Stocking Advise For A New Tank

[Fuzzball]

Hi there, I'm new to the scene and I've been lurking around for a while and reading up on various topics on setting up a new tank, but now that I'm waiting on my 10g tank to cycle, I'm just doing some planning for the types of fish I might keep in there.

I intend for this tank to be planted - (and indeed, I'm trying out the silent cycle method with >75% planted gravel) and filling it up with some tropical shoaling fish. I've had a quick look and decided on the following:

• 5-6 zebra danios OR WCMM
• 4-5 dwarf loaches
• single betta?

According to Aq Advisor my tank would be 97% stocked, so I may skip the betta (but ideally I'd love to have one in there, as I love those fish!) or the loaches. With these fish species in mind, if I were to omit the loaches or betta how could I increase numbers of the other fish? I love the concept of a community planted tank but unfortunately inherited a 10g for the time being - an upgrade will be in order but won't be for some months (or a year or two) away.

Thanks!

 

[leighton_87]

I know it's probably not want you want to hear but Danios won't do well in a 10G - there such active little things they need at least a three foot tank.

Can't really help on what fish to keep with a Betta as had no experience with one

 

[Fuzzball]

On the contrary, advice like that is precisely what I'd like to hear.

At any rate, noted; I'll mark danios off the list. Are there any other fish shoaling fish that could do well in a 10g? If not, then I'm not entirely against keeping a single betta in my 10g.

Thanks!

 

[techen]

On the contrary, advice like that is precisely what I'd like to hear.

At any rate, noted; I'll mark danios off the list. Are there any other fish shoaling fish that could do well in a 10g? If not, then I'm not entirely against keeping a single betta in my 10g.

Thanks!

A single betta with shrimp and real plants would look insanely good, That's my view.

 

[Fuzzball]

A single betta with shrimp and real plants would look insanely good, That's my view.

Unfortunately, I live in New Zealand and we don't have any tropical freshwater shrimps, thanks to strict biosecurity controls

This was originally going to be my plan, prior to making the above discovery.

 

[techen]

A single betta with shrimp and real plants would look insanely good, That's my view.

Unfortunately, I live in New Zealand and we don't have any tropical freshwater shrimps, thanks to strict biosecurity controls

This was originally going to be my plan, prior to making the above discovery.

NO SHRIMPS? What kind of world do we live in

 

[Fuzzball]

NO SHRIMPS? What kind of world do we live in

Hahaha

New Zealand is pretty paranoid with introduced pests decimating native populations. For that reason we have a LOT of restrictions on what we can bring in, and what we cannot.

 

[techen]

Then I have no idea what you'd stick in that fish tank 10g is a bit small but it's not too bad. Am trying to think of stuff xD

If you want a betta then you'll just end up having just a betta more than likely

But you could always look at am guess maybe guppies? Am not enitely sure.

 

[Baccus]

NZ (not sure if its the north Island or the south) have some great natives I have seen.

Guess what you have a one and only native shrimp

, unfortunately it looks a lot like an Aussie Glass shrimp and is an Atyidea and wont breed sucessfully breed in fresh water, but at least they should be available to you.

You also have two native types of crayfish, both of which look interesting and from a quick skim read looks like there are one type for the North Island and one for the South respectively named Northern Koura and Southern Koura.

And to make things even more interesting you have a fresh water crab too.

Also found this link that you might find useful and interesting http/www.gw.govt.nz/native-fish/

 

[Fuzzball]

Thanks for the suggestions! I never really thought about the crayfish (and admittedly never thought the natives were that small - how ignorant!) and I am pretty interested at those in a freshwater aquarium now.

Unfortunately I was hoping to set up an tropical tank, and I didn't think the native shrimps might like that.

Perhaps I should be a considering a tank of native species! I also did not consider this at all, but if I can pull it off would be pretty sweet.

 

[Junior Gent]

I currently have a 10 gallon, unfortunately i lost my Betta yesterday.
my stocking prior to that was

1 x crowntail betta
2 x true male endler
2x dwarf green aquatic frogs
1 x bristle nose plec

this is pretty much fully stocked maybe slightly over but i do clean regularly and my water conditions keep well.

I reccomend endlers highly with a betta, i prefer the true male but there are alot of breeders mixing guppies with endlers creating lovely variations, particularly the leapard endlers but for me i think the true endler are best.

endlers do very well as they dont need larger groups of 5-6 like tetras do, so you can keep 2 or 3 which is pretty much all you can keep in a tnk that size.

A bristle nose plec is a great option as a cleaner too, and they are great little fish. There are very attractive yellow variations too, as your only keeping a handfull of fish maybe its worth spending a little more for the fish you get and get the rarer varieties.

Other opitons on the cleaning front is an otocinclus, these benefit from being smaller but they can be very vunerable to new set up, they need a more mature tank and definately need bogwood in there.

If you dont like them options i have others you might want to consider

JG

 

[Baccus]

Since you are in a unique position I would explore the native species, its something I am having to do with shrimp here in Aust. And I am loving our native shrimp, plus there are so many shrimp and snails still being discovered. I bet if you do some hunting around in your local waterways (provided they aren't trout stocked) you will make some surprising discoveries too.

Also if you go with a native selection I know I will be really interested in seeing the species that you get

.

As for a tropical tank, that will really depend on the tank size, what you like and is compatible with each other and your local water as well what is allowed into NZ. I know Aust has really started cracking down on what fish species are allowed into Aust. and I am guessing NZ would be just as fussy.