Stocking Advice?

[HarpyFishLover]

I recently got a 10 gallon fish tank for my birthday. My original plan was to put 2 male guppies and 6 male tetras. So far, all I have is the guppies. Anybody have suggestions as to what else might be great? And is it advisable to add something like a betta to that mixture?

 

[Sophie]

Unfortunately housing a Betta splendens with Guppies isn't a good idea m'dear. Easily mistaken for another male with the long flowing fins.
 
What tetra species were you thinking of getting?

Happy Birthday by the way!

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Probably neons or cardinals. And, thanks for the advice with the Betta. Wouldn't want my fish eaten or anything ☺

 

[Sophie]

I always like to recommend species such as Harlequin Rasboras or Copper Harlequins. They're relatively small, hardy and attractive fish.
A larger centerpiece fish such as Honey Gourami are bright and colourful but also very peaceful.
 
For the bottom, maybe look into some smaller species of catfish such as Salt & Pepper Corydoras or Pygmy Corydoras.

 

[HarpyFishLover]

I will look into them. Would little plecos be good too, or do they get too big?

EDIT- Just did a Google search on the rasboras. Those cuties are BEA-UTIFUL!

 

[Sophie]

Take a little look at Chaetostoma formosae (L444) aka the "Rubbernose Pleco". Only grows to around 4 inches and they are true algae eaters too which is an added bonus to their dwarf size. Either that or Chaetostoma aff. milesi (L445) aka the "Spotted Bulldog". Very similar to my former suggestion yet spotted!
If you're not too keen on how those guys look, try Panaqolus maccus (LDA022) aka the "Clown Plec", even smaller at 3" max size but they are wood eaters so you must make sure to have bogwood in there! 
 
All three are quite commonly available

 

[HarpyFishLover]

For some reason I though I remembered them at the pet store being kind of small, orange, but not bottom feeding... do you know what that might have been?

EDIT- Just remembered. That was a platy. Are those good fish for my size tank?

 

[Sophie]

Small and orange.. Not a bottom feeder.. Any more clues?

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Oh just edited the post lol...

 

[Sophie]

Ah, gotcha.
 
Platys.. Platys are live-bearing fish the same as Guppies. They do chunk out at a surprising size so adding them would start limiting your overall stocking quite significantly.
 
Like Guppies, they reproduce like rabbits if both males and females are kept (even females can retain the male's milt for up to 6 months and keep popping them out without a male present) so if you do not want to be inundated with fry, I'd maybe reconsider. The prospect of baby fish can be quite enticing but when finding homes for the fry is a challenge, your tank may become overstocked quite quick!

 

[HarpyFishLover]

I plan to keep only one gender of each fish, probably all males, as they tend to be prettier...

 

[Sophie]

Male platys are smaller than females but not necessarily prettier.
Just be careful as I have seen many a "confused" male constantly harass another male...
Their libido is kinda unreal.

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Right now, it's between 6 tetras, and POSSIBLY a platy or another guppy, or 4 platies, with my 2 male guppies... depending, of course, on how big platies get. ☺

 

[Sophie]

Tetras! Tetras! Tetras! Unlike the Platys/Guppies, they will school together so you can experience two different types of behaviours

 

[HarpyFishLover]

Lol alright! Thanks for all the info! I'll go with my original plan- 2 guppies and 6 tetras. Is it possible to add any more guppies or tetras to that though?