Hi I have a 10 gallon tank. I am planning to get 2 Ranchu's (about 5-7 cm EACH) I know its not advisable, but can I keep it in my tank and do water changes. I plan to get a bigger tank in the future (just saving money right now). Thank you for all the advice!:1zhelp:
Ranchu in 10 gallon help!
- Thread starter michaelboy2375
- Start date
Hi! 
I personally wouldn't, as even keeping them in it for a short period time you can risk stunting their growth. It's always better to plan for the aquarium have, and not the tank you *plan* to get. Unforseeable things happen where you wind up not being able to get the larger tank, but the fish keep growing and quickly outgrow the tank, get stunted, and develop health problems/shorten their life span. Any reason you can't wait to get your fish until you have a proper sized tank for them? (I'd recommend a 55 gallon, you can find them really cheap on craigslist). By the way, on a seperate note, did you cycle the 10?
I personally wouldn't, as even keeping them in it for a short period time you can risk stunting their growth. It's always better to plan for the aquarium have, and not the tank you *plan* to get. Unforseeable things happen where you wind up not being able to get the larger tank, but the fish keep growing and quickly outgrow the tank, get stunted, and develop health problems/shorten their life span. Any reason you can't wait to get your fish until you have a proper sized tank for them? (I'd recommend a 55 gallon, you can find them really cheap on craigslist). By the way, on a seperate note, did you cycle the 10?
So did you test your ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels? If so, what are they at? In a 10 gallon, you are *fairly* limited, but there are still a wide range of options. You could go the micro fish route, with a planted tank and a school of micro rasboras and pygmy cories, and perhaps a trio of otocinclus and some red cherry shrimp. Or you could do an all shrimp tank if that interests you, perhaps with a couple orange dwarf crayfish. A popular choice is a single male or female betta, they would appreciate the space! For something a little different, you could have a few African dwarf frogs and some ghost shrimp, which is what I have. The shrimp and frogs are very entertaining to watch! The frogs are a little difficult to feed though. For live bearers, guppies are the only ones I'd recommend in a 10, and I'd only have males unless you want babies. There's also some cichlids you could have, such as lake tangayika? "shell dwellers" and a few others.
In a 10 gallon, you are *fairly* limited, but there are still a wide range of options. You could go the micro fish route, with a planted tank and a school of micro rasboras and pygmy cories, and perhaps a trio of otocinclus and some red cherry shrimp. Or you could do an all shrimp tank if that interests you, perhaps with a couple orange dwarf crayfish. A popular choice is a single male or female betta, they would appreciate the space! For something a little different, you could have a few African dwarf frogs and some ghost shrimp, which is what I have. The shrimp and frogs are very entertaining to watch! The frogs are a little difficult to feed though. For live bearers, guppies are the only ones I'd recommend in a 10, and I'd only have males unless you want babies. There's also some cichlids you could have, such as lake tangayika? "shell dwellers" and a few others.
Oh, and there are also killifish, dwarf pufferfish, gouramis (dwarf, honey, and sparkling), ember tetras, dwarf hatchetfish, and endlers livebearers. Let us know what you are interested in and we can help you plan your stocking from there. :0) What's the current set up? Gravel or sand? Any decor? Fake or live plants? A picture would be lovely!
I only have the ammonia tester, but its reading is 0. I am currently using graval, a rock cave decor, and 1 live plant (I forgot the name ^^). My current fish is 1 Opaline Gourami and 2 Gold gourami. You said I can keep a cichlid? What kind? I'm guessing not a Tiger Oscar?
If you don't have anyway to test the nitrite, I *believe* there's a possibility your tanks not cycled yet. Ammonia sky rockets, than falls as the nitrite levels climb. Then the nitrite levels fall to Oppm as they are converted to nitrates. What type of test are you using? The stick dip ones are often inaccurate, and only 4 weeks is a short cycle, normally it's 6-8 weeks unless you seeded with filter media from another tank. In regards to your stocking though, gold and opaline gouramis are way too big for your aquarium. Adult size for gold is ~4" and for opaline ~5." They should be in something like a 3ft 30 gallon minimum. They also will get more aggressive with each other as they mature, especially if you have more than one male. Even females will fight when crammed together. You didnt get an oscar too, right? These tank busters will reach easily a FOOT long in a year, and a 55 gallon for a single fish alone is the bare minimum. They also are best kept alone, or in aquariums of 75 gal+ if you want friends.
I'd highly recommend returning the gouramis, and getting a master API freshwater test kit so you can see if your cycled or not. If you are, then you can start stocking your tank. But please pay attention to adult sizes and research BEFORE buying anymore fish, in a 10 gallon, you need to stick with fish that are under 2-3" at ADULT SIZE. Even if they are tiny now, they will grow, and faster than you think. Post your possible stocking lists on here, and we can okay or offer suggestions to it. (sorry to double post) As for cichlids, like I said before, you could do a shell dweller tank with lake tangayika? cichlids (perhaps another ac member can chime in with exact species). I'm gonna take a wild guess here and assume you get your fish from a large chain store like petsmart or petco?
(sorry to double post) As for cichlids, like I said before, you could do a shell dweller tank with lake tangayika? cichlids (perhaps another ac member can chime in with exact species). I'm gonna take a wild guess here and assume you get your fish from a large chain store like petsmart or petco?
Side note, what are you looking for in an aquarium? A lot of tiny fish? A few larger fish? Would you be okay with just a single species? Fish that swim at various levels? Color? Personality? Do you have a heater, and if so what temperature does it keep your tank at? Answer those questions (along with where you get your fish) and I can help with some stocking lists. I'd also recommend getting more plants (fake or live) as the fish would appreciate more coverage. (sorry to triple post)
(sorry to triple post)I use API ammonia test. I am actually looking for the biggest fish that I can keep in my aquarium (I want a few large((ish)) fish). You're right! I bought my fish at Petsmart and petco. Those are the only places I know where to get fish. ^^ Thanks for all the help dani_starr. I'm new in the fish world 