Small Tank Set Up & Choosing One Species

[JanisH]

Hi,
I am into day 4 of my fishless cycle of a small tropical tank using a new aquarium start up kit and testing. The tank choice at the time was based on budget and space. Having studied the forum and Internet, I realise it is not ideal at only 26 litres and presents many challenges to keep a healthy environment for fish.. My priority therefore is to keep only one species of fish and thier welfare. I am happy that the pump, lighting and heater are right for the tank. I have kept a large tropical fish tank many moons ago so am relearning the hobby now with my son.
Having researched species I am thinking maybe tiger barbs as I understand they swim at all levels and are quite hardy for a new set up. But not sure if even then the tanks big enough..... Any advice or alternative suggestions very welcome. If the answer is a single Betta fish then fine, if I can have shoaling fish, how many?
Also because of using the new aquarium startup kit I am using, is it too late to add some mature gravel from the local aquatics centre to stabilise the bacterial flora growth and nitrites?
Finally when would you recommend adding a plant?
Many thanks

 

[JanisH]

Just wanted to clarify that I won't be stocking until testing proves that the tank is ready however long that takes.

 

[ParadiseGuerrero]

Hi,
I am into day 4 of my fishless cycle of a small tropical tank using a new aquarium start up kit and testing. The tank choice at the time was based on budget and space. Having studied the forum and Internet, I realise it is not ideal at only 26 litres and presents many challenges to keep a healthy environment for fish.. My priority therefore is to keep only one species of fish and thier welfare. I am happy that the pump, lighting and heater are right for the tank. I have kept a large tropical fish tank many moons ago so am relearning the hobby now with my son.
Having researched species I am thinking maybe tiger barbs as I understand they swim at all levels and are quite hardy for a new set up. But not sure if even then the tanks big enough..... Any advice or alternative suggestions very welcome. If the answer is a single Betta fish then fine, if I can have shoaling fish, how many?
Also because of using the new aquarium startup kit I am using, is it too late to add some mature gravel from the local aquatics centre to stabilise the bacterial flora growth and nitrites?
Finally when would you recommend adding a plant?
Many thanks

small shoaling fish you could go with could be something like threadfin rainbows, pygmy rasboras and possibly one of the pygmy cory species if you have enough floor space- you may be able to have a mix of the corys with a small shoal of one of the others- but it would probably be best, like you said, to just have the one species. Each of those three only grow to about 2.5cm; so they're tiny but they need to be in groups of 6+. I've not actually had any of these three, though i plan too in the future, so i can't say about how they behave.

They're a bit 'common' but you could get a small group of guppies in there(I quite like these guys as you can have a group thats all matched or a group each with very individual colours). i'd pick all males because they're prettier and you won't end up over loaded with fry. I've also found guppies tend to be all over the tank, though a lot of people have said they tend to be towards the top.

I'm still fairly new to fish keeping so you might what to double check these species but they should fit quite well, but it depends if you like the look of they too.

Oh and as for the bettas- i got one just the other day, when he was in the shop he just hung around completly still and once i got him home he did the same, but after a day or two he perked right up and now swims all over the tank. An other fish you could look at is a paradise fish but I'm not quite sure if the tank might be a little on the small side for them, but they do have a lot of character.

I hope thats some help- I'm sure some one else can probably come up with some others, good luck with your tank

 

[Louiseness]

The tank is way too small for tiger barbs, sorry

As you've said 26 litres really does limit your options. You could definitely have a betta if thats what you want. Small shrimps (cherry, ghost, amano) or snails will work if that;s the sort of thing you like.

Other than that, I think your only other real option is a small shoal of small fish (I mean REALLY small) like the microrasboras or perhaps some endlers.

 

[mattlee]

have a look at galaxy rasboras. they are by no means the cheapest fish available especially for such a small fish but a group of these would be ok along with some cherry shrimp.

as you are aware your tank is very small but this doesnt mean you cant enjoy it as much. there are many small fish to choose from and availability will also have a factor but while the tank is cycling research as others have said pygmy rasboras as these are normally available in a decent lfs.

also please note what the adult size of the fish will be. you mention tiger barbs and the small ones we see in the shops soon grow into 2 inch plus fish. they are also very active fish so will need much more room than you can offer im affraid and also are quite aggressive if not kept in big groups.

i would say you dont want anything that reaches much over an inch max except for maybe a single male betta splendens (siamese fighting fish) as these can cope in a smallish tank alone with maybe a few shrimp if the betta allows it.....

do plenty of reasearch as your still in the early stage of cycling and im sure you will find a fish thats suitable for your tank and that you and your son like

i also think that you are thinking along the right way by just choosing a single species as it will look much better than a mixed up bunch of fish.

 

[JanisH]

Many thanks for all the advice, very helpful. We went to see the lfs and when the tank is ready we are going for a shoal of Endlers which I'd not heard of before, they are beautiful little characters!

 

[mattlee]

good choice

 

[Louiseness]

Many thanks for all the advice, very helpful. We went to see the lfs and when the tank is ready we are going for a shoal of Endlers which I'd not heard of before, they are beautiful little characters!

Good choice! They're so funny when they flare their little fins at each other. I'm sure you'll really enjoy them.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Endlers, great choice. Like all guppies they breed like rabbits so bear this in mind. Best to go for an all male group.


Tom