3 fish in ten gallon?

Question

I got a new 10 gallon fish tank the other day. I put stuff in that gets rid of harmful chemicals and let it run for 24 hours. The next day I went to petsmart and got 3 tropical fish. 1 guppy, 1 molly, and 1 upside down catfish. The lady told me the 3 would work together fine. I also put some salt in the tank for them. Then I read some stuff online and it says all 3 of these fish like to have buddies of their own kind, though they are not classed as schooling fish. I only have a 10 gallon tank so I cant get them all a buddy or they will get stressed out. Will they be ok as they are? Do you think they are happy together and are their any tips on caring for any of these fish? Also, I read the upside down catfish likes to eat algae wafers. Is this true and if so do I need a bottom feeder then or will he eat the algae? Do his whiskers hurt the other fish if he touches them? I should have read up on the fish first but they are already in the tank and the deed is done.

Answer 1

I say get either 1 more molly and guppy of the same gender or 2 more guppies and mollies to make your total 1 male and 2 female of each...but be prepared for babies! I say 1 more upsidedown catfish will due and then your at your max....but prepare for fry!!

Answer 2

Sure you will have enough room to get each of them a buddy, and thats great that you use fish salt because it keeps the harmful bacteria out of your tank.  You dont need to give them algae wafers they will just eat the algae in your tank

Answer 3

First, don't ever take advise from Petsmart employees.  (No offense.)  You have to do your own homework.  Fish like to school, like your molly and your guppy.  Go and get two more guppys and two more mollys.   Your catfish should eat all types of foods, from dry to live or frozen.  That should be the max on this tank as far as fish quantity.  Good luck!

Answer 4

catfish whiskers are harmless. if you got one more guppy and one more molly you should be fine, as they are very small fish. as long as the total length of all the fish together is less than the length of the tank they wont get stressed out. why did you put salt in the tank? i have never heard of that for saltwater fish, and it might hurt them, they aren't saltwater tolerant... your catfish should eat most of the algae, but you may want to get a crayfish or a bottomfeeder as well.

Answer 5

do not get a crayfish because they will become lunch.

Yes you can put salt in a freshwater tank although catfish do not tolerate it as well as the molly and guppy.

Answer 6

Well the catfish is not a schooling fish but you'll be suprised that guppies and mollies are so just get 3 mollies and 3 guppies and everyone will be happy also that catfish will out grow that little 10 gallon and will be need a 30 gallon.

Answer 7

Add no more fish to the tank until its gone through the nitrogen cycle. This takes several weeks, not 24 hours.

Http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/The_Nitro...

After its completed that, yes they do like buddies, but only add males, you do not have room for breeding groups of livebearers. 10 gallons is a bit too small for mollies really.

The upside down cat does like buddies too and 10 gallons is really too small for it. It would be better in 20-30 gallons or more in a group. It is also fairly salt intolerant - not all fish must have salt (a debateable subject!).  

Answer 8

Most community fish like to have at least a couple of buddies. It helps them to exhibit their natural behaviors. The old rule (or guideline I guess) is about an inch of fish for every gallon of tank (though this really only applies to fish up to about 2.5 inches). So I'm guessing your mollies and guppies are only about an inch each so you could be able to add a couple more of each, and I'd maybe only add one more of the catfish.

HOWEVER: this is a new tank and is going to need to cycle before you add a full load of fish, otherwise you'll be suffering major losses (and hopefully you still won't suffer losses with just the 3).

Search the web on the best way to cycle your aquarium or see my answer to the previous question about tank cycling to get some insight from my cycling experience.

Answer 9

Guppies and mollies are quite closely related and the males will even chase and try to breed with females of the other species.  (They can't crossbreed though).  They often seem to have difficulty telling the difference between themselves, so if you got a couple more of either one, they would probably all pal around together and be fine.  I'd suggest guppies as they are smaller.  Lots of people have guppies that follow around mollies and vice versa.  If you want to limit the number of fish in your tank, stick to males or you will end up with way too many fry.  Female guppies especially often come from the store already pregnant and can hold sperm, so even with no males around they can give birth as many as 6 times before they stop.

Mollies do like a bit of aquarium salt or sea salt in their water and guppies don't mind it, so adding it was ok.  It is also often beneficial in helping to prevent or fight diseases.  Oh, I forgot about the catfish....  Most catfish are considered scaleless fish that don't tolerate salt well.  Many can handle a little, but not much.  If it's done, it's done, but don't add more for a few water changes at least.

Oh, and the catfish whiskers won't hurt any of the other fish.  You should see cories.  They are always rubbing against one another with their little whiskers.