Small Fish Not Suitable For 10 Gallons

[dixaisy930]

Just noticed an increase in keeping the following fish in ten gallons (or smaller). Just my opinions/thoughts:

Danios - Eventhough they are technically small enough for a ten gallon, these fish need LOTS of swimming space. Anyone that has even had danios knows that they are hyperactive fish. Combine their activity level, size, and group requirement, it means these are not suitable for 10 gallon tanks.

Tiger Barbs - Similar reasons that danios are not suitable for 10 gallon tanks.

Cories - Not all cories are unsuitable. Pygmy cories (Corydorus habrosus) are actually ideal for a ten gallon. However, to house a suitable group of the more common cories (emerald, peppered, etc), you would be limited to the total amount of fish. These more common species get closer to 2-3", which would make a group of 5 equal 10-15" of fish. I find cories also like swimming room, but not to the extent that the barbs or danios.

*Now this is purely my opinion, but I wouldn't keep any schooling fish (except for pygmy
cories, or the small rasbora) in a ten gallon. Even neons I think do better in bigger tanks,
because it provides more swimming area, and allows for bigger schools*

Mollies - Most mollies are relatively small in the lfs, but they rarely stay that small. Most mollies surpass 3", and can reach 6" (although 5" is more common). Balloon mollies are better suited for smaller aquariums, as they tend to not get over 2".

Common plecos - I know this has been stated over and over, but one more time won't hurt. Eventhough they are only a few inches in the lfs, they become big and messy.

German/Bolivian Rams - A 10 gallon is considered cramped quarters for these guys. They need a larger territory than a 10 gallon can provide, and are more sensitive to water parameters than some of the more common, hardy community fish.

Kissing Gouramis - I've seen very small ones sold in my lfs before, but these guys get big (6-12 inches).

Goldfish - Their requirements have been stated over and over again, but it won't to hear it one more time. One goldfish needs 20 gallons, and every additional one needs another 10 gallons. These are also very messy fish.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Good topic and I agree with the fish you've listed. Danios definitely too fast and need a large school, peppered and emerald cories apart from their schooling needs also need to move round quite a bit (and emeralds are very clumsy). Rmas, yes, the territory; tiger barbs are too big for a start and certainly too boisterous. And mollies, goldfish, kissing gouramis and plecos are quite simply not small fish.

There are a few other schooling fish that would go well in a 10 gallon, apart from the pygmy cories you mentioned. Ember and kitty tetras stay really tiny, and I don't see a problem with the smallest pseudomugils, either. And you could probably do small species of lampeyes.

Endlers also would be a good choice. And for a species tank of non-schooling fish, what could be nicer than a small colony of shellies?

But the basic principle remains the same: nano fish for nano tanks! And nothing very fast swimming.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

good call, i'd also mention corydors pygmaeus and hastatus the other 2 species of pygmy cory. just in case anyone would think hasbrosu are the only one

 

[Torrean]

There is one suggestion in the good fish for 10 gallons thread that sylvia did that I disagree with, but I would like some more opinions.

Myers hatchets...these guys get startled easy and smack into hoods/side glass dieing in the process. I don't think that's a very good choice for a 10. What do you guys think

 

[AndreaC]

Great post.

Have to say it really bewilders me when people buy common plecs, ok there teeny in the shops but they have potentail of growing 16" plus!!

I didnt realise goldfish was 20Gallons then additional 10G there after for each one?? thought it was just 10 gallons each fish fullstop.
Mind you my goldies have a more than they need in a 5 ft tank, 1 goldie, 1 blackmoore and 1 fancy.

 

[dixaisy930]

And mollies, goldfish, kissing gouramis and plecos are quite simply not small fish.

I put them in there because, for the most part, they are small at the lfs, and people get the wrong idea that that's the size they'll stay.

 

[dwarfgourami]

And mollies, goldfish, kissing gouramis and plecos are quite simply not small fish.

I put them in there because, for the most part, they are small at the lfs, and people get the wrong idea that that's the size they'll stay.

Good point. It's like those adverts you see for 5 gallon tanks, and it's got "suitable for 4 small goldfish" on the box.