True but it is still unrealistic. If the tank doesn't get below 75-76, no it would not be a coldwater tank... but then again, I do not consider it a livable space anyway. 
Mini-tank coldwater community?
- Thread starter hcgirl80
- Start date
Betta? Ooooh! wait a minute! what about a PLATY?
After all, you DID say it was a tropical aquarium!
*Puts glasses on and starts researching*
~Paige
After all, you DID say it was a tropical aquarium!
*Puts glasses on and starts researching*
~Paige
Platy? I wouldn't. They are a bit on the messy side and are not loner fish, but community fish.
Realistically the only fish for that tank is a betta, prefferably with plants.
The problem is still that with such a small space the temps can flucuate radically. But if the tank is generally hanging out in the mid 70's a betta should do fine. Lots of water changes will still be needed, even with a filter. Plants will help if you have proper lighting.
And never stick such a small tank near a window as the temp changes are really high.
Seriously though, a 5 gallon tank costs practically nothing at most stores, and a betta in a planted 5 gallon is awsome in comparison, plus you already have a filter. And a 5 gallon would allow for a small heater.
Realistically the only fish for that tank is a betta, prefferably with plants.
The problem is still that with such a small space the temps can flucuate radically. But if the tank is generally hanging out in the mid 70's a betta should do fine. Lots of water changes will still be needed, even with a filter. Plants will help if you have proper lighting.
And never stick such a small tank near a window as the temp changes are really high.
Seriously though, a 5 gallon tank costs practically nothing at most stores, and a betta in a planted 5 gallon is awsome in comparison, plus you already have a filter. And a 5 gallon would allow for a small heater.
I would say if you are going to go for a 5 gallon, you might as well go for a 10 gallon as they are about the same costs tank wise. This is just my own opinion, but I would never put a fish in anything less than 10 gallons. That is my own barrier or "bare minimum", mainly because I do not have the time to do w/c's every day on a 2-5 gallon tank.
tricksterpup
It's SPRING!!! BUNNIE RABBITS
#1 cool water fish for a 2.5 gallon tank
If you are looking for the best fish to fill this job, try Heterandria Formosa the least killiefish or dwarf livebearer , smallest livebearer in the United states. These guys are found in Florida so they can tolerate cooler temps. I keep mine in 2.5 gallon tanks and 5 gallon setup and they thrive very nicely. You can keep upto 10 in a 2.5 gallon tank. They are that small and will breed for you. The females at their largest will get up to an inch with the males up to 1/4 of an inch. These guys can be found possibly in your area from the local fish club. They are not readly for sale at petstores because of their size and viewed drab color. For a picture, look at my avatar. Now this is the easiest cool water fish to keep in a tank this size. No special requirements at all, Now there are others fish that will fill this bill to, a pair of Pygmy Sunfish from the family Elassoma would do nicely in this setup. But the down fall on these guys are that they require live foods.
But if you feel you can handle giving these guys their requirements here are 3 species that are in this family.
Everglades Pygmy Sunfish
Okeefenokee Pygmy Sunfish
Banded Pygmy Sunfish .
A third fish I have tried with no success, only lasted for me for about 6 months is the Pygmy Killie Fish, Leptolucania ommata. I found these guys to be very touchy. The are a very pretty lemon yellow fish that reaches about an 1 to an 1.5 in lenth. They prefer heavy planted tanks though and very clean water same as the pygmy sunfish. But if you again feel you can handle the requirments for something like this give these guys a try. All of these fish are Natives to the US and are found in Florida. I personally feel that natives are such an over looked group of fish.
But If you like you can order them online from this site. I have had great success from this guy.
http://www.aquaculturestore.com/
jim
If you are looking for the best fish to fill this job, try Heterandria Formosa the least killiefish or dwarf livebearer , smallest livebearer in the United states. These guys are found in Florida so they can tolerate cooler temps. I keep mine in 2.5 gallon tanks and 5 gallon setup and they thrive very nicely. You can keep upto 10 in a 2.5 gallon tank. They are that small and will breed for you. The females at their largest will get up to an inch with the males up to 1/4 of an inch. These guys can be found possibly in your area from the local fish club. They are not readly for sale at petstores because of their size and viewed drab color. For a picture, look at my avatar. Now this is the easiest cool water fish to keep in a tank this size. No special requirements at all, Now there are others fish that will fill this bill to, a pair of Pygmy Sunfish from the family Elassoma would do nicely in this setup. But the down fall on these guys are that they require live foods.
But if you feel you can handle giving these guys their requirements here are 3 species that are in this family.
Everglades Pygmy Sunfish
Okeefenokee Pygmy Sunfish
Banded Pygmy Sunfish .
A third fish I have tried with no success, only lasted for me for about 6 months is the Pygmy Killie Fish, Leptolucania ommata. I found these guys to be very touchy. The are a very pretty lemon yellow fish that reaches about an 1 to an 1.5 in lenth. They prefer heavy planted tanks though and very clean water same as the pygmy sunfish. But if you again feel you can handle the requirments for something like this give these guys a try. All of these fish are Natives to the US and are found in Florida. I personally feel that natives are such an over looked group of fish.
But If you like you can order them online from this site. I have had great success from this guy.
http://www.aquaculturestore.com/
jim
The problem with native fish is that even the smallest of native fish can require lots of space. Some need a fast current, others need calmness. Some need high tanks, but many need/prefer long & narrow ones. Very few avid native fish keepers keep native fish in small containers. I am not saying it isn't do'able, just telling what I come across more often than not.
tricksterpup
It's SPRING!!! BUNNIE RABBITS
The sunfish and dwarf livebearers have been known and even recommended in keeping in small tanks, 2.5-10 gallon in size. There are many researchers who have kept breeding colonies Heterandria Formosa in one gallon jars. I have even read an article of one researcher keeping pygmy sunfish and breeding them in 5 gallon containers. But yes, small tanks are not for every small fish out there. But as natives go, these guys can do well in the small tanks. I have had a great growing colony of the dwarf liverbearers in my 5 and 2.5 to the point that i always give away fish.
jim
jim
You still need to keep the water de-toxified with those fish and that's not easy in any 2.5 gallon tank.
