Starter Fish

[Lupe]

Hi,

I'm currently helping set up a small tank for a friend. She's at the stage now where she will be looking to add a few fish into the mix, and was wondering what recommendations people have for the types of fish.

I remember a year or so ago when I set up a tank of my own I was recommended the glowlight tetras and the zebra danio by the guy at the fish store (but this may have just been because these were fish they had in stock), so what other fish would be a good starter fish, or doesnt it really matter?

 

[daino master]

i think most tetras are good i have been succsefull on neon tetras and cardinal and black neon. also what size is the tank

 

[Lupe]

i think most tetras are good i have been succsefull on neon tetras and cardinal and black neon. also what size is the tank

Its pretty small 30l maybe, thats about 7 gallons I guess. Im just trying to put together a list for her, so she can have a bit of a choice. When I started my tank I went for the glowlights as there were highly recommended, but she doesnt think they are a nice enough fish. Neons sounds a good bet

 

[Lnbates2000]

i think most tetras are good i have been succsefull on neon tetras and cardinal and black neon. also what size is the tank

Its pretty small 30l maybe, thats about 7 gallons I guess. Im just trying to put together a list for her, so she can have a bit of a choice. When I started my tank I went for the glowlights as there were highly recommended, but she doesnt think they are a nice enough fish. Neons sounds a good bet

I also wasn't keen on glowlights at first, but they're actually really nice first fish, and I've found them to be a lot more hardy than neons!

Laura

 

[vinylman]

Neons aren't really hardy enough for a tank that isn't cycled AND matured, unfortunately.

 

[Matt_northants]

Glowlights are indeed lovely little fish, but tend to show they're best colour in a warm soft water tank. The Beacons are another nice fish, from the same family.

 

[wolfwolf]

You should read the pinned article on stocking a 10 gallon tank. Not many fish are suitable for an 8 gallon tank.

 

[rabbut]

I presume that her tank is fully cycled? If so, many fish are suitable, things like plecos, cardinals neons should be left out, as that don't often do well in a new tank. The tank is too small for danios, as they need plenty of swimming space. If the tank is not yet cycled, please read [topic="113861"]this thread[/topic] on fishless cycling. If she isn't too impresed about waiting longer for fish, point ont tht is less likely to kill her new pets, or leae them with lasting dammage. Usualy warms people to the idea of fishless cycling quite quickly
Harlequin rasbora are a good "starter fish" for a fish-in cycle, and come in many different colour varients

HTH
Rabbut