Is there any fish that goes in a 3 gallon?

[Gilgamesh]

I’ve recently been thinking of getting a small tank for my daughter’s room. By small, I’m thinking 2-3 gallons. My question is, is there any fish that can reside in a tank this small? It would probably be one of the eclipse systems, so there would be filtration, but no heater. My house gets down to 65 F during the day in the winter, so I don’t know if a Betta (which seems to be the only choice I can think of) would work or not?

Any other suggestions besides a Betta? Or how to heat that small of a tank? I’m not going to get a bigger tank for her room, so if I can’t think of anything else, I’ll probably just drop the idea…

 

[gonefishin]

It won't be that much more for a 10, and you could have some choices. Even a betta in a 3 gal would want more room despite the fact they are in little cups at the store. You would want a heater, since temp. fluctuations (even a few degrees) will stress a fish. If you read the sticky on cycling, you will find(if you don't already know) its not just buy fish and tank....add water.

 

[Nuriel]

a couple otos or three common guppes would be nice. - and a snail!

 

[jordank]

i'm going to have to disagree with nuriel. while they can handle the temperature, they like warmer temperatures AND thats way overstocking.

Perhaps its not, but in my opinion it is.

 

[Gilgamesh]

Just to clarify a bit,

I've been keeping fish for quite some time and understand cycling, etc... so no worries there.
for room and space considerations, I'm not going any bigger than 3 gallons. Does anyone have a small tank this size that they do heat?

It looks like right now that the only possibility is a Betta, but I'm not going to put one in an un-heated tank...

 

[J-Aqua]

I'm not sure if I understand the issue as to why you can't just put a heater in the tank. DrsFosterSmith.com sells a new mini heater that's 7.5W and for 2-5 gallon aquariums ($10)

 

[fish addict]

I have a heated 5 gallon, and the small heater required was pretty cheap ($13 @ petsmart). Your options are limited in a 3 gallon. Maybe a few ghost shrimp or 2-3 fancy guppies. I would think that one small blue ram would be okay as far as size goes, but I don't know if it would be very happy. Add a small, easy to care for plant to liven it up. Invest in a heater, they are small, cheap, and necessary.

 

[fish addict]

and I forgot to mention a dwarf puffer (about 1") would surely be okay in a 3g, along with some small snails to nibble on.

 

[jfennimore]

I have 2 eclipse explorers, both with dual temp heaters. Overkill, I know but they were on closeout for 9.99 at PetSolutions. I have a small angel and 3 tetras in one, and 2 tetras, tiger barb, and recently introduced red crab in the other. No problems w/either.

Jeff

 

[TKOS]

Just so you know, other than overstocking issues, red crabs are brackish and will most likely try to eat your fish.