Reyloads

I have a 5.5 gallon tank and I want to start to get a couple white cloud mountain minnows. I know that you are suppose to like 6 or more. Is that really possible. Some of the articles say that you want to have a bigger tank for schooling fish. What you do think?

capekate

Hi reyloads.. and welcome to fishlore
yes, a true schooling fish needs to be in a group. Your 5.5 gal tank is too small for a school of anything.. sorry. You may want to try keeping one betta in there. Since you have the two minnows already and not going to return them, I wouldnt put anything else in that tank. Sorry...

Kate

susitna-flower

WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

You are right, a school of any fish with 6 or more would be too much for a 5 gallon tank.

The rule of thumb is 1 inch of adult size per gallon, for your tank you could have 2 of the minnows, 3 would just put you over, but with water changes it would probably be ok. I think a nice school of fish looks better in a tank of at least 30 gallons, where they can have more swimming room, and you can have a real school. You could have 9 minnows, or neon tetras, and 3 corys in a 30 gallon.

Were you going to cycle the 5 gallon with the minnows, then get something else, or is that your fish of choise for this tank?

angelfish220

Welcome to FISHLORE!!

You have made the most common mistake there is, to small tank with to many fish. You could get a 20-30 gal for your minnows, then a betta or dwarf puffer for your 5.5, MTS is fun!

COBettaCouple

Hey, welcome to Fishlore.

Unfortunately, that tank would be too small for white clouds. Dwarf puffers or a Betta or a colony of cherry shrimp or a trio of Endlers could work in that tank though.

Blub

lyndatu

Hello! Welcome to fishlore.com!

Yes, a 5.5 gallon tank is too small for a school of minnows. You should try getting at least 15 gallon tank or more, and you can use the 5.5 gallon tank as a quarantine tank for new and sick fish, or a betta tank. You can also use it as a mini-tank for other fun fish like Ghost Shrimp and Guppies.

Good luck!