What about white clouds, they only get 1.5inches, correct?
Hardy, eats anything, not fussy, doesnt even need a heater!
Hardy, eats anything, not fussy, doesnt even need a heater!
Bought my Dad a 5g tank
- Thread starter mystic1
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They're related to danios, and some people think they have their high level of activity and need for longer tanks.
I think in a tank smaller than a 6 gallon, it's a better use of space to get an antabantid fish. They use all of the tank space up, especially vertically. Most little fish are mid-bottom dwellers, and tend to stay in the same area, and pretty much don't have room to do anything more than hover, and turn back and forth. Really missing out on some of their natural behaviour, especially when it comes to schooling. Bettas and the other labrynth fish do a lot of top to bottom swimming, and use up every inch of the tank. I would think that's more interesting to look at then 5 little fish hovering in the same spot, but that's my opinion on it.
Could always add the usual dwarf frogs/bottom feeders etc.
I think in a tank smaller than a 6 gallon, it's a better use of space to get an antabantid fish. They use all of the tank space up, especially vertically. Most little fish are mid-bottom dwellers, and tend to stay in the same area, and pretty much don't have room to do anything more than hover, and turn back and forth. Really missing out on some of their natural behaviour, especially when it comes to schooling. Bettas and the other labrynth fish do a lot of top to bottom swimming, and use up every inch of the tank. I would think that's more interesting to look at then 5 little fish hovering in the same spot, but that's my opinion on it.
Could always add the usual dwarf frogs/bottom feeders etc.
Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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The problem is neons can be rather sensitive and a 5 gallons is not forgiving in term of stable water conditions. They can fit but neons prefer a lot of space to swim around.
Kuhlis aren't good options either. They may appear to be mini eels but they still need plenty of space to roam around(despite the fact that they occasionally or even rarely show up). More than 2 is already packing them like sardines in a tin. 2 is not even a good suggestion as they like the company of their own.
Plecos are messy and excrete wastes a lot so a 5 gallons is simply going to put them under a lot of pressure.
Well things have changed since my first post. The 5g tank did not work out. The size was fine for a betta but when I put the poor guy in the current on that desk top tank was so strong that it practically shot him accross the tank. He refused to come out of his cave unless the filter was shut off. I had no choice but to turn the filter on a few times a day for short periods of time. So off I went to the LFS and decided to get him a 10g with a HOB filter that I could adjust the flow on. Well that would have been ok except the tank with the hood was too tall for the space it needed to go. So again back to the LFS. Thankfully I found the perfect tank for my dad, his new Betta and the location it needs to go. I bought the 6.5g bookshelf model with the HOB filter. It is perfect for him and the new Betta loves it! I think my dad is really going to enjoy this since the betta has already learned that when the top is opened it is feeding time!!! Thank you again to everyone who offered me advise. Oh! My dad's new Betta is a gorgeous blue, red & green crowntail!
Glad you got a betta, seeing as how horrendous some of these ideas were (tiger barbs?! neons?! loaches?! PLECOS?!?! :eek3: :eek3: :eek3: :headshake2: :headshake2: :headshake2: )
You could go to the LFS and get some small snails, maybe a MTS, and maybe some shrimp.
I would suggest maybe a dozen snails, half dozen in you get the MTS, and maybe 3-4 small shrimp. This would add some activity to the very bottom, and would take care of some of the excess food, and, in my opinion, definetly isnt overstocking (Snails can be kept anywhere, shrimp need roughly 1/4 gallons each and usually get 1.5" tops, and MTS get loonie size)
Edit: You may not know the size of a loonie, its a canadien dollar, ok, so they get a bit bigger than a bottlecap, or something around there.
You could go to the LFS and get some small snails, maybe a MTS, and maybe some shrimp.
I would suggest maybe a dozen snails, half dozen in you get the MTS, and maybe 3-4 small shrimp. This would add some activity to the very bottom, and would take care of some of the excess food, and, in my opinion, definetly isnt overstocking (Snails can be kept anywhere, shrimp need roughly 1/4 gallons each and usually get 1.5" tops, and MTS get loonie size)
Edit: You may not know the size of a loonie, its a canadien dollar, ok, so they get a bit bigger than a bottlecap, or something around there.
Just because you think a fish is doing fine, doesnt mean it is. Wal-Mart will tell you their bettas are fine.
Btw, what I mean is that you are horribly overstocked, and should atleast get a 15g with 4-5 corys, the white clouds, and maybe 1 other fish...
A lot of the options listed here seem to have little practicality.
Dwarf puffers would shred otos and the otos would starve without proper algal growth, mollies, platies, danios/white clouds, and guppies enjoy swimming too much to live happily in 5-gallons, and shrimp and bettas only mix well on the occasion because either the bettas harass, overstress, and kill the shrimps or the shrimp end up eating the tails on the bettas. Shrimp are also very delicate to water conditions and 5-gallons is not a very forgiving living space as far as perameter fluctuations go. Tiger barbs grow too large and need too much swimming room for a fiver.
I'm not sure how much experience you have with any of these species or ideas, so I'll lay them out like I would to a novice. I'm sure you aren't, but I want to be sure I cover anything you might not already know and have experience with, okay? ^.^;
Based on my own personal experiences with my 5-gallon mini-bow set up, I offer this idea. I have an 11-watt fluorescent bulb for my plants, plain gravel, and keep the pH around 6.8-7.0, temp 78 degrees. I also add liquid fertilizers with every water change (all items bought at Wal-Mart or PetCo)
My suggestion: java ferns, hygrophilia, 1 honey or dwarf gourami, 4 neon tetras or microrasboras, and a brigs apple snail.
My reasoning: Java and hygro can grow in just about any environment and are good for the overall health of the fish. They can be mixed with rocks, driftwood, and other artificial plants to get the desired effect. I'll gladly mail you some of my hygrophilia to get you started if you like. I'd offer some java, but mine haven't started propagating just yet. The basic plant maintenance involved is that the hygro will need to be trimmed every couple of weeks. The stuff grows like a weed!!
Honey/Dwarfs are small and pretty and personable little fishes. They are also peaceful enough that a smaller tank won't cause them to become aggressive toward their tankmates 90% of the time. They are labrinth fish like bettas, but aren't as territorial and don't have the long drooping finnage some small fish like to nip at.
I have a Thai-imported betta in my tank, not a gourami, but he's fiesty enough that I'm not worried about fin damage from the neons... but he has been harassing them a lot, hence why I'm not suggesting a betta instead.
Tetras or microrasboras are fairly small and love well-planted environments. I've spoken with some here who have 5-gallon planted tanks with 6-8 of these little guys as a single-species tank. But to be on the safe side and give everyone some breathing room, go with four neons or microrasboras. MRs are expensive though and have to be shipped so neons or cardinals would probably be more cost-efficient. Initially, they are delicate and die easily (mostly due to shipping and poor care at the LFS), but once established will be content in a 5-gallon.
Apple snails are great for bottom-feeders in small tanks. Specifically brigs apple, as they only get to be about golfball sized and won't eat your plants unless they are starving. They are great at consuming algae and excess fish food without taking up a lot of bio-load and provide something 'different' to look at. Some of the maintenance involved will be providing calcium and minerals for the snail to develop proper shell growth and the occasional veggie treat if there's not much algae to be had. I've thoroughly enjoyed my experiences with my snails.
You can try ramshorn snails instead if you like, but my two ended up breeding and covering the insides of two of my 3 aquariums with baby snails. If you want an apple snail, I can connect you with a fabulous breeder who supplied me with my snails. She sexed them for me so I didn't end up with unwanted apple babies and she has lovely colors. I have one blue, one jade, and one striped purple!
So there. A practical option based on personal experience. Even if you don't take my advice, the offers for the snail breeder and the excess hygro still stand. Good luck and make sure and post photos of the finished product!!!
Dwarf puffers would shred otos and the otos would starve without proper algal growth, mollies, platies, danios/white clouds, and guppies enjoy swimming too much to live happily in 5-gallons, and shrimp and bettas only mix well on the occasion because either the bettas harass, overstress, and kill the shrimps or the shrimp end up eating the tails on the bettas. Shrimp are also very delicate to water conditions and 5-gallons is not a very forgiving living space as far as perameter fluctuations go. Tiger barbs grow too large and need too much swimming room for a fiver.
I'm not sure how much experience you have with any of these species or ideas, so I'll lay them out like I would to a novice. I'm sure you aren't, but I want to be sure I cover anything you might not already know and have experience with, okay? ^.^;
Based on my own personal experiences with my 5-gallon mini-bow set up, I offer this idea. I have an 11-watt fluorescent bulb for my plants, plain gravel, and keep the pH around 6.8-7.0, temp 78 degrees. I also add liquid fertilizers with every water change (all items bought at Wal-Mart or PetCo)
My suggestion: java ferns, hygrophilia, 1 honey or dwarf gourami, 4 neon tetras or microrasboras, and a brigs apple snail.
My reasoning: Java and hygro can grow in just about any environment and are good for the overall health of the fish. They can be mixed with rocks, driftwood, and other artificial plants to get the desired effect. I'll gladly mail you some of my hygrophilia to get you started if you like.
I'd offer some java, but mine haven't started propagating just yet. The basic plant maintenance involved is that the hygro will need to be trimmed every couple of weeks. The stuff grows like a weed!! Honey/Dwarfs are small and pretty and personable little fishes. They are also peaceful enough that a smaller tank won't cause them to become aggressive toward their tankmates 90% of the time. They are labrinth fish like bettas, but aren't as territorial and don't have the long drooping finnage some small fish like to nip at.
I have a Thai-imported betta in my tank, not a gourami, but he's fiesty enough that I'm not worried about fin damage from the neons... but he has been harassing them a lot, hence why I'm not suggesting a betta instead.
Tetras or microrasboras are fairly small and love well-planted environments. I've spoken with some here who have 5-gallon planted tanks with 6-8 of these little guys as a single-species tank. But to be on the safe side and give everyone some breathing room, go with four neons or microrasboras. MRs are expensive though and have to be shipped so neons or cardinals would probably be more cost-efficient. Initially, they are delicate and die easily (mostly due to shipping and poor care at the LFS), but once established will be content in a 5-gallon.
Apple snails are great for bottom-feeders in small tanks. Specifically brigs apple, as they only get to be about golfball sized and won't eat your plants unless they are starving. They are great at consuming algae and excess fish food without taking up a lot of bio-load and provide something 'different' to look at. Some of the maintenance involved will be providing calcium and minerals for the snail to develop proper shell growth and the occasional veggie treat if there's not much algae to be had. I've thoroughly enjoyed my experiences with my snails.
You can try ramshorn snails instead if you like, but my two ended up breeding and covering the insides of two of my 3 aquariums with baby snails. If you want an apple snail, I can connect you with a fabulous breeder who supplied me with my snails. She sexed them for me so I didn't end up with unwanted apple babies and she has lovely colors. I have one blue, one jade, and one striped purple!
So there. A practical option based on personal experience. Even if you don't take my advice, the offers for the snail breeder and the excess hygro still stand. Good luck and make sure and post photos of the finished product!!!
*laughs* Alas, I didn't realize I had one more page to read before I posted... well, I'm glad to hear your dad likes the fish.
My solution to the current in my tank was to cut the funnel-like top part out of a Sam's water bottle and use string to rig it to hang in front of my outflow. The water wells in the curve of the bottle top and then diverts out the sides and bottom into several smaller currents. Not so effective for mechanical filtration as it doesn't get things moving much, but good for bio-filtering without upsetting the betta too much.
Also with all those plants in the tank, the current isn't so powerful once it filters through them. Dante is now strong enough a swimmer that I don't cap the water flow anymore. He only gets tossed around when he swims right in front of the outflow nowadays and the current helps keep him strong and healthy, too. He's a very active betta, though.... not much like bettas you buy in Wal-Mart or PetCo/PetSmart. He's more like the bettas I used to keep when I was a little girl. MUCH feistier and robust and active.
My solution to the current in my tank was to cut the funnel-like top part out of a Sam's water bottle and use string to rig it to hang in front of my outflow. The water wells in the curve of the bottle top and then diverts out the sides and bottom into several smaller currents. Not so effective for mechanical filtration as it doesn't get things moving much, but good for bio-filtering without upsetting the betta too much.
Also with all those plants in the tank, the current isn't so powerful once it filters through them. Dante is now strong enough a swimmer that I don't cap the water flow anymore. He only gets tossed around when he swims right in front of the outflow nowadays and the current helps keep him strong and healthy, too. He's a very active betta, though.... not much like bettas you buy in Wal-Mart or PetCo/PetSmart. He's more like the bettas I used to keep when I was a little girl. MUCH feistier and robust and active.
