Setting Up A Tank For Younger Brother. Need Stocklist Ideas

[sezra]

My younger brothers birthday is coming up and he is always fascinated by my tanks when he comes to my house. Seeing as though I had an empty 130L tank i decided he could have that to get him started in the hobby. The tank is set up and cycled and is ready for the fish but because the tank will be at my parents house (who have no idea about any pets), Im going to suggest he get something hardy and beginner friendly. I wont be around much to physically deal with any problems he might encounter.
 
The tank is 60cm (L) x 60cm (H) x 35cm (W) so its as tall as it is long which means i need fish that will use the whole water column. Its also planted and has java fern, java moss and tape grass.
 
so, what i need are fish that are
 

• hardy
• beginner friendly
• active
• colourful
• peacful

I immediately thought of neon tetras. they can look really spectacular in large numbers, but im open to suggestions.

 

[BettaBettas]

endlers, tetras, guppies. if I have more ideas I will tell

 

[fluttermoth]

Do you know if your parent's water supply is hard or soft?
 
Can I ask how old your brother is? Will he or your parents be able to manage water changes?

 

[sezra]

Do you know if your parent's water supply is hard or soft?
 
Can I ask how old your brother is? Will he or your parents be able to manage water changes?

 
My brother will be turning 14 next week and he knows about water changes etc. and ive been through most things with him, as well as giving him all my old books on fish keeping so Im confident he'll be up to the job. If he really does need help he can always phone me.
 
As for their water, its moderately hard. I want him to be able to choose his own fish but would like to suggest things i know are easy to look after. I started out on gold fish when i was 10 but he wants tropical because he really likes my fire eels. I told him he needs to start on something more manageable though

 

[Ch4rlie]

Hmm, not a bad sized tank for a first timer. Lots of options really.
 
Its just depends on what he would like and whether he wants lots of plants or not, one specie, biotope type, chichlid such as malawi set up,  or 2 or 3 colourful species, cories, whiptails, shrimps and snails etc etc the list goes on
 
Of course must take into consideration the pH and water hardness, this helps a great deal in helping to choose the most suitable fish to suit the water for that tank.
 
The more info that can be provided, the better