1.5 gallon fish bowl

hi,

I have a 1.5 gallon fish bowl. Is there any way I can keep two fish in it? If yes, which ones? If I can keep only one, can any of you suggest what would be the best, given that I live in India?

My other question is regarding water temperature. I live in New Delhi, India where summer temperatures range from 38-44 C, whilst in winter, temperatures range from 10-5 C.

Would I then need a temperature regulator?

Thanks,
Bootle (reading Gerald Durrell at the moment, hence the name !)

 

The only fish that I can think of that would be relatively happy in a 1.5 gallon is 1 betta. And even with that you would need to clean it regularly and have some kind of aquarium thermometer and heater to keep the temp consistent at around 80 degrees. But however, I still think Betta's do need more room that a 1.5 gallon bowl, so I would consider this a temporary home for any fish you decide to get.

 

you could always get a goldifish or a white cloud moutain minnow... they both can take a variety of temps

white cloud = 7-21 degrees C
goldfish = 5-27 degrees C

 

1.5 is too small for really anything and yes you would need a thermometer for anything you keep in there unless your room will stay the same temperture year round because even goldfish can't stand large temperature changes and most goldfish get too big the minows get fairly large also so I woudnt think you could keep them in there you could keep an african dwarf frog or ghost shrimp or maybe some other shrimp

 

there are goldfish that are kept in small bowls all the time... if your room doesn't fluctuate tooooo much white clouds and goldfish are fine because there temp range is huge

 

but not more than one

 

Hmmm.....I kept a betta in a 1.5 gallon bowl for 6 years.......All I did was change the water regularly and feed it blood worms and floating pellets. No heater, just a bit of decorative stone on the bottom and a little sand castle........The thing was happy as a clam. Made so many bubble nests it looked like a bottle of alka seltzer spilled into the bowl........

 

I wouldnt put any thing in a 1.5 gallon fish bowl b/c the evetualy will out grow it I suggest getting something a little biger like a 5 or ten gallon tank

 

definitely get a bigger tank...but in the bowl you could put 3 or so ghost shrimp. They are very cool, and small too. DON'T put goldfish in it though!!!

 

I wouldn't really put any african dwarf frogs in there tho, they like a lot of room, require temp pretty consistent at about 80, and they are pretty big waste producers

 

Oh NO!  Please do not put a betta in a 1.5 gallon anything!  Also bettas are Tropical Fish and need a constant temperature of 76 - 80 degrees unless they are being medicated for some reason.  Then the temperature should be raised to 82 - 85 degrees depending on the condition being treated and the medication used.  Bettas also should have room to swim.  The old wive's tale (pet store owners) about bettas being able to live in a quart of water is cruelty. 

I don't know of any fish that would do well in an unheated, unfiltered 1.5 gallon bowl.  There are filtration sets for that size bowl, but I have not seen a heater that is effective for anything less than a 3 gallon (and that with great care).

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but this is a true pet peeve of mine.  It seems that every time someone wants to just have a fish to stick somewhere, they pick on the betta.  They are lovely fish but they have requirements just like the other Tropical Fish and why they are treated like a coldwater variety I have not the slightest clue.  As you have all probably figured out, this type of thing puts me on my soapbox, so I will climb down now I've said my piece.

Just please treat Bettas like the beautiful, Tropical fish they are and not like they are able to handle whatever is dealt their way.

Rose

 

LOL and Rose would know more than most people !! Good advice Rose

 

Goldfish are cool water fish but the need at least 20gallons of water for the first one and add ten gallons for each one after that so no the 1.5 Gallon isn't big enough. White Cloud Mountain Minnows are cool water fish also but are not happy aloneand they need a lot of swimming room. I don't know of anything the 1.5 Gallon can be used for except as Emma suggested a couple of ghost shrimp. Hope that helps and Welcome to FishLore
Carol

 

ROSE!! It is certainly good advice but.....

I guess I had a 'special' betta.........As I had said, mine lived 6 years in that bowl......happy as a pig in a poke.....

 

Vin maybe your Betta just had an extra extra good owner that took extra extra good care of him. But it's not the norm that this happens. glad yours ws happy and healthy.
this is still not the recommended size tank for a betta
carol

 

LOL! Maybe you're right! But please understand that I was not recommending, just providing an example that it has been done......with dedication, of course.

 

I am sure you were very dedicated, or your betta would not have lived for that long in those conditions. He profited from your care, I am positive and it is proof that you loved your fish. But at the same time, it cannot be said that the conditions are acceptable just because they worked once. Perhaps someone not as capable or knowledgeable about the care of fish as you were will take this as an okay to do it themselves and put their poor fish in a dreadful situation. My hope is that every fish be given the best of all situations as much as possible. If I tell anyone else that less than that is okay then I feel bad if something happens to their fish. I am not trying to single anyone out to upset them.

Does that help tone my comments down a bit. Nothing is directed at anyone specifically, just the situation involved.

Rose

 

I definitely agree. Mine is in a 10 gallon, and I definitely wouldn't have it any smaller he just seems so happy having all that room to swim around. And with the temp consistent at 80. That's way I said in the second post: If you do put a Betta in a 1.5, consider it a VERY temporary home.. And as that for any fish, they would be much happier in a larger habitat

 

;D

 

HI everyone,

Thanks a ton for all the advice! And yes, I did get the hint and now have a 10 gallon aquarium. I mean, after all, I'm irritable enough in my cramped apartment, so there's no reason why I should subject any pet fish to the same ! All I did was rearrange my apartment so carefully, that even one small change now will leave us with no space to walk around !!

LIke a typical newbie, I now have more questions.

Since I have a small aquarium, I can't keep too many fish. On the other hand, it appears that almost all fish recommended for beginners will be better in a school - guppies, zebra danios, tetras, cherry barbas, etc. What then should I keep in a 10 gallon tank? I love colourful fish, but also want calm fish.

By the way, I live in an area of DelhI with severe power outtages, so the pump/filter may not work for hours on end. Any suggestions?


Thanks in advance,
Bootle

 

guppys platys are good to star with

 

I've been using the betta bowl I originally got years ago to condition water in, since I never used it for anything but keeping a fish in. If you don't have much space, like me, you could always get a 5-8 gallon tank and just keep a couple of fish.

 

They do make air pumps that run on "D" batteries and they will run for a couple of days or so on two batteries. I have one just in case of power failure. They aren't the best solution but they do work with airstones and would probably run up to 2 airstones without a problem. I believe they cost around $30.00 US.

As far as the fish are concerned, I am afraid all I stock are my two Crowntail Bettas and 4 (soon to be 5) Otocinclus Catfish. I love both species. The Otos are great for keeping algae down in the tank, but if your tank is new you probably won't have anything for them to eat yet unless you want to supplement their food by feeding veggie wafers or algae wafers. (about 1/4 wafer every other day or else they make you come in and clean them up or leave them for a couple of days - not a good idea they will literally grow on you) LOL

Rose

 

Actually, you can go to any Dicks Sporting Goods store and go to the fishing dept. Get a "Rapala" Aerator Kit complete with net and hand towel for about $10.00....I use this to aerate my water and I have a separate one to aerate my bait bucket when I go fishing. It works on 2 D cell batteries that will last you a minimum of 4 days of continuous use.

 

Sounds like the guy who sold me mine soaked me good. I paid $29.95 plus postage. Oh well, we live and learn. Thank you for the advice.

Rose

 

if you have power outages get a sponge filter so the beneficial bacteria doesn't die and you can put towels over your tank to keep your tank warm and frequent water changes can keep it clean and if you don't want a lot of fish I can do some research for you and ask on the other forum I am in a good oddball fish that you could get that would look cool and that most other people don't have if you are interested let me know