Suggestions for 10g tank, 2gal bowl
Corinne
Over the last couple of years, we have upgraded our bubble-eyed goldfish
from a 2 gal bowl (very short stint there) to a 10g and finally to a 20g
aquarium (about 1 1/2 ago). I now have all this old stuff sitting around and
would like to do something "interesting" with it. I was thinking of a betta
for the 2g bowl, but don't really know what the 10g is good for. I have seen
some dog-faced puffer fish (I think I made up that name - but they are
puffers of some sort) which really appeal to me and I think these would be
my ultimate goal. However, I realize that this is something I will have to
work up to and have no intentions to use the 10g for that. I have also had a
lifelong fascination with seahorses, but again realize that this is not
something one jumps into. With this in mind, does anyone have any
suggestions for my 10g tank that might give me some of the experience I can
use to get to the point where I might be able to try something more exotic?
Thanks all. I know this is a goldfish site but perhaps someone has some good
pointers to other (marine?) sites.
- Corinne
ravinwulf
I *really* wouldn't suggest you try keeping saltwater fish in a 10 gallon.
Marine fish are almost all wild-caught (the exceptions being a couple of species
of clown fish, some damsels, and seahorses) and have evolved in a very stable
environment with respect to things like chemical composition of the water and
temperature; they have almost no tolerance for change. It's very difficult to
maintain the sort of stability they require in a small tank, even if you're an
expert, simply because the volume of water is so small. Also, saltwater fish
will not remain healthy in crowded conditions and most species grow too large
for a tank that size... Seahorses are a pain to feed; they only eat very small,
live food. And then there are ethical/environmental issues involved in keeping
marine tanks, namely justification for the removal of coral and live
rock/destruction of the reef and the capture of wild fish (most of which will
die long before they ever reach the pet stores...)
As to what you *could* keep in a 10 gallon...
A pair of blue rams (or other dwarf cichlid) and a school of 6 or so neons or
other small tetras;
A betta and a school of rasboras (one of the smaller species);
A pair of dwarf (or honey) gouramis and a school of small rasboras or tetras ;
A couple of shell dwelling cichlids, not sure what you'd want to use as dithers
with these guys, though;
A whole lot of guppies (not especially challenging to keep; but pretty in
numbers...)
If you cut the numbers of rasboras/tetras in the school to 3, you might be able
to add a trio of cory cats or dwarf loaches (kuhlis might work, too) for the
bottom, depending on what else is living down there... Some of the smaller
species of barb might work for dither fish as well; cherry barbs come to mind...
Regards,
ravinwulf
Corinne
ravinwulf <ravi...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:388ACDEA...@worldnet.att.net...
>>
I *really* wouldn't suggest you try keeping saltwater fish in a 10 gallon.
Marine fish are almost all wild-caught ...<<
<<
I didn't know that. That alone is food for thought.
>>
As to what you *could* keep in a 10 gallon...
A pair of blue rams (or other dwarf cichlid) and a school of 6 or so neons
or other small tetras;
A betta and a school of rasboras (one of the smaller species);
A pair of dwarf (or honey) gouramis and a school of small rasboras or
tetras ;
A couple of shell dwelling cichlids, not sure what you'd want to use as
dithers with these guys, though;
A whole lot of guppies (not especially challenging to keep; but pretty in
numbers...)
<<
Neon Tetras are pretty. I've considered those. I've also seen something
called "painted glass fish" which I think are beautiful but I understand
that there colouring comes via an injection which seems - to me - painful
and inhumane, and I can't see myself condoning that kind of process. I know
it's only a fish, but still ..
>>
If you cut the numbers of rasboras/tetras in the school to 3, you might be
able to add a trio of cory cats or dwarf loaches (kuhlis might work, too)
for the bottom, depending on what else is living down there... Some of the
smaller species of barb might work for dither fish as well; cherry barbs
come to mind...
Regards,
ravinwulf
<<
Wow. A lot of names there that I don't even recognize. Clearly not your
PetSmart everyday stock. Thank you so much for your suggestions. I have some
looking around to do.
- Corinne
Andrulla Blanchette
more space than gf do. I would go for a minimum of 30 gals for that type of
fish.. BTW, Dog faces are really cool. Look a bit like helicopters in the
water, with the strange way their fins spin..
As for your spare 10gal tank. I have had the same thing to deal with.. For
now, i put my smaller two fish in it, before, adding them to the main tank..
You could use it for treating fish that may be ill.. (hope this doesnt
happen, but it can do)
Also for quarantine of any new fish you may want to add to your big tank..
Personally, I think putting any fish in a bowl is cruel..
The bowl would make a nice sweet holder, or other ..
.
Corinne wrote in message <86e0oq$2n1$1...@newsmaster.pathcom.com>...
>Hi all
>
>Over the last couple of years, we have upgraded our bubble-eyed goldfish
>from a 2 gal bowl (very short stint there) to a 10g and finally to a 20g
>aquarium (about 1 1/2 ago). I now have all this old stuff sitting around
and
>would like to do something "interesting" with it. I was thinking of a betta
>for the 2g bowl, but don't really know what the 10g is good for. I have
seen
>some dog-faced puffer fish (I think I made up that name - but they are
>puffers of some sort) which really appeal to me and I think these would be
>my ultimate goal. However, I realize that this is something I will have to
>work up to and have no intentions to use the 10g for that. I have also had
a
>lifelong fascination with seahorses, but again realize that this is not
>something one jumps into. With this in mind, does anyone have any
>suggestions for my 10g tank that might give me some of the experience I can
>use to get to the point where I might be able to try something more exotic?
>
>Thanks all. I know this is a goldfish site but perhaps someone has some
good
>pointers to other (marine?) sites.
>
>
>
Raksha
PLEASE don't shop at Petsmart. So many people on this newsgroup and
rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc could tell you horror stories about them. Fine
for supplies, but NOT for live fish!
They keep 30 2" oscars in a 10 gallon tankat the one near me!!! AWFUL!!!!
-Raksha
Steve Scott
a small planted tank with this. I know everyone will say 10g is way too small
for plants but, my current crop of GF won't leave live plants alone. If I can
keep them from ripping them out of the stubstrate then they manage at least to
shred them - causing the bits to clog the filters.
Regards,
Steve
--
http://people.mn.mediaone.net/sscott2
Shehar Jafri
don't mind being alone. A cave and some tall plastic plants for them to hide in
would be appreciated as well.
Corinne
Shehar Jafri <s.b....@lboro.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:388D96D4...@lboro.ac.uk...
> One betta will be quite happy in a large bowl, they don't move around much
and
> don't mind being alone. A cave and some tall plastic plants for them to
hide in
> would be appreciated as well.
Is 2g considered to be a "large" bowl?
- Corinne
Corinne
Andrulla Blanchette <andr...@irongoddess.u-net.com> wrote in message
news:Z2xi4.2226$bc6.1...@newsr2.u-net.net...
> I also had interest in marine fish.. I learned that they need a whole lot
> more space than gf do. I would go for a minimum of 30 gals for that type
of
> fish..
Ya, I had just hoped there would be something I could do with the 10g that
would start me up the ramp to marine fish. Maybe even just coral or
something.
> Personally, I think putting any fish in a bowl is cruel..
Even a Betta? I have been led to believe that they thrive in still, somewhat
stagnant water in their native habitats and that bowls work quite well for
them. I'm only thinking of one, mind you.
Thanks, Corinne
Corinne
Steve Scott <ssc...@mediaone.net> wrote in message
news:388BD804...@mediaone.net...
> I also have a "spare" 10g tank sitting around. I have grand dreams of
starting
> a small planted tank with this.
That sounds kinda cool, too.
- Corinne
Corinne
Raksha <blood...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:01bf661b$1710f280$46c1...@mixcom.mixcom...
I hear you.
- Corinne
Shehar Jafri
average for a bowl, 2 gallons would be ok for one betta. Although tanks are the
best environment for fish, I don't think it is cruel to keep a single betta in a
bowl as long as it is kept clean. They're small and seem to prefer solitude.
It would still need weekly water changes though. Even in big tanks they only
occupy a small space and are ok with still water but if it doesn't have a narrow
opening at the top then you can fill it almost completely and there will be
enough swimming space and enough surface area at the top for air, if it has a
narrow top though (like some old-fashiond glass bowls then you can only fill it
about halfway for maximum air which reduces swimming space and less water also
means faster pollution). They do prefer some kind of hide-out where they almost
literally curl up and sleep!. They also learn to take worms from your fingers if
you hold them (the worms) in the water.
Jose M Carrillo-Muniz
Keep it as a hospital tank. Trust me, you will need one.
Saludos! / Cheers!
Jose
----
Jose M. Carrillo-Muniz
j_carri...@usa.net
http://j_carrillo_vii.tripod.com
ICQ #2933686
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Before you buy.
Jill
wrote:
>> Personally, I think putting any fish in a bowl is cruel..
>
>Even a Betta? I have been led to believe that they thrive in still, somewhat
>stagnant water in their native habitats and that bowls work quite well for
>them. I'm only thinking of one, mind you.
I've kept Bettas in those 2-gallon hexagonal tanks for years, and they
seem happy and healthy. The few I've tried to keep in larger tanks
inevitably end up dead, even if they are the biggest fish in the tank
and nothing bothers them. Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you. The
hexagonals have UGFs built in, and I'd recommend the same for the
bowl.
Jill
Jill
wrote:
>I also have a "spare" 10g tank sitting around. I have grand dreams of starting
>a small planted tank with this. I know everyone will say 10g is way too small
>for plants
Admittedly, some of the really huge-mongous plants cannot be easily
kept in a 10, but there's lots that you can. Crypt. wendtii, which
look like little more than grass in the big tanks, make great
middle-ground plants. Java ferns look super, as do anubias. Water
sprite was threatening to take over one of my 10s until I got rid of
it (clogged up the filters something awful). You just have to pick and
choose the smaller plants. But a 10-gallon planted looks super, imo.
Jill