Dane

Hey all, I was recently given two little 5 gallon tanks from a friend, including heaters and undergravel filters.

I will use one as a quarantine, but what can I do with the other?! Is it too small for a betta? I'd rather get something really unusual, like a dwarf puffer, but if i'm mistaken they need a lot more space? Also they're pretty hard to get a hold of here! :-(

Any suggestions are welcome, particularly the unusual/interesting ones!

Nick G

A 5gal will be fine for a Betta, although I wouldn't use an undergravel heater if I were you. Check out the Betta fish care guide article on the homepage, this is an excellent article on keeping Bettas.

Dozey

Although 10 gallons is preferred many members do keep a betta in 5 gallon tanks. I’m not sure that a puffer would have enough swimming room.

There are members here very familiar with both fish so you’re sure to get great advice.

Dane

Thanks nick & dozey, I'm using an internal powerhead filter in my other tank, and apart from the space it takes inside the tank i'm happy with it. Wasn't really planning on using the UGF on such a small tank. Maybe try a HOB with the little tank, dont want to lose more space...

≈ D ≈

Lucy

I vote betta. You could get an small whisper filter for it.

JESS01

These are some ideas:
1 betta
A few Cherry barbs
Snails
Ghost shrimp

FL CommunityFans

5gallon would be awesome for a shrimp colony There's many different kinds.

If that's not your cup of tea, you could try aquascaping! It'd be much easier to afford and setup and would give you a great bit of insight on planting tanks.. that is if you don't already do it

prairielilly

I have a 5g tank that is currently a QT but will eventually be a permanent home for a betta. It has a small HOB filter and I think it works very well. The filter intake tube going into the tank takes up much less space than an internal filter would (about the same amount as the riser tube for an ugf). I know bc when I first got the tank I bought an internal filter and put it in there, but ended up taking it back bc it took up too much real estate in the tank. My hob filter is from Aqua-Tech and has a fairly low flow rate, which is good bc betta don't like strong currents. I considered many different setups so far as stocking and well, the vast majority of fish just really like to have a lot more room. I know bettas do wonderfully in 10g's, but a betta will love your 5g too.

There's been a few threads recently on stocking 5gs, they might hold some more suggestions for you too.

Donpa

Actually a 5g tank would be the perfect size for a single dwarf puffer. They only grow to about 1" in size overall, but due to their aggressive behavior and messy eating habits I would recommend against any tank mates. Just keep in mind that they need well planted tanks and can be very picky eaters.

agabr123

id say a betta, i have three 5 gallon set ups for bettas and they really love them!

pinkfloydpuffer

Dwarf Puffer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dane

Hahaha, i thought you might swing the vote that way pinkfloyd :-P Any more tips? Could just keep one in there, are they happy kept as singles? And do they like a heavily planted/decorated tank or would the prefer more swimming room? Apparently they gnaw on bogwood sometimes to help keep their teeth down?

And thanks everyone else for your ideas!

Blub

Dwarf puffers are fine in singles... Check this link: http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/

I'm surpirsed knowbody has mentioned Ember tetras, Pygmy/Dwarf corys, Glowlight danios, a Honey gourami or Pygmy gouramis so far!

FL CommunityFans

We're trying to be unusual and interesting!

pinkfloydpuffer

Just one. Like bettas, they prefer the attention of their owner to the company of other fish. Heavily decorated is better, but they do need some swimming room as well.
I've never heard of them gnawing on bogwood... I feed my puffers snails to keep their teeth trimmed.

Amanda

I vote betta!
I have a female in a 5 gal. & it's great for her.

Fishlover423

Hmm, you could try an oscar, a few angelfishes and throw in an arowana if you want, Just kidding

You could put like 2-3 platies
OR
1 male betta
probably 2 female bettas
a(1) dwarf gourami
3 swordtales
2-3 cherry barbs
1 flame gourami
3 hatchets
a colony of shrimp
Thats really it....

Nick G

3 Swordtails would get WAY to big for a 5gal.

Fishlover423

I had a feeling you would say something about bettas, lol , ps, that my new fav smile, lol

Fishlover423

lol, what am i thinking, that 12'' of fish in a 5 g!

Butters

It's not really the inches part, its that swordtails grow to be 4 inches long and are pretty active fish that need room to move and stretch their fins out.
If you could make it a heavily planted tank then you could try a pair of sparkling gouramis. They are pretty little fish that grow to about 1.5 inches MAX and don't need the swimming room as say danios or swordtails.

Blub

1 male Betta = Fine

2 Female Betta = You might as well be throwing in 2 males - they can get very aggresive to each other.

3 Swordtails = Swordtails need at least a 20gal tank. Enough said?

2-3 Cherry barbs = That may work, but Cherrys are really schoolers.

3 Hatchets = No! Hatchets are STRICTLY schooling fish who really need at least 20 gal (or 10gal long).

A Colony of shrimp = That would be fine!

Dane

Thanks again everyone! I'm still undecided, but swaying towards a dwarf puffer... :-) Or maaaybe a betta if my shop gets in a particularly nice crowntail... Shrimp are also a cool idea, unfortunately my shop doesn't sell them, not even feeders.

pinkfloydpuffer

Yay puffer!

Amanda

I still say a female betta would do great in a 5 gal. Maybe even have live plants, shrimp. That would be a pretty cool looking tank.

pinkfloydpuffer

You can have live plants and maybe even large shrimp with a dwarf puffer too

Amanda

Shhhhhh!!
Don't say that!

pinkfloydpuffer

agabr123

lol, just get two five gallon tanks. then you can have a DP and a betta!!! MTS solves everything!