cheap fish to "test the waters" after my cycle completes?

i dont really have money to set up a QT tank

if i were to do that, would i need to have great lighting and skimmer etc on it?

 

also, what size? would a little 5 gal setup work for any fish? assuming i just buy small ones?

 

a 10g QT would cost 25 bucks. less than the vast majority of fish you can buy.

 

but when u add sand, lights, skimmer, filter, etc, it adds up to well over that amount...

 

no. thats everything. well maybe $30-35

Heater $15
10g $12
filter $5

 

so i wouldn't need a skimmer or sand at all?

 

correct no sand no skimmer

 

Back in the old days, we used black mollies (they're brackish/saltwater fish, btw). Can't get any cheaper than that. They fair far better in SW rather than fresh, stay relatively small and docile, and their shimmering black color contrasts with most everything else in the tank.

 

I would trust the others in suggesting the yellow tail damsel. Although not always a sure thing (individuals can vary just like people ) they do tend to be more docile than other damsels. One thing to remember is that clowns are also damsels and can become very aggressive as well. Many suggest to add your clowns last as a precaution so they don't bully new arrivals.

 

If u want a damsel get a kupang damsel they are rarely mean at all, I sell them quite a bit and nobody really ever complains, There has been a couple cases but that's really with any fish, Stay away from the other damsels for sure though