A Good First Fish?

[Robot_Rooster]

Hey i need your help since my tank isn't that mature i need a good first fish to put in there here is my current list:

12 Neon Tetras (Weak in New tanks)
6 Guppies (also weak)
4 Otocinclus (wont be no algae)
2 Apple Snails (No algae or food)
2 African Dwarf Frogs (perhaps?)

Help Me out Professionals

 

[Robot_Rooster]

i was thinking of endlers arn't they good starter fish? of course i would have to get rid of the guppies.

 

[raptorrex]

could you give us your tank size and how long since your cycle ended?

 

[Corleone]

Endlers are reasonably hardy. So are wild-type guppies and some fancy guppies from good stock (usually not the general pet shop fare). They can be kept with guppies, but any fry from the tank would be suspect hybrids. Unless you plan to breed endlers for sale, there's really nothing wrong with putting them in with guppies.

Most barbs, bigger tetras, and danios are quite hardy fish. I think rainbowfish and rasboras are, as well, but don't quote me on that. Tiger barbs are tough as nails - my uncle's cycling method makes pet store standard advice seem quite effective and worry free, but when he uses tiger barbs, most of them usually make it through.

 

[oakes]

I would give tetras & otos a miss until you have a mature tank.
Livebearers and the barbs & danios as suggested are good hardy fish to start with.

 

[puppyjess123]

Yep i'd go with some zebra danios and maybe a livebearer of some sort. be sure to get the same gender unless you want stack loads of fry.

 

[Robot_Rooster]

i don't particulary want any zebra danios so i'll go with some live bearers, tell me how hard are endlers to find? and how long is a mature tank

 

[pippoodle]

white cloud minnow
gold white cloud minnow
long fin white cloud minnow

all of the above are very hardy and lots of fun to watch

 

[Robot_Rooster]

i went down the shop today and i found some "Checkered Barbs" are they hard fish? they look really nice and when i asked him abouta good first fish the lady said the complete opposite saying that neon tetras are good for first fish but guppies usually territorial and are not good fish

 

[puppyjess123]

Don't listen to them. Its just a job for them they don't care for the fish. Guppies aren't territorial and neons aren't good starter fish. Not sure about the barabs soz.

 

[Robot_Rooster]

Don't listen to them. Its just a job for them they don't care for the fish. Guppies aren't territorial and neons aren't good starter fish. Not sure about the barabs soz.

it is a pity that the people who work in the shops you trust really don't care.....

anyway oakes said that barbs are good starter fish, a checkered barb would do just fine if its the case...

 

[puppyjess123]

Just type checkered barb on google and have a look to see if its okay.

 

[puppyjess123]

"This fish likes a good mature aquarium and reacts very badly to fish keepers who show scant regard to water changes that cause big fluctuations in chemistry." Is yours mature yet?

 

[Robot_Rooster]

mature means how old is a fish tank? i have jsut started out and i will be getting my first fish 16th tuesday could you lend me a hand on "mature" ?

 

[oakes]

g'day mate,
could you tell us how you have gone about setting up your tank and if it is cycled and for how long etc. Have you tested the water at all?

There is no set time frame to determine a 'mature' tank, which just means a tank set up long enough to have well established and stable biological filtration and water parameters. I think most would agree though that such stability is generally achieved by 6 months or so.

A mature tank is necessary for species that are sensitive to water quality and fluctuations in water parameters. Neons, and alot of other tetras are somewhat sensitive.

Checker barbs are little beauties, but probably not as hardy as the Tiger barbs mentioned previously. Gold barbs are pretty tough too. Still, IMO i think they would be less risky for a beginner with a new tank than neons. But please give us some details about where your tank is at re cycling.
cheers