Stocking Tips needed for a 10 Gal

[Andrew G]

I recently received a 10 Gal as a gift and am looking for a few tips regarding appropriate stocking levels. Given it's small size, what fish could I stock it with, and how many. I'd love a community tank with some colorful fish.

Thanks.

 

[dixaisy930]

Livebearers are a good starting place. There are lots of colors to choose from, and most will do fine in a ten gallon. However, being overrun with fry can be an issue, but there are ways to tend to that issue.

Peacock gobies are nice colorful fish, although I've never been able to find them.

Some killifish are suitable for a ten gallon, and most are very colorful.

Although not colorful, a species tank of dwarf puffers would be my choice. Very entertaining, and full of personality. What they lack in color, they make up for in character.

 

[Andrew G]

How many of each?

 

[yvez9]

It would be interesting to know if you have any fishkeeping experience and knowledge.

It would help us help you if we know if you're a beginner or an experienced fishkeeper. There is also alot of basics you should know before thinking about what fish you want!

 

[Andrew G]

I have a good deal of fishkeeping experience going back to my teen years. I recently took up the hobby again when I was given two goldfish, which currently resides in their own 20 Gal. (They are messy fish, but very cute).

Since I can't add more to that aquarium, I'm looking to start a smaller community tank with some colorful, unique fish.

PS - our town water pH consistently runs at around 6.6 That's been a challenge for me regarding the goldies. I've solved the problem with a specific amount of crushed coral.

Please keep that in mind when making your recommendations.

 

[bluefire]

livebearers are the obvious chioce, but maybe something like neon or serpae tetra or dwarf cichlids like kribs or gold rams

 

[Andrew G]

I like Blue Cobalt Cichlid. Anyone have experience with that species? Are they hard to keep?

 

[dwarfgourami]

Neons are not a good idea in a new tank (though the ph would suit).

Have no experience of cichlids, are they happy with such a small tank? You'd need to check up what type of cichlid they are, too, as I believe different types have very different ph requirements. Ask in the cichlid forum.

My answer to the criteria 'small colourful fish, smallish tank, community' would be platies, as they are very friendly, easy to please, and come in all colours you could want. The answer to the fry-question would be to get only males; they are not very territorial. Though I've had no experience of keeping them in a ph other than skyhigh so somebody else might like to comment on that (yours isn't terribly low, though, so should be ok).

I have a tank about your size with mixed platies and guppies and it certainly looks bright: one pink mickey mouse platy, one red wagtail and one black andyellow tuxedo; also 1 male guppy with red tail (you can get blues which look very fetching) and two females, one with a black and yellow tail and one with a black and silver. Lots of people think female guppies look dull; I think they are some of the most gorgeous fish in existence. Though of course if you do mix males and females you will have to consider that they breed like rabbits. If you go males only you are safe from that. (females may well be pregnant already from the shop).

 

[dixaisy930]

I'm pretty new to cichlids myself, but my general experience and what I've heard is that a ten gallon is probably too small for any of them to be happy. Most, if not all, are territorial. If you could upgrade to atleast 20 gallon (more would be even better), then you could get some cichlids.

The New World or African Cichlid section will be able to give you much more detailed and thorough advice.

 

[parker313]

Cichlids are debatable. Kribs are definitely too big, but some would argue that you could do rams or shellbearers. Personally, I think a 10g is too small.

Definitely too small for the cobalt blue cichlid.

I would do guppies. I never realized how gorgeous they can be! You could do guppies and then maybe (am not 100% sure on compatibility here) a dwarf gourami b/c the gourami could help with fry population control.

 

[Jen21]

A few zebra danios would look nice... or guppies would be a good choice too.

 

[dixaisy930]

I think a ten gallon might be too small for danios, just because of their activity. Mine are always going at top speed...and I would definately have no less the four or five. Unfortunately, I am down to just 2 at the moment, and will be getting them new danio friends because they bother the other fish so much now. When I had six of them, they only harassed one another.

 

[Fiori]

10 gal would be too small for any more than 2 dwarf puffers as they are pretty territorial. I agree with Dwarfgouramie about platies - they come in some fab colours and they have a lot of personality. And they are very hardy, so will be more likely to forgive any mistakes if you are a beginner. Just be prepared to have babies coming out your ears if you get females. I've kept platies in a pH of 6, quite happily. And they bred like rabbits!