First Aquarium Fish - Aquarium Advice

tori.lock · 06-24-2009, 12:59 AM

I'm going off to college soon and am planning on getting a 10g tank, since it's the only pet I'm allowed and I'm so used to having animals to look after. I have a few questions, but the most important would be what kinds of fish.

I'm pretty set on getting a few Albino Cory Cats, but I want to know how many that can comfortably house (I want more than one, since they school) and still have enough room for a few little schooling middle-top dwelling fish. I want an easy-care fish, and nothing too shy, since I'm sure in a dorm there will be people in and out.

Another big thing is if it's worth the time and energy for a planted aquarium. I'd like to give my fish real plants, but I haven't yet heard enough pros and cons for them. If I go with the real plants, what would be some good easy-care species for Cory Cats and whatever else I decide to get.

Anything else you think I should know would be really appreciated. I'm researching the exact care, and of course once I find out what fish I want I'll do a bit more work on that. If you have any good brands/sites/shops that would be great to know.

thincat · 06-24-2009, 03:12 AM

welcome to the site. I will let someone that knows about freshwater tanks to chime in on this.

tori.lock · 06-24-2009, 04:38 AM

I'll actually move this, I believe it's not sorted so well.

kangster · 06-24-2009, 05:59 AM

get the biggest tank you can fit/afford or you will regret it later
click on my tank on the left and see what i have in my 10 gallon

joy13 · 06-24-2009, 11:02 AM

Albino cat fish get pretty big for a 10 gallon there is a couple of others you might want to check into habrosus and pygmaius .

happygirl65 · 06-24-2009, 11:14 AM

You could go planted with a 10 gallon. You can get some Java Ferns, mosses and a crypt or two (depending on the variety they can get bushy)
I love corys also they are fun and fascinating. I think you could have 4-5 of them and a small school of neon tetra or rummynose tetra....most tetras stay small which will really help in your case.
With low light plants (and your standard hood light) you should be able to keep most low light plants without any special substrate just regular gravel and some root tabs for the crypt plants or vals.
Check out the planted tank section for more info on plants for your set up.
I have personally gotten plants from many members here in the barter/trade section which is always a good way to go for quality inexpensive plants....there is also a seller online (started on ebay) called mikeswetpets.com who has great plants and at a good price and he will replace anything that doesn't survive in shipping only happened with me once but he was great about replacing.....you can also check out aquabid.com
Good luck, sounds like a fun tank.

**melosu58** · 06-24-2009, 11:34 AM

Double posts combined

darkmule27 · 06-24-2009, 12:51 PM

I understand your pain with only being allowed a 10g

I'm in the same boat. Don't forget that you'll need to transport the aquarium. First, make a long list of possible fish you want. Then research.

A 10g is too small for any cory beyond the 3 pygmy species. You can regularly find the pygmy cories on aquabid.

I'm planning an Amazon biotope-ish aquarium mainly for marbled or marthae hatchetfish. It will have 5 minor red serpae tetras and 3 otos with the 5-7 hatchets. I also have a very oversized DIY filters. I'm using a mix of fake plants (water wonders silk plants look amazing and the fish love them) and real. Some people will say real plants are the only way to go, but using fake as well is fine. For example, some of the plants I'd want would be far too demanding for what I want.

happygirl65 · 06-24-2009, 03:50 PM

The demands of the plants you wish to keep is a very real consideration. Research is always recommended.

Fromthelbc · 06-24-2009, 03:52 PM

yea, i have a bunch of fish in my 10g... you should be able to house a large assortment of fish...