Fish for 6 gallon??

[nagspope]

I have been running a 6 gallon tank for one week and all seems to be well with the filter, heater etc. and the temperature is maintaing a steady 76/8 degrees. It's a hexagonal tank with more height than length or depth and I wish to know what fish will be best for starting the cycle. I am only planning to have a community of around five fish and perhaps a shrimp or the like as a bottom feeder. Space, alas, dictates the size and I'm not really that keen - yet - to have a large variety/ammount of fish anyway.
Any suggestions apart from 'get a bigger tank'???

 

[CluelessScot]

a Fishless cycle. i think you will be advised on doing a fishless cycle as it is faster and doesnt harm any fish. When you are ready for fish i would say maybe a Betta. There are a few posts here with people seaking advice about fish for a small tank and it normally is to get a Dwarf Gourami or a betta. I think that the Bettas look really nice. Heres something i dug up

Hi in a 5-6 gallon tank you could keep:

1 - a male betta on its own
2- guppies and some algae shrimp or pygmy cories, i have an 8 gallon and in it a keep 4 male guppies 4 male swordtails and 5 algae shrimps.
3- A couple of livebearer platys or mollys.

Just a suggestion dont know very much about stocking levels in fish tanks. HTH

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[rdd1952]

There isn't much you can put in a 6 gallon other than a single betta. You could also add a couple african dwarf frogs if you are into frogs.

 

[dwarfgourami]

6 gallons is on the small side for guppies, too small for platys and DEFINITELY DEFINITELY too small for mollies. The tank kept by the quoted poster is way too overstocked and does not take into account the need of active swimmers (4 swordtails in an 8 gallon is simply not fair on the fish!).

A male betta is the obvious suggestion.

Or maybe some endlers.

Or perhaps some pygmy rasboras.

Or an African dwarf frog or two.

You can also keep a dwarf puffer in a 6 gallon, but that may be a bit harder to begin with.

Fishless cycling is a good idea.

a Fishless cycle. i think you will be advised on doing a fishless cycle as it is faster and doesnt harm any fish. When you are ready for fish i would say maybe a Betta. There are a few posts here with people seaking advice about fish for a small tank and it normally is to get a Dwarf Gourami or a betta. I think that the Bettas look really nice. Heres something i dug up

Hi in a 5-6 gallon tank you could keep:

1 - a male betta on its own
2-  guppies and some algae shrimp or pygmy cories, i have an 8 gallon and in it a keep 4 male guppies 4 male swordtails and 5 algae shrimps.
3- A couple of livebearer platys or mollys.

Just a suggestion dont know very much about stocking levels in fish tanks. HTH 

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[Pixie25]

i have a hexagonal 5.5 gallon tank and i am going to put 1 cherry barb male and 2 cherry barb females in this tank. my tank sounds very similar to yours and i dont have the space for a bigger tank at the moment either.

i have been recommended either a betta (but my tank has a mirrored back, so not appropriate for me), a few male endlers or a group of three cherry barbs.

i was also told that a dwarf puffer would work (but again because of the mirror this wouldnt be appropriate).

i am doing a fishless cycle in my tank at the moment. it doesnt take long with such a small tank maybe just over a week to do.

 

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

Dwarf puffers are fin nippers, so putting them in a tank with a fish with long fins, he would nip the fins.

 

[smooth_bourbon]

I have endlers in my 5 gallon. I am really happy with it. I have a Eclipse Hex with a compact flourescent bulb. I have Java Fern, Java Moss, and Hygrophila polysperma all of which I trim constantly.

I actually breed mine as feeders, but would definately say make sure you only get males. Definately the bunnies of aquarium keeping.

Good luck with your new tank

 

[neilw_uk]

Sound like mine is overstocked!!!

I think I have the same tank as others here. It’s a Rena tank, Silver with a mirrored back. (Starter kit)

I have about 16 fish in mine ranging from small headlight Tetras to a Betta. And 2 small Dwarf frogs.

I was in the local shop today and seen a 160 Gallon tank and stand for £249, but didn’t have the bottle to part with the money.

I think I might need to get it….. I will see how my fish get on, but all seem happy as some are bottom feeders and it gives plenty of room for others to swim..... Oh and the Beta is fine with a mirrored back.. Mine just flared up at himself for a few days, but ignores the mirror now and I get no problems with him in a communal tank.

Cheers for now,

Neil

 

[dwarfgourami]

Sounds like you are overstocked, Neil. It may seem alright at the moment, but remember you could have a sudden ammonia hike.

I have just bought the same tank- as a retirement home for one frail platy! I intend to use it as my hospital tank.