Some family members gave my 4yo a 10 gallon fish tank with some stuff in it. We are completely inexperienced with fish, how do set this up and what fish can we humanely keep in here?
The family that gave it to us said angel fish and algae eaters but those seem way too big for a 10 gallon? Maybe tetras?
Posted by boredreader750
8 Comments
Read up on how you cycle a tank. Basically you need beneficial bacteria to establish before you can add fish. This usually takes a couple of weeks.
You can use a fresh water test kit to check the levels of Ammonia, nitrite and nitrates in the tank. When you have no ammonia and nitrites, but some nitrates, the tank will be cycled.
For inhabitants, angel fish as you pointed out are way to large. Some rasbora species like micro rasbora, or something like celestial pearl danios could work. You can also keep either amano shrimp or neocaradina
Angle fish are definitely too big but with a ten gallon you have plenty of options fish wise depending on the tetra you can get a nice school of them (I’d stay away from neons). Shrimp is also an option with anything you also have the betta fish which is always popular. But before you do any of that I’d heavily consider changing that gravel out for sand or something non neon colored and possibly the plants if they are plastic and not silk and look into live if manageable for you guys but silk plants would be best probably.
White cloud mountain minnows (pretty/peaceful)
Very hardy fish, very active and fun to watch. Not easily scared. Not aggressive. Very cheap.
Zebra danio’s (most fun)
Hyperactive fish. Never scared. Will nibble on your finger. Come to the front when they see you. Very hardy. Can be a bit aggressive but not too much. Will outcompete a lot of other fish for food so don’t add slower of shy fish as tankmates. Cheap.
Most tetra’s scare easily and might not be fun for kids. Tank is too small for angel fish
Chili Rasbora is going to be the most popular answer on here, and for good reason.
Before anything else, you need to read all about the aquarium nitrogen cycle. There are some great posts with guides on Reddit, or seach on Google. If you have close friends or family who have aquariums, they can probably help you jumpstart your cycle with some used filter media. But you absolutely need to do some research before anything else.
After your tank has grown enough beneficial bacteria for a strong nitrogen cycle, I would start with 10-12 rasboras. After a few months, you can probably safely increase the amount, or add another dwarf species. Your filtration method will factor into this decision as well.
I’d get rid of all the stuff in the tank. The substrate (gravel) itself is harmful because the dyes leach into the water column, and the plastic plants are also harmful. As others have said, look up how to cycle the tank before you do anything then start adding things.
I’d recommend a sand substrate for starters and some aquasoil if you can get your hands on some (useful, but not absolutely compulsory). Figure out what type of fish you’re going to go for then look into some plants that would work well with he fish you want to get.
Other people have recommended some good species, so I’ll just leave you to look through them.
Read up on “Nano” fish and Nano tank upkeep..
Cycle that tank first.. could take up to a month.
Purchase an APi freshwater test kit… (not strips)
While you wait for you tank to cycle you can research nano fish and cleanup crews..
Enjoy!
The general rule of thumb is 1inch of fish per gallon of your tank. Nano fish are a little different because the number of fish you keep can be based off of how good you are at making sure your tanks water parameters are in check. Smaller fish equals more in numbers…
If you want something simple… I recommend some Panda Corys, a few Rams horn snails, and 1 male Beta.
White cloud mountain minnows and live plants. Maybe even a few ramshorn snails
https://preview.redd.it/h4qls7lp8n4g1.jpeg?width=320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24295f92b83733eb5707c3c7b32b22c764f76a5d