Various Tank Sizes, Mixed Fish?

[l.michelle]

Hi,

I have only ever had betta fish, so I am here to ask anyone who can help me or suggest things for me.

I have an empty 10 gallon tank, and an empty 5 gallon tank, and I am wondering what mixed fish, or fish of the same kind, and how many i can put in each?

Any suggestions on what type of fish would be great too, I have seen mollies at the pet store and think they are cute, but I don't know their temperment, how many can go in a tank, what fish they can be with etc. And well, the Pet store I don't think know much.

Thanks for any suggestions!!

 

[bogwood]

a 5 gallon isn't much good for anything 'imo' other than a Betta, or a single Dwarf Puffer (Puffers are not an ideal beginners fish)... or shrimp or snails... I'd keep it as a quarantine/fry tank to run alongside your 10g...

Mollys are Brackish (need slight salt water) fish...

It sounds like you are getting more into 'fish keeping'... I think you'll soon be frustrated over the limitations of even a 10 gallon... what about a 20 gallon?... would give you more scope for stock and will be easier to maintain...

 

[dwarfgourami]

Mollies are cute, but they grow quite big, so don't really fit into such small tanks. If you are looking for a similar temperament- sociable, inquisitive, friendly- how about platies? A 5 gallon tank would be too small, but they would go fine in a 10 gal. Either a group of females, or 5 males, or 1 male, 2 females (but in the last scenario- beware fry!).
I find female guppies are very similar in temperament too, and a little hardier than the males (and not such complete sex maniacs!).
These are some of my favourite fish!

 

[bogwood]

Mollies are cute, but they grow quite big, so don't really fit into such small tanks. If you are looking for a similar temperament- sociable, inquisitive, friendly- how about platies? A 5 gallon tank would be too small, but they would go fine in a 10 gal. Either a group of females, or 5 males, or 1 male, 2 females (but in the last scenario- beware fry!).
I find female guppies are very similar in temperament too, and a little hardier than the males (and not such complete sex maniacs!).
These are some of my favourite fish!

Mollys are 'Brackish' fish... you may not want to get into 'salt water' until you have more experience...

 

[Inchworm]

Mollys are 'Brackish' fish... you may not want to get into 'salt water' until you have more experience...

Hi bogwood

While this used to be the case, it's no longer true. Many lfs carry mollies that have been bred, for several generations, in fresh water. It's best to ask the lfs what kind of environment any specific batch of mollies prefer.

 

[l.michelle]

Okay, I do not want to get into salt water fish, so i will keep platies in mind, what about cory cats? Someone from the betta side said they are not difficult to keep.

I just would like ot know, with the platies, as well as cory cats, how many can i keep comfortable in a 10 gallon tank, and what do they like? Lots of plants? What kind of food? Heater? And do they mind currents from filters?

If someone could please let me know, I would like to get the information first before getting any, so i can get ready

 

[jkrekord]

perhaps 5 pygmy corys then you would have a nice big'ish group and pygmy corys are the smallest cory's

 

[l.michelle]

thank you

 

[smmetz]

Hmm, what kinds or cory catfish fit into a 10 gallon tank? If only there were a quick way to search for that - well, I am working on a fish database that can do that. I just happened to put in the whole catfish section of the fish index on this site in there first.

http/www.aquariumdatabase.com/query

I put in "cory" on top, hit "search", then click on the "min_tank_volume" to sort from lowest tank size up. I found 6 that should be OK in a 10 gallon tank. Give it a try. Here is a pic of what I got: