Spare 20l Fishtank

[justjon]

Hey guys!

Been a long while since I posted, probably don't remember me!

I now have a spare 20l fishtank (not big I know) to do something with, due to my poor Blue Boy (Betta) dying whilst I was hospitalised for a week

Anyway, I was curious as to what else I could do with the tank, it has a working filter/heater, gravel.. everything. So rather than just get another Betta, I wondered what else I could do!

Thanks!

 

[Athena]

How about keeping some African Dwarf Frogs in there? In that tank (5 gallons) you can have up to 3 in there. They are fairly easy to keep (feed on bloodworms, daphnia, brineshrimp - live or frozen) and very amusing to watch. Make sure you have a lid on the tank as they can jump out!

You could also have a couple of guppies in there with the frogs.

Athena

 

[justjon]

hmm, that sounds quite interesting!

Not sure if I can get them locally, mind. But I may be able to get them shipped here I guess.

Do they need an out of water area? If so perhaps I could half fill the tank, and have some rocks sticking out? First i've heard of em!

 

[silverrabbit]

What about a dwarf puffer? They're so cute but you'd only be able to have one I think.... have a look in Oddballs forum, there's a pinned topic in there on them.

 

[Athena]

hmm, that sounds quite interesting!

Not sure if I can get them locally, mind. But I may be able to get them shipped here I guess.

Do they need an out of water area? If so perhaps I could half fill the tank, and have some rocks sticking out? First i've heard of em!

No, they are completely aquatic frogs and live underwater. They only pop up to the surface now and then to gulp a supply of air. Best if your tank is not higher than the standard sizes (10-15" high) because they are not fantastic swimmers and it does take quite an effort to reach the surface for air sometimes.

They don't grow very big - usually up to 1.5" - but interesting little creatures to keep. Mine have me in stitches sometimes with the funny poses they do (like balancing on one leg in a spreadeagle pose, then they fall into a catatonic state like that and fall over backwards LOL)

Where are you located?

Athena

 

[justjon]

Hmm... the tank may not be too suitable then, here are some piccy's of it:

http/justjon.co.uk/stuff/pics/fish/DSCF0872.JPG

Oh, and i'm in Jersey, Channel Islands

Btw, the tank is now just empty, but has 2 live plants and a coconut shell in (that I made, cut it in half for a hidy-hole)

 

[Athena]

So how high is it from the top of the substrate to the water level?

From the pic it looks the same sort of height as mine and my froggies have been happily living in there for over a year now.

I suppose what you really need to know is whether your LFS can get hold of ADFs. If not, then we'll have to come up with other ideas.

Someone mentioned dwarf puffer fish - oh they are awesome (desperate to have some myself!) - but you could only have one in that tank as I think it's 1 puffer per 5gallons - and they will eat any other small fish you put in there so not really a sociable fish - but very entertaining and eyecatching. They are known to be very inquisitive fish (nosey beggars!). I like the way their eyes move like a chameleon's.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll think of something interesting to put in your tank soon enough!

Regards - Athena

 

[GSD]

I would go for a dwarf puffer, im currently concidering getting one myself, fascinating

 

[lyotim88]

i second(or third) the dwarf puffer. Plant out your tank too

 

[justjon]

hmmm.. would the tank suit 1 dwarf puffer then?

Has anyone got a video of theirs?

 

[lyotim88]

yes, your tank is a little over 5 gallons and that's the minimum to keep one. youtube dwarf puffer

 

[justjon]

ah, thanks.

So... reccomend filling it with sand and then putting 2-3 live plants in, keeping the coconut/rock in there aswell? Could I fit just 1 or 2 in there?

Also, what do they eat... and what do they actually puff up? (If so, when? )

Thanks!

OH! And I just remembered, it's a 30litre tank, not 20!

 

[lyotim88]

1 or 2 what? only 1 DP. I know they like snails, brine shrimp, mollusks and so on. they're carnivores

 

[shroob]

Have you thought about shrimp? They're more suited to small tanks than fish and can be more interesting than people initially think, especially if you chose a species that can breed in freshwater.

 

[tom_os]

i have a 20l which i got a heater and filter for today. i am going to put a dwarf puffer in there. cant wait