binkyholder

Hello all,

My 7 year old has requested a fish and I have no idea where to start.

Went to Petcetera the other day and they have small aquariums that are plastic. Are these ok to use? I know plastic isn't good for us, but will it be ok for a fish?

Also, for a starter fish, what do you suggest? He has a keen interest in the little shark fish, but will they do well in a small tank?

TIA
Deb

pappyy3

Hi. What you buy depends on your budget and taste, but If it were me I'd be buying the glass tank.

Fishes can be successfully kept in plastic aquariums, but they do tend to scratch after a while and kinda don't look as good as when you first bring them home.

For a first fish I would recommend a goldfish - particularly a comet or shubunkin variety as these seen to be the easiest to look after. They also come in many color varieties so I'm shure you'll find one that you'll both like.

Andyoybna

I have to disagree here, a goldfish, would be just about the worst fish you could do in a small tank, especially one of those plastic starter kits, goldfish, all species get much too big for any tank under 55 gallons, and ideally, they require a pond, with anywhere from 50-100 gallons per goldfish, they reach sizes up to a foot or more in length, and are very messy.

If all you want is a small starter aquarium, you may want to look into a single betta, or a few white cloud minnows, possibly tetras, IMO you shouldn't get anything smaller than one gallon, and IMO, it is well worth it to just buy a glass 10G starter kit, since the larger the tank you have, the more options for fish you have as well.

__________________

BMueller777

I'd also go with the 10 gallon starter kit, in my area they sell them with everything you need for about 60$

__________________
The early bird may get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese....

Freshwater tanks:
45g: 1 Random river fish, 7 Goldfish, 2 Angel Fish, 2 Black Skirt Tetras

pappyy3

Hi Andyoybna. I hope I'm not standing on any toes here, but thought I'd make a quick correction to your post:

1. If you read my recommendation I did not recommend the palstic starter kit.

2. Your comment about the goldfish is not quite correct. There is no way in the world that a goldfish will grow anywhere near a foot in length in a starter kit. In the majority of cases, how big a goldfish will grow is attributable to way they were raised, and genetics. I have kept a single goldfish in a 4 ft aquarium on it's own for 12 months, and it never exceeded 4 to 5 inches in length!! (Maybe due to genetics / maybe a runt??)

3. I also agree with Your White - cloud recommendations. Easy fish to look after and very hardy.

4. The betta is also a great fish - but with one word of caution. Many people think that these are coldwater fish - they are not. If considering a betta, I would also recommend that an aquarium heater also be purchased to keep them in Optimal temp's.

Hope this clears up my thoughts.

harley3k

The smaller the quantity of water, the easier it is to muck it up. I think a 2 gal kit, or a 10 gal kit is harder to maintain then the bigger ones. Assuming you want something small I'd get a 20gal. Most Aquarium stands that are sold for 10's will also take a 20. In that way its about the same amount of room. Your 7 year old will have more choices when it comes to livestock, and the water won't be quite as touchy if he misses a water change for a few days.

Anyway good luck!

(Check out the Articles section and read about Cycling before you start.)