3 Gallon Stocking Question

Soulmanure

Soulmanure
Jan 27, 2005
78
0
0
54
San Francisco
My girlfriend and I just stumbled upon a free 3 Gallon Tank and had the following question: would it be possible to put a few of guppies in there after cycling the tank? My sense is that it's too small. And if not guppies, what, besides a betta, would work in such a small space? Thanks in advance.
 
Are you set on not getting a betta? I just got my first one about 4 months ago and would already like another! They're really neat fish. But maybe you could put in some sort of plant and a snail if it wouldn't eat it or an ADF or some shrimp? You could get some fake plants even and just make it a pretty little environment for the shrimp, whatever, something to look at!! but it would be perfect for a betta...
 
A dwarf puffer would be ok I think. I kept one by itself in a three gallon hex for several years in high school, and I was ignorant about all kinds of things back then (like weekly water changes). You could feed it the tiny snails that most lfs would give you for free.

I also have to say, there is no reason with good filtration, sufficient hiding places and regular water changes you could not keep a trio of guppies in a three-gallon tank. It would be tight yes, but not impossible, and far from cruel.

Along these lines, I know there are a lot of shall I say "overstocking crusaders" on this forum. For the most part the warnings are warranted. I would however like to remind everyone of the boy who cried wolf. If you call overstocking on virtually every tank, people will stop taking your warnings seriously. Finally language like: "you can't”, "period!” and "never" should be replaced with words like: "inadvisable”, "I wouldn't”, and "you might want to reconsider".

Please, nobody take this advice personally, it is merely an observation coupled with a suggestion.
 
Last edited:
I have a small eclipse 2 Gal with one Betta and One African Dwarf frog and I find it rather Charming. With a 3 gal you could have Two african dwarf frogs and the betta and still be find. Several ADF's together are rather comedic from what I've seen in my 10 gal at home.

If you haven't had a betta before they are lot's of fun, lot's of personality and mine swim right to the top and beg for food when I open the lid.

good luck! :)
 
in most cases aquariums below 5g are overstocked ,and in the rarest cases can be cycled,, tornangles eclipse is an excellent little tank because of the biowheel which is a good medium for beneficial bacteria. i would NOT put guppies in a 3g NEVER. People do this but they will stress them out and die.
For the health of the fish i would just add a nicely picked betta.
They are very charming fish and have lots of personality.
:D
 
AquariaCentral.com