The Next Crew!

[timmystood]

Hi

As you are probably all aware by now I have a cycling tank that currently houses 3 head and tail tetras and 1 Simease Fighting Fish - its 54 litres.
The tank is happily cycling and the fish are doing ok. However, i've been told to expect the worse with the tetras as the tank wasn't/isn't fully cycled when I put them in there.
Anyways, I've been thinking about what to get when the tank has cycled I will defo be getting another 3 head and tail tetras but I was always wondering what bottom feeders I could get - as I would like one to help with cleaning and I think its cool when they stick to the side of the tank!
What bottom feeder/loach should I get
Also, is there any other bigger fish that will go with the Betta and not eat the tetras! - I would like a livebearer family really!

ANY SUGGESTIONS???

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

Your tank is only around 11 gallons and your tetras will grow 1.5 inches so if you have 6 tetras and the betta you'll be using up 11 gallons. The rough guideline is 1 inch of adult fish per gallon so you'd be fully stocked at that. If you have extra filteration you might get away with 3 pygmy corys but they would have to be pygmys that only grow an inch long. Alternatively an apple snail would be a nice addition.

Emma

 

[Inchworm]

I think you are going to have to deal with the same problem many new fishkeepers face. You really need a bigger tank.

In most things it makes sense to start out small, but when it comes to an aquarium, that's an exception to the rule. It's no more difficult to maintain a big tank than a small one, and by the time you get it cycled and learn about all the possible choices, a small tank is stocked to its maximum.

Not that a small tank can't be great, but you are limited to what can fit in it.

 

[timmystood]

Yeah OK - I want a bigger tank! The problem is i've not got enough room or money for it at the minute - that's why i'm starting small so I gain some experience ready for when I can get a bigger tank.
I will defo be getting 3 more tetras to make a school. But surely I can at least fit in a loach or bottom feeder of some sort???
Ideally I would also like to add some livebearers but I guess that will have to wait to either some of the fish die or I get a bigger tank!

So what bottom feeder could I get in there???

That will mean there would be only be 8 fish in the tank (surely thats not to many, espically as the bottom feeder stays on the glass or at the bottom most of the time!)

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, you'll be pushing your stocking limits, but a pygmy cory or two would work. Alternatively you could use apple snails, or you could pick up a few ghost shrimp or amano shrimp.

 

[timmystood]

Yeah i've done a little research and a ghost shrimp or two sounds like the ideal addition. However, there is one problem. Where can I get them from! Everywhere online is saying that they are hard to come by and most local fish shops won't stock them!
Where can I get them from??