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You all are probably tired of hypothetical tank questions but i need some advice about my first tank. I am getting a free 10gal from a freind and i am considering several options. Which do you think is best? 1) 6 zebra danios and 1-2 snails, live plants maybe 2) 2-3 dwarf gouramis 1 pleco or loach 1-2 snails 3) 4-5 tiger barbs 1-2 snails 4)any other suggestions?

1) The danios are a good choice because they're very hardy.

2) One dwarf gourami would be ok. Two males might be agressive with each other. If you can find females, a pair migh work if you have hiding places for the female. Be careful about the plec, most that are commonly available will outgrow a 10g. Loaches like to have company of their own kind. Again, space is an issue with most loaches but you could have a trio of dwarf chained loaches.

3) I personally think tiger barbs require more swimming space than a 10g allows.

Other ideas:

-cherry barbs, which do well in pairs
-school of small tetras
-group of male guppies or Endler's

It's still early for me, I'll have to think some more

And welcome to the site

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Personally i think you should do something different.

by the looks of things you want a snail or two.

i would reccomend
1-2 Snails
2 Cherry Barbs
4 ?Hasbrosus? Corys

It depends on the kinds of fish you like. I think if you want really active fish, go with the danios, since they are very fun to watch and quite active. You could also do a small pleco, like a rubber lipped or a brittle nose that wont get too big. Loaches may also be tempted to pick at your snails, causing some problums when the loaches get bigger. No tigar barbs in a 10g. Another great choice for a first tank is:
3x Plattys
1-2x Snails
1x Centerpiece fish, like a dwarf gormi.

You could also try a group of neons ^_^

Inky

thnx a ton guys. I like the idea of a "centerpeice fish" maybe thats the way ill go, and i think a gourami is a must, they are just too cool!

P.S. A Paradise Gourami wouldnt work with platys would it?

P.S. A Paradise Gourami wouldnt work with platys would it?

A paradise gourami???

If you are after platies and a gourami (which type though?)
i would do this
1-2 Snails
2/3 all female platies
1 Dwarf Gourami
MAYBE 2 Ottos

When i first had platies, i origionally had a m/f pair (i thought they were m/m) and then a m/m, but neither worked. i would reccomend all female.

The above suggestions are great...but I'm gonna add my own....

1 Dwarf Gourami (centerpiece)
6 neons
2 snails

or

2-3 male platies (don't need fry in a 10g)
1 Dwarf gourami
2 snails

I have never ventured into livebearers, so I don't know the minimum tank size for platies. I know they get to be about 2 inches, so maybe 3 would be ok in a 10g.

I also like the cherry barb idea. You could have:

3 cherries (1m/2f)
1 dwarf gourami
2 snails or 2-3 ottos

I personally think danios need a tank bigger than a 10g. They are very active and need a group. I think 5 or 6 would be too active in a tank that small.
Tiger barbs need a bigger tank also.
If you go with loaches, the dwarf chain loaches suggested would be good.
No plecos in a 10g.

Plant the tank and it will be great! If you do plant it, I would go with ottos instead of snails because many of the larger snail types will eat your plants.

Loaches may also be tempted to pick at your snails

Yes...I have loaches that I want to eat my snails...so if you really want the snails, don't get loaches.

*Kristin*

ok great, i like these ideas, i am also still deciding if i might buy a 20gal or something despite the fact that the 10 is free but ill have to price it. Thnx all.

If by paradise gourami you mean paradise fish, no one wouldn't out-grow a 10g but they really like a lot of swimming space more than a gourami. Nice fish though

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Actually, I think a Platty trio of one male/two females would work out perfectly wheter you want to keep fry or not. Most people I know are willing to take fry off of my hands, if not my fish will. Personally, I keep the fry. I think they are so cute

Inky

OK, first of all a ten is too small for dwarf gouramis and here's why. Don't get me wrong, they'll fit in just fine. I had a pair that got along very well in a ten, in fact better than they did in the 29'.
The reason the tank is too small is that water parameters tend to spike very easily in the smaller tanks. Larger bodies of water tend to be much more stable. I found that with just the pair of dwarf gouramis in there I needed to do water changes twice a week, at least three gallons each just to keep the nitrates in check. That's not even to mention that dwarf gouramis are not the hardiest of species and tend to fall prey to all sorts of maladies brought on by poor water quality. They also tend to get skittish at times. Mine were sick all the time, they flourished once they were back in the big tank.
Don't let this scare you away from them, it will just take more work on your part is all. A maintenace schedule adhered to religiously. If you do go the dwarf gourami route make sure to do very frequent water changes to keep the water in check. Probably two gallons three times a week. Toss in a smaller algae eater or some kind of bottom feeder.
Now my ten holds Zed, a nice crowntail betta and speedy the snail.

hmmm sounds like i have some more thinking to do. So if a paradise fish wouldnt outgrow the 10 would it be ok with some freinds or are they too agressive?

They have varying personalities, like bettas. Also like bettas they shouldn't be kept with other labyrinth fish, nor should two males be housed in the same tank.

Maybe a paradise fish and a pair of cherry barbs? I'd still personally not keep one in a 10g, they're much more active than gouramis and bettas.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

ok so i did a little thinking and decided that a 20-30 gal would be better so im heading to the petstore to price the necesities. im thinking about 2-3 pearl gouramis 6-8 neon tetras or harlequin rasboras 2-3 otto cats. Sound good?

20:
1-2 Pearl Gourami
8-10 Tetra/Harlies
3 Ottos
4-6 Cory Cats (you choose)

30:
2-3 Pearl Gouami
10-12 Tetras/Harlies
4 Ottos
6-8 Cory Cats (you choose)

A 20g or 30g would be nice

If you're unfamiliar with keeping ottos make sure to add them to the tank last, and only after there is algae established. You can even make 'algae rocks': fill a jar with water, add some rocks, and leave where it will receive a lot of sunlight. Ottos love these rocks

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

sweet! things are starting to come into perspective. priced a few items at the petstore now i just need to find a specialty store to get the livestock and some more advise. Thanks for all the advice. Pictures in a few months hopefully.