9G ideas.

So I said I would retire the 9G hex but now I find myself thinking of what I could put in there. I'm thinking coldwater. Space isn't a huge issue in my house but space near sockets is an issue which is my thinking on coldwater. Any ideas or suggestions?

Two words Akysis prashadi. haha. The only problem with a hex is it means you cant have fish that get to big or to active. Most people think WCMM and zebra danios would be brilliant in small tank because there small which is wrong they are very active and need lots of swimming space which you wouldnt get in a tank like this. There are quite a few fish that would work but the problem if they will be hard to find and even if you do you will have to pay for it.
I would set it up as a shrimp tank and maybe some guppies or endlers.
In a tank that size you could have
10 cherry shrimp (you will end up with more because they breed like crazy)
6 guppies or endler 2males 4 females and again they will breed so you will end up with more

Guppies need a heater though, don't they?

No aslong as your room temp is 18+ they will be fine. I keep some in a unheated tank and even in winter at night when the temp gets down to about 16C there fine.

Actually often guppies raised in cooler water are healthier and stronger because its cooler it slows there growth rates down a little so there often alot chunkier and healthier fish.

Ahhh! That's an idea then! My mam has always kept them in heated aquariums so I just assumed that's the only way they could be kept. Would they breed at normal room temperatures?

Most people keep them at tropical temps but there a fish that can work at both. Yeah they breed fine. mines been at 22C all summer and they have been breeding monthly. But through the winter when it gets cooler they slow down a bit to every 6-8 weeks. But thats also good because it gives the females some time to recover and build up before the next birth.

Do you send them into the LFS too or do most of the fry not survive?

I get quite a few fry and just give them to the LFS for free there not worth much TBH thats why i would get endlers if you can they look alot better IMO and are worth more.

I think I've seen endlers a few times and loved them but I'm more familiar with looking after guppy fry.

I think I've seen endlers a few times and loved them but I'm more familiar with looking after guppy fry.

I love guppies, wasn't aware they would survive an unheated tank
What's the smallest you can have them comfortably living in? I love having fish in my room but I'm pretty tight on space.

Endlers are exactly the same to care for as guppies the only difference is they stay smaller and dont have the big tails. With guppy and endler fiy you just feed them crushed flake from when there born.

I wouldnt keep them in anything under 5G personally but quite a few people sat 3G min.

What about other animals? Spiders etc?

i think tarantula and scorpions would work but it would be best to start an new topic and ask for andys help on the spiders since he now has loads. What are the dimensions? if its still quite long you might get away with fire bellied newts.

How about frogs? Poison dart frogs have a distinctive pattern.

Just 1 quite question how hot is your house normally? If it stays about 22C then theres quite a few fish that would work. Most corys prefer prefer temps about that.

I don't really know how hot it is. Is there a way I could find out overnight? I've heard of someone putting an aqua themometer in a pint glass of water to try and work it out?

Yeah thats worth a type. Although if theres a bit temp drop at night remember a smaller volume of water will cool down and warm up quicker so it wont be that accurate but good enough to get a rough idea.

Yeah thats worth a type. Although if theres a bit temp drop at night remember a smaller volume of water will cool down and warm up quicker so it wont be that accurate but good enough to get a rough idea.