Over-crowded Small Tank Pics?????

[meaghan9930]

I have a small tank with 1 male Betta, 4 Glow Eyed Tetras. 1 Zebra Danio, and 1 snail. I was wondering if my tank was over-crowded. I believe it is like a 2 gallon. Im not sure. Let me know

Thanks

[UncaBret]

I would say just a bit. I would take out the danio as I believe they need a lot of room to swim. Are those real plants? Real ones would make a difference.

[meaghan9930]

No they are fake plants. Should I get real ones? Also do you think I should get a heater? I didnt know if there was one small enough for my tank. If so can you tell me which one

[CBTF]

if you dont get a heater make sure the tank is warm, and the room temp doesnt go up and down lots

[kyle3]

you should DEFINATELY have a heater!

and if your tank is only 2 gallons i wouldn't have more than a betta and the snail if i were you.

return the others or if you have another tropical tank or a friend does you could put them in there

[Beeker]

I have a small tank with 1 male Betta, 4 Glow Eyed Tetras. 1 Zebra Danio, and 1 snail. I was wondering if my tank was over-crowded. I believe it is like a 2 gallon. Im not sure. Let me know

Thanks

The tank is definitely overstocked. With a 2 gallon tank, you would probably only want the betta and a snail or some shrimp. If you want to have tetras and danios, they have to be in schools of at least 4 of each. For the fish you have, you shouldn't go smaller than a heated 10 gallon tank with live plants.

[meaghan9930]

Do you know what size heater to get? I cant seem to fing one small enough. Also for the Danio I can return it to the LFS because I just got it. I have to keep the Betta and the Tetras (there are 4 of them). Do you think that would be okay?

Thanks

[Emg]

Your tank looks very nice Meaghan ! I like the way you've scaped it. But I'm afraid the tetras will need another home.

I'd keep just the betta and snail, maybe a few ghost shrimp and that's it for that tank. For a heater you can get a jr heater from walmart, but be sure to have a thermometer in there to keep an eye on the temps. You can't regulate those heaters and the only way to cool it off if it gets too warm is to take the top off the tank to allow heat to escape. Not sure if that's better or not....you'd have to be very good about keeping an eye on it. Other option is to find a place in your home that stays warm and out of drafts.

Again, very nice tank....if you picked up a 10 you could house the other fish in that.

[Beeker]

You would still need a 10 gallon tank for that many fish. Also, for your Betta's sake, stay away from plastic plants. If you are unsure about live plants, go with silk. Live plants are the best though. They help balance the water chemistry and the fish prefer them.
Here is the heater (http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=28857;category_id=1733;pcid 1=3231;pcid2=) I use for my 10 gallon. The brand is very reliable and the heater is easy to use.

Your best bet is to get the 10 gallon tank. They aren't expensive and your Betta will really get a chance to show his personality. When they have more room they really blossom.

[meaghan9930]

Thanks for the info everybody. The problem is this tank is on my desk at work so I cant get anything bigger. I have a 75 gallon at home that houses my 4 goldfish. I cant add the Tetras to it. I will have to come up with something I guess. Ohhh...I do have a fishbowl at my house its probably around the same size but there is no filter or heater or anything like that. Do you think the Betta will do okay in there? The tank I have him in now has a UGF in it, and the top light is what usually warms the place up. Let me know

Thanks again

[vaderbanger]

get a thermometer this way you will know if you need a heater or not.
all my tanks arent heated because they are 78 degrees naturally. your tiny tank may fit that bill to :D
so before you run out and buy a heater at least test your water temp, why buy something you may not need

[Emg]

Meaghan, you can keep the betta in that 2 gallon. He'll be fine I'm sure. What Vader said about the heater and thermometer....thermometers are about a dollar at walmart.

[meaghan9930]

I like my Tetras so I dont want them to go!! I would like the Tetras to stay in the 2 gallon at work and I could put the Betta at home in the 1 1/2 or 2 gallon fish bowl. Would that be okay? I think the Betta is attacking the snail that has been in there since day one. Im not sure but he stays right up on it the whole time the snail is out. The snail will rest for a while and the Betta will stay right ther hitting at his shell like he wants him to get up. Its really P'ing me off because the Betta didnt used to be mean. I dont like mean fish. All the other fish are fine.

So I think I will move the Betta to the bowl at home because they dont need a filter or anything like that right?

[cmarcucilli]

While Bettas can survive in a bowl, you'll need to do frequent water changes, like every 2-3 days.

[Hannys_Papa]

I dont like mean fish.

So I think I will move the Betta to the bowl at home because they dont need a filter or anything like that right?

Well the betta is not being mean - he is being a betta. They are snail eaters - its just a lot of them are fine with snails because they never realised they can eat them - they dont recognise a snail as food just like many bettas dont pellets or flakes.

And yes your betta needs a filter and heater and a bowl really isnt suitable for any fish. But that again - is something that'll stir up controversy and i already feel like a broken record when it comes to this issue. :)

[Emg]

Aww...I think your betta looks very pretty in that tank you have a pic of ... :(

They do sell little undergravel filters for those 2 gallon 'bowls'. I've seen them at PetSmart.

You could do up your 2 gallon bowl for the betta if you get one of those UGFs and a heater, or be sure to put the bowl in a warm area in your house...add a thermometer too, so you can keep track of the temps.

And...he really isn't being mean...it's like Pop said....that's just what bettas do, it's their nature. Some are ok with snails, some aren't. He's a very pretty betta too BTW ;)

[Emg]

About the only fish I can think of is a betta...for a tank that small. Maybe some male endlers livebearers...as they stay pretty small. Not sure how a bunch of males will get along with out females around though....lol....

There is a tiny little fish that's small enough for those little tanks, but I keep forgetting what it's called...lol....I think it's hard to find too. Not very colorful either.

Male endlers....try some of those. As long as you have the UGF filter in that tank they should be fine. They don't need a heater either....even better !

[COBLIGAR]

Hi I have several 2 gallon bowls. You CAN keep a male betta in it--he will probably contijnue staring at your snail until he one day discovers he can eat it. I wouldn't go with shrimp since you have no plants. However, if you add a filter (I'm really enjoying my Elite Stingray 5--it's silent and doesn't require a separate pump!) you could probably add three endlers (which are a lot like guppies, but smaller.)

I agree that you should use get one of those mini hydor heaters--you can slip it under the gravel and it will raise the temprature a few degrees (though it will not stabilize the temperature--that's up to the environment you place your bowl.) I'd also unplug it on very hot days, though.

Expect to have to do several partial water changes. I've read some people who replace one large cup every day. You also might want to try putting in some java moss to soak up some of the nutrients.

Lastly, my reccomendations for 2 gallon bowls/tanks if you provide heating & filtering)

plan a) A trio of guppies typically two females and a male. Be prepared to feed the resulting fry to your betta, or donate to local fish store.

plan b) One female guppy and three male endlers. Again consider the resulting babies you will become inundated with.

plan c) 1 male betta several plants and 6 ghost or cherry shrimp.