What to finish off with?

[skyharbor]

I finally cycled my tank (10g). This is my first ever aquarium and I am ready to add some fun (aka fish B) )

I cycled the tank with three Black Skirt Tetras (I am a newB...I had no knowledge of fishless cycling and such before this board) and I added two Fancy Guppies (males) last night. Am I at my limit? I don't want to overstock..however...I want a few more inhabitants..or perhaps just one...

I am thinking along the lines of something that will eat wastes/algae.

Any suggestions?


Thanks!

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

There are loads of fish that you can buy that will munch on algae, but I'd suggest buying 2 otos! They are very cute, will chomp on the algae, do not grow very big, and they are very friendly and funny to watch! I say get them!

 

[endilliteracy]

There are loads of fish that you can buy that will munch on algae, but I'd suggest buying 2 otos! They are very cute, will chomp on the algae, do not grow very big, and they are very friendly and funny to watch! I say get them!

I disagree. Otos like a matured tank. I bought a couple otos for my 10 gallon which was about 3-4 months old at the time and they died within 24 hours of me adding them to the tank.

I've heard they can just die of no cause. They are very fragile creatures and I wouldn't suggest one for a beginner. Most plecs get fairly large. Maybe a golden mystery snail?

 

[Nyte]

Whatever you do, don't get a chinese algae eater. Even if the LFS employees say they're ok. They get quite big and when they're older they eat the slime coat of the other tank mates sometimes killing them.

 

[canarsie11]

Just dont over do it?

 

[sylvia]

"Just don't over do it?"
What do you mean?

You are at your limmit pretty much but male fancy guppies don't get very big so you could probably fit one or two small (up to 2") fish in. Personaly, I'd get 2 more black skirts as they are schooling fish and should be kept in groups. However, I can understand your wanting an algae-eater of some kind. Unfortunately, as mentioned, otos, though the best option for smaller tanks, are also rather fragile. Most other good algae eaters get too big and need the company of their own kind. Bulldog plecs stay small but even one of those would probably be over-stocking your tank as plecs are poop machines You could try a female american-flag fish. I say female because they are less nippy (I'm thinking of your guppies here). However, the duller females also tend to be hard to get hold of. Other than this, a snail or some shrimp are your best options. If you go for shrimp, you could maybe fit in a platy or a honey gourami to add to your current fish.

 

[skyharbor]

I added a tequila sunrise guppie male and a fancy female. They all seem to be happy and very active...except the tetras...they have been pretty much boring since I bought them. I am thinking of giving them to my girlfriend's dad and buying something else.

 

[mandi]

I added a tequila sunrise guppie male and a fancy female. They all seem to be happy and very active...except the tetras...they have been pretty much boring since I bought them. I am thinking of giving them to my girlfriend's dad and buying something else.

You may want to get rid of the tetras and get some more female guppies -- guppies should be kept either ALL one gender, or in a ratio of 2 females for every 1 male. Chances are, your other male guppies (3 total now I think?) are going to pester the heck out of the one female wanting to breed with her, till she's extremely stressed and dies.

The tetras may not be as happy an active because (as someone already mentioned), they're happier and feel more secure in groups.

 

[skyharbor]

Ok. Update:


I found the Black Skirts a new home with many other BS. They seem to be much happier now!!!

I added two more fancy female Gups and an Oto.


Added some more plants so my tank is pretty heavily planted now.

 

[Raechal]

I thought otos liked to be in groups? I am not sure though.

 

[isu_guy]

Also, I didn't see it mentioned, but I'm pretty sure that it is a myth that plecos/corys eat waste (as in other fish's poop) unless you were referring to waste as in the excess food that did not get eaten by other fish, in that case I misunderstood you.

 

[skyharbor]

Also, I didn't see it mentioned, but I'm pretty sure that it is a myth that plecos/corys eat waste (as in other fish's poop) unless you were referring to waste as in the excess food that did not get eaten by other fish, in that case I misunderstood you.

I was talking about excess food and such.