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[RiiCKYOMD]

Hey, I've got a 12 gallon tank. 23''x12''x12''. I have been recommended by so many people including online experts to maybe start off with some small fish for my first tropical tank. Has anyone got ideas?
Previous forums and websites have reccommended the following but my upmost respect goes to this forum so I am putting the future of my tank into your hands guys

Ideas: (not all in same tank)
8-12 Neon Tetras Good to look at, fun to watch, stays small, not easily bred
6 Platys Nice looking fish, most stay small, some breeding involved
6 Tetras (any kind) + 3 plecos Not to sure but I loveeee tetras and other small elegant fish
10 danios Too many I think from reading other posts?

Anyone got any other ideas and if anyone has a 10-15 gallon tank or has had ones I'd love for you to pm me the pictures of your tanks and the fish you kept inside

 

[-germ-]

What plecos?

 

[RiiCKYOMD]

Germ sorry about the other night, lack of sleep very stressful REALLY AM SORRY

I don't know what plecos are

 

[loachman]

Germ sorry about the other night, lack of sleep very stressful REALLY AM SORRY

I don't know what plecos are

Plecos are suckermouth catfish. There are many different types, but really all are over 4 inches (some well over a foot). I wouldn't put 3 of the smallest into a 12 gallon tank.

Perhaps they meant cories. Cories are a smaller type of catfish that are somewhat more appropriate for a 12 gal (pygmy cories especially...others will be somewhat crampt).
(edit: On second thought, they were most likely referring to ottos which are perfectly suited for smaller tanks.)


10 danios IMO are too much. It depends on the species of danio though.

6 platies are good. I'd opt for males personally, just b/c they can produce alot of offspring.

8-12 neons will be fine in 12 gal.

 

[-germ-]

No worries
There aren't many plecos that would be suitable for that size tank;
http/www.fishforums.net/30-Plecos-Under-...6.html <--30 plecos under 8" link
If you like slim fish, and due to the tanks size you'd probably need a very small pleco you'd be best looking at parotocinlcus jumbo (pitbull pleco).
I personally would go for the plecos and tetras because then you'll have a greater distribution of interest; ie; when/if you are tired of looking at the tetra you'll have something else. They are 'cool' little fish and should help you keep it clean.
Just thought what temp is recommended for tetras? Don't know much about them. The parotocinclus should be kept at 20-25 celcius which may be cold for tetras....
I can tell you that they could be a risk though, you get alot of posts from people with tetras dying off, but if you get a healthy batch and maintain your tank well, you should be fine.
Other thing i'd definately not get the danios, they are very active fish that should be given alot of room to be active in.
Phew, ran out of breath.

 

[RiiCKYOMD]

Thanks Germ

 

[SuperColey1]

Danios need to be in groups of 6 or more and are far too active for a 12G tank. They are very fast fish and like to sprint the length of the tank. 20G is the minimum really.

Pitbull Plecs get to 3 inches and need to be in groups of 3 or more or they will hide away never to be seen again, whereas in a group you will see them playing in the sand and have very pleasurable times watching them. I would suggest that 12G is the bare minimum for these.

Tetra wise they are similar to the Danios in that they are quite active and need to be in groups of 6 or more, but I think you could get away with these in your size tank.

Temperature wise I wouldn't worry about it too much. Anything between 23 and 28 will suit the plecos and Tetras alike.

I think the site Germ was reading the temps must be wrong because both fish are from similar situs in South America and would most likely accomodate the same temperature.

I currently have Pitbulls and Cardinals along with Otos and the tank with full lights on gets up as high 28 sometimes. I am going to try to get the temp down to 24 after the summer to get the pitbulls to breed, and after water change (cold water) it comes down to 24 before it starts slowly climbing again.

I used to have Danios and even in a 33G they were very very active and would sprint from one end to the other.

Andy

 

[n3ont3tra]

I don't see any problem with putting danios in a 24" tank.
Most tetras do fine with temps from 76-82 F.

For plecs, the smallest is probably the zebra, but they cost over $150. :$

I would definately have two different types of fish, because tetras can get boring pretty fast if there's nothing else to look at.

 

[-germ-]

Supercoley.... not having a pop, interested in what you said.
I'd heard that pitbulls average about 2" but normally stick at around 1 and a half"....
Most of my info comes from here and Planet Catfish....

 

[n3ont3tra]

Supercoley.... not having a pop, interested in what you said.
I'd heard that pitbulls average about 2" but normally stick at around 1 and a half"....
Most of my info comes from here and Planet Catfish....

Whoa I thought they got about 5 inches...

 

[-germ-]

Are you thinking of bulldog plecs n3on?

 

[n3ont3tra]

Probably... here:
22. Pitbull Plec LDA25 - 2" 50mm
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...t=0&start=0

 

[-germ-]

http/www.fishforums.net/Crazy-Pitbull-Plec-t203461.html
Theres a pic of a pitbull on this thread Riicky....

 

[SuperColey1]

A Quick pic of mine.

There are a lot of measurements on the net but the size on the net is generally not including the tail.
They are the smallest plec at a generally accepted 2.8 inches.

My 4 are varying sizes. The biggest being about 3.5 inches and the smallest 2.5 inches. They are fully mature and I don't expect them to grow any further.

I researched them quite a lot before I bought them as I wanted a group of plecs for my 33G and eventually gave up and spoke to the man who I now buy all my fish from as he is a zebra breeder and also had many other plecs and he said as long as its not cold or hot and there is oxygen there then it doesnt matter if its 22 or 29.

I inject CO2, have little surface movement and at 28 there are no concerns really.

Temperatures for fish is also different on many sites. some saying Tetras must be kept between 26-28 and others saying 24-26.

During the week my tank goes from 24 -28. After water change with cold water it is 24. When the lights are on it goes up to 28 and when they are off it goes down to 25. I have not had my heater turned on since early May.

It is often suggested that to get pitbuls and corrys to breed to do a cold water change to bring the water down as much as to 22.

I do think that Danios need a much bigger tank though or they'll annoy the hell out of both owner and cohabitants, with their constant darting about, and can start getting really nippy when bored.

Andy

 

[-germ-]

Thanks very much Supercoley