So many fish So little time!

[poppinseab]

Hey I am starting an tropical aquarium and I have all the stuff but i need to know what fish are hardiest because I'm not a expert by any stretch. I also want to know how many fish to get in a 10 gal... So much to learn.... any advice is helpful and much appriciated..Getting fish this weekend May 10 2008. YAY!!

[smaug]

First off,welcome to the forum.Next thing,your getting fish this weekend,cool.But wait a minute,there are many things you need to do before you get your fish,you should really read up some more and wait till all the fine folks here can help you along.I am no king of cycling new tanks by any means because I didn't do it right when I started.There is a book available through this site called the free aquarium e-book,I highly recommend you read this before you get your fish.Slow is better and if you do it right it will save you so many headaches.

[Devon Greatwolf]

You could do a nice betta setup in your 10 gallon. One nice betta and 3-5 of the smaller corydoras (i.e. Panda cories). Or maybe a few nice male guppies and some cories. Oto's would also work in place of the cories. Just my $0.02. And I second Smaug on the research.

[RainMan]

Welcome to the forum... I agree with smaug... read up. First thing you need to know about is the nitrogen cycle. There is a lot more to a fish tank then water and fish. That ebook is spot on! Start there!!!

After you read that, you'll be good to go.. or at least have lots of questions we can all help you with. ;)

[fastfly]

I recommend, Zebra Danios, or numberous different kinds of tetras as your first fish. They are all pretty hardy and if they die, well you are only out a dollar or two.


You really should read up and make sure that your tank is indeed ready for residents.

[gm72]

Right to the above. You won't be ready to add fish by this weekend, sorry to rain on your parade!

Go with a fishless cycle for a clean, fast, no hassle way to get ready.

[poppinseab]

Just so you all know I have been an aquarist for almost 2yrs and have bred Beta fish and mollies!

[poppinseab]

Just so you all know I have been an aquarist for almost 2yrs and have bred Beta fish and mollies! Still am no expert though.

[RainMan]

Well, you said you weren't an expert.... and weren't very clear what you were doing.

So are you getting fish to cycle the tank? I've heard a lot of people say white cloud minnows, zebra danios, and barbs are hardy fish for cycling. But, all of them suffer. Why not do a fishless cycle and wait a few weeks?