Fish Recommendation

[goldenpuon]

I am looking for a new species of fish to keep. I am not sure whether my mom will allow it or not (based on the stress/time from the fish I have now.) Still, it's worth a shot.

I am looking for a beginner fish that meet this criteria. If they do not, I might need to look a another species of fish.

1. Underdemanding- A fish that does not require much clean up and is not super picky with water conditions. (Although fish that specificly like soft/hard water are fine.) Also a hardy fish.

2. Non-aggressive - A fish that can be kept with others and not nippy. And if it is aggressive at all, that it is slight.

3. Size - A fish that can be kept in an aquarium 5 1/2 gallons or less. I wouldn't want a fish that grows more than 2 inches tops.

4. Schooling/Stressing - Schooling fish are fine but I wouldn't want them stressing if their group is too small. If they don't mind being alone that is fine too although I would want them to be compatible with other fish. Also a fish that is pretty mellow and not easily scared/jumpy.

5. Breeding - A fish that is not too prolific. I don't intend to breed these fish so no babies would be a good thing.

I know these are a lot of expectations for a fish but I don't want to have a lot of issues keeping them. I need to be prepared to give them the best care I can. I don't want to buy them only to find they are not the right choice later.

I will be researching fish meanwhile.

Thanks.

Renee

EDIT: I found 3 species of fish that seem to fit my criteria (provided the sources I got them from where accurate.)

Rosy tetra (possible problem, seem to need to be in larger schools)

Blue emperor tetra (possible problem. Sensitive to water conditions/delicate)

Black phantom tetra

If anyone has experience/advice regarding keeping these fish, let me kniow. Thanks.

[Carl]

The Black Phantom Tetra is definitely a good choice (I have many of these over the years and currently have a pair now)

Although Platties can be prolific breeders, they otherwise fit your other criteria and are very easy to keep.

Other suggestions include Zebra Danios, White Clouds, Harlequin Rasboras

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks Carl. I looked into White Cloud Minnows but I read they breed easily and do not eat their offspring. I'm not sure if this is true (sources online can be false) but if that is so, I probably wouldn't want them because I do not want babies. But if they don't breed as readily as I heard, I'd definitely be interested.

I will look into Zebra Danios and Harlequin Rasboras.

EDIT: I found two fish from the above I really like. The Harlequin Rasboras and the Black Phantom Tetra. I can't figure out which one I like more. lol I know both are schooling fish and look similar. If I were to mix them, say 2 of one species and 3 of the other, I hope they would mix and school. But if I got them, that is the maximum I could get because in a 5 gallon, I don't want to overstock.

[Carl]

Dec 22, 2009 13:19:09 GMT -5 goldenpuon said:

Thanks Carl. I looked into White Cloud Minnows but I read they breed easily and do not eat their offspring. I'm not sure if this is true (sources online can be false) but if that is so, I probably wouldn't want them because I do not want babies. But if they don't breed as readily as I heard, I'd definitely be interested.

While the White Cloud minnow may breed easily, this is not the case in a small aquarium (at least I have never had this be a problem)

Carl

[goldenpuon]

I decided to get a mix of red phantom tetras and black phantom tetras, 3 of each. I tried calling several stores but all of them only have black phantom tetras. Where would be a good source to get red phantom tetras from?

I'm nervous about getting them online because of the sub-zero conditions where I live if they were to be shipped.

[goldenpuon]

I called a bunch of petstores and none of them had red phantom tetras although some said they had them occasionally.

I found two breeders that have them but I'm not sure it's worth it to get them from here.


www.segrestfarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.viewgroup&groupID=129

fishmartinc.com/inventory-livestock.htm

[Carl]

I am not familiar with the second link, however I am familiar with Segrest Farms; they have an excllent reputation in the Aquarium Industry.
However Segrest Farms only sells to retailers, maybe you could suggest this supplier to a local retailer?

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Maybe I could. I'm not sure how though. I just hope if I asked them to order and they said yes, that they wouldn't expect me to buy the whole shipment. I only want about 3 or so Red Phantom Tetras.

Are there any other sources you know of for them? I've tried craiglist and online searching and have come up with nothing.

[corycatwoman]

its really really really hard to go wrong with zebra danios other then they tend to be boring mainly cuz they never stop swimming. just thaught id throw that in there.

guppies fit your criteria but they do breed regularly and i honestly dont think tank size makes a difference in there breeding habbits if they have water and males and females they will breed. they also a tid bit on the nippy side. but since i know youve already had experience in guppies i would suggest there close relitive the endlers. just cuz i dont think there near as popular and itd be nice to have an experienced keeper keeping a few.

just a few suggestions.

[goldenpuon]

Thanks for the suggestions. However I already have my mind set on the Phantom tetras and I can't have anything that breeds easily. Guppies (which I already have) and Endlers which are also livebearers are out of the question for me. My mom will only let me get the fish if they don't breed easily because I wouldn't have the room.

[goldenpuon]

I asked a few stores if they could order the Red Phantoms. One said yes and took my name and number, and said they'd call me back after they'd ordered some so I'm hoping.

I found another source online too. But what bothers me about it is the main photo showing two red phantoms on it shows one with scoliosis.

www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/213444/product.web

[Carl]

A generic picture is neither a positive or negative indicator of the fish you would receive IMO

Carl

[goldenpuon]

That's good. I was afraid that could show that the fish were bad stock if the breeders didn't even realize they had a sick/weak fish on their picture for their sale. I stand corrected.

[goldenpuon]

I found a different fish that looks almost exactly like Red Phantom Tetras, the Serpae tetra.

I know they breed easily so I want to get all males. But will they mix well with Black Phantoms? I heard that they are extremely nippy.

Also, will them being all males make them more aggressive?

I want to get 3 black phantom tetras, 2 females, 1 male, and 2 male longfinned serpaes. Does this sound like a good combination.

They would all be in a 5 1/2 gallon with plenty of plant cover and hiding places.

[eve]

They're schooling fish.
So i would go for either phantoms or serpae but not both in a tank of this size.

They do mix though.

I would get 5 of either one.

[charlize]

More than 1 kind of schooling fish in a 5 is not a good idea.

Even 1 species is pushing your luck IMO.You need to have 5 or 6 for a descent school,and that just is not a lot of room.

If you want something besides a betta,commonly kept in small tanks,3 male guppies would work.Snakeskins are very pretty and active.Pretty common,but great fish to keep in a small tank.

[goldenpuon]

Would a 10 gallon work for both species, say 3 of each? I read that Black Phantoms will school with similar looking fish and Serpae tetras look similar except for the color so they might school.

I have an empty 10 gallon sitting around but I'll have to talk to my mom as we agreed on a 5 1/2 gallon.

If that's not big enough or my mom doesn't agree, I'll put fish from 1 species in a 5 gallon. I'd put 4 or 5 individuals in a 5 gallon.

I see what you guys mean about a 5 gallon being too small for both species. I have four 1 - 1 1/2 inch male guppies in a 5 1/2 gallon by my bed and it already feels crowded.

[eve]

Yes, a 10 gallon for 2 species of 5 each would work.

[goldenpuon]

Thanks. I'll ask my mom if I can do that.

Otherwise I'll keep 1 species in a 5 gallon as I said earlier.

[eve]

Sounds like a plan.