Goldfish

[Dorothy]

I love those little neons .. very patriotic fish
Don't forget to get a plecostomus!
plecostomus - Google Image Search
http://www.aquapage.cz/Obrazky/Ryby/...lecostomus.jpg
They are window sucking algae eaters and if you hold them by their tails, not something I suggest to do over a long period of time, they will grunt.

[puddin]

I used to have a 29 gallon tank, but then I got so busy I sold it to my aunt and uncle. I gave all of my fish to them, and one of them was a plecostomus. It got to be around half a foot long, or that is what it looked like. It died of old age, or in the ice storm we had in Jan, can't remember which.

[Dorothy]

They do get big but there are ones that stay small -
one is the clown pleco - http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Catfis325.jpg

[puddin]

Cool clown pleco! I like them when they are that big. It was fun to go over and see if he is any bigger. One time, I hadn't seen my uncle for 2 months, and I was shocked at how big he got!

[caseydoll]

Hi Puddin! I just thought I would chime and say to either hold off on the pleco until you see a little algae starting to form or buy some algae tablets to supplement until you start to see some green. Also, what kind of water do you have? Is it hard or soft? Neons (along with angels and discus) prefer a lower ph. Guppies and goldfish tend to be a little more flexible. If you are someday planning on getting a 29 gallon you could always get a few fantail or fancy goldfish that are small now and transfer them over to a bigger tank later. I would say you would have a good year before they would outgrow a 10 gallon as long as you get babies. Just a thought! And one more thing, when buying your fish for the first time go slow and just get 2 or 3. Until you get that good bacteria going you may lose a few fish and it's much less expensive to just lose a few. The rule of thumb is an 1 inch of fish per gallon give or take. Just as long as you don't get them at once. Hope that helps!

[cb977]

Hi Puddin

I just read through this thread and asked my husband some questions for you since he has a 50 gallon tank in which he raises guppies.

The standard amount of fish in a tank is one inch of fish per gallon...so 10 guppies. You need male and females...of course but it's not an even amount of each.

The males are basically hound-dogs and they really beat the females up if there are too many. He suggests 7 females and 3 males.

Let me know if you need any other help

[flhiker]

[quote=cb977;56006]Hi Puddin

I just read through this thread and asked my husband some questions for you since he has a 50 gallon tank in which he raises guppies.

The standard amount of fish in a tank is one inch of fish per gallon...so 10 guppies. [quote]

Hi Sue, I have never heard that one inch of fish per gallon rule before. thats cool, any chance of a picture of your husbands setup. Is he raising fancy tails?

[puddin]

How do you know if the fish is male or female in a guppy? And, on the babies, what do you do about the babies? After they are born and you can see them, do you put them it the container?
I get my water out of the tap. I have my own well, so there is no clorine.
I don't think I'm going to get a pleco. It's just that I have a power filter and a gravel filter, so I don't really need one. I might put it in the 29 gallon tank.
On the goldfish, I thought I would get the goldfish, but then I would have to buy a 29 gallon tank. Where as if I get the guppies, I don't have to worry about it.
And on the guppies breeding, what do I do with the babies after they have grown? I know if I don't watch it, they will overrun the tank!
Thanks soooo much!

[cb977]

Dave, I'll post a pic or two here tomorrow
He's always had an aquarium, varied fish throughout the years.

Puddin,
The males have the beautifully colored tails. The females are rather plain. Once the babies come, a good portion of them won't survive...they're lunch! It's a good idea to have a bridge and plants that they can hide in until they're big enough. There's a little screen tank that fits over the top of the tank (the screen is underwater) where you put the babies so they will have a better chance of survival.

It takes some time to get used to the babies not making it...but it's nature's way and you'll have to adjust

A word of forewarning: expect LOTS of babies...that ten gallon tank won't be enough in a very short period of time.

[puddin]

I was afraid that the tank wouldn't be big enough for long. What do I do about that? Can I trade fish at a fish store? Also, when I get the fish, can I tell them I want a male and female? I'm getting my fish at Petsmart, by the way.