Planning To Add New Fish, Need Input On Best Selection

[rk4n3]

Hi all,
 
I have a 10-gal fully-cycled tank with these fish in it:

• 1 red-wag platy
• 2 sunset platies
• 1 glolight tetra

These are the survivors from my first bungle of putting new fish in an uncycled tank, which is why there's just one tetra (started out with 6).  These four fish have been in the tank 2 months now, and the tank finished cycling about two weeks ago.
 
Immediately after learning of my mistake(s), I bought a larger (29-gal) tank and started a fishless-cycle on it, with the intention of moving my surviving fish to it, and hopefully adding some tankmates eventually to replace the dearly departed.
 
The 29-gal tank is very close to completing its cycling, so I'm starting to think about the migration.  My plan is to move the four fish, and put four new fish in the 10-gal, to observe for and treat any ick or such before moving them to the larger tank, too.
 
I would like some input on the best selection of fish for my scenario.  I really do love my platies, I call them my "little gummies"   They have cute behavior and I love their color and size.  I also appreciate the fact that my one remaining tetra actually survived his ordeal and is thriving, so I'd kinda like to get him some tankmates.  I discovered that my platies are all female, so I am considering getting one male platy, so that I can have the "fry" experience.
 
So, what I've that as my "minimal" selection would be:

• 3 more glolight tetras
• 1 male platy

... that would put me at 4 platies and 4 tetras in the 29-gal tank (eventually).
 
I wouldn't mind having one more kind of fish, just for variety/color, but I'm not sure if that's wise, or what kind of fish would work well in that scenario.  I'm also not sure if the 4 tetras would meet their "social needs", or if I'd be better off getting a couple more (I see alot of literature recommending at least 6).
 
I want to keep the 10-gal operating, too.  It would be nice to have a hospital tank handy, but I would also need to have something in it to keep it cycled, right ?  I'm interested in tips/thoughts for that, as well.
 
OK, I'm ready for input ... let me have it
 

 

[Blondielovesfish]

For the glolight tetras:
They would be better of a group of 6+. For your size tank I would recommend just the 6 though.
For the quarantine/hospital tank:
I'm pretty sure that most people don't have anything in it and just remove the filter media from the QT and put it in their bigger tank's filter and then take the media back out when the QT is in need. 
For a colourful fish:
A Dwarf Gourami or Sunset Honey Gourami might look quite nice although I'm not entirely sure on their compatibility.
Hope this helps!

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Most people like a bare-bones QT, but I've found that this really stresses out fish.  My QT has medium-sized rounded stones, a hollowed granite cave, and two plastic plants.  Through trial and error, I've found this set up to be most de-stressing for fish, while still easy to clean.  This setup also allows for any meds I may want to use.
 
To keep it "cycled," you don't necessarily need to have it running constantly.  What I do is I keep a set of the QT's filter media in my established tanks filter.  That way, when I need the QT tank, I just put the seeded filter media into the filter and boom, cycled.  Still, do regular tests of the QT water just in case, however my tests always come out flawless.
 
I always suggest rummy nose tetras because they're my favorite.  They too are schooling fish.  I once lost a large portion of my original shoal to an Ich outbreak (before my QT days).  I ended up with only two rummy noses surviving.  They actually did pretty well on their own, and were comfortable enough to swim on their own in the tank (with guppies).  Of course, restock them when you can.
 
If you want to expand in livebearers, I'd recommend guppies.  They have lots of character, just like your platies and they fall under the general "peaceful livebearer" category.  I put that in quotes because there are cases of aggressive livebearers.  It's all trial and error.  Eventually, everyone gets a fish they need to rehome.
 
Steer clear of swordtails cause they can and will breed with platies.  If your livebearers end up breeding unexpectedly, you at least can have peace of mind knowing your 10 gallon can become a nursery as well
 
Keep us updated and post some pics for Pete's sake!!

 

[laurac94]

How about one of the small varieties of the male sword tail? They are bred in lots of colours and are very active.

 

[rk4n3]

Thanks for the replies thus far - I've gone out and taken a look at gouramis and swordtails, and I think the swordtail doesn't appeal to me as much as the gourami does - I like the fact that the gourami has a much different look than the platies (for variety).
 
Does anyone have insight into how a single gourami would likely do in a tank with 4 platies and 6 glolight tetras ?
 
I also considered a guppy, as I like the colors and flair of their tails.  Would a single guppy be OK in a tank stocked like I'm planning ?
 
This may be completely off the mark, but would a beta work in such a scenario ?  I know they fight each other, but maybe they're not aggressive to other species ?
 
Also, any opinions on whether I'm pushing the 29-gal tank past it reasonable limits, or am I still OK with this plan:

• 4 platies
• 6 glolight tetras
• 1 other "different" fish, TBD

Again, thanks for the helpful replies thus far - looking forward to more, and zeroing in on a great decision
 
Here's a picture of my 10-gal as it is right now:

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

I have heard from other posts that dwarf gouramies may work with your stocking so far.  They can be unpredictable.  I've also heard that honey gouramies are peaceful as well.  I can't weigh in from personal experience, but I have heard some success stories.
 
I wouldn't recommend a betta fish.  Your platies are red, and that's a no-no for bettas.  They will probably attack them.
 
Guppies are generally peaceful and should be compatible for your tank.  They are not schooling fish, but they are very sociable.  Maybe two male guppies?

 

[laurac94]

If you do go with guppies I would also get some females if you can because the males like to show off to the females and colour up alot better, you can get some pretty female ones too.. How about endlers guppies?

 

[rk4n3]

OK, so I took a more focused interest in guppies and looked over some pictures and info ... WOW - some of those guppies are very striking, and I'm thinking that might be the fish for me.
 
So, the serious question:  how many guppies would I be OK adding to this 29-gal tank with 4 platies and 6 glolight tetras ?
 
Also, the type that I would be most interested in is the one with the really fanned-out colorful tail, like this picture - what type of guppy is this ?:

 

[laurac94]

Think thats a snakeskin guppy, they are usually yellow, but I agree the blue is gorgeous!

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

The general name for guppies with big flamboyant tails is "fancy guppy."  Watch out for fin nippers.  I would also advise you to not get females, unless you're interested in dealing with tons of fry.
 
There are huge varieties, patterns, and colors of guppies.  I'd recommend just going to your LFS and checking out what they have.  Choose the one you love the most.   If nothing strikes you, try again another time.  I'm sure they restock guppies quickly.

 

[rk4n3]

OK, I've got these things settled:  fancy guppy, maybe the snakeskin variety, shop around for just the right one, wait/check-back if necessary ...
 
I'd really like some advice on how many fish I'm OK with in this scenario ... I think the fact that they're all very small species works in my favor, but I don't want to endanger my fish by over-stocking the tank.  If I get two guppies to go in with the 4 platies and 6 glolight tetras, will my tank be over-stocked, or is that a fairly decent (granted, probably full) population for a 29-gal tank with a few plants ?
 
LFS says "2 gallons per inch of fish", so if all these fish are around 2" in adulthood, I should be ok with the 12 according to them.  I've been reading enough to know that the LFS may not be the best source of correct information, though.
 
Thanks for all the helpful info !

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Hmm.  2 gallons per inch is rather conservative.  I use "1 gallon per inch" as a very general guideline for my initial planning stages.
 
At 2 guppies, 4 platies, and 6 glolights in a 29 gallon, I think you may still have space for a bit more.  I have a similar stocking to you in a 20 gallon.  I've got 4 guppies (soon to be 6 guppies) and a small shoal of rummy noses.  I might add a dwarf gourami too.  And this is a 20 gallon.  You should be okay.

 

[rk4n3]

Sweet !   Thanks so much

 
I will post pictures when I get the migrations and stocking all done.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Sounds great. Some Guppies are really nice, you just have to find the right one/s.
Looking forward to pictures.