Have a 6gallon aquarium. What kind of fish can go into it?

[HarleyGal]

I have never dealt with a very small aquarium like this and do not want to do it wrong. The LFS is absolutely no help, so I am hoping to find some suggestions at this forum. I've been a long-time lurker but never a poster until now! :)

The tank is cycled and has been for a few days now. I did the fishless cycling just like my larger aquariums and was surprised when it actually cycled! I guess I have my doubts about this small aquarium.

Any suggestions as to what to put in it? I tried searching for other similar questions but just didn't see anything, so I hope I'm not duplicating a question that I am sure is asked often!

Thanks very much!

Laura

[OrionGirl]

Small tanks can be a bigger challenge than much larger systems, not the least of which is finding stock for them!

I have 2 6 gallon tanks running right now. One has 5 kuhli loaches, and 2 sunset gouramies. All are fat and sassy. The plant has 3 anubias nana and one crypt, sand substrate with laterite, and gets a 2 gallon water change weekly. The other has a betta, one oto, a kuhli loach and a killie fish in it--sort of an odds and ends tank. I'm working on redoing some tanks, and the kuhli loach will be going back into the main tank (it hitch hiked into this tank on some wood), and I plan on picking up a pair of otos to add. Also planted, sand/laterite substrate, weekly changes of about 1 gallon.

Some other choices:

2 sparkling gourami or licorice gourami, single betta
5 pygmy cories
3-4 amano shrimp, or 5-6 cherry red or bumblebee shrimp.

A single crustacean, like crawdad, would be pleased as punch in a small tank, and there are dwarf species available as well.

[ChilDawg]

I like Bettas...just be careful when buying them, as many are of advanced age. Look hard to make sure that they don't have humped backs and look for ones that bubble away and flare at your fingers!

[TKOS]

Those smaller tanks are perfect betta tanks. Or gourami if you prefer (dwarf of course). One of the anabantids (air breathers) is the perfect show fish for such a tank. Then add in a few extras like a couple dwarf cories, or the loaches mentioned by Orion Girl. I prefer the cories only because they seem a little more active to me scouting all day long. The loaches tend to come out at night and hide a lot. But they are very cool. Also a couple of ghost or amano fresh water shrimp or a big snail are options as well and make for fun watching. Throw in some easy to care for plants like water sprite or java fern and you have it made!

[HarleyGal]

Thanks for the suggestions! I am going to head out today and see if any of the combinations mentioned will be at the LFS. I've never had any experience with gouramis, so think I will look first at those.

I tend to hesitate on a Betta because the tank does have a water flow and as far as I can see, I cannot regulate it. It is one of these Eclipse tanks that has a bio-wheel in it. Kind of a cute set-up. In fact, the only thing I dislike about it is the plastic tank.

Thanks again!
Laura

[TKOS]

bettas are fine with some current as long as they also have a calm spot to hang out in sometimes. They are actually big time swimmers in larger tanks which is why they always look better in them. Dwarf Gouramis do, though, tend to have a better time with current.

[tricksterpup]

A great fish that would be perfect for a 6 gallon tank, (again here i go harping with these guys again), are Heterandria formosa the least killie. These are tiny live bearers, females get about an inch and the males are 1/4 of an inch. A tank like that you can have atleast a dozen and still be fine. I currently have 10 in my five gallon at home and I hardly see them. But they are very active and breeding so fry are starting to appear in the tank.

Another fish I am currently having fun in a 5 gallon are Leptolucania ommata the pygmy Killlie. This fish is just barely over an inch in length and very pretty. It is also known as the lemmon killie. These guys are for the more advanced but this to show there are more fish out there than many of the typical small fish everyone uses.

[woodyblueeyes]

Hey everyone!!

I'm so glad I found this thread. I just purchased a 5 gallon tank for my office and was wondering what in the world I was going to put in it. I have a beautiful red betta that I want to transfer to it, and a few other smaller fish to hang out with "Nash".

One question I do have, and I'll look at other threads as well but being "new" to the fish world...

This fishless cycling thing? If someone could either give me the brief story on it, or send me an email, I'd surely appreciate it...like I said I'll search the other threads for it, just wanted to ask since I saw this thread about the smaller tank.

Thanks all,

Woody

[OrionGirl]

There are several threads covering fishless cycling listed here, as well as in the Freshwater Archive. Links to archived threads can be found in the thread title Archived Help Stickies.

Once you've read through them, let us know if you have any additional questions. There are links to several articles that cover the process in depth.

[woodyblueeyes]

Ok I thought of another question. This tank kit came with a filter and light...but no heater. I'm thinking I should go ahead and purchase a heater to put in the tank?

[OrionGirl]

Depends on the fish you plan on keeping, and the ambient room temperature. Small tanks can change temp very quickly with lighting, as well as changes in the room temperature. I'd let it run a day or two, monitoring changes, to see what will work for you. Some fish need to be kept 76-80, while others prefer warmer or cooler! I have one tank that I'll start floating frozen water bottles in if it climbs above 76, while another tank goes up to the mid 80's in the summer with no problems. Obviously, stable temps, and slow changes are preferable. But--this doesn't always mean you need a heater. I've had more problems with small heaters in small tanks--they are more prone to sticking 'on' IME.

[woodyblueeyes]

I was wondering if I could just use the light that came with the kit to help in that respect. It does stay a tad on the warm side in the office...I'll keep tabs on it when I get it filled and start putting plants and gravel in it...see how it shapes up temp wise

[ChilDawg]

That light might get the tank too hot if it's an incandescent one...for such a small tank, I would recommend fitting the fish selection to the ambient room temp and not messing with tank temps.

[superjohnny]

Here (www.johnnyanddana.com/Eclipse_Retro.htm) is my Eclipse. I keep 1 guppie, 4 Endlers and an otto.

I find small fish are better for small tanks. Large fish make the tank look small. Just my opinion though.