Ideas For A "different" 10 Gallon Tank

[nike12301]

I have an empty 10 gallon tank I'm considering setting up. Right now, I have a 36 gallon community tank and if I set up the 10 gallon, I want to do something a little different and more "exotic" than just another tank of tetras and gouramis. I know I'm kind of limited with a 10 gallon tank, though.

Does anyone have any ideas?

My first though was cichlids. I've never kept them before, but I know they usually would be too big for 10 gallons. Are there any cichlids that COULD work?

My other thought was the go in the opposite direction and get some kind of goldfish. I haven't had one since I was a kid and thought it might be fun. Has anyone ever done anything cool with goldfish?

Any other ideas?

I'm excited to do SOMETHING but I don't know exactly what.

 

[Truck]

Neolamprologus multifasciatus, they need a smooth sand substrate in which to dig, and escargot shells in which to dwell, they also require hard alkaline water.

 

[AdAndrews]

Neolamprologus multifasciatus, they need a smooth sand substrate in which to dig, and escargot shells in which to dwell, they also require hard alkaline water.

i agree, nothing better!

 

[Wills]

No to the goldfish, yes to the shell dwellers

Or you could do a nano community with things like Badis, sparkling gourami, chilli rasbora and cherry shrimp?

 

[drobbyb]

Pseudomugil furcatus (forktail rainbow.) They stay really small so you could keep a nice group in a 10 gallon tank.

 

[nike12301]

The shell dwellers sounds like a good idea. I've never had them before. Don't think I've ever seen them at LFS, though. Do you think I'd have to buy online?

 

[loraxchick]

Pseudomugil furcatus (forktail rainbow.) They stay really small so you could keep a nice group in a 10 gallon tank.

so sorry to hijack, but i just looked up Pseudomugil furcatus and

Im in US. ive never seen these. i waaaaaaanttttt! would i necessarily need to get these online? or are they gaining popularity? i have some great LFS near me. most likely can order some in. just curious.

to the OP-
go look in some good shops for them. ive seen them around. ive been considering multis for my 10 gal , until i saw these fish as per suggested above.

cheers guys

 

[drobbyb]

Pseudomugil furcatus (forktail rainbow.) They stay really small so you could keep a nice group in a 10 gallon tank.

so sorry to hijack, but i just looked up Pseudomugil furcatus and

Im in US. ive never seen these. i waaaaaaanttttt! would i necessarily need to get these online? or are they gaining popularity? i have some great LFS near me. most likely can order some in. just curious.

to the OP-
go look in some good shops for them. ive seen them around. ive been considering multis for my 10 gal , until i saw these fish as per suggested above.

cheers guys

Try Aquabid: http/www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwrainbows&1265938412

 

[loraxchick]

Pseudomugil furcatus (forktail rainbow.) They stay really small so you could keep a nice group in a 10 gallon tank.

so sorry to hijack, but i just looked up Pseudomugil furcatus and

Im in US. ive never seen these. i waaaaaaanttttt! would i necessarily need to get these online? or are they gaining popularity? i have some great LFS near me. most likely can order some in. just curious.

to the OP-
go look in some good shops for them. ive seen them around. ive been considering multis for my 10 gal , until i saw these fish as per suggested above.

cheers guys

Try Aquabid: http/www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwrainbows&1265938412

thanks. they are quite expensive. but i have my eye out! i LOVEEEE!
cheers

 

[drobbyb]

During the summer, they are almost always available. If you can hold off until then, they would be cheaper to ship too.

 

[aly_starh]

How about a divided male betta tank for 2 bettas?
Or even a Betta sorority of 6 females?

 

[Bebobb]

For me, I find joy in small 10 gallons. There are many small fish that would be well suited for a 10 gallon. As one of the posters above me said, Badis would work. You could have a Pair of Badis Baids, or Dario Dario. Or you could have a single apistogramma. THe apistogramma are cichlids. The badis and dario are not cichlids. You probally would have a bit of a hard time finding dario and badis. But apistogramma are fairly common.

Also, as suggested, Shell Dwellers. THey breed quite rapidly and eaisly. They do need hard akaline water, but there are buffers that you can make to adjust your water chemistry. There are not the most common, though. I know a breeder about 4 hours away from me with Brichardi and Multies. I found him through a local aquarium club. If you could find a local aquarium club, you would be surprised how many fish you can find.

 

[natalie265]

Goldfish are lovely, but they get way too big for a ten gallon tank.

How about doing a brackish tank and getting some bumblebee gobies?

 

[bitteraspects]

a group of badis badis.

 

[GrubbyGirl]

How about a couple of fresh water crabs?