New fish for dummies?

StudentoReptile · 10-19-12, 09:11 AM

So I am leaving my current job, and part of my duties was the office aquarium care-taker. It's a 52-gallon cube. There's a subadult Jack Dempsey in there that I am rehoming because, obviously he is getting too big for it.

My inclination is a small school of ONE species of fish, because I keep this tank as simple as possible for rest of the staff who will taking over its care. Any suggestions for a dummy-proof fish that would do well in a 52-gal cube?

Revenant · 10-19-12, 12:35 PM

White clouds. Pretty, especially in schools, and can cope with a wide variety of specs. Very forgiving of a learning curve.

I'd keep the school on the smaller side, because you know as soon as you leave whoever takes over the tank is going to be tempted to add more fish.

**Aaron_S** · 10-19-12, 12:38 PM

Guppies. Danios. Platty fish. All work well. They don't necessarily all school but are easy to keep. Gouramis are pretty easy and look cool and same with cherry barbs.

I really like groups of tiger barbs except they need a few of them to do well and be peaceful. You can get normals, greens and albinos to spice up the colour.

The guppies and platty's will give birth so that's cool for them.

Wildside · 10-19-12, 02:14 PM

Glofish, they're in the danio family and they're awesome

Lankyrob · 10-19-12, 02:55 PM

Cant go wrong with guppies, lots of pretty colours, they repopulate nicely with live young and if my father in law can keep them alive then anyone can

StudentoReptile · 10-19-12, 03:44 PM

I went with some gold barbs and a raphael catfish.

I wanted to avoid brackish or live-bearers. And every experience I have has not instilled me with the confidence that platies or guppies are very hardy.

StudentoReptile · 10-19-12, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

Glofish, they're in the danio family and they're awesome

"In the danio family?" They ARE zebra danios, just with a different paint job and a little weird DNA mixed in.

Hurrok · 10-20-12, 04:16 PM

The Dwarf Rainbow is nice especially in schools. They don't get too big but are a nice size and form together around the tank nicely. They stick to the middle of the tank most of the time. I used to have some in my past aquarium and they were great!

Wildside · 10-22-12, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

"In the danio family?" They ARE zebra danios, just with a different paint job and a little weird DNA mixed in.

Isn't that what I said?

h3h · 10-23-12, 05:12 AM

To each his own, and I'm not hating on anyones personal opinion, and nor am I anyone to ask for advice on fish. That said, here's my opinion.

(lol)

Guppies? Guppies? Really?? I've started a fish tank myself on 2 separate occasions. I like fish, and I'd have them right now if I cared enough to clean the aquarium. My brother used to have Guppies, and yeah they have some cool colors, but they are so small, and they are always making babies. Which means you won't have a "small school" of fish for long. I've always thought Angelfish were pretty cool to look at, and correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they partner up with one other fish for life. (I think that's kind of cool) Obviously you can't have 6 billion of them in that 52g like you could Guppies, but the Angelfish my brother--->I had always seemed very hardy, and refused to die.

- h3