Stocking A 12 Gallon Tank

[rebrn]

Hello, well as most of you know I now have a third tank set up, so what to but in my 12 gallon tank is now eluding me. It is a Marineland Eclipse system (150 pH is advertised), the filter produces a fairly strong current with no way to redirect or turn down the output, so I would definitely need fish that don't mind current in the tank. I really like the look of the Endler's Livebearer but have had conflicting reports on tank size. As the tank is on the smaller side of the spectrum I was planning to keep only one type of fish in the tank, a smallish school of some sort, if possible, but really not sure what would be appropriate for 12 gallons. I really want something with colour as there will only be one type of fish in the tank, possibly a snail or too but not 100% on that yet. I am new to fish, and although I have learnt tons on this site about cycling a tank and tank maintainance, I really don't know much about the types of fish, haven't gotten that far yet with my tanks. The only species I am somewhat familiar with is the Zebra Danio, which I know will outgrow the 12 gallon, which is why I purchased the larger tank. I would ideally like to have something that is relatively hardy and easy to care for, again due to my inexperience ... start simple then work my way up. Also, because it is a smaller tank I realize that it won't be as stable as a large tank and more prone to spikes in ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. I figured if it were a hardier species, should I miss a spike in something (and hopefully I won't) it won't necessarily mean instant death, as it might with the less hardy species. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Honeythorn]

A school of male endlers will be absolutely fine in a 12 gal. They stay small at around 1.5 cm and you could easily have 10-12 in there if you're only keeping one species.

Make sure your filter is cycled . The easiest way to do this is to to pop it in another stocked , mature tank and leave it in there for 1 month minimum ( 2 would be better ) , then when your 12 gal is set up and ready to go, fill the tank and add your newly matured filter. You can add your fish the same day.

As for the filter, if it has a nozzle sticking out where the water comes out, you could attatch a spray bar to it and face the holes in the bar at the back of the tank so the current is deflected off the glass and not so strong.

Endlers however should be just fine with the current as it is, since they are a small active fish and like to zip around anyway.

 

[rebrn]

Hi, thanks for the quick response. That is exactly why I thought of the Endler's, I heard they are like the danio, in the sense that they like to dart around and prefer the faster moving water. I just had such conflicting reports about the tank size I wasn't sure. I guess the males must be smaller than the females (sorry if that is a stupid question ... just starting to learn about the different species). But you say a rather large group (10-12 seems large to me anyway) would be fine, I would love to go with that. I was actually thinking around 8 with a couple of snails (probably MTS) just to help me out a little with my sand substrate. I was thinking with snails, instead of having to sift sand twice a week I could do it once a week with the water changes. I am not actually ready for the fish just yet, I am still fish less cycling the tank. I am hoping it will just be another couple of weeks before it is done, been cycling the 12 gallon since Oct 1, so hopefully it will be done soon. Thanks for the advise I feel better about the Endler's now, and knowing that I can keep just males is a bonus (really not interested in breeding ... well at least not until I have more experience).

Thanks again.

 

[Honeythorn]

8 Males is also good. I believe they are smaller than females yes. I really like Endlers , such bright little things ( I used to have some) and easy to care for so a good choice if you've not much experience. Good luck with them

 

[furry catfish]

with your little school of endlers you could have some shrimp,personally I like the red cherry vairety

 

[rebrn]

ooh shrimp, never thought of those. I am a little leary of the snails, only because I hear they are big waste producers and breed very easily, I really really don't want a snail infestation. How many shrimp could I have with the 8 Endler's? How hard are they on the bio filtration (waste production wise)? Finally, I know they eat waste (and are very good at it), but would they help with the sand sifting? And before anybody gets mad, I am not looking to use my stock to do my maintainance for me, but if they can help out then all the better.

 

[Honeythorn]

You could have several shrimp, around 6-10 cherries would be fine . They are extremely low waste producers indeed. And with only those and 8 endlers in a cycled 12 gallon the usual once a week 50% water change is all you'd need to do. The cherries may breed though so be sure you have an LFS who will take them or another tank to put the offspring in.

If you want a shrimp that will not breed then Amano shrimp are a nice choice. You will need to provide algae wafers for them though, but whilst being a freshwater shrimp they actually breed in brackish/salt water so you'd not have any babies to worry about.

 

[rebrn]

Cool thanks. I do have a 55 gallon that I could put shrip fry into, but I suppose if they breed like crazy, I would eventually need another plan. I also have a friend that might be willing to take some as well. I also have a 5 gallon that I could put a few into, but as that tank will be housing a Betta, I might be sending the poor little shrimp to there death . So I may have to look at the Amano shrimp. More research, oh well all the better for learning.

Thanks