Suggestions On A First Tank For An 8 Year Old...

[baz_78]

My partner has suggested to her sister that we get her 8 year old a fish tank for his birthday.. So I'm looking for suggestions on a cheap, small set up that we could purchase for him and ideas on which would be the best fish for him to start with.

I think my partner had suggested a goldfish but I'd rather get him something more suitable for a small tank (a betta possibly?) as I know goldies should have larger tanks. I have mature filter media which I would use to cycle the tank.

Please help as firstly I don't want an over complicated set up for him as it's his first and secondly I obviously don't want to give him fish that are going to suffer in a smaller tank...

Cheers,
Barry

 

[Miss Wiggle]

what sort of size are you considering as 'small' 5/10g ?

i think a betta may be a good idea, they do have some special requirements like a slowed down flow rate but that's something that when it's sorted it doesn't need doing again, so would maybe take you doing a little tinkering with the filter before it's set up but nothing for her son to do.

also the life span of a betta is only about 1.5/2 years.... so if he doesn't take to it and gets bored it's not a massive committment for you or her to look after the fish instead. It's also maybe a good elngth of time as a 'trial period' and if he takes to it and like it he'll have got some good experience and could then maybe move on to a community tank when the betta goes to betta heaven.

 

[stang1]

A few guppies would be quite nice, they're pretty hardy and nice and colourful.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Im not sure If he likes Sponge Bob Square Pants, but This would be a pretty cool first time aquarium.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

A few guppies would be quite nice, they're pretty hardy and nice and colourful.

guppies aren't really hardy at all. originally they were but have been weakend by so much inbreeding to get the fancy tail strains that it's nigh on impossible to get hardy guppies now.

Endlers would be a better bet if you go down that route, small and colourful, will breed easily and generally don't eat they're young, bit hardier and more unusual than guppies.

 

[Callum]

maybe a small shoal of cardinals or some galaxy rasboras.

 

[Dude]

i dont know if cardinals are a good idea for a 8 year old...

but if you are going to take care of the tank ... water changes and gravel vac then i guess it would be ok

 

[OohFeeshy]

A betta would be the best plan, lots of personality, easy to look after and won't snuff it if there's no water change for a few weeks.

 

[johnatkin]

I agree with the betta suggestion. Male bettas can become quite interactive/friendly with people too which will make it more inetersting for him.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Baz's Fishies

Here in the US ten gallon tanks are usually considered the "starter" tank and are often sold as kits which include an air pump, box filter, hood and lights, etc. They are often good deals and the only other thing you would need to get is a heater. Smaller tanks tend to be more expensive by the time you buy the hood, and equipment unless you go for one of those all-in-one tanks.

Another good reason to start out with a ten gallon is that it allows more room for fish and is often easier to clean and maintain than a smaller tank. While you can always understock it at the beginning, it would give her the advantage of adding more fish if she so chooses.

As for fish, a pair of platies would be attractive and not hard to care for. A trio of corys would also be nice and since they are so active, I think they might be fun for a child. You could keep both of them in a ten gallon tank.

 

[wendywc]

A 5 gallon with one male betta and a snail would be cool. Or a group of 4 or 5 female bettas in a 10 gallon. That way he could have a few instead of just one. Although, most people are attracted to the long fins of the male bettas.

 

[SugarQube]

I think a betta too

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

Male betta, easy peasy to take care of, and what little kid wouldn't like a betta?

 

[Nerwign]

I love my beta tank and would recomend one to anyone who doesn't have a lot of room. A 3-5 gallon tank should do well. I don't have circulation but I have plants in the aquarium. I do a 30% water change every other week or so and I don't have to have a heater. He eats all kinds of fish food and is active and super cute. Just don't get a male and female because the male will bully the female unless they're in a pretty big tank and you have 3-5 females per male. Without a male around, more than one female is fine though and you can find some very beautiful female betas in the stores if you're willing to look long enough.

I just want to add that I don't think 2 years is the right average lifetime for a beta. I have read of betas living to be up to 9 years old, and if you keep them right they should live longer than 2 for sure. But remember the smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep the water in the healthy ranges etc, so it will be harder to keep your beta for a long time than if you had him in a big giant community tank.

Also please read the section here on fishless cycling and please do not buy a tank and fish on the same day and put the two things together. The tank needs to run very specifically for several weeks before fish can be added. If you want it to be a christmas surprise, start getting things set up now, and then you can present it to him all set up and cycled and maybe he can pick his beta out at the store or something?

-Nerwign

 

[mark.w.jones]

Male betta, easy peasy to take care of, and what little kid wouldn't like a betta?

Go for the betta. I gota 10gal UK for my 1st tank, Im 26 thou Its this one.

http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/844.html

Its been a great 1st tank. Filter, light hidden away in hood and curved corners so its easier to view. Not to expensive.



ps no Im not a salesman for them. Just wanted to pass on my experience of a great little tank.