ZooKeeper

This is such a neat site! Just found it tonight.

I've had aquariums for 10+ years. We've had a simple 10 gallon tank for many years now with a variety of fish. Sometimes we've had two 10 gallons going at a time depending on how out of control the guppy, platy, etc. population got.

Anyway, the last residents of the 10 gal were some ancient rasboras who finally went to their final resting place. They were replaced with mollies.

We are currently in the process of setting up two 20 gallon tanks and trying to figure out what direction we want to go with them.

My oldest son (almost 12) would really like to try breeding some fish that are a little more interesting and challenging that the guppy set (ie - all your standard live bearers).

What would you suggest? He really wants to try bettas, but I've read that they are really challenging. What is a good next step up from the live-bearers? Perhaps something with at least a small resale value so we can find homes for the babies!

Thanks,
Liz

gmen4life

convicts are cool and easy and wouldnt require big tanks

dking271

Convicts or Kribs. I personally would opt for a pair of Kribs, as they are relatively easy to breed and a 20g would be perfect for a pair. It is easy to see the difference between male and females, and the femalesare beautiful when showing colors. If you are serious about breeding, they should be the only fish in the tank. You and your kids won't be dissappointed.

aquarist48

Welcome to Fish Lore. Hope you can share some pictures along the way.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore !!!!!

cons are great and very easy, but not a good resale usually as they breed as much as livebearers and are usually readily available at most LFS...I like the krib idea tho

alicem

Another fish to consider might be a dwarf shell dweller cichlid.
L. multifasciatus or L. brevis are cute and will reproduce easily in a 20G.
Multies are more gregarious where the brevis are shyer...

I definately agree with this statement.

Also, as far as resale of the shell dwellers, they will form a colony and live happily together in the one tank.
I think once the tank is saturated with fry and juvies, nature takes it's course and the colony stays about the same size.
hth,
alicem

MissMTS

Welcome to Fishlore

You have gotten lots of good suggestions so far. I'll throw in a few more:

1. Brichardi Cichlids would be really cool. Add a lot of rockwork to the tank, add about 6 juvies, wait for 2 to pair up, and then watch them raise their family

2. Any of the Apistogramma species. I really like A. Hongsloi and Cockatoos.

3. A pair of angelfish.

Hope this helps Good luck with your tanks!