[Vpaw]

So, I'm a freshman in High school. We get extra credit if we want to buy and care for an animal. Well there's already mice, and a chameleon, charanchella, and there are a few fish tanks. Only one currently has fish.

I offered to buy some fishies and care for them! What would be some good choices, and not just one identical fish type.

It is a 15 gallon, however he has other tanks, so if I wanted we could set up a bigger one, but it'd have to cycle.... Meh.

There are plastic plants, stone like gravel, hob filter, no room or light but the classroom is lit.

He has water conditioner, however he seems to lack some knowledge about fish... Like he just adds water, no water changes! But I could do water changes if I want. I'm not sure if he changes the filter cartriage... Ill buy the food.

The tank filter and all have been running for like a month now, so it's probably ok, no fish in it currently. Should I do a water change before putting the new fish in as well?


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[fishkid]

Has there been an ammonia source for the time it's been running? If not, it's likely any of the nitrifying bacteria would have died off already.

As for fish choices, I suggest going to a local store and seeing what interests you. You can then research them on the internet and see if they're suitable for your setup. I personally would go for a pair of dwarf cichlids such as kribensis in that size tank, but different people have different tastes so look around and see what interests you.

 

[newtchaplin]

For an example I have a 20 gallon with a Canadian leech, minnows, hydras, ghost shrimp, and pond snails, bladder snails, and MTS snails. Only plants I have in there are from the 75 gallon treating for hair algae. You can get yourself a rabbit snail, some other smaller fish, or what ever you want.

 

[spreadtoothinly]

As for fish choices, I suggest going to a local store and seeing what interests you. You can then research them on the internet and see if they're suitable for your setup. I personally would go for a pair of dwarf cichlids such as kribensis in that size tank, but different people have different tastes so look around and see what interests you.

+1 Do you know what the water pH and hardness is? If you are on tap water (which I presume you are...) you can go online and find a water report. Finding this out will help you decide what fish you want to put in.

 

[Vpaw]

Ok, by the way everyone, I'm not new, and I have a 20 and a 29 gallon myself, and my fish are all good, and the 20 is a planted tank. So I'm not new to this whole thing.

And no there has been nothing in the water the whole month.


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[jentralala]

I don't think the bacteria actually dies...it just goes dormant. But it sounds like there's never been a source of ammonia to create the cycle...just water sitting there? I may be wrong, though.

Is it possible you could put a light on it for live plants? That way water changes can be a bit more flexible, as it might be difficult to do them regularly. You can just use a desk lamp or a clip on light with a 6500k spiral CFL

I'd do a a large water change, because the water may have a bit of a different chemistry from the tap if it hasn't been changed regularly. Just to be on the safe side

Is the water hard or soft? Just asking because as I'm sure you know it affects fish choices

If the water is harder I'd go with colorful live bearers, such as guppies. Softer...rasboras or cardinal tetras.

 

[Vpaw]

I don't think the bacteria actually dies...it just goes dormant. But it sounds like there's never been a source of ammonia to create the cycle...just water sitting there? I may be wrong, though.

Is it possible you could put a light on it for live plants? That way water changes can be a bit more flexible, as it might be difficult to do them regularly. You can just use a desk lamp or a clip on light with a 6500k spiral CFL

I'd do a a large water change, because the water may have a bit of a different chemistry from the tap if it hasn't been changed regularly. Just to be on the safe side

Is the water hard or soft? Just asking because as I'm sure you know it affects fish choices

If the water is harder I'd go with colorful live bearers, such as guppies. Softer...rasboras or cardinal tetras.

Well generally in Arizona we have hard water and, having plants myself, I don't think it'd be a good idea...

The filter is running though, so it's not JUST sitting. It's missing about 5 inches of water, so if I add water that would probably be like a little change. I also need to buy them their own vacuum for the gravel.

Would live bearers be ok? I wouldn't want to over populate the tank.. There are lots of decorations, and I say plastic plants because I know some fish need silk. Like my goldfish, for example. Or a beta.


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[Vpaw]

What about
5 guppies
3 Cory cats
3 plattys
Are the water conditions e sameish? Would it be better to get all males, or is it ok if they breed?


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[jentralala]

Hm, you mentions the substrate being gravel which may be a problem with corydoras...there is the possibility of it injuring their bellies and barbels. They also like to be kept in larger groups.

It's up to you on whether to get all males or mix, but if you mix keep in mind it'll be baby central lol, and (although it IS highschool) it may bother some people if the fish start eating their own young. You may also have to look at the possibility of rehoming if many of them make it to adult hood and start overstocking the tank.

If you do decide to mix be sure to get more females than males to reduce the stress placed on the girls.

 

[Vpaw]

Hm, you mentions the substrate being gravel which may be a problem with corydoras...there is the possibility of it injuring their bellies and barbels. They also like to be kept in larger groups.

It's up to you on whether to get all males or mix, but if you mix keep in mind it'll be baby central lol, and (although it IS highschool) it may bother some people if the fish start eating their own young. You may also have to look at the possibility of rehoming if many of them make it to adult hood and start overstocking the tank.

If you do decide to mix be sure to get more females than males to reduce the stress placed on the girls.

That's true on the Cory's. I have sand substrate and 5 Cory's in my 20 gallon.

The think on the guppies is, the makes are so much prettier. So maybe all male guppies.

However plattys there isn't a big difference... However I think they can interbreed, am I right?

Also, not for school but has anyone heard of the rainbow fish? Are those good?

How about this:
5 male guppies
3 female or male plattys
2 shrimp

Also maybe tetras instead? Something that schools? (Lol) anything?


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[jentralala]

Hm, I've heard rumors on inter-breeding but I don't know for sure one way or the other, to be honest. I haven't had much experience with live-bearers.

I have no firsthand experience with rainbows either, but most of the ones I've read about get around 3-4 inches and are super active which means they need a pretty big tank (thinking 55 gallons here). They are pretty, though.

Hrm...most tetras are soft water fish, and get pretty big (2-3 inches) and in a school would over stock the tank most likely. Is there anyway you can test the gh/kh/ph of the school's tap, for exact numbers? It'll make it a bit easier to pin down exact fish for the tank

 

[Vpaw]

Hm, I've heard rumors on inter-breeding but I don't know for sure one way or the other, to be honest. I haven't had much experience with live-bearers.

I have no firsthand experience with rainbows either, but most of the ones I've read about get around 3-4 inches and are super active which means they need a pretty big tank (thinking 55 gallons here). They are pretty, though.

Hrm...most tetras are soft water fish, and get pretty big (2-3 inches) and in a school would over stock the tank most likely. Is there anyway you can test the gh/kh/ph of the school's tap, for exact numbers? It'll make it a bit easier to pin down exact fish for the tank

Eh, I have API but I don't use it often, and well, the teacher never has either.

There are rainbows that are only 1 inch as well

And I've always had smaller tetras, like neon for example.


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[Vpaw]

Ok, so my teacher wants fish soon... I decided that tomorrow ill buy a mystery snail! I have one as well. What do I feed it while there aren't fish? Anymore stocking ideas?


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[spreadtoothinly]

I decided that tomorrow ill buy a mystery snail! I have one as well. What do I feed it while there aren't fish?

Gotta Love Mystery snails! I have a blue in my tank, he(Edmond)'s so fun to watch!
They are herbivores, so things like lettuce (romaine, not iceberg), and algae wafers, they absolutely LOVE carrots...

 

[Vpaw]

Gotta Love Mystery snails! I have a blue in my tank, he(Edmond)'s so fun to watch!
They are herbivores, so things like lettuce (romaine, not iceberg), and algae wafers, they absolutely LOVE carrots...

thanks! I've been wondering what else to feed mine for some reason mine also eats shrimp pellets when u feed my Cory cats... 0.0


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[spreadtoothinly]

for some reason mine also eats shrimp pellets when u feed my Cory cats... 0.0

Read more: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...-advice-classroom-247250/page2/#ixzz2ceDPbpf1
​

lol, they can be funny things, mine doesn't seem interested (aka leave it for a day), then *nom* food, gone

 

[Vpaw]

Ok, so ,getting the mystery snail today. And I just remembered, I've had glofish before, that can be my schooling part, right? The problem is mine were always a little sensitive but that'd be cool when we review genetics! Can guppies live well with them? Or what else can? Or are they a bad idea?


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[Vpaw]

I was at the store today, and there are a few cooler looking fish. Why doesn't anybody ever suggest those?


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[spreadtoothinly]

I was at the store today, and there are a few cooler looking fish. Why doesn't anybody ever suggest those?

If you found some fish that you like, you should totally research them, and see if they are suitable to your tank! (What are they btw?)

 

[Vpaw]

If you found some fish that you like, you should totally research them, and see if they are suitable to your tank! (What are they btw?)

I didn't look XD I was helping a friend choose fish for her tank. I have a feeling that it was a removal lyretail Molly. So no go.

Shrimp are cheap, are they good? And I have Cory cats in my own personal tank, would they get along as well?


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