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I have an old 10 gallon down stairs and my 5 year old son is saying that he would like his own fish. For his birthday in January we are going to set it up.
What are some good small starter fish that he can have.

Glad your getting your son into it

Here's an article listing good and bad starter fish. I know you're not new to it, but as 10's are rather unstable it might be best to stick with some of the hardiest fish.

One male betta would work, with possibly, depending on the betta, a snail or some shrimp, but your boy may find it too boring just having one fish.

I'd stay away from live bearers as they'll quickly overpopulate the tank. While it's always fun to watch baby fish grow, the culling idea might not be best for a 5yo. Although if you think he can handle it and have fish that would eat the fry it might be worth a think. Or just be sure to get all males.

WCMM tend to be active fish, but I think if they're by themselves a small school of them would work in a 10, especially if there's good water flow as they like faster moving water. If you can find them some of the smaller rasboras would be a good alternative. Most other barbs get a little too large for a 10 IMO. Rosies are good starter fish but way too large for a 10, even just a pair. Golden barbs IME stay small and aren't as active but may be better suited for a 20.


Biggest issue is making sure to pick smaller fish. Maybe do a run by your LFS by yourself check what they have that stays the right size (double check back here on any possibilities as I've known time and time again for LFS to post the wrong info). Then before even setting up the tank, go by with your son and make a list of which fish he liked, then check their profiles here (I know 5yo may be too young to get the idea of research first, but it may be worth a shot if you think he's up for it! some kids can handle the research).


Whatever you do, no goldfish PLEASE!!!!!!!

One fish I always wanted for my 10 and couldn't find in the stores was shell dwelling multis.

^_^

Selecting the correct fish will be fun as being a 5yld he is bound to want all the unsuitable fish in the shop

Also I would make sure he helps you in maintaining the tank this way it will give him some of the responsibility of looking after his wet pets.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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How does he feel about creatures? Maybe a crayfish might interest him?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I think that my son could handle live bearers as he love to see my Oscar eat live food. I will also go for hardy fish as I would not like his pets to die on him.
I do think that the smaller the better and the shrimp do sound cool. I do not know much about keeping shrimp, but they may be good for the bottom as I have bad luck with Ottos. They seem to always get killed by people the fish sit for me.

Shrimp Info

I recently bought five Cherry Red Shrimp from a local breeder. I have just ordered five more.

They are in the 45lt Cardinal Tetra tank, there are plenty of plants and a little drift wood to climb all over. They do hide a lot in the clump of Anubias Nana but there is usually one out at all times.

At the moment they are not getting any special attention or food.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

if you want someting to breed and feed the oscar try some endlers, guppies or even maybe platies.

Although wou will have to keep the population trimmed!

Shrimp are great in smaller tanks! cherry shrimp, ghost shrimp, and amano shrimp are among the msot popular. If you wanted you sould try a larger invery (crab or crayfish) and some smaller fish. I have kept a red claw crab with endlers and cherry shrimp and as long as there is food no one turns on the other.

Good luck and be sure your son helps with the choosing and maintaining so he'll appreciate and respect the wet pals.

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

Ah the difference between boys and girls!
I cant stand to see fry being eaten !

If you want shrimp, I vote ghost shrimp! Really cheap, and really fun to watch change color as you feed them flake or peas. Your boy might get a kick out of watching them digest peas.

^_^

If you could swing it, I would suggest that you pick up a 20 gallon. It will be easier to get the water parameters right,a nd keep them stable. Plus you'll have a bit more room for some fun fish.

I love the suggestion about going to the fish store first by yourself, to scope out the correct fish. My son had to have Tiger Barbs when we first got our tank and man, was that a mistake. They look fun, ho yes... But, there are many many fish that won't do well with the Tiger Barbs.

Zebra Danios/Gold Zebra Danios are great. Maybe a few Panda Corys (I have two in my 10g that do just great with 5 Harlequin Raspboras and a Blue Male Betta.

Thank you for the input.
I think that I am going to go with guppies and ghost shrimp.
I'm thinking 3 shrimp, 6 guppies, 2 male, 4 female.
If you have anything to add please do.

One thought, I'd suggest getting some basic, lowlight plants for the tank.

Nothing too fancy so that you have to spend too much time looking after the plants as well as the animals, but some hardy ones that will help keep the tank balanced. Get some java fern on driftwood or the like. Since 10's are just difficult to begin with, it might give the tank a little bit of a buffer zone.

^_^

Hi,
What do you think of neon tetras? I don't know much about setting up and cycling, but they are pretty and small. They are lovely in a school especially if you have some plants for them to dart around/thru. I just got some java moss today and they seem to love it.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Almost any kind of tetra would be good. I may bring the fish list down to 4 or 5 and let the young fella see what he wants.

Sure any tetra would be small & pretty enough, but for a child's eye...
The neon, bloodfin, or buenas aires silvery, reflectiveness with just the right hint of color will hold their attention.
You know the saying..."Anything shiny, will distract a child at heart."

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}