What Fish Should I Get?

[Lozzibear]

Hi, I am a newbie and i am starting up a new tank. I have had mollies before, but i didnt do enough research beforehand so they died so, this time i am doing much more research (i have been reading through the forum all night lol) but i am now stuck on what is the best fish to get! I dont want too big ones, and i really want to get more mollies. so, what would be the most compatiable fish to go with them?

 

[karin]

Need lots more information before anyone can advise you Lozzi. But we do want to give you good advice.

What size is your tank in gallons or liters and what are its dimensions. What filter do you have? What substrate do you have? Do you have live plants? Why do you think your mollies died? How do you plan to cycle your tank? Do you have a liquid test kit to test your water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and Ph? What is the Ph of your tap water?

 

[Lozzibear]

Need lots more information before anyone can advise you Lozzi. But we do want to give you good advice.

What size is your tank in gallons or liters and what are its dimensions. What filter do you have? What substrate do you have? Do you have live plants? Why do you think your mollies died? How do you plan to cycle your tank? Do you have a liquid test kit to test your water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and Ph? What is the Ph of your tap water?

Oh, sorry lol.

Erm.... my tank is 42 litres, and i think (if i remember right) that the dimensions are 16in length, 13in wide, and 12in high (there or there abouts at least). I have a fluval filter. I have only just set up my tank, so the fish wont be going in for a wee while yet. I havent got a testing kit, and i was going to just take samples to the pet shop to test it... going there tomorrow though so can have a look at the test kits. I dont have live plants in it yet, but i will be hopefully getting them tomorrow as i would really like to have live ones.

I think the Mollies died last time, coz i didnt cycle the tank first... some died really quick (within the first 24 hours) but some others lasted a few weeks. It may have also been down to the pets shop i got them... although the tank not being cycled was probably the main one. I wanted to carry on and get more, but i was too worried about killing more so i held off... i now feel the times right to give it another go, just properly!

I was going to cycle the tank using fish food, but someone suggested putting pure ammonia in the tank so i am now thinking of doing it that way (i am going to get the ammonia tomorrow, as i only set up the tank tonight).

I have been looking at fish and really like cherry barbs! Also, guppies, platies and of course the mollies! I also quite like ghost shrimp, so was thinking maybe of getting one of them. I am not sure how much i can put in this size tank though... and really dont want to overstock it!

 

[Carlovel1]

Once cycled you could do this:
2 Platy
5 Cherry Barbs
5 Cherry Shrimp

 

[kmur]

In order to do things right, you'll need to test water parameters every day for at least 6 weeks, maybe more. Unless your LFS is right next door, definitely invest in a test kit I bought mine online for about $6/stat, and they last for about 100 tests.

I am quite new much like yourself, but I've been doing a lot of research. You could have a small shoal of ember tetras They're my new favorite. You could also have a small shoal of pygmy cories if you intend to use sand substrate(if you can find them. I haven't found them anywhere local yet ) Personally, I think testing the tank/getting it set up is really fun, so I am taking my sweet time with actually getting the fish for my tank!

(that is assuming I did my math right and we're talking about a 10 gallon tank )

 

[Skins]

Hi and welcome to TFF,
First of all well done for not falling into the trap of buying fish the day after setting up your tank.
Please find at the end of this post a link to fishless cycling. If your going to use this method then record all your information in a journal, this way you will know where you are in the cycling process. A lot of the members on here post there daily water checks on the forum when cycling there new aquariums, which is very benefiting if the cycling process develops a problem, the experienced members are always willing to give advice if such problems were to develop.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

Skins.

 

[Lozzibear]

Thanks everyone

Got the tank all sorted now with the gravel, ornaments and plants. I also have the filter from a friends tank so hoping that helps with the cycling.

I was thinking about getting that stress coat and stress zyme, stress coat for removing chlorine and the like, and stress zyme to add live bacteria to the tank... anyone used these? are they any good?

I was thinking about getting guppies, mollies and a ghost shrimp... would the mollies and guppies be ok in a group of 5 each? would it be overstocking the tank to add some tetra or cherry barb?

 

[mbsqw1d]

other things to consider are:

to keep either a large shoal of small fish or one or two larger sized fish...... after that consider where different types of fish tend to swim: top/middle/bottom. Will you be having any live plants? what substrate do you have?

 

[kmur]

I was thinking about getting that stress coat and stress zyme, stress coat for removing chlorine and the like, and stress zyme to add live bacteria to the tank... anyone used these? are they any good?

From everything I've gathered from these forums, non of the bacteria starter type items do ANYTHING. In rare instances, if problem kept (as in you buy them refrigerated and they've always been refrigerated,) they may help to a minimum degree. Gotta use good ol' fashion patience!

 

[Lozzibear]

I was going to go for small fish, and have more of them... rather than fewer bigger fishies. Yeah, i have 3 live plants in there and its gravel i have in the tank.

I wasnt sure what those kinds of starter things were like, but my sister got a goldfish last year for my niece. She put those in starter things in and added the fish 3 days later, and its still live and kicking, so just wasnt sure what other experiences of them are as i havent seen them mentioned on here.

 

[mbsqw1d]

fish can survive a "fish-in cycle". It's just not recommended or deemed fair to put the fish through the stress of it. That goldfish of your friends is probably quite a tough fish however I imagine surviving the fish-in cycle has taken a few years off its life.

Many people on here (a majority) will say that the bottled bacteria is useless and possibly even a scam(!)
There used to be bottled bacteria that had to be kept refrigerated and had a short shelf life (best before date or whatever) that seemed to help cycling a tank.

The stuff that sits on a shelf for god knows how long, logically, you wouldn't think the bacteria could still be alive(?) to actually do anything.

All you want to be adding is a good de-chlor to your water. Some de-chlors also have stuff in that promotes the natural slime coat of the fish. My tip is to buy either a pond de-chlor (lasts longer!) or get Seachem Prime (which is good stuff)

About the fish youre thinkin of getting. I'm not going to make a suggestion, I reckon you'll make your mind up when you get to your fish store Another thing I'd say is that if theres nothing at the fish store that you really want.. then don't buy something for the sake of it! You really are committing when buying fish, I have a few regrets about fish that I have bought in the past

Anyway, good luck and hope to see some pics of your tank on here soon!