Stocking Ideas

[Ash Paws]

So I just got a 10gallon tank, right now there is 5 neon tetras in it. I want to add a few more tetras and maybe a couple mollies, or guppies?
I don't want to overstock the tank so what is the limit number of fish you could put in? Any ideas on what I could put in there?

 

[NickAu]

Hi
Mollies are out of the question in a 10 gallon tank its just way too small.

Is your water soft or hard?

 

[Ash Paws]

GH in the 10 gallon is 60ppm and KH is 80.

 

[Byron]

The very soft water also disqualifies mollies (along with all livebearers like guppies), aside from the size issue Nick mentioned.

I would increase the neons by a few...although a 10g is really small for this species (the tank should be minimum 60 cm (24 inches) in length) but it can work as they are not active swimmers and if you have plants and weekly 50% water changes.

There is no room for more species, except you could have one of the "dwarf" cory species in a group of 9-12. Provided the substrate is sand, essential for the dwarf/pygmy species. They and the neons share lower temperature requirements (75F/24C is max).

 

[Ash Paws]

Okay yeah I would rather have a larger tank but at least a 10 gallon is better then a 5.5 gallon.

I was looking back at my other posts..I wanted to make a community tank in a 5.5 gallon....what was i thinking?

Unfortunately I don't have sand in my tank so no cories I guess...this is probably also a complete no-go but would danios be okay with the tetras?

 

[Byron]

Okay yeah I would rather have a larger tank but at least a 10 gallon is better then a 5.5 gallon.

I was looking back at my other posts..I wanted to make a community tank in a 5.5 gallon....what was i thinking?

Unfortunately I don't have sand in my tank so no cories I guess...this is probably also a complete no-go but would danios be okay with the tetras?

No, danios are active fish and need much more space. And you are correct, as active fish this is not a good match with sedate neons.

With a few more neons, you could consider one of the "prehistoric" catfish, like a common Whiptail (Rineloricaria parva). This fish does well as a single specimen, and is very peaceful. Even two of them could work, if you have a chunk or two of wood.

 

[Sarah73]

Okay yeah I would rather have a larger tank but at least a 10 gallon is better then a 5.5 gallon.

I was looking back at my other posts..I wanted to make a community tank in a 5.5 gallon....what was i thinking?

Unfortunately I don't have sand in my tank so no cories I guess...this is probably also a complete no-go but would danios be okay with the tetras?

The minimium for dwarf corydoras is 15 gallons. I have a mix of sand and gravel. The barbels are sharp and perfect, so you don't ONLY need sand. Sharp gravel is a no no for cories. Add more neons as you can't really add anything else in there. No beta....but if you switch the neons out for embers you could have 10-12

 

[Ash Paws]

With a few more neons, you could consider one of the "prehistoric" catfish, like a common Whiptail (Rineloricaria parva). This fish does well as a single specimen, and is very peaceful. Even two of them could work, if you have a chunk or two of wood.

Well thanks for your opinions, I will get more neon tetras and maybe that catfish.

The minimium for dwarf corydoras is 15 gallons. I have a mix of sand and gravel. The barbels are sharp and perfect, so you don't ONLY need sand. Sharp gravel is a no no for cories. Add more neons as you can't really add anything else in there. No beta....but if you switch the neons out for embers you could have 10-12

The gravel I have isn't really sharp, mostly just round pieces. Is that okay for catfish or would you need sand?

 

[Byron]

The minimium for dwarf corydoras is 15 gallons. I have a mix of sand and gravel. The barbels are sharp and perfect, so you don't ONLY need sand. Sharp gravel is a no no for cories. Add more neons as you can't really add anything else in there. No beta....but if you switch the neons out for embers you could have 10-12

The issue with sand being mandatory for the "dwarf" cory species has to due with their behaviours, not because gravel may be sharp. All cories are better with sand, but the dwarf species really do need it. And a 10g is adequate size, I have had my group of pygmy cories in a 10g for over five years now and they are regularly spawning. Each week I see "hairs" that are new fry, and some manage to find enough food to grow.

 

[Sarah73]

The issue with sand being mandatory for the "dwarf" cory species has to due with their behaviours, not because gravel may be sharp. All cories are better with sand, but the dwarf species really do need it. And a 10g is adequate size, I have had my group of pygmy cories in a 10g for over five years now and they are regularly spawning. Each week I see "hairs" that are new fry, and some manage to find enough food to grow.

Yay congrats! I just say 15 gallon minimum for beginners. I have 6-7 pygmy corydoras in my 10 gallon as well.