help please

[anything8legs]

I have been setting up my tank to get some fish, but hadn't decided what to put in it. I saw a tank at the pet store that had some really colorful guppies in it. The sci. name was something like P. reticulata

I have a 10 gallon tank with a Biowheel (105 gph) filter, an ammonia test kit, nitrite test kit, (I'm gonna try the "fishless cycling" thing i read about on this site). What else do I need for a guppy? I know I need food and a heater, but do I need a light? (the tank gets a fair amount of nondirect sunlight through the windows).
Also, how many full sized guppies can comfortably fit in a ten gallon (when they're full grown, I mean- they get about 2.5" according to the label at the store).
And can you direct me to any good caresheets for this species?
Thanks a lot,

Steve

 

[gadazobe]

I'm not sure what kind of guppies you saw, but the common type don't grow much more that an 1 1/2" mximum. Maybe she was taking into acount their finnage. Guppies are really easy to keep as long as the water in kept clean. They are also very profilic breeders, 1 male + 3 females = guppies by the 1000's
In your 10 gallon tank you can start with one male and a couple of females and you will soon be supplying your lfs with them. A light is only really necessary if you want to grow live plants in your tank.

 

[anything8legs]

Thanks for the info.
One more question: I found a caresheet for guppies, and the temp. range was 62 F on the low end. My house almost never drops below 68, and its usually above that. Do I still need a heater? Thanks again.

 

[J_acon]

You will soon be over run by their fry

 

[gadazobe]

Do you use a thermometer? If your house is never below 68, then the water will most probably be a few degrees below that. Best is to invest in a thermometer just to make sure.

 

[anything8legs]

Do you use a thermometer? If your house is never below 68, then the water will most probably be a few degrees below that. Best is to invest in a thermometer just to make sure.

Yes I have a thermometer in my room. Its usually in the mid 70's during the summer, and upper 60's in the winter.

So are you saying that the fish will be okay as long as the house temp doesn't drop below 68?

I went to the pet store today, and I've pretty much decided what I want to put in the tank (something like this):
1 guppy
1 swortail
1 or 2 cories

Or at least I want five fish total, and I want to get all livebearers since their care is the same.

Should this work out well in my ten gallon?

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[gadazobe]

Sorry - I meant a thermometer for the tank Sorry for not making myself clear.

I like your selection of fish. Cories are not live bearers, but egg layers. They make a great clean up crew and you should get minimum 2 as they like their own company.

Both guppies and swordtails are shoaling fish that like to see their own kind around so it might be best to decide which you want, guppies or swordtails and then get a few of them.

 

[anything8legs]

Sorry - I meant a thermometer for the tank Sorry for not making myself clear.

I like your selection of fish. Cories are not live bearers, but egg layers. They make a great clean up crew and you should get minimum 2 as they like their own company.

Both guppies and swordtails are shoaling fish that like to see their own kind around so it might be best to decide which you want, guppies or swordtails and then get a few of them.

can I get a couple different kinds of cories, or the other fish that like company, not just one variety?
And what exactly do you mean by "shoaling"? Do you mean they swim in a group? I just thought that was spelled "schooling."

Also, what kind of flake food should I get to accomidate all the fish I would like? I was going to get the food specifically for livebearers, but as you said, cories aren't livebearers.


Thanks again

 

[gadazobe]

School of fish = a group of fish of the same species eg. a school of neons (only neons)
Shoal of fish = a group of fish of different species eg. a shoal of neons, platties and danios (all 3 kinds swimming together)

You can get a couple of different kinds of cories and they will get on with each other, but they really do prefer there own kind. There are lot's of people that keep different kinds with no problem, so it's really a matter of of personal preference.

They will all eat a good flake food, but if you do get cories then you should supplement their food with algae wafers. Try to vary their diet a little, maybe once a week some frozen bloodworm or daphnea as a special treat.