10 gallon stocking list!

**jphonger** · 03-06-2008, 05:04 AM

with the fishless cycle complete, I am preparing to stock my tank....
just wondering what some of you think about this stocking list.
-1 dwarf gourami
-6 zebra danio
-perhaps adding a couple otos if i develop algae.

I really don't want to overstock

Here is the tank setup:
-10 gallon
-1 airstone running off of a tetra 100 air pump
-aquaclear mini and an old whisper 10 Running both so I can speed up the cycle for my next 10 gal.
-50 watt heater

I also want to add the following plants:
-java fern
-water sprite
-hornwort
The lighting is 2- 25watt incandescent bulbs
water parameters are:
Ammonia- 0
nitrite- 0.25 has spiked and dropped already but still hovers
nitrates 10 ppm
ph-8.0 but has been dropping slowly over the last week

I figure I can do a 50% water change and add fish at this point.
thanks in advance for your opinions

**Hairback357** · 03-06-2008, 07:46 AM

If you get a Dwarf Gourami you should have at least two. If you get Danios you should get at least 5. If I were you I would get two Gourami or the Danios and just see how that goes for a while. I suggest the Danios myself they are tough fish and you can get some experience in. Then maybe setup a second tank for your Gouromi. That's what I would do anyway. I still have my 5 original Danios I started with. They are a strong fish. I have have them in several tanks under less than ideal conditions and they just keep on truckin.

Have fun.

**Sasquatch** · 03-06-2008, 11:27 AM

Well, I'm going to be contrary here, but ... from what I've read dwarf gouramis are pretty territorial, and there just isn't enough room for two to setup proper territories in a 10g. One would work very well though and act as a nice centerpiece fish for the tank.

As for the danios, it can work, but again they like more room, most recommend a 20 long as a minimum. Along similar lines there are neon and cardinal tetras and several types of small rasboras that are active mid/surface fish.

Let us know what you decide.

**kitten3326** · 03-06-2008, 11:33 AM

I had 3 dwarf gouramis in a 55 and they can get territorial, I had 1 male and 2females, however you could do 1, the males are stunning and would make a very nice centerpiece fish. I also have my orginal danios and they are very hardy fish, however I also have 20 harquelin rasboras in another tank and they are really beautiful and add to the tank greatly have you given them any consideration:)

**sailor** · 03-06-2008, 11:36 AM

Honey dwarf gouramis are very beautiful and smaller than some of the regular dwarf gouramis.

**Asphenaz** · 03-06-2008, 11:42 AM

Just to throw you a little curve ball, check out this site;

Perfect Fish for the Nano

It has a great list and who knows you might find something out of the ordinary.

**kitten3326** · 03-06-2008, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Asphenaz

Just to throw you a little curve ball, check out this site;

Perfect Fish for the Nano

It has a great list and who knows you might find something out of the ordinary.

I just took a peek at the link provided that is a great list Asphenaz, although it would be difficult to get alot the species where I am at, but great list just the same :)

**shockshockshad** · 03-06-2008, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Asphenaz

Just to throw you a little curve ball, check out this site;

Perfect Fish for the Nano

It has a great list and who knows you might find something out of the ordinary.

The blogger from that site is a member here. There are many, MANY fish that get only 1 inch or so from that website, almost all suitable for a ten gallon.

**hpt84** · 03-06-2008, 12:14 PM

Just an off the topic comment. If you want to keep live plant I would drop the incandescent bulbs. They are useless for plant. You can buy spiral fluorescent bulbs that use less energy but is much bright and more useful for plant. Spiral fluorescent are made to fit into incandescent socket. Most of the watt(energy per second) that go into incandescent bulbs are convert to heat instead of light.

**travie** · 03-06-2008, 01:23 PM

I would put 3 danios in at first. Give them a week or two. Then put another 3 danios in. After about another week, get 1 Dwarf Gourami, because they can get aggressive and territorial with each other. Just get one dwarf. Two reasons to get rid of the incandescent bulb: plants grow better with fluorescent, and incandescent heats up water too much and can cause big temperature changes when turning on and off. Your stocking list should be perfect though.