bottom.

 

[Falling Ash]

It's a kuhli loach

 

[karin]

Okay then. Your bottom feeding sucker really looks like an otocinclus catfish also known just as otos. Are they more often on the side and on your plants? Mind never were on the bottom much. And then yes a kuhli loach.

I would up your kuhli loaches to six (that is the eel thing). They like to be in groups and these will be your bottom scavengers.

If I am right and you have otos then be aware that these guys need alga; without they can starve. That is why many people wait to add these to a more mature tank. You can try algae wafers and moisten them and stick them to the side of the glass if you don't have enough algae. I would say up these to six as well but don't do it until yours are more than 6 months old.

You are missing a schooling fish like a small tetra, neons, rummy nose or flame tetras for example. Get a school of 8-10 of the same species. Then you could do a male/female or male/2 female of dwarf gourami to spice things up.

Good luck. Make certain you have a good liquid based test kit as you are a waterkeeper as much as you are a fishkeeper.

 

[moohug4]

Okay then. Your bottom feeding sucker really looks like an otocinclus catfish also known just as otos. Are they more often on the side and on your plants? Mind never were on the bottom much. And then yes a kuhli loach.

I would up your kuhli loaches to six (that is the eel thing). They like to be in groups and these will be your bottom scavengers.

If I am right and you have otos then be aware that these guys need alga; without they can starve. That is why many people wait to add these to a more mature tank. You can try algae wafers and moisten them and stick them to the side of the glass if you don't have enough algae. I would say up these to six as well but don't do it until yours are more than 6 months old.

You are missing a schooling fish like a small tetra, neons, rummy nose or flame tetras for example. Get a school of 8-10 of the same species. Then you could do a male/female or male/2 female of dwarf gourami to spice things up.

Good luck. Make certain you have a good liquid based test kit as you are a waterkeeper as much as you are a fishkeeper.

Thanks for the advice! I only got a few of these ones because I'm doing a science project on the affects of music on fish. I will get more in about 3 weeks.

What about other types of platys?