Sound like an OK community tank?

[Kiwimommy]

I went to walmart today figuring I'd grab a 10gal tank and a heater for it for my betta but then looked around and saw some neat fish..and a new betta!
This time, he's a silvery blue color and quite adorable (my other two are red and red/purple/blue)
So I set up the tank, heater and all, and then let loose my new betta as well as a mystery snail (only live one they had..the other one was dead and seemed to have been consumed..
I also got a golden dwarf sucker fish, 2 tetras and 3 platys.
They seem to be getting along well, and the tetras and platys formed a little school
It's so cute! I have plenty of hiding spots for the fish and I don't think I overstocked.. 10gal for 7 fish and a snail.. Maybe I did? If I did I'll go get another tank..
I was going to add some ghost shrimp too..but they had none in stock!

My new betta seems to be ignoring everyone and enjoying finally being out of that tiny plastic container. Poor thing looked miserable in it.. Now he seems VERY happy!

Any tips?

[TonyK]

I don't know much about the compatabilty issue but, if this a a newly set up tank I would say keep up on water change. That is a big bio-load on a new tank.

[bettafish15]

Return the tetras. They are active fish, prefering larger tanks, and are very social, needing about 5-6 of them to be happy, which your tank has no room for. What kind of dwarf sucker fish do you have? Could you find a picture on google that looks just like it? All species of plecos (sucker fish) would get too large for a 10g.

[crowntail lover]

^ agree

[Kiwimommy]

is the fish. If he gets too big, I'll probably move him to a different tank..

and the tetras are red eye tetras.. are they as active as normal tetras?
They schooled with my platys as far as I can tell..

[bettafish15]

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/te...edeyetetra.htm

"Best kept in schools, then will claim the mid portion of the aquarium. Although they are very peaceful some owners report that they occasionally nip at the fins of slow moving long finned fish. Because they are very active in the middle section of the tank, they may disturb less active top-dwelling fish."

It also states that they get almost 3 inches, so I don't believe they are right for a 10 gallon anyway. Especially a school of them. I think they mean the minimum tank size is 10g if they are the only fish in there.

I think you have an otto, which is fine in a 10g. They are social species though as well, so if it were me, I would return the tetras (because of their size and schooling needs) and get one or two more ottos. :)
http://e0.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=ottofish

[crowntail lover]

when these guys mature, they will get aggressive and harass their tank mates...so you might want to take him back now. But if the tetras seem to be doing okay and all is good than im sure you can just keep an eye on them and see how they work out. ;]

[bettafish15]

Originally Posted by crowntail lover

when these guys mature, they will get aggressive and harass their tank mates...so you might want to take him back now.

Isnt that Chinese Algea Eaters (CAE)? I havent heard of anyone having aggression issues with ottos...

[crowntail lover]

I have had an aggression issue with these guys as well. But that was a personal experience.

[Kiwimommy]

Should I return the tetras and the platys or just the tetras? and get 1 or 2 more ottos?
Also... would having 2 female+1male betta in a tank together be a bad idea?
I was told it was, but I'm not sure..