What to put in my 5G (uk) Tank

[TonyGill_home]

I been looking through the forums but i am unsure what to do.
The 5G Tank is a Hex tank, so is quite tall.
Ive heard plp saying that for this size tank a betta would be good, but what else would i be able to put in there.
The tank will be planted, and also has a air based filter which uses cartridges (ive been making my own media for the cartridges to reduce costs as replacements are £5 for 2)
Lighting is not a problem for the plants either as it uses a 15w bulb, magnified using CDs (this appears to be boosting the colour spectrum, as well as the intensity of the light),and the potted plant currently in the tank seems to be growing fine.

I also have a 4l Bowl, with a mini-lily in it, but as I have found out, thats really too small for a betta.

Any fish combos that i could put in there, maybe with Ghost shrimp, would be apreciated.

Thx

 

[red-devil0602]

check out the betta section and there is a topic about suitable tank mates for a betta

 

[GSD]

there isnt alot really
betta and mabe afew white clouds OR afew dwarf frogs OR afew snails

 

[corrosive]

maybe get two dwarf puffers? that would be cool...?

 

[sylvia]

The 'rule' for dwarf puffers is one per 5 gallons. That may be an idea.

Are you set on a betta?

If not, a trio of guppies OR a trio of mosquito fish (heterandria formosa) OR 6 spotted rasboras OR a trio of endler's liveabearers OR 4 pygmy cories (those would go with a betta as well) OR a trio of sparkling gouramies OR a male honey gourami (would work with one of the afformentioned livebearers or cories - alternatively, if you plant heavily you can try a trio of honeys) OR you can try one of many suitable killifish species OR one of the many tiny goby species (some are brackish).

Wherever I've said 'trio' I mean 2 females, 1 male.

I personaly wouldn't put white clouds in a 5 gallon. They are quite active and need to be in a group. They get to 1.5" so I feel they should have at least a 10 gallon if not more. That's just personal opinion though.

Alternatively, maybe skip fish and get a snail and some interesting shrimp - I like cherry shrimp. You could try breeding either the shrimp or some apple snails (the blue ones are amazing). A little underwater garden with all sorts of brightly colored shrimp looks lovely. There's also african dwarf frogs to consider.

There are plenty of options but the fact that this is a hex. does limmit you somewhat. Keep a close eye on any fish you put in.

 

[IMCL85]

yea go for betta

 

[Annastasia]

I have a 5 gallon hex downstairs, and I only have a Betta in there. He seems to love it, so I'd go for that.

You could also have a few Ghost Shrimp with him, or another small non-agressive shrimp. Or maybe a trio of Pygmy Cories.

You can't really put much in there, because it is mostly tall, and not very wide...so there isn't TOO much swimming room. I'd stick with a Betta and maybe a tankmate or 2 for him.

 

[GSD]

if it was my tanks id got for a betta and mabe afew shrimp,as cories really like to be in groups of 4 or more.

 

[TonyGill_home]

Well im about to shockyou all with what I used to have in this tank, for quite a long while, with no problems.

2 Dwarf Blue Gouramies(adult), 7 neon tetras, 6 WC Minnows, 4 Ghost shrimp, and a Butterfly Pleco (grows a inch or so max)

Kept all of these in the 5G Tank, with water changes once or twice a fortnight.
Also had a large rock formation, from one of my dads old taks from years back, and a ornamental cave. Had the Gouramies spawn after 1 week being put into this, but no real plants in the tank meants that they were more just treats for the fishes (yummy eggs )

All the fish, except from the couple that died are now in the 22.5G tank (I think the Pleco had a heart attack or died from transfer stress, as it changed colour when i put it into the tank.

 

[TonyGill_home]

PS sorry about spelling mistakes

 

[GSD]

2 Dwarf Blue Gouramies(adult)=if these were both male theyd be so streesd being a territorial fish,with too little space.they need tank size of a 10gallon or more to be happy
7 neon tetras=this tank is too small for neons and they wont have much room to swim they need at least 10gallons +
6 WC Minnows same FAR too small for 6
i did abit of reserch on the butterfly and found it can grow up to 4.5inches
all these fish would of been stressed living in cramped conditions.and water changes should of been done much more often with this number of fish.I got all my info from liveaquaria.com i suggest you reserch the fish you but before you get them.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I wouldn't put guppies in a 5 gallon hex tbh; like WMC's they are active and need swimming space. Mine are in a 13 gallon and are all over the tank. For this tank I'd go with the betta, maybe a shrimp or two.

 

[OrkyBetta]

I didn't read all of the posts, but in a 5 gallon, nix the white clouds, they need to school in a group of 6 or more. And nix the guppies, they don't do well with a betta. A single betta, maybe an african dwarf frog and/or a small snail would make a nice looking tank.

EDIT, shrimp would work, but I hear they need iodine in the water, which tyou can't put in if you have a betta. And a betta might decide the shrimp make a nice snack, too.

 

[TonyGill_home]

My shrimps have been fine without iodine, they have shed their skins a couple of times now without any problems, so iodine shouldnt be a problem.
The shrimps I currently do have are now about 1.5 to 2 inches.

The Gouramies are 1 male+ 1 female unless i got a male that can lay eggs

I also think that the Pleco was a Dwarf Butterfly Pleco, and not the normal sized 1

 

[boxman]

I have betta with a couple of ottos, perhaps there's an option but I'd stick with the betta on his own.

Check out the betta types - there's such a variety and I've never owned such a receptive and interesting fish as "goo" - the little guy follows me around and just waits for me to get some food out for him!

Definately recommend one!