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10 gallon stocking

927 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Kehy
So since moving all my GF's tank mates over to my 40 cause they all would soon out grow it, we now have a nice empty 10 gallon planted tank. Was wondering what some awesome fish i could put in it. ( i suggested a whole lot of shrimp and snails but that was short lived LOL). i was also considering maybe 2 bettas but didn't know if it was possible. Thanks for your input.
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Two bettas would only work with a divider, which is not conducive to an attractive tank. A sorority of five to seven female bettas may work, but sororities tend to be somewhat stressful (female bettas can be as irritable as the males) and thus might not be something your GF would appreciate.

Have you considered Pygmy sunfish? The males of most of the species are a beautiful black and blue color when breeding, they breed easily, are quite sturdy (they do not need heaters and are not particularly sensitive to nitrates), and like planted tanks. The one caveat is that they are picky eaters who need live or frozen food, but live food also denotes baby ramshorns and pond snails in this case, so it's not a huge problem.
Two bettas would only work with a divider, which is not conducive to an attractive tank. A sorority of five to seven female bettas may work, but sororities tend to be somewhat stressful (female bettas can be as irritable as the males) and thus might not be something your GF would appreciate.

Have you considered Pygmy sunfish? The males of most of the species are a beautiful black and blue color when breeding, they breed easily, are quite sturdy (they do not need heaters and are not particularly sensitive to nitrates), and like planted tanks. The one caveat is that they are picky eaters who need live or frozen food, but live food also denotes baby ramshorns and pond snails in this case, so it's not a huge problem.
I was thinking about putting in a male and a female betta, not necessarily for breeding purposes but just because they can cohabatate without murdering each other. So i think anyways. I have not considered the Pygmy Sunfish nor did i even know about it until now. After a quick search i actually think i would quite like the little guys. i haven't had much luck finding where to buy them from so the quest begins. Thanks for the idea :)
Many wild bettas could work as a pair in that setup, but domesticated bettas are too aggressive to be kept in pairs for long...the male usually kills the female sooner or later. A fish bred for fighting for centuries is not going to play well with its own kind.
Put a school of ember tetras or celestial pearl danios
I was thinking about putting in a male and a female betta, not necessarily for breeding purposes but just because they can cohabatate without murdering each other. So i think anyways. I have not considered the Pygmy Sunfish nor did i even know about it until now. After a quick search i actually think i would quite like the little guys. i haven't had much luck finding where to buy them from so the quest begins. Thanks for the idea :)
Sach systems aquaculture sells them pretty consisitently. Jonah's aquarium, zimmerman's fish, and aquabid also sell them frequently, but less consistently than sach's.
Put a school of ember tetras or celestial pearl danios
I do like the colors of those celestial pearl danios. How many do you think would be alright in a 10?
Sach systems aquaculture sells them pretty consisitently. Jonah's aquarium, zimmerman's fish, and aquabid also sell them frequently, but less consistently than sach's.
Thanks for the resources to find them
Many wild bettas could work as a pair in that setup, but domesticated bettas are too aggressive to be kept in pairs for long...the male usually kills the female sooner or later. A fish bred for fighting for centuries is not going to play well with its own kind.
Or the female kills the male. Either way ... :(

This applies to betta splendens, monster mac. "Wild type" bettas are different species, many of which can be kept in pairs or groups, but 10g will not work for many wild types.
I'm planning on getting a reverse trio or pair of female Betta Albimariginata for my 12" cube (7 gallons). Very small betta, only about 1 1/2" and bred in captivity, so they're used to humans and will take to a variety of foods. The only problem with them is that the females will breed the males to death (B. Albis are mouthbrooders), so you have to at least have a reverse trio.
Anything that stays about 1.5" give or take .5", with the smaller being better because then that means you can keep more fish.

Why not the shrimp? GF just not interested in a shrimp only tank? You could always do small fish with a small population of shrimp that outbreeds the rate of predation.
Put a school of ember tetras or celestial pearl danios
+1

Or chili rasbora, emerald rasbora, harlequin rasbora, white cloud mountain minnows...

Any small, colorful schooling or shoaling fish would be cool. I'm stalking one of my LFS waiting for them to get some chili rasboras in stock again.
Endlers are cool too, especially if you can find all males. I put two males and three females in a 2.5G, and now it is overrun.
Oh, least killies (actually the world's smallest livebearer) is a good option as well. Mild mannered, but still bold and fearless. Think aquatic chihuahuas. That happen to think all other fish are female and willing.

Hardy as heck though, and pretty adorable in a well planted tank
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