Suggestions For New Tank

[vespucci]

My 12-year-old neighbor would like to set up a fish tank. He is a responsible kid, but doesn't know what to get. Do you guys think he should get a five, ten, or twenty gallon tank?

What do you think he should get to put in it?

He would like some colorful, active freshwater fish that would not grow so much they would need a larger tank. It would be best if they were not high-matinence and could be found at the average fish store.

Thanks.

 

[xJake]

The bigger the tank the better when first starting out. As for fish if he's looking for colorful and active I would get a couple of dwarf gouramis (they stay small only 2"/5cm) or livebearers (guppies, platies, swordtails, mollies, etc.) and some schooling fish such as zebra danios (very hardy and good for beginners) or even some tetras. As a clean up crew he could get some snails or shrimp or a couple cories or otocinclus catfish (ottos). If he's planning on getting anything smaller than a ten gallon the only decently priced fish he could keep without changing tanks would be a dwarf puffer or a betta.

 

[Callum]

zebra danios arn't that good for begginers though as they nipped my fish so i took em out and replaced them with harlequins. harlequins are very peacefull and you can get lots of colour strains if you look hard enough and they max out at about 4 to 5cm

 

[fishwatcher]

I agree with the larger tank... I'd get a 20-gal if you can. Then I'd go with a few cory cats, a small school (5-6) of harlequins and (5-6) hardy tetras (rummy-nose, cardinal, head and tail light), and then a dwarf gourami or a trio of Honey dwarf gouramis. The dwarf gourami tends to be a little prone to illness, that's why I suggest the honeys.
That would be a full tank and nice and colorful, active, not-too-hard to maintain.
Hope this helps!

 

[wendywc]

I definately agree to a 20 gallon. I'd like to suggest 3 cories, 6 danios or tetras, and a gourami. I've never seen danios being aggressive or nippy, but they do need at least a 20 gallon tank because they like lots of room to swim... so the longer/more surface area, the better. I would recommend any guppies, platies, or mollies because you said you wanted low maintenance... and those would breed and multiply fast. So it would become lots of babies to rehome constantly.