Sounds great so far! Is it possible to have a snail, a handful of shrimp and a Betta in a 5 gallon?
What size tank for danios?
- Thread starter PumpkinPie
- Start date
Planting the tank heavily will increase the likelihood of shrimp surviving, however the downside is that you will not be able to seem them as much.
Another option is an apple/mystery snail aka "brig", though that may be pushing it for bioload.
Another option is an apple/mystery snail aka "brig", though that may be pushing it for bioload.
I already have a few plants in there, and definitely want to get more once I figure out what type will survive and hopefully thrive in the tank. I would love to have a bunch of plants, but I also don't want my Betta to be hidden either. I am ok with only seeing the shrimp occasionally. I would think the snail cruising around and the Betta coming to the front of the tank when my son checks him out would be enough to keep his interest.
How on earth do you clean gravel with shrimp? I can easily see smashing one with a vacuum, which would horrify me.
How on earth do you clean gravel with shrimp? I can easily see smashing one with a vacuum, which would horrify me.
Make sure to check you water before you dump it. One of my danios was playing in my gravel vac and got sucked up. Danios are quite the dare devils. I found him in my shower as the water was draining. I was able to catch him before he went down the drain.
I myself dont know if I would trust the Betta with a shrimp. Betta's get territorial, thats why they usually need to be the last fish in the tank.
Betta's dont look active as they cant be in the tiny little plastic bowls they have them. Anytime I have had oner It goes into a tank that has a constant temperature and filtration and they are active as can be. They will even come to the glass when they see you. I have had a few follow my finger as well.
I have found the more hiding places you have the more the fish will actually be out. This is due to them feeling safe and having a more natural environment.
Betta's dont look active as they cant be in the tiny little plastic bowls they have them. Anytime I have had oner It goes into a tank that has a constant temperature and filtration and they are active as can be. They will even come to the glass when they see you. I have had a few follow my finger as well.
I have found the more hiding places you have the more the fish will actually be out. This is due to them feeling safe and having a more natural environment.
I would keep a betta in there...they are beautiful and fun to watch. Plus im sure your 5 gal will be a welcome home for the betta after coming out of one of those tiny little cups they keep them in @ the store. 
I have a 12 gal with 2 danios & whenever I get the chance I'm going to rehome them because even though they seem like they love the tank I can tell they would enjoy more space to romp.
I have a 12 gal with 2 danios & whenever I get the chance I'm going to rehome them because even though they seem like they love the tank I can tell they would enjoy more space to romp.
My betta is in a 5 gallon and I keep him at 80 degrees, they are much much much more active at warmer temp, I would definitely recommend getting a nano heater! you will be able to see much more personality, brighter colors and they wont clamp their fins like the ones in those sad and crule little bowls. I used to have some shrimp in my tank with him but he found out that he could flush them out of the foliage and they made a satisfiying crunch !! so like jpappy789 said: keep the tank densly planted!
!! so like jpappy789 said: keep the tank densly planted!Ultimately, the fish Hobby industry is about money. Just because Bettas can be kept in a small amount of water they are, to keep the price down. We do not give fish choices. Fish are plunked into a tank and learn to cope or die.
Bettas are, along with Goldfish and Cories, some of the most ill treated creatures.
High temps (80 plus is good) and some cover as well as clean water are all that are needed for this little predator to shine. Do they show characteristics that appeal? You bet!
Danios are a good choice for your babys twenty as is a Betta, Snail(s) and some plants in your five. Shrimp are a crap shoot; depending on the Bettas personality the Shrimp may be hunted down or ignored. Try the Shrimp and see.
Kitchens are potentially hazardous places for tanks so think of the tank when doing Kitchen type things. Small (25W) heaters are available at Wal*Mart for very little money so unless this is covered this is a good hint. Be aware that the tank should be on a GFCI. GFCIs can be irritating but they are also a potential lifesaver.
Bettas are, along with Goldfish and Cories, some of the most ill treated creatures.
High temps (80 plus is good) and some cover as well as clean water are all that are needed for this little predator to shine. Do they show characteristics that appeal? You bet!
Danios are a good choice for your babys twenty as is a Betta, Snail(s) and some plants in your five. Shrimp are a crap shoot; depending on the Bettas personality the Shrimp may be hunted down or ignored. Try the Shrimp and see.
Kitchens are potentially hazardous places for tanks so think of the tank when doing Kitchen type things. Small (25W) heaters are available at Wal*Mart for very little money so unless this is covered this is a good hint. Be aware that the tank should be on a GFCI. GFCIs can be irritating but they are also a potential lifesaver.
Just the thought of those poor bettas makes me want to go save one RIGHT now I would have to buy another tank and cycle it though Poor babies...it should honestly be along the same line as animal cruelty just like cats & dogs and other species. Not right not right at all...
*sad for the bettas*
I would have to buy another tank and cycle it though Poor babies...it should honestly be along the same line as animal cruelty just like cats & dogs and other species. Not right not right at all...*sad for the bettas*
I don't actually have the 20 yet, I am still in the "thinking about it" phase on that one (and keeping an eye on CL and Freecycle). When I do manage to find one though, I am definitely going to go for the Glo-Fish.
I am thinking that once I have a 20, I may switch the fish I am planning for the 5 over to the 20 and then get a Betta for the 5. That way I won't feel so worried about the Betta if he isn't as flashy, as my son will have the bigger tank to check out too.
So, what is a "GFCI"? I am not sure what that is. My tank is currently just setting on a counter top with nothing underneath it. I have it plugged into a power strip that is nowhere near the tank, and I am very careful around the tank whenever I am doing something near it. It is actually right next to the stove, but I am definitely not worried about the heat from the stove affecting the tank with the way it is set up.
I am pretty certain I am going to skip the shrimp. I may check them out eventually when I have my 20, and they can breed to their hearts content for quite a while before I need to thin them out with a trip to the LFS.
Thanks again for all of your help and answers. I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge here at AC!
