New To Tropical Fish

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I am thinking about getting a few tropical fish.

I've been keeping goldfish for 16 or so years so I'm not a newbie to fish.

I'm interested in starting up with some tropical fish; I'm just wondering can anyone recommend any "beginner" tropical fish. What are the basics I'd need to know.

Also I've got the option of two tanks, one would be 12"x12"x12" - upgrading would be done, but initially it would only be that small - what kind of fish could I fit in there and roughtly how many? Would the tank be idea for the tiny betta fish?

My other option is a tank 30" in length, 12" in width and 12" in height - again what kind of fish could I get in there and roughly how many fish could I fit in?

What is the "average" temperature range for tropical fish? I have been doing research I'd just rather hear it from people who have been keeping fish.

Thank you in advance

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I couldn't edit my other post however; I should have asked what kind of heater would be suitable for both tanks?

 

[Curiosity101]

There aren't really any...beginner fish to be honest. Especially as you've kept goldfish so long.
Aslong as you've got to grips with water testing, feeding and water changes then you're sorted.
Also I presume you'll seed the filter from current tanks and perform a fishless cycle..?

If so then the only fish that are really off the cards are...neons as they are generally weak to any sort of water fluctuations.

12x12x12 = 28l = 7US Gal
30x12x12 = 71l = 19US Gal

There aren't a huge amount of fish suitable for the 7gal but here are a couple of ideas (not an extensive list, just to give you some ideas).
Male betta (Not always compatible in a 'community' setup)
Sparkling Gouramis
Normans Lampeyes
Ember Tetras
Endlers
Shrimp
Snails - 1 Apple and/or a couple of nerites
ADF - African dwarf frog
A single dwarf puffer fish


For the 19Gal you have plenty of choice. Have a nosey into the beginners resource centre, there is a list of fish there suitable for a 10gal and up tank.
To add to those...
Kuhli loaches
Pitbull Plec
Apistogramma cichlids (there are many types)
A group of female bettas (have to be kept in at least a group of 4 to allow hierachy to form, but normally can be kept with other species of fish)
Many types of tetra that remain at 4cm or less
Guppys
Platys

You really need to come up with some ideas of fish you want to keep before people can help. Afterall we don't know what you like.

And as for a average temperature...it varies species to species but 'most' average community fish are fine from 24C-26C

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Brilliant thanks.

I can manage water changes and feeding. I've never done water testing before; our normal tap water is absolutely perfect for goldfish. If I do get tropical fish I'll have a play with testing kits before hand so I know what I am doing.

The 12x12x12" tank would be a new tank with a new filter. The larger tank is an old tank with filter but I'd probably want to buy a nice new filter for it, since mine is old and it's hard to get replacement sponges. I would do a fishless cycle though; how long is it recommended to do this for?

haha you said you don't know what I like; me neither to be honest. I was looking for advice on sizing but I'll have a look into the list you send and find out what I like. The only thing I do know I like is the betta fish - they are generally always located next to the cold water fish so I see them often. It would be a few weeks before I could get fish anyway so plenty time to do my background research.

 

[Harlequins]

I personally would go with the bigger or biggest tank you can afford,i started with the 30 litre,realising i couldn't keep much in there,so upgraded to a 20 gal,finally i have got a 48 gal...aiming for a larger one

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Well I'll go for the biggest tank I can fit in more like it haha. I do agree Harlequins; I'm on my 5th gold fish tank upgrade at the moment.

The smallest tank I can get is a 28 litre; and I'd like to try a few betta fish or guppies in it; I fancy trying small fish since my goldfish are monsters.

To be honest I would like a decent sized tank, I just wanted to start off with a manageable size tank with a few fish in it; I will upgrade in time when they grow. It's just I've never had tropical fish before and I'd rather try in a smaller tank until I'm 100% confident in what I am doing.

 

[crazychris]

I'd get the bigger tank as you can have more fish in there. Just not at the beginning of course.

 

[pippoodle]

you CANNOT have a few betta fish in a tank 28 litre tank unless you divide it with a proper divider then you can have 2 males otherwise 1 male or 1 female only --- NOT MIXED
to house more than 1 female you need at least 40 litre tank and then house at least 5 females in the tank
To house more than 1 male betta - YOU CANNOT at all - as soon as it sees another male it will fight to the death - he will also fight to the death with a female unless you are spawning and then the introduction and contitioning period is 2-3 weeks

where abouts do you come from as you say the water is perfect for fish - no chemicals or anything - are you using a well ?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Note taken on betta fish haha. I haven't researched fish yet, I'm just in the process of learning about water and water quality and fishless cycling. Then I will decide on a tank and then fish.

So if I got the bigger tank I could have 5 female bettas? As I said I'm not sure what type of fish I'd like; I'm just aware I have seen bettas and guppies that I like the look of.

There are chemicals in the water we have but they are all within safe levels for the goldfish; well the pet shop test kits say so. A lot of our water comes from Kielder Reservoir.

Edit: Thought I should also add; if I get tropical fish I will be buying a test kit and all of the chemicals/cleansers etc that I need.