Yeah I didn't really think of that...if I did go with apple snails/shrimp how many would be stocked? I'd probably only get one apple snail and idk how many red cherry shrimp. Also arenthere any plants that could survive an apple snails appetite?
2.5 Biotope?
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r.w.girard
Fish Crazy
Apple snails pollute a lot. And escape the tank from time to time, which is annoying. Find the cat knocking it around the floor. No good.
ADF might eat your shrimp. Will eat anything nearby that they can fit in their mouth. If you do get one, make sure it is not an African Clawed Frog. Totally different, kind of ugly, grow much bigger. They are pretty easy to tell apart but do the research before you go. Don't trust anyone but yourself to know what you are buying.
And definitely go slow in adding fish. It is a small tank so adding everything at once could cause huge problems fast. Start with the shrimp. Wait until they start to spawn and then add other things.
In a 2.5 gallon tank, two guppies, an ADF, an apple snail and RCS is too much. Pick two. Shrimp and guppies would be nice. And if you don't like regular guppies, try endler's guppies. They look a little different and are pretty cool.
Also apple snails won't eat things like Cryptocorynes, Annubias, Java Ferns, Java Moss, etc. But don't get more than one unless you want lots of them. And like I said, they produce a LOT of waste. So one is plenty. If not too many. They really can get pretty big...
ADF might eat your shrimp. Will eat anything nearby that they can fit in their mouth. If you do get one, make sure it is not an African Clawed Frog. Totally different, kind of ugly, grow much bigger. They are pretty easy to tell apart but do the research before you go. Don't trust anyone but yourself to know what you are buying.
And definitely go slow in adding fish. It is a small tank so adding everything at once could cause huge problems fast. Start with the shrimp. Wait until they start to spawn and then add other things.
In a 2.5 gallon tank, two guppies, an ADF, an apple snail and RCS is too much. Pick two. Shrimp and guppies would be nice. And if you don't like regular guppies, try endler's guppies. They look a little different and are pretty cool.
Also apple snails won't eat things like Cryptocorynes, Annubias, Java Ferns, Java Moss, etc. But don't get more than one unless you want lots of them. And like I said, they produce a LOT of waste. So one is plenty. If not too many. They really can get pretty big...
VickyChaiTea
Fish Fanatic
Apple snails get the size of small apples, you couldn't keep one in there for more than 6 months or so. In general they leave plants alone but not 100% of the time.
r.w.girard brought up a good point, make SURE it's a dwarf frog before you get it. African CLAWED frogs do not have webbing between their front toes. African DWARF frogs do have webbing between their front toes. The wild type ACF is virtually identical to ADFs aside from this. Personally I think this tank would technically be able to sustain a pair of ADFs but it's too cramped for them. Generally I like to see them in tanks around 3 gallons. Just something with more floor space, and very shallow.
The tank size is arguably large enough for a betta but I've heard the filter flow is too much for them, and you have to baffle the filter. Kind of a pain.
I say keep it a shrimp tank, amano shrimp, red cherries, crystal red shrimp, maybe even those pretty blue guys. All look great in small tanks.
About plants, you can DEFINITELY grow some, I just really recommend a nutritious substrate. Either flourite, eco-complete, or organic (no fertilizer) potting soil topped with gravel or sand. Just throw in some java moss, anubias, and java fern and you're set. Maybe something like hornwort or bacopa as well.
And as for guppies, definite no there. They're social, so not quite a tight knit as tetras but they really should be in groups of 3-4 at least. And 3-4 would be overstocking a 2.5gal. So 5 gallons is the bare minimum for those guys.
r.w.girard brought up a good point, make SURE it's a dwarf frog before you get it. African CLAWED frogs do not have webbing between their front toes. African DWARF frogs do have webbing between their front toes. The wild type ACF is virtually identical to ADFs aside from this. Personally I think this tank would technically be able to sustain a pair of ADFs but it's too cramped for them. Generally I like to see them in tanks around 3 gallons. Just something with more floor space, and very shallow.
The tank size is arguably large enough for a betta but I've heard the filter flow is too much for them, and you have to baffle the filter. Kind of a pain.
I say keep it a shrimp tank, amano shrimp, red cherries, crystal red shrimp, maybe even those pretty blue guys. All look great in small tanks.
About plants, you can DEFINITELY grow some, I just really recommend a nutritious substrate. Either flourite, eco-complete, or organic (no fertilizer) potting soil topped with gravel or sand. Just throw in some java moss, anubias, and java fern and you're set. Maybe something like hornwort or bacopa as well.
And as for guppies, definite no there. They're social, so not quite a tight knit as tetras but they really should be in groups of 3-4 at least. And 3-4 would be overstocking a 2.5gal. So 5 gallons is the bare minimum for those guys.
Yeah that's what I kind of figured on the guppies. This aquarium in reality is probably going to turn out really half-***. As for substrate I already have some spare Eco complete, but I was thinking of perhaps going with some sort of soil or dirt. I'm not an expert at aquatic plant keeping in the least. I kind of wanted to have a plant thatnwould usually carpet bigger tanks, but would fill up a lot of space in the tank asmfar as height, so the fish/shrimp are swimming through something. Ok, that sounds retarded, but I don't know how else to phrase it haha.. Just kind of throwing it out there, but one plant that caught my eye before is called dwarf hair grass. I know it's a highlight, and needs co2. Does anybody have any recommendations as far as some sort of co2 system? Does that seachem stuff work? It would it just kill the inhabitants because it's such a small size... And would the apple snail eat the grass or something similar to that which would be used as a carpet? I was even thinking about taking a few of my marimo moss balls out of the 20 gallon and ripping them apart and trying to make a carpet out of that. It's been done before, but they take forever to grow...
Yeah that's what I kind of figured on the guppies. This aquarium in reality is probably going to turn out really half-***. As for substrate I already have some spare Eco complete, but I was thinking of perhaps going with some sort of soil or dirt. I'm not an expert at aquatic plant keeping in the least. I kind of wanted to have a plant thatnwould usually carpet bigger tanks, but would fill up a lot of space in the tank asmfar as height, so the fish/shrimp are swimming through something. Ok, that sounds retarded, but I don't know how else to phrase it haha.. Just kind of throwing it out there, but one plant that caught my eye before is called dwarf hair grass. I know it's a highlight, and needs co2. Does anybody have any recommendations as far as some sort of co2 system? Does that seachem stuff work? It would it just kill the inhabitants because it's such a small size... And would the apple snail eat the grass or something similar to that which would be used as a carpet? I was even thinking about taking a few of my marimo moss balls out of the 20 gallon and ripping them apart and trying to make a carpet out of that. It's been done before, but they take forever to grow...
Yeah that's what I kind of figured on the guppies. This aquarium in reality is probably going to turn out really half-***. As for substrate I already have some spare Eco complete, but I was thinking of perhaps going with some sort of soil or dirt. I'm not an expert at aquatic plant keeping in the least. I kind of wanted to have a plant thatnwould usually carpet bigger tanks, but would fill up a lot of space in the tank asmfar as height, so the fish/shrimp are swimming through something. Ok, that sounds retarded, but I don't know how else to phrase it haha.. Just kind of throwing it out there, but one plant that caught my eye before is called dwarf hair grass. I know it's a highlight, and needs co2. Does anybody have any recommendations as far as some sort of co2 system? Does that seachem stuff work? It would it just kill the inhabitants because it's such a small size... And would the apple snail eat the grass or something similar to that which would be used as a carpet? I was even thinking about taking a few of my marimo moss balls out of the 20 gallon and ripping them apart and trying to make a carpet out of that. It's been done before, but they take forever to grow...
Why did that post like five times...
Yeah that's what I kind of figured on the guppies. This aquarium in reality is probably going to turn out really half-***. As for substrate I already have some spare Eco complete, but I was thinking of perhaps going with some sort of soil or dirt. I'm not an expert at aquatic plant keeping in the least. I kind of wanted to have a plant thatnwould usually carpet bigger tanks, but would fill up a lot of space in the tank asmfar as height, so the fish/shrimp are swimming through something. Ok, that sounds retarded, but I don't know how else to phrase it haha.. Just kind of throwing it out there, but one plant that caught my eye before is called dwarf hair grass. I know it's a highlight, and needs co2. Does anybody have any recommendations as far as some sort of co2 system? Does that seachem stuff work? It would it just kill the inhabitants because it's such a small size... And would the apple snail eat the grass or something similar to that which would be used as a carpet? I was even thinking about taking a few of my marimo moss balls out of the 20 gallon and ripping them apart and trying to make a carpet out of that. It's been done before, but they take forever to grow...
Yeah that's what I kind of figured on the guppies. This aquarium in reality is probably going to turn out really half-***. As for substrate I already have some spare Eco complete, but I was thinking of perhaps going with some sort of soil or dirt. I'm not an expert at aquatic plant keeping in the least. I kind of wanted to have a plant thatnwould usually carpet bigger tanks, but would fill up a lot of space in the tank asmfar as height, so the fish/shrimp are swimming through something. Ok, that sounds retarded, but I don't know how else to phrase it haha.. Just kind of throwing it out there, but one plant that caught my eye before is called dwarf hair grass. I know it's a highlight, and needs co2. Does anybody have any recommendations as far as some sort of co2 system? Does that seachem stuff work? It would it just kill the inhabitants because it's such a small size... And would the apple snail eat the grass or something similar to that which would be used as a carpet? I was even thinking about taking a few of my marimo moss balls out of the 20 gallon and ripping them apart and trying to make a carpet out of that. It's been done before, but they take forever to grow...
Why did that post like five times...
r.w.girard
Fish Crazy
One of the many mysteries of modern science, I suppose.
Vicky is pretty much on the money, but I would respectfully disagree with Vicky on the guppy point. Yes, 2.5 gallons is tiny. But they do not seem to be particularly gregarious and, further, Endler's Guppies, Poecilia wingei, seem to produce very little waste. Plus, the nano tank forum seems to think that one could keep 5 males in a 3 gallon.
Excel does work, but not necessarily for things like HC. Dwarf Hair grass can also carpet and grows taller. But I have never had any success with it. Cryptocoryne parvula should work as well. In fact, there are a bunch of options. Another easy one that the shrimp would love is java moss tied to stones to create a carpet. That or Ricca. If you do use dirt and not gravel, you should try growing your plants emmersed and only submerge them once the carpet has grown. Then wait a month or two for the original ammonia spike to subside. Start by adding the shrimp at that point. And then anything else after that.
My apple snail did eat my HC when I tried. But I don't know that that means yours will.
Vicky is pretty much on the money, but I would respectfully disagree with Vicky on the guppy point. Yes, 2.5 gallons is tiny. But they do not seem to be particularly gregarious and, further, Endler's Guppies, Poecilia wingei, seem to produce very little waste. Plus, the nano tank forum seems to think that one could keep 5 males in a 3 gallon.
Excel does work, but not necessarily for things like HC. Dwarf Hair grass can also carpet and grows taller. But I have never had any success with it. Cryptocoryne parvula should work as well. In fact, there are a bunch of options. Another easy one that the shrimp would love is java moss tied to stones to create a carpet. That or Ricca. If you do use dirt and not gravel, you should try growing your plants emmersed and only submerge them once the carpet has grown. Then wait a month or two for the original ammonia spike to subside. Start by adding the shrimp at that point. And then anything else after that.
My apple snail did eat my HC when I tried. But I don't know that that means yours will.
This Old Spouse
TOTM Winner May 2013
r.w.girard said:
And I have to disagree with you here. People keep goldfish in bowls and bettas in jars, but that doesn't mean it's the best thing for them.
r.w.girard
Fish Crazy
TOS, an argument with which none can or should argue. Ideally, we would not put any fish in a tank under 100 gallons: all fish would be better for it.
But, I believe the original question was between one or two guppies in a 2.5 gallon tank. That is one or two inches of fish that do not pollute much [see article on SeriouslyFish as source]. Not one inch or two inches of dwarf puffers, which do pollute, very much. The same reason, I would suggest that an Apple Snail is not an appropriate creature for such a small tank. Nor is it suggesting that 5 male endler's guppies could or should be put in a 2.5 gallon tank. Another post suggested it and no one seems to have objected there. Further, note the attenuation of the statement through latent doubt: "seems to think that one could."
I do not argue that one should. I am simply saying that it would not be unreasonable to keep one or two. In fact, I would be encouraged to believe that it would be better to keep two Endler's Guppies in a 2.5 gallon tank that it would be to keep a single Betta, as the latter is an all around larger and messier fish.
Anecdotally, owning a 2.5 gallon tank, I can say that they only thing that I feel comfortable keeping in it is whatever happens to grow in there by itself: MTS, ramshorns and any other little critters that feel like feeding of the developing detritus, algae and bacteria growing from the Java Ferns that inhabit the tank.
But, I believe the original question was between one or two guppies in a 2.5 gallon tank. That is one or two inches of fish that do not pollute much [see article on SeriouslyFish as source]. Not one inch or two inches of dwarf puffers, which do pollute, very much. The same reason, I would suggest that an Apple Snail is not an appropriate creature for such a small tank. Nor is it suggesting that 5 male endler's guppies could or should be put in a 2.5 gallon tank. Another post suggested it and no one seems to have objected there. Further, note the attenuation of the statement through latent doubt: "seems to think that one could."
I do not argue that one should. I am simply saying that it would not be unreasonable to keep one or two. In fact, I would be encouraged to believe that it would be better to keep two Endler's Guppies in a 2.5 gallon tank that it would be to keep a single Betta, as the latter is an all around larger and messier fish.
Anecdotally, owning a 2.5 gallon tank, I can say that they only thing that I feel comfortable keeping in it is whatever happens to grow in there by itself: MTS, ramshorns and any other little critters that feel like feeding of the developing detritus, algae and bacteria growing from the Java Ferns that inhabit the tank.
PlumbersMerchant
Fish Crazy
Dont no if this has been said (because im a bit drunk and the long posts arnt my thing this time of night)
But dont mix frogs and crabs as the crabs will rip the frogs to pieces. They both occupy the same level of the tank (this being the substrate) and frogs are, lets say 'partially sighted'. I have 2 African Dwarf frogs (not Clawed) and have had them 6 months so far and love them allthough i think one keeps eating neon tetras ! They really are cute, quirky creatures and with training can learn so much. I have managed to get mine to follow my finger around the tank (finger on the outside of the glass) and am currently trying to get them to hand feed. Best food for this is blood worm.
Really would advise frogs but like someone mentioned, you need an air gap/space at the top of the tank. Your choice of a planted tank would be ideal, allthough somtimes you may find yourself looking for the frogs for ages before you spot them. Hope all goes well
Drunken Bum out !.....
But dont mix frogs and crabs as the crabs will rip the frogs to pieces. They both occupy the same level of the tank (this being the substrate) and frogs are, lets say 'partially sighted'. I have 2 African Dwarf frogs (not Clawed) and have had them 6 months so far and love them allthough i think one keeps eating neon tetras ! They really are cute, quirky creatures and with training can learn so much. I have managed to get mine to follow my finger around the tank (finger on the outside of the glass) and am currently trying to get them to hand feed. Best food for this is blood worm.
Really would advise frogs but like someone mentioned, you need an air gap/space at the top of the tank. Your choice of a planted tank would be ideal, allthough somtimes you may find yourself looking for the frogs for ages before you spot them. Hope all goes well
Drunken Bum out !.....
silenthawk2x3
Fish Fanatic
I breed Apple snails and have never had any eat even one of my plants. And that is saying something considering I had nearly 100 in a ten gallon when I was raising them up. If that helps any. :3 And I feel that female bettas are more inclined to eat shrimps as every female I've ever had has feasted on my CRS if they're ever in the same tank. Needless to say there are no CRS with my bettas now.
As of right now the 2.5 is empty, haven't even started cycling it. I've been unsuccessfully looking for a better quality filter for the 2.5...the aqeuon one that cane with it is terrible, it's basically just a cartridge which you're supposed to replace monthly, sounds great? Yeah except there's no media and water only hits about 1/4 of the cartridge...I also ordered a small 10w heater..temperature is currently 89-91 according to my 2 thermostats...anyways I'm currently growing flame moss, java moss, and soaking the driftwood in my 20 gallon as I'm trying to get tannins in the water anyways. I just can't find a plant that I really like though, and I'm afraid the tank will look incomplete with just moss and driftwood...oh and also I've decided on going for just shrimp, I probably could keep a couple guppies alive in the tank, but hey, it's worth sacrificing a pretty sight than torturing a fish with no room or friends :c. I'm probably just gong to put media from my 20, 30, or 10 n the 2.5 oncemi get the filter figure out..any other advice would be appreciated thanks everybody.
The Taffy Apple
Fish Herder
Good choice ! If you haven't already, you will need a liquid based test kit.
What i would do is this;
Move AS MUCH mature media across to your new filter from one of your older filters.
Add your chosen shrimp (you can be alot more generous here with stocking as shrimp bio-load is very, very small, especially for mature media).
Check your daily Ammonia, NitrIte and maybe PH readings and write them down.
Continue checking to prove your filter bacteria is doing its job and be ready to change water if your results tell you to.
Terry.
What i would do is this;
Move AS MUCH mature media across to your new filter from one of your older filters.
Add your chosen shrimp (you can be alot more generous here with stocking as shrimp bio-load is very, very small, especially for mature media).
Check your daily Ammonia, NitrIte and maybe PH readings and write them down.
Continue checking to prove your filter bacteria is doing its job and be ready to change water if your results tell you to.
Terry.
As far as shrimp go, how many should I start with, and do different breeds need more room? Couldn't quite figure that out. Like, just today I saw on this forum a picture of an orange eyed blue tiger shrimp. Stunning, but it's 100$ for 10! Plus I couldn't find how much space they needed..I wouldn't really consider anything that expensive though, so I'd be probably going for more common like RCS..soooo how many RCS could I put in the 2.5?
r.w.girard
Fish Crazy
You could start with a dozen or so. They should start to multiply pretty quick. As mentioned above, they don't create much of a bioload. But once you start feeding them, excess food will start your cycle, or continue it if you use mature media. But that is what you want to watch out for: over feeding when you just have shrimp as they can be quite sensitive to poor water quality. So, start with a dozen and they should start breeding within a few weeks, meaning the population will continue to grow. Once it gets "big enough" then add whatever you want, knowing that the majority of the babies will probably get eaten once other fish are in the tank.
And as thought, try to avoid getting only the best colored ones: the very red ones are females and a tank of females means no babies. I am not sure what the ideal ratio is but I think it might be one male to two females. Check planetinvert for information about that.
And as thought, try to avoid getting only the best colored ones: the very red ones are females and a tank of females means no babies. I am not sure what the ideal ratio is but I think it might be one male to two females. Check planetinvert for information about that.
Yeah I was going to be ordering off of planetinverts or alpha pro breeders. Leaning more towards alpha though because of their better prices..I really like tiger shrimp, and I know they're a little more difficult then RCS. The only problem is I know tiger shrimp need soft water with a ph of 6.5-7.0. But if I add peat moss to soften it seems like my ph would just drop? And can tiger shrimp even live in a 2.5? Or would it be impossible to maintain the water quality they need...
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