12L (3ish Gallon) Tank Ideas

[Smeef1487]

I've currently got a 12L tank that I used a few years ago to quarantine an aggressive Zebra Danio. It's just been sitting around since then and I'm wondering what to do with it. From what I understand there aren't really any appropriate fish for a tank this small and I'm wondering what else I can do with it. I'm currently just using it to grow plants, but I'd like to do something a bit more with it. Has anyone got any ideas as to what creatures I could keep in this tank, or is it not generally feasible?
Cheers

 

[JuiceBox52]

Shrimp or snails

Or a pair of pygmy sunfish, although this is the only fish I can think of that is suitable.


You could get away with a betta but I wouldnt reccomend it

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I've currently got a 12L tank that I used a few years ago to quarantine an aggressive Zebra Danio. It's just been sitting around since then and I'm wondering what to do with it. From what I understand there aren't really any appropriate fish for a tank this small and I'm wondering what else I can do with it. I'm currently just using it to grow plants, but I'd like to do something a bit more with it. Has anyone got any ideas as to what creatures I could keep in this tank, or is it not generally feasible?
Cheers

This is a tough one...

Some many recommend a betta, but I don’t. I had a male in a 2.5g tank for some time. He wasn’t happy, and barely had any room to swim.

The only thing I would suggest is shrimp or snails. If you got 1 or 2 Nerite snails and 5 to 10 shrimp, you could have a pretty cool tank.

(I don’t recommend any fish species to live in a 3g tank, except what I said above. ^)

 

[Retired Viking]

You could look at shrimp or a snail or two

 

[CassCats]

How about...

A pisceus plasticeus?
There is literally no small limits for this species. Can be kept piled with multiple in one drinking glass without problems or complaints! I also promise, it won't eat any shrimp. Actually, feeding is the only problem with this species; no one has ever seen it eat.

In all seriousness, a nice colony of shrimp would be fantastic and happy in that tank size. You could pick whatever colour you like of the neocardinia shrimp and have a beautiful colony

 

[PheonixKingZ]

pisceus plasticeus?

 

[Wills]

A pisceus plasticeus?

Actually did a double take at that picutre, thought it was some rare nano fish I hadnt seen before haha!

Back on point though.... what are the dimensions of this tank? If it has a reasonable footprint you could look at one of the smaller Badis species. But if it were mine I would do an Iwagumi layout with an easy carpeting plant like Marsilea Hirsuta and then get a colony of shrimp

Wills

 

[Smeef1487]

Thanks for the advice everyone , I think I'm going to go for some shrimp, but it will be my first time keeping such animals, does anybody have any advice for a first timer/species recommendations?

 

[CassCats]

Just be sure the tank is mature before adding them. Unlike fish, who most can handle a freshly cycled tank, shrimp need it to be older than this to keep it more stable and to provide the biofilm and microscopic foods they need to thrive. So look at about 3 months after set up at least.

With shrimp, water change a smaller amount than you would with fish, most dont do well with heavy water changes.

Any colour of cherry shrimp would be recommended, but unless you want brown colored babies, stick to one colour only. Certain colours and grades will cost more.

 

[Salty&Onion]

You could get away with a betta but I wouldnt reccomend it

It would be like a bowl to him, wouldn't recommend.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

It would be like a bowl to him, wouldn't recommend.

Agreed. Most bowls are 1.5g - 3g anyway.

 

[CassCats]

In a 3 gallon, I'd recommend only one of the males with the really large fins if you went the betta route.

I've got my boy in a 3.5 gallon and it's actually perfect for him.

But they're more work to keep stable

 

[PheonixKingZ]

In a 3 gallon, I'd recommend only one of the males with the really large fins if you went the betta route.

I've got my boy in a 3.5 gallon and it's actually perfect for him.

But they're more work to keep stable

I still wouldn’t recommend it.

I had a dumbo ear super delta tail betta in a 2.5g tank. He had very big fins and barely had any room to move.

 

[CassCats]

but in a 3, it may still be okay, as many of them have struggles getting around in some of the larger tanks.

But shrimp would be the most ideal.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

but in a 3, it may still be okay, as many of them have struggles getting around in some of the larger tanks.

But shrimp would be the most ideal.

Agreed. Shrimp or snails - or both!