5 gallon tank & guppies

[Schnecken]

Is a 5 gallon tank really suitable for guppies?

I'd like to have 3-5 guppies, but the biggest tank I can get is a 5 gallon, maybe a 6 gallon eclipse.

Would this be big enough for some guppies? Or would I have to stick with a betta?

If the only fish I can keep in it would be a betta, I'll go with the 2 gal.

Thanks

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

You could be 3 guppies in there, a 5 gallon that is. I'd make them all males because 1. they look better and 2. they won't breed coppiouslly (sp?).

 

[jm1212]

you can have 3 male guppies, a snail, and then some shrimp in a hex five

 

[icecubez189]

as long as you put same sexes (all males/all females), they should be fine.

 

[Ms.Bubbles]

Technically, you can fit one or 2 guppies (at most) in a 5 gallon tank, but it doesn't give them much swimming space. Guppies are very active fish and require lots of room to move around (some sites recommend a tank minimum of 20 gallons for them!).

I would definitely not put 3 guppies in a 5 gallon.

When you overcrowd guppies into a small tank, they can become aggressive with each other. A bigger tank would give them each some private swimming space, which can help to keep things peaceful.

 

[Coldfins]

Hmmm...I think you should go with a betta. He would enjoy the extra swimming space and maybe add some shrimp....but bettas have been known to munch on ghost shrimp.

5g is just too small for the correct number of guppies.
Even at a rate of 3 guppies.
They tend to get along better when you have 5 to 7. IMO.

If you do decide to go with guppies remember they produce tons of fry.
So then you would have to go with same sex (females may already be pregnant coming home from your lfs) unless you want nature to take its course (fry becoming food). Even then some fry may survive....creating the need for a larger tank later or giving them to some one who may take them.

A betta may be happier in a hex 5 versus a standard 2g.
Add live plants and some decorations and you will have a nice betta set-up.

 

[twig]

I wouldn't do it. Guppies are dirty creatures and they pollute water pretty readily. I don't know why but they empty their stomaches all at once and its crazy...

Guppies are not schooling but they do muchb better in higher numbers. Social creatures, those guppies.

 

[Tinajo]

Guppies are dirty creatures and they pollute water pretty readily.

Really? Dirty creatures? I've never heard of them being called dirty, goldfish maybe, but not guppies. Anybody want to chime in on this?

 

[jm1212]

they do make alot of waste for their size.

they eat until they are litteraly stuffed and then an hour later they want even more

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Just get a nice betta. And do it a favor and give it 5 gallons. If you want a really nice betta go to aquabid.com