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You got a ten gallon, and it has been set up and fully cycled (I really hope that you did your research on cycling), now you want to get some fish. As a beginner, what choices do you have? Unfortunately, there aren't many choices for a ten gallon, but I will give you some excellent examples of what most beginners (and some uncommon but easy fish too) put in a ten gallon. I will let you know what is actually not suitable, and what is.
The BAD choices:
One popular choice most people get are Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi). While they are easy over all, I do not recommend them for a ten gallon. They need a school of at least eight to ten individuals to survive well. They get too big to add that many to such a small tank size. Also, almost all captive-bred Neon Tetras have Neon Tetra Disease (Pleistophora hyphessobryconis). There is no cure at all, and will wipe out every fish in the aquarium containing the Neon Tetras, including the tetras themselves.
Another popular fish I would not recommend are Zebra Danios (Danio rerio). They are nearly indestructible, but they also need a group of at least eight to ten to do well. Even though they stay fairly small, they are an extremely active species, and they need at least a twenty gallon to do well.
The Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) are also popular, but they are also unsuitable for the ten gallon. Males need to have territories, and because of that, they need at least a fifteen gallon. Almost all captive-bred individuals are diseased, and most Asian breeder fill them up on steroids too. They will fall part before you know it.
Most, if not all, species of Molly are not suitable. They all need at least a twenty to thirty gallon to do well. Even though they are fairly easy, they need a bit of aquarium salt in the water.
Any fish that ends up getting large-sized will also be unsuitable too. There are also many other unsuitable choices out there, but there are way too many to list. Just ask me if a certain fish is suitable or not.
The GOOD choices:
The #1 fish I recommend most are Endler's Livebearers (Poecilia wingei). They are a small and extremely beautiful fish related to the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata). They are very playful and active, but small enough for a ten gallon. How easy are they? Easier than Guppies! There are many strains of Endler out there, but the Black Bar is the most popular. Make sure you purchase certified N class Endler's! They are also my favorite fish.
The Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is another great choice! There are many strains out there to choose from, but I prefer the wild types the most. The wild types are also smaller.
Any ornamental strain of betta (Betta splendens) is a good choice. NEVER PUT THEM IN A TANK SMALLER THAN FIVE GALLONS! If you are putting them in something smaller than a five gallon, it will be considered animal cruelty. Never add two males in the same tank, as they will fight to the death, so only keep one male. I recommend females as they are much more peaceful, but BE CAREFUL! A lot of breeders pass off short fin males (Plakats) as females.
I do not recommend wild bettas at all. Even a wild Betta splendens needs care from a more experienced fish keeper. Betta imbellis may be a good choice. They are a bit easy, and you can even keep males together! They will flare at each other, but they will rarely harm each other. They need a heavily planted tank (real or fake plants) to do well, and they can be skittish too. Be sure you have a tight cover with no gaps, since all wild betta species (including imbellis) are excellent jumpers. They also need acidic to moderately alkaline water to survive (they should do well in Houston tap water, which has a pH of around 7.6).
Sparkling Gouramis (Trichopsis pumila) are another great choice! They are a small yet strikingly beautiful fish. They even make a croaking or crackling sound too. You can put at least six individuals in a ten gallon.
The Gardner's Killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri) is a good choice. A pair will do fine in a ten gallon. Make sure that you cover is tight, and have no gaps, as they are good jumpers.
There are some other great choices too, but I can't name them all. I could have also went into more detail with each fish mentioned, but that would take up too much time for everyone, including me. Just ask me of a fish is suitable or not, and I will let you know! I won't bite! I hope this will help you choose the right fish for your tank. Remember, Please do your research BEFORE you buy any livestock!
The BAD choices:
One popular choice most people get are Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi). While they are easy over all, I do not recommend them for a ten gallon. They need a school of at least eight to ten individuals to survive well. They get too big to add that many to such a small tank size. Also, almost all captive-bred Neon Tetras have Neon Tetra Disease (Pleistophora hyphessobryconis). There is no cure at all, and will wipe out every fish in the aquarium containing the Neon Tetras, including the tetras themselves.
Another popular fish I would not recommend are Zebra Danios (Danio rerio). They are nearly indestructible, but they also need a group of at least eight to ten to do well. Even though they stay fairly small, they are an extremely active species, and they need at least a twenty gallon to do well.
The Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) are also popular, but they are also unsuitable for the ten gallon. Males need to have territories, and because of that, they need at least a fifteen gallon. Almost all captive-bred individuals are diseased, and most Asian breeder fill them up on steroids too. They will fall part before you know it.
Most, if not all, species of Molly are not suitable. They all need at least a twenty to thirty gallon to do well. Even though they are fairly easy, they need a bit of aquarium salt in the water.
Any fish that ends up getting large-sized will also be unsuitable too. There are also many other unsuitable choices out there, but there are way too many to list. Just ask me if a certain fish is suitable or not.
The GOOD choices:
The #1 fish I recommend most are Endler's Livebearers (Poecilia wingei). They are a small and extremely beautiful fish related to the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata). They are very playful and active, but small enough for a ten gallon. How easy are they? Easier than Guppies! There are many strains of Endler out there, but the Black Bar is the most popular. Make sure you purchase certified N class Endler's! They are also my favorite fish.
The Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is another great choice! There are many strains out there to choose from, but I prefer the wild types the most. The wild types are also smaller.
Any ornamental strain of betta (Betta splendens) is a good choice. NEVER PUT THEM IN A TANK SMALLER THAN FIVE GALLONS! If you are putting them in something smaller than a five gallon, it will be considered animal cruelty. Never add two males in the same tank, as they will fight to the death, so only keep one male. I recommend females as they are much more peaceful, but BE CAREFUL! A lot of breeders pass off short fin males (Plakats) as females.
I do not recommend wild bettas at all. Even a wild Betta splendens needs care from a more experienced fish keeper. Betta imbellis may be a good choice. They are a bit easy, and you can even keep males together! They will flare at each other, but they will rarely harm each other. They need a heavily planted tank (real or fake plants) to do well, and they can be skittish too. Be sure you have a tight cover with no gaps, since all wild betta species (including imbellis) are excellent jumpers. They also need acidic to moderately alkaline water to survive (they should do well in Houston tap water, which has a pH of around 7.6).
Sparkling Gouramis (Trichopsis pumila) are another great choice! They are a small yet strikingly beautiful fish. They even make a croaking or crackling sound too. You can put at least six individuals in a ten gallon.
The Gardner's Killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri) is a good choice. A pair will do fine in a ten gallon. Make sure that you cover is tight, and have no gaps, as they are good jumpers.
There are some other great choices too, but I can't name them all. I could have also went into more detail with each fish mentioned, but that would take up too much time for everyone, including me. Just ask me of a fish is suitable or not, and I will let you know! I won't bite! I hope this will help you choose the right fish for your tank. Remember, Please do your research BEFORE you buy any livestock!
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