Amount Of Fish

[Sonic55099]

I recently bought a 5 gallon fish tank about 2 months ago. It's been cycling for quite a while because I can't think of an appropriate amount of fish to put in it. Is 1 betta and 3 platies a good idea? I want to make sure my betta can be in the tank but not attack the other fish. If this won't work, do you guys have any recommendations? 5 gallon, filtered, heated, contains live plants. I already tested the water quality with testing strips.

 

[GGss6]

1 betta. Done. That is not a very big tank. Plus your platies will get eaten!

 

[Sonic55099]

What if it didn't have the betta? Or are there any other fish mates I can put with him besides platies, maybe Neon Tetras?

 

[snazy]

I wouldn't go with platies in a 5G. They can grow big if given the food and space. They are also poop machines and a 5G tank won't be able to deal with it really, especially if you get some fry survive since it's fairly easy breeding them with no intervention. Even if you buy just females, they'll be pregnant already and give birth for months without a male, and it's too small for a male only tank as they like their own space. Just a betta is really the best option in a small tank or if you can locate some very small species of fish, although most need longer tanks to swim and establish territories regardless of their small size. Maybe some endlers would be better.

Here are some of my platies:

On the picture below, see the size of one of the oldest female compared to the size of the powerhead next to her(right of the picture). I haven't measured the platy, but I happened to have measured the powerhead and it's 8.5 cm long horizontally(nearly 3.4 inches). I've got at least another couple that are nearly that size and are her own daughters, the rest are catching up also but they are all different ages as they've survived the odd natural selection from each fry bunch without me separating fry from adults.

 

[Sonic55099]

Will just neon tetras work without the betta, and how many

 

[Betta_Shark5678]

Someone I know has 7 Glowlight Tetras in a 10 gallon with her Betta, and the Betta's fins are all torn up around the edges from the Tetras nipping. I'd say don't get the Tetras, but that's my experience. They do best in larger groups anyways. Just a Betta is best in a 5 gallon!

 

[Sonic55099]

Someone I know has 7 Glowlight Tetras in a 10 gallon with her Betta, and the Betta's fins are all torn up around the edges from the Tetras nipping. I'd say don't get the Tetras, but that's my experience. They do best in larger groups anyways. Just a Betta is best in a 5 gallon!

I said WITHOUT the betta Anyway I'm thinking of guppies (Just guppies, nothing else) to put in the tank. Is 3 suitable?

 

[snazy]

No, tetras are fin nippers and is highly unlikely they'll get on with the betta. The need more space than that. Don't go only by the size of the fish, but also their requirements. I actually just posted on another thread about boraras brigittae(mosquito rasboras) which grow to max 2cm(0.8 ich) and may fit with a betta although the tank is still too small but at least they love similar conditions to the betta requirements(low flow) and well planted tank if possible and as many hiding places as possible, the bettas also love to go into caves. The mosquito rasboras need to be in groups so 5-6 maybe you can squeeze them with a bit of luck and make sure the filtration is good enough to cope, with regular water changes/maintenace. Here is a picture:

 

[Betta_Shark5678]

Oops sorry, misread that! I think Tetras need a bigger tank anyways, but I'm not sure on that one. 3 Guppies might work, as long as it's not a mix of males, and females. I had 3 males in a tank for a while, and they were fine. Though those mosquito rasboras are gorgeous, I think I might need some

Have you looked into Endler's, since you were thinking about guppies? They're smaller, and more colorful than guppies. Good luck finding true endler's in pet stores, though they do sometimes have them in with the male guppies if you look closely.

 

[Sonic55099]

I was about to choose rasboras but they went out of stock at my local pet store. I'm also afraid to go there because they give me VERY bad advice

I do have a little log with a bunch of holes for hiding places. The problem is I looked up what other people said about mosquito rasboras and they said that they require a minimum of 10 gallons.

@ Betta_Shark5678 There are Endlers at my pet store. I believe they are a mix of a basic orange and black, with some other colors. How many would be able to be in the tank? (without the betta)

 

[snazy]

The problem is I looked up what other people said about mosquito rasboras and they said that they require a minimum of 10 gallons.

Yes, most fish require 10 gallons the minimum, hence everyone keeps banging on making you keep just a betta unless you consider a shrimp tank

Sometimes, if that's the only tank you'll keep with a good planning, overfiltering, good maintenace, careful feeding regime and well decorated tank to the requirements of the fish you can happily squeeze 5-6 small fish but is not recommended of course. Endlers/guppies would also prefer larger tanks if they can get it. Smaller tanks can be very unstable and have swings in chemistry/temperature fairly easily which will cause problems with sensitive species as well. That's why they are best planted with some easy plants and a bit of ferts to keep them going, but the plants will additionally stabalize the small tank.
Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[KCB]

A Betta only I would say.

On a side note, when you say you are 'cycling', how are you doing this?

 

[xXKratosXx]

I'm going to have to jump on the betta train as well. You have enough space for a betta tank OR a shrmp tank OR maybe a couple of endlers assuming the endlers are the same sex and do not breed.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The problem is I looked up what other people said about mosquito rasboras and they said that they require a minimum of 10 gallons.

Yes, most fish require 10 gallons the minimum, hence everyone keeps banging on making you keep just a betta unless you consider a shrimp tank

Sometimes, if that's the only tank you'll keep with a good planning, overfiltering, good maintenace, careful feeding regime and well decorated tank to the requirements of the fish you can happily squeeze 5-6 small fish but is not recommended of course. Endlers/guppies would also prefer larger tanks if they can get it. Smaller tanks can be very unstable and have swings in chemistry/temperature fairly easily which will cause problems with sensitive species as well. That's why they are best planted with some easy plants and a bit of ferts to keep them going, but the plants will additionally stabalize the small tank.
Good luck, whatever you decide.

+1

 

[Sonic55099]

On a side note, when you say you are 'cycling', how are you doing this?

The filter spreading a "Bacteria Colony" to be able to break down waste. Is it also good to use live fish in the process?