Buying My First Fish...

[Jacko86]

I've got my tank set up it's cycled nicely for 6 weeks and I've had the heater on for the last 10 days. Now I need to actually add some fish, I've got a 60litre biorb life, which I know is not suitable for all fish and certainly not too many in total.

I'm thinking of getting the following:

2/3 x guppies
4/5 x tetra
1 x angelfish
1 x discus

Do you think they would be suitable for the tank and mix well?

 

[Ch4rlie]

Forget about angelfish for a start am afraid. They need a bigger tank, 200 litres. They'll eat tetras!
 
Discus - no, a breeding pair of symphysodon aequifasciatus for example need at least 255 litres, bigger is better. Can be semi aggressive.
 
Neon Tetras might be ok
Guppies be ok as well, as long as they are all males if you do not want them breeding, if you want breeding then 2 females to 1 male.

 

[rolo0151]

What tetra are you interested in getting? In a tank like yours ember tetra would work well but I'd go for a minimum of 6. A friend of mine has a biorb life with a group of fancy guppies in it. Looks really nice that way.
Definitely not a suitable tank for discus or angel fish.

 

[KittyKat]

Tetras are softwater fish, guppies are hardwater fish. Please find out what type of water you have and go for fish which are appropriate for it: it will save you lots of headaches later on.
 
If you have soft water, a group of 10 ember tetras would be ideal. If you have neutral water, 8 espei rasboras would work great. If you have hard water, 5 male guppies would be ok.
 
Has your tank actually finished cycling now? If not, you will need to wait until it does.

 

[Ninjouzata]

How have you been cycling the tank? Did you add ammonia or are you just letting it run?

 

[Jacko86]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've let it cycle for about 6-7 weeks. I've tested and the levels have come back spot on (hopefully the results are accurate).

The water where I live is medium to slightly hard.

It sounds like I was very ambitious hoping I cold have some larger fish like discus in there!!

I think I'll stick to the guppies!

Is there anything that you would recommend as a 'stand out' fish that is suitable for this size tank? Something bright and eye catching...

 

[KittyKat]

It doesn't sound like you have cycled the tank, it sounds like you just let it sit for a few weeks (which doesn't do much). Have you been adding household ammonia to the water to feed the filter? If not, then your tank is not cycled.

Is there anything that you would recommend as a 'stand out' fish that is suitable for this size tank? Something bright and eye catching...

 
Guppies seem to fit the bill here. The tank is not big enough for a centrepiece fish and most fish generally do not like living without more of their kind around.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Yes if you could further clarify on how you've cycled the tank that'd be lovely.
Here is an article that may be of some help: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
As for the stocking though, I would think the guppies stand out quite a lot But think you're wanting a "centerpiece" fish?

 

[Jacko86]

Yes I've cycled it properly in line with that guide. I used fish food rather than liquid household ammonia but I did use some Tetra Easy Balance too. As I mentioned with the test from the API test came in fine.

A nice centrepiece fish would be nice if anyone has a recommendation.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I am unsure if it'd be okay to go with the guppies, but perhaps a honey gourami?

 

[Jacko86]

Thanks guys, what about a couple of shrimps too?

 

[Ch4rlie]

Shrimps are great for tanks 

 
Would recommend Red Cherry Shrimps as they are pretty hardy and they are pretty good clean up crew for gravel and plants.

 

[Jacko86]

So thanks to the advise on here and the guys in the shop I went to here's what I bought so far...
 
3 x sunrise guppies, 2 x zebra danios, 1 x leopard banio & 2 x red cherry shrip.
 
Let's see how it goes...

 

[KittyKat]

Yeah… you might have wanted to ask a bit more: zebra and leopard danios are fast and active schooling fish so kinda need a 3-4+ ft tank and to be kept in groups of 6-10+.
 
It's also too much stock for a tank that was cycled using fish food (you'd have had to be dumping tubs of it in to get high enough ammonia for a full final stock).
 
If you value the lives of your new fish, please take the three danios back to the shop as this tank is just not for them.

 

[rolo0151]

I agree with kittykat. In my experience some staff at pet shops don't have a clue about keeping fish or really care what conditions you keep them in.
I learnt the hard way! Now I just check out what fish I fancy then do some research online & on forums. It's the only way.