Tetra or guppies?

[phuile]

I have a 10 gal fish tank. I used to put goldfish in but I think the
tank is too small for them. I then changed to guppies, but a cold spell
wipe them out. I am not thinking whether it is easier to put some tetra
(neon red and blue ones) in, or put guppies again.

This is also a sort of a feng shui tank so if any one knows of whether
guppies or tetra is ok, please let me know. Also, advice of colour of
fish and number will be helpful. Concerning the number of fish, I don't
have a big tank, so I can't have a lot of fish (that's why I am trying
to see if smaller fish works).

Thanks for any advice!

[Charles]

On 10 Jan 2007 21:27:40 -0800, "phuile" > wrote:

>I have a 10 gal fish tank. I used to put goldfish in but I think the
>tank is too small for them. I then changed to guppies, but a cold spell
>wipe them out. I am not thinking whether it is easier to put some tetra
>(neon red and blue ones) in, or put guppies again.
>
>This is also a sort of a feng shui tank so if any one knows of whether
>guppies or tetra is ok, please let me know. Also, advice of colour of
>fish and number will be helpful. Concerning the number of fish, I don't
>have a big tank, so I can't have a lot of fish (that's why I am trying
>to see if smaller fish works).
>
>Thanks for any advice!


How cold does it get?

[phuile]

I am in southern BC. So it's not *very* cold but I think it's just the
batch that I got.


Charles wrote:
> On 10 Jan 2007 21:27:40 -0800, "phuile" > wrote:
>
> How cold does it get?

[Aidan Grey]

If you don't have a heater, then I think guppies have a better
chance than tetras.

Guppies will also nibble on any algae, and help to keep it
down a little.

Aidan Grey


On 11 Jan 2007 01:20:55 -0800, phuile wrote:

>I am in southern BC. So it's not *very* cold but I think it's just the
>batch that I got.
>
>
>Charles wrote:
>> On 10 Jan 2007 21:27:40 -0800, "phuile" > wrote:
>>
>> How cold does it get?
>

[Zebulon]

"phuile" > wrote in message
ps.com...
>I have a 10 gal fish tank. I used to put goldfish in but I think the
> tank is too small for them. I then changed to guppies, but a cold spell
> wipe them out. I am not thinking whether it is easier to put some tetra
> (neon red and blue ones) in, or put guppies again.
>
> This is also a sort of a feng shui tank so if any one knows of whether
> guppies or tetra is ok, please let me know. Also, advice of colour of
> fish and number will be helpful. Concerning the number of fish, I don't
> have a big tank, so I can't have a lot of fish (that's why I am trying
> to see if smaller fish works).
>
> Thanks for any advice!
===========================
If you're going to keep tropical fish you need a reliable heater to keep the
water in the mid to high 70s (F). Guppies and tetras are tropical fish.
Perhaps get a heater or a larger tank and keep a goldfish or two, or maybe a
few rosy reds.
--
ZB....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }<((((*> ~~~ }<{{{{(ö> ~~~~ }<((((({*>

[Angie]

How about something like white clouds? I think you could do something like
the feeder goldfish as they don't get big like the fancy or orandas do.

[Charles]

On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:16:06 GMT, "Angie" >
wrote:

>How about something like white clouds? I think you could do something like
>the feeder goldfish as they don't get big like the fancy or orandas do.
>
>
>
>
If the goldfish are treated properly they can grow large. If they are
killed soon by bad care they don't get so big.

[Angie]

I've had feeder goldfish live for several years, and they never got more
than 1-1/2 to 2" in size. I had these both in 10 and 20 gallon tanks.

So what about White Clouds that the OP?

[phuile]

Thanks for all the advice ... maybe I should keep to guppies. I used to
have a couple of goldfish for many years. One of them grew from 1.5
inches to about nearly 6 inches (from head to end of tail). He got
pretty large but that's after years ...

As for temperature, it's usually around 20 degree C. or 22. So, it's
not that cold.

I was thinking of tetra because I like the neon red and blue ones. I am
looking at small-ish fish that has blue and/or red colours. So maybe I
will get some guppies with blue tail and some with orange tails.

Does anyone has other suggestions?

[Charles]

On 11 Jan 2007 23:24:50 -0800, "phuile" > wrote:

>Thanks for all the advice ... maybe I should keep to guppies. I used to
>have a couple of goldfish for many years. One of them grew from 1.5
>inches to about nearly 6 inches (from head to end of tail). He got
>pretty large but that's after years ...
>
>As for temperature, it's usually around 20 degree C. or 22. So, it's
>not that cold.
>
>I was thinking of tetra because I like the neon red and blue ones. I am
>looking at small-ish fish that has blue and/or red colours. So maybe I
>will get some guppies with blue tail and some with orange tails.
>
>Does anyone has other suggestions?


Guppies should be able to stand that temperature. Bluefin Killifish
could be nice.


http://jonahsaquarium.com/piclgoodei02.htm

http://jonahsaquarium.com/piclgoodei03.htm

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/mystery.htm

[phuile]

They look quite nice - like the fins, thanks ... I don't know whether
this is the right place or I should start a new thred or something ...

My tank is sort of a feng shui tank, that's why it has goldfish in it
before. Does anyone knows if putting guppies in works for feng shui as
well?

Or can anyone recommend a forum for me to ask??

Thanks.

Charles wrote:
> On 11 Jan 2007 23:24:50 -0800, "phuile" > wrote:
>
> >Thanks for all the advice ... maybe I should keep to guppies. I used to
> >have a couple of goldfish for many years. One of them grew from 1.5
> >inches to about nearly 6 inches (from head to end of tail). He got
> >pretty large but that's after years ...
> >
> >As for temperature, it's usually around 20 degree C. or 22. So, it's
> >not that cold.
> >
> >I was thinking of tetra because I like the neon red and blue ones. I am
> >looking at small-ish fish that has blue and/or red colours. So maybe I
> >will get some guppies with blue tail and some with orange tails.
> >
> >Does anyone has other suggestions?
>
>
> Guppies should be able to stand that temperature. Bluefin Killifish
> could be nice.
>
>
> http://jonahsaquarium.com/piclgoodei02.htm
>
> http://jonahsaquarium.com/piclgoodei03.htm
>
> http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/mystery.htm

[Tynk]

Angie wrote:
> How about something like white clouds? I think you could do something like
> the feeder goldfish as they don't get big like the fancy or orandas do.


Angie wrote:
> How about something like white clouds? I think you could do something like
> the feeder goldfish as they don't get big like the fancy or orandas do.

You are joking, right?!?!?

"Feeder" type Goldies, aka Comet or Common Goldfish grow much LARGER
than the fancy types.
The Fancies grow about 8" long and get about as round as an orange. The
Comets and Commons grow to about 16" long and also have a large body
mass, just not so round.
A 10 tank is no place for anything other than *baby* goldies of any
type and they quickly outgrow it.

[Tynk]

Angie wrote:
> I've had feeder goldfish live for several years, and they never got more
> than 1-1/2 to 2" in size. I had these both in 10 and 20 gallon tanks.
>
> So what about White Clouds that the OP?

Angie wrote:
> I've had feeder goldfish live for several years, and they never got more
> than 1-1/2 to 2" in size. I had these both in 10 and 20 gallon tanks.

This is so sad!
You most likely didn't realize what you had done.
Hopefully after you learn this, you'll never do it again and warn
others to not do so either.
By keeping those "feeder" goldies in a 10-20g tank for years, and them
not growing more than 1-1/2 to 2" long, you stunted their growth. Their
internal organs also stunted and this is why they died so soon. Several
years may sound like a long time to you, but it's a shorted life span
for a Goldfish. Goldfish live around 20 years if kept under proper
conditions.
"Feeder" goldies should be kept in 15-20 gallons PER Goldfish in order
to atain proper size and live out a natural life span. Also, very clean
water and a proper diet rich in plant matter is needed as well.
Think about your 1 1/2" to 2" Goldies and know they should have been
16" long if they had been properly housed.
Please do not ever recommend Goldies for a small tank in the future.
It's inhumane.

[Angie]

"Tynk" > wrote
> Please do not ever recommend Goldies for a small tank in the future.
> It's inhumane.

Oh please, if you want to go there... keeping ANY fish in ANY tank is
inhumane. I'll give any advise that I want to. I think you will find that
most fish do not live as long as you think they should be living no matter
how well you care for them. I don't think feeder goldfish living 7-8 years
is that bad. Geez. Go get on someones case that has some poor goldfish in
a bowl, or the people who keep bettas in a little bowl.

[Angie]

You do what you want, I'll do what I want. Read my other post.

[Zebulon]

"Angie" > wrote in message
...
> How about something like white clouds? I think you could do something
> like the feeder goldfish as they don't get big like the fancy or orandas
> do.
===============
Healthy feeders can reach 12" in length.
--
ZB....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }<((((*> ~~~ }<{{{{(ö> ~~~~ }<((((({*>

[Tynk]

Angie wrote:
> "Tynk" > wrote
> > Please do not ever recommend Goldies for a small tank in the future.
> > It's inhumane.
>
> Oh please, if you want to go there... keeping ANY fish in ANY tank is
> inhumane. I'll give any advise that I want to. I think you will find that
> most fish do not live as long as you think they should be living no matter
> how well you care for them. I don't think feeder goldfish living 7-8 years
> is that bad. Geez. Go get on someones case that has some poor goldfish in
> a bowl, or the people who keep bettas in a little bowl.

Well Angie,
You gave a typical response by somebody who just got told the facts,
told what they did wrong, and didn't want to hear it, nor do they want
to learn from their mistakes.
The facts are these:
You didn't provide proper housing for the Goldfish that were in your
care.
Because of that, they were stunted. Because they were stunted, they
died much sooner than they should have.
Simply because they lived for 7-8 years at 1 1/2" to 2" in length you
think that is a good thing.
It's horrible! You are simply ignorant of the facts and I have tried to
teach them to you.
Please, once again, do NOT adivse anyone to house Goldfish in a small
tank.
In fact, if you do not know the true facts, leave it to the folks that
do.

[Tynk]

Angie wrote:
> How about something like white clouds? I think you could do something like
> the feeder goldfish as they don't get big like the fancy or orandas do.

Angie...

It's things like this :
<< I think you could do something like
> the feeder goldfish as they don't get big like the fancy or orandas do.>>>

That prove you are ignorant of the facts about Goldfish.
Do some research please.

[Angie]

Bite me, Tynk. I'm going to tell the WORLD to put big fish in little tanks!

[Angie]

Tynk, who gives a goldfish ass, its JUST a stupid goldfish! Feeder goldfish
are fed to pirahnas and the like, who cares about them!

[phuile]

It's interesting how my questions of tetra vs. guppies becomes a
discussion of goldfish ! I don't mind though. In fact, that's why I
stop having goldfish. My tank is sort of a feng shui tank to begin with
so I have goldfish originally. I do know about the size, so at the end,
I actually only had one in it. He got quite big as all you guys said.
He is a bubble-eyed one, and was with me for quite many many years.

So going back to smaller, tropicals ... I think I will stick to guppies
(unless someone has more ideas :)). Now the question is how many can I
have in a 10 gal tank. Can someone advise? I know of one formula that
says 1 inch of fish per gal. Is that a correct assumption?

Also, what type of food should I feed them? I used to feed them flake
food (veggie ones and shrimp ones). Can someone give me more advise on
this also? I need to minimize algae problem.

And the last question ... I asked this before ... does someone know (or
know where I can ask) whether it is ok to put guppies in a feng shui
tank??

Thanks a lot guys!

[Jen]

"Angie" > wrote in message
...
> Tynk, who gives a goldfish ass, its JUST a stupid goldfish! Feeder
> goldfish are fed to pirahnas and the like, who cares about them!
>
They are still living creatures, being part of the food chain is natural,
but mistreating them is a different thing entirely. If you didn't know
before, fair enough, but now you do.


Jen

[Tynk]

Angie wrote:
> Tynk, who gives a goldfish ass, its JUST a stupid goldfish! Feeder goldfish
> are fed to pirahnas and the like, who cares about them!

What a troll, lol.

Obviosuly, folks who are Goldfish fanciers care about Goldfish.
I think I have proved my point about your ignorance.
You're obviously a bad tempered, childish person as well.
If you don't carea bout fish and their proper care, why are you even
here?

[Charles]

On 13 Jan 2007 14:34:59 -0800, "phuile" > wrote:

>It's interesting how my questions of tetra vs. guppies becomes a
>discussion of goldfish ! I don't mind though. In fact, that's why I
>stop having goldfish. My tank is sort of a feng shui tank to begin with
>so I have goldfish originally. I do know about the size, so at the end,
>I actually only had one in it. He got quite big as all you guys said.
>He is a bubble-eyed one, and was with me for quite many many years.
>
>So going back to smaller, tropicals ... I think I will stick to guppies
>(unless someone has more ideas :)). Now the question is how many can I
>have in a 10 gal tank. Can someone advise? I know of one formula that
>says 1 inch of fish per gal. Is that a correct assumption?
>
>Also, what type of food should I feed them? I used to feed them flake
>food (veggie ones and shrimp ones). Can someone give me more advise on
>this also? I need to minimize algae problem.
>
>And the last question ... I asked this before ... does someone know (or
>know where I can ask) whether it is ok to put guppies in a feng shui
>tank??
>
>Thanks a lot guys!


Ten Guppies should work well. The ten inches per gallon rule isn't a
good rule, imagine a ten inch koi in there.

Flake food should be fine.

I know nothing about feng shui, there may be other groups that have
opinions about that.

[Tynk]

phuile wrote:
> It's interesting how my questions of tetra vs. guppies becomes a
> discussion of goldfish ! I don't mind though. In fact, that's why I
> stop having goldfish. My tank is sort of a feng shui tank to begin with
> so I have goldfish originally. I do know about the size, so at the end,
> I actually only had one in it. He got quite big as all you guys said.
> He is a bubble-eyed one, and was with me for quite many many years.
>
> So going back to smaller, tropicals ... I think I will stick to guppies
> (unless someone has more ideas :)). Now the question is how many can I
> have in a 10 gal tank. Can someone advise? I know of one formula that
> says 1 inch of fish per gal. Is that a correct assumption?
>
> Also, what type of food should I feed them? I used to feed them flake
> food (veggie ones and shrimp ones). Can someone give me more advise on
> this also? I need to minimize algae problem.
>
> And the last question ... I asked this before ... does someone know (or
> know where I can ask) whether it is ok to put guppies in a feng shui
> tank??
>
> Thanks a lot guys!

Well, if you just want a colorful tank, without the hassle of over
breeding, just buy males.
8-10 males would be fine.
Quality flake, frozen Brine Shrimp, Bloodworms are both great.
Giving them a well balanced diet is the best thing.
For an on going algae problem, figure out the *why*. Is the tank
getting sunlight, leaving the light on too much, over feeding a bit,
not enough water changes, high phosphates naturally in your tap water,
etc.
Some things can be fixed very easily, others not.
If the *why* is something like tank placement and even though it's
getting too much sunlight-yet you can't move the tank, get an
Otocinclus cat. Forget about a Pleco, as they will get much too large.
An Oto (for short) will happily eat algae and keep it under control.
Don't get a Chinese Algae Eater. They get large and stop eating algae
and start harrassing the fish too.
They will even start eating the slime coat off fish they can latch
onto.
If the *why* is over feeding, or under cleaning the tank...easily
fixed.
My 75g is right across from a large picture window, and we have water
that has a high phosphate level.
I have to no choice but to battle the algae in that tank.
Other tanks around the house are easier managed because of their
placements.
Oh...just thought of something else you can get to eat algae...Amano
Shrimp. Not Ghost Shrimp.
Amano Shrimp are harder to find, but worth it. They can clear a small
tank of algae in no time and keep it close to algae free.
I keep a couple in one of my male Betta tanks. They do a great job. The
other male Bettas around the house would devour the Shrimps, so I keep
their tanks under control via water changes.
As for feng shui...not a clue.
Lastly, the one inch of fish per gallon "rule" is outdated. Gups are
one of the very few fish it would *kind of* work with, but most fish it
doesn't. There are simply too many variables when it comes to stocking
a fish tank properly and adult size is only one of them.
So just forget you ever heard that one.

[Alpha]

"Angie" > wrote in message
...
> How about something like white clouds? I think you could do something
> like the feeder goldfish as they don't get big like the fancy or orandas
> do.
>
>
>
>
>

Excuse me? They do get large. White clouds are a good suggestion. A
heater is better.

[Alpha]

"Angie" > wrote in message
...
> "Tynk" > wrote
>> Please do not ever recommend Goldies for a small tank in the future.
>> It's inhumane.
>
> Oh please, if you want to go there... keeping ANY fish in ANY tank is
> inhumane. I'll give any advise that I want to. I think you will find
> that most fish do not live as long as you think they should be living no
> matter how well you care for them. I don't think feeder goldfish living
> 7-8 years is that bad. Geez. Go get on someones case that has some poor
> goldfish in a bowl, or the people who keep bettas in a little bowl.
>
>
>
>
>
>

Idiot.

[Alpha]

"phuile" > wrote in message
ps.com...
>I have a 10 gal fish tank. I used to put goldfish in but I think the
> tank is too small for them. I then changed to guppies, but a cold spell
> wipe them out. I am not thinking whether it is easier to put some tetra
> (neon red and blue ones) in, or put guppies again.
>
> This is also a sort of a feng shui tank so if any one knows of whether
> guppies or tetra is ok, please let me know. Also, advice of colour of
> fish and number will be helpful. Concerning the number of fish, I don't
> have a big tank, so I can't have a lot of fish (that's why I am trying
> to see if smaller fish works).
>
> Thanks for any advice!
>

Tetras are workable in a small tank. However, the fish supply is notorious
for poor specimens with tetra disease infestation. It is a crap shoot if
they will live. Since you quote degrees centigrade, you may have a
different fish supply than in North America.

[Alpha]

What in the world is a feng shui tank (I understand feng shui, but just wtf
is such a tank? I think you need an education in aquaria...they are not
decorations alone._--------------)

"phuile" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> It's interesting how my questions of tetra vs. guppies becomes a
> discussion of goldfish ! I don't mind though. In fact, that's why I
> stop having goldfish. My tank is sort of a feng shui tank to begin with
> so I have goldfish originally. I do know about the size, so at the end,
> I actually only had one in it. He got quite big as all you guys said.
> He is a bubble-eyed one, and was with me for quite many many years.
>
> So going back to smaller, tropicals ... I think I will stick to guppies
> (unless someone has more ideas :)). Now the question is how many can I
> have in a 10 gal tank. Can someone advise? I know of one formula that
> says 1 inch of fish per gal. Is that a correct assumption?
>
> Also, what type of food should I feed them? I used to feed them flake
> food (veggie ones and shrimp ones). Can someone give me more advise on
> this also? I need to minimize algae problem.
>
> And the last question ... I asked this before ... does someone know (or
> know where I can ask) whether it is ok to put guppies in a feng shui
> tank??
>
> Thanks a lot guys!
>

[Angie]

"Tynk" > wrote
> What a troll, lol.

Not a troll. Look up the definition of a troll. I've been in this group
for years. So I don't care about goldfish, whoopy do. I have friends who
feed them to their larger fish. However I do have a 7" oranda who is doing
wonderfully in a 20 gallon community tank of a few smaller fish. Though
pretty, they don't have any intelligence to speak of. I read somewhere that
goldfish in general have a 5 second memory. Oh boy.

[atomweaver]

"Angie" > wrote in
:

> I read somewhere that goldfish in general have a 5 second
> memory. Oh boy.
>

Ugh. Not _that_ old myth again...

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Goldfish&oldid=99557092#Behavior

http://nootropics.com/intelligence/smartfish.html

Goldfish have a memory span of up to three months, if they're healthy and
kept in approriate living quarters, that is.


DaveZ
Atom Weaver

[Tynk]

Angie wrote:
> "Tynk" > wrote
> > What a troll, lol.
>
> Not a troll. Look up the definition of a troll. I've been in this group
> for years. So I don't care about goldfish, whoopy do. I have friends who
> feed them to their larger fish. However I do have a 7" oranda who is doing
> wonderfully in a 20 gallon community tank of a few smaller fish. Though
> pretty, they don't have any intelligence to speak of. I read somewhere that
> goldfish in general have a 5 second memory. Oh boy.

Angie...
Ok, so you don't care about Goldfish. That's obvious. We all have our
personal likes and dislikes when it comes to particular species of
fish. However, just because a person doesn't give a hoot about one
species doesn't mean it's right to give false, or cruel "advice" about
their care or any general information regarding said species,
especially when the person dishing it out doesn't have a clue what
they're talking about.
I personally don't care for Goldfish. However, I would never give out
false or cruel info on them.
This is the point myself, and others are trying to convey to you.
There wasn't any need to get nasty when you were told the "info" you
gave out was completely wrong.
Instead, you should have learned something and moved on.
The comment about your friends who feed common Goldfish to their larger
fish was meant to do what?
Of course I know they are often used as feeders. That wasn't the point.
The point of all of this was that you told somebody common feeder
Goldfish only grow to 1 1/2" to 2" and don't get as large as the fancy
goldies.
Sheesh!
It makes no difference that you don't care about Goldfish, or if your
friends feed them to larger fish, or how stupid you think Goldies are.
It's about false, incorrect information you gave out. You were
corrected. You should have taken that as a lesson and learned something
from it.

[Angie]

Again STILL telling me what to do. Please do me a favor, and stop wasting
your time talking to me .

[[email protected]]

I agree with the comment on tetras...but really, centigrade is used
primarily in the large nations to the north and south of your country.
Still in North America, last I checked. And yes, our fish supply is
much the same. :)

BTW, to the original poster, if he/she lives in Vancouver, come out to
the fish club meetings.

http://www.fishopolis.com/vahc/

You might not get your answer about fung shui answered, but you'll find
out that fish can function as more than mere ornaments.

<tim><

Alpha wrote:
> Tetras are workable in a small tank. However, the fish supply is notorious
> for poor specimens with tetra disease infestation. It is a crap shoot if
> they will live. Since you quote degrees centigrade, you may have a
> different fish supply than in North America.

[LaieTechie]

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:27:40 -0800, phuile wrote:

> I have a 10 gal fish tank. I used to put goldfish in but I think the tank
> is too small for them. I then changed to guppies, but a cold spell wipe
> them out. I am not thinking whether it is easier to put some tetra (neon
> red and blue ones) in, or put guppies again.
>
> This is also a sort of a feng shui tank so if any one knows of whether
> guppies or tetra is ok, please let me know. Also, advice of colour of fish
> and number will be helpful. Concerning the number of fish, I don't have a
> big tank, so I can't have a lot of fish (that's why I am trying to see if
> smaller fish works).
>
> Thanks for any advice!

Good rule of thumb is 1 inch of mature fish per gallon of water. For a
tank that small, I suggest 1 oto and 8 guppies or small tetras. Another
cool setup would just be 3-5 panda corydora catfish. Pandas stay small,
look cool, and have tons of personality (mine love to dance).

A guppy tank would look nice, but guppies are known to breed a lot, so
they may over-populate your tank soon. If I have both male and female
guppies, I go with at least 3 females for every male. Males are more
colorful, but with a lower ratio, the few females can be beaten up badly.

HTH,
Laie Techie

[Tynk]

LaieTechie wrote:

>
> Good rule of thumb is 1 inch of mature fish per gallon of water.
>

> Laie Techie


Please, not this old myth again!!!
That has no place in the hobby anymore.
There are way too many variables in stocking a tank than how many
inches long a fish will grow to.