DeanAsploded

What kinds of fish can go into 5 gallon tanks?

I was going to get one male betta and a few shrimp, but then I read that bettas are carnivorous and eat crustaceans... Does this extend to cherry shrimp and/or ghost shrimp?

The preferred plan is two females, but those I expect to be hard to find.

Just curious if there are any other fish that are small enough for a five gallon.

Most of my experience is with pond and gold fish, so, small tanks aren't exactly my specialty.

Lucy

Hi Dean.
Not many options for a 5g. Female bettas can be just as aggressive as males so no matter the gender, only 1 betta in a 5g tank.
Other options could be 2 African Dwarf Frogs or 1 dwarf puffer.

iloveengl

Would an invert work with those ADFs, Lucy? They would add some variety without the bioload. If Lucy agrees, then you could also get Cherry Shrimp (super pretty) or Ghost Shrimp... or maybe a mystery snail or another kind that doesn't reproduce asexually to go with an ADF or two....

Lucy

Inverts would be a hit or miss.
ADF's don't have very good eyesight. If they think they smell food they lunge at it.
I think small snails might be a choking concern. Like small gravel, it could get stuck in their mouth or throat. If they managed to swollow it I'm not sure how easily it would pass.
They might lunge at a bigger snail, but they don't have teeth and would probably do little harm.

DeanAsploded

Thanks for the help.

And I just want to be clear that I understand the risks that female bettas can also provide. If I was able to locate a couple but problems arose I would be very willing to rehome one.

Lucy

Please keep in mind, we cannot watch our fish 24 hours a day. Two bettas in a 5g is a recipe for disaster. Someone will end up hurt or killed.

DeanAsploded

Thank you for your help. I understand where you're coming from.

iloveengl

If you really want multiple fish, maybe you could do one female betta and one ADF? They should pretty much ignore each other. And it's even cooler than multiple fish.

Lucy

Sometimes ADF's and bettas arecompatable . If you like that option, have a back up plan in case the betta doesn't accept the ADF.