Anyone Kept A Betta In A 2.5 Gallon As A Permanent Tank?

I had three 2.5 gallon tanks sitting in my closet, I'd like to keep one as a spare/quarantine, and with all my other tanks, I only had space for one more. I've thought about a shrimp tank, but I'm not too interested in shrimp and would prefer a 5 or 10 gallon planted tank for that anyways. I've kept bettas in 2.5 gallon tanks for short periods of time, no more than a couple months, but I've never kept on in a 2.5 gallon long term. I'm thinking about getting a betta for this 2.5 and I'm wondering if anybody here has kept one in a 2.5 gallon tank as their long term, permanent tank. I should also note that I plan to let the betta settle in for a while, and see how he/she does and if I notice that they're extremely active I am able to divide a 10 gallon tank and double their space if I need to. What do you guys think? Should I give it a shot or not even bother?

Also, I'm sure some will say to just divide the 10 gallon tank and add them as opposed to even trying the 2.5, which I may actually wind up doing, as I'm not set on keeping something in this 2.5, I'd be ok with it as a nice looking tank will just some plants, but I'm mainly just looking for anyone who has experience with keeping bettas in smaller tanks and whether or not it's even worth it. The tank is also heated, filtered, cycled, etc.

 

I did, and I thought he was fine. A divide 10 would be a million times better though. A standard 2.5 will do a lot better as a shrimp tank, a species tank (asian stone catfish, some killifish, dwarf crayfish, thaI micro crabs), or if you're interested, a pico reef.

But, a betta would be okay in the tank long-term with proper maintenance IMO.

 

It’s supposed to be the smallest recommended size.

I wouldn’t put a betta in anything under a 10 gallon tank because in reality, there is basically half of the tank from the decor, substrate, heater, and filter.

 

All of my current bettas have anywhere from 4-13 gallons each, although 3 of them did temporarily live in 2.5 gallon tanks and were fine, but then again, they were more of "quarantine tanks" as they were all sick when I got them. Lorekeeper I did consider a pico reef for a second actually, I love the look of a tiny reef tank, but between all my animals, I decided against it as it would just be too time consuming and I still have so much work to do on my current salt tank. I want to keep this tank very simple and fairly low maintenance.

 

All of my current bettas have anywhere from 4-13 gallons each, although 3 of them did temporarily live in 2.5 gallon tanks and were fine, but then again, they were more of "quarantine tanks" as they were all sick when I got them. Lorekeeper I did consider a pico reef for a second actually, but between all my animals, I decided against it as it would just be too time consuming and I still have so much work to do on my current salt tank. I want to keep this tank very simple and fairly low maintenance.

Definitely understandable!

As I said, 2.5 gallons is pretty much bare minimum for a betta, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. But it can be done successfully.

If you're wanting truly low maintenance, some hardy inverts and some hardy plants would be pretty much unbeatable. Change out some water every month or two, and let it do it's thing. Pico reefs actually aren't as high maintenance as you'd think. I top off every 2-3 days with a cup of water on my 2.8 gallon, and do weekly water changes. Other than that, the tank takes care of itself. People really exaggerate the work required to keep a small tank (the work is there, but it's not monstrous), especially if you stay away from feeding corals and you stay away from your more sensitive inverts and SPS. Not trying to talk you into it, but it's an idea

 

Awesome!! Finally I can pay you back for all the help you gave me! A betta can permanently live in a 2.5 gallon just make sure you have a sponge filter and a heater (I'm sure you know this but just to be sure) also don't fill the tank all the way to the top as they need to occasionally take a breath from the top of the surface of the water - half an inch should be plenty. I have a trio betta tank setup 15 gallons each betta has 5 gallons for themselves and I find that they absolutely love it. They are so curious! You may want to consider a female as they stay a bit smaller than males however a male would work. They would actually appreciate the upgrade from those cups. Some may disagree with me and say that a 5 gallon is a bare minimum however, a 2.5g would be sufficient for a betta. Hope you enjoy your little friends company and he enjoys his new home!

 

I use a 10 gallon for mine

 

I personally wouldn't because my betta loves his ten gallon but if you do try it, a long-finned betta would be a better option since they generally aren't as active.

 

My betta's permanent home is a 2.5 gallon, heated but unfiltered. I've owned him for 3+ years so if you add how old he was when I got him at the store he's probably closer to 4 or 4+. He's done very well in his 2.5 gallon so if you want to go that way with a betta, I'd say go for it!

 

I just want to say that I'm currently messing around with my 10 gal, and because I haven't warmed up to the idea of a 'whole 10 gal for one fish' yet, I tried a divider to see how I liked it. I didn't really. It works perfectly fine, with some accommodations depending on what species you are dividing, but I think the scape is soo much better without the divider. And I was obviously making a effort to make it look good with the divider in; of course I searched out photos of divided tanks for ideas and everything. It's not that it looked bad, and not saying I won't ever use it, but I am much more pleased with the no-divider look.
I don't know if that helps your decision at all.

 

If you do decide to do this, let me know how it goes! I’ve been keeping my Betta in a 10 gallon. I just purchased 2.5 gallon for use as quarantine tank for small plants, and was trying to figure out what to do with it next. it seems too tiny for much else than plants and a maybe some snails after watching my half moon roam the full area of his ten gallon. Plus, as a beginner, it’s definitely easier for me to handle and more forgiving of my inexperience. I am curious as well if a 2.5 would work for a Betta. I’m sure if done well and well taken care of, it would work just fine. If you decide to do it, let us know how it goes.

 

I have my Betta in a planted Fluval Spec V.
He's been in there for over a year and he's very happy.
He shares his tank with two ghost shrimp and two nerite snails.
I do a 20% water change every Friday.
The tank (as stocked) requires very little effort to maintain.

 

Wow! Lots of replies. I currently have 6 bettas some in divided tank, some in their own tanks, but I definitely wouldn't mind getting another little friend! I know 2.5 gallons is usually the "bare minimum" most people suggest, but I've just never kept one long term in something below 4-5 gallons, so there's a good chance the 2.5 will be sort of a "quarantine" and he will be moved to a divided 10, just wanted to get some input from others. My betta who is currently in the 10 gallon that I may divide is older and doesn't swim well (he's got a messed up back and looks awful, but he's been with me for over a year now and is the most aggressive eater I've ever seen) so he would do perfectly fine with 5 gallons. And yes, I filter and heat all my tanks, I have a whisper 3I in this one, I don't love it, but it does its job. jamie carmichael I didn't know you had bettas!! Bettas were actually what got me into the hobby and I have yet to find a fish that I like more, they have tons of personality! Lorekeeper I wish I could do a pico, I love the look of them, but with about 30 pets now, I don't know if I could spend money on corals for my larger tank and for a pico, I wish though! Maybe another time, or I may set one up once I start fragging my own corals. I think I will try the tank out with a betta, I'll consider it a "quarantine/possibly permanent home" if he doesn't like it, I'll either divide my 10 gallon with the leftover supplies from the last dividers I built or get a 5 gallon for him, I figure if he winds up going in the 10 gallon, he'll need to be quarantined anyways.

 

I was so caught up in saltwater that I had completely forgotten about them lol. They are so personable and really neglected in pet stores it really is a shame. People want to save them but at the same time you make the pet store buy more as you are creating a demand so its quite confusing.

 

I was so caught up in saltwater that I had completely forgotten about them lol. They are so personable and really neglected in pet stores it really is a shame. People want to save them but at the same time you make the pet store buy more as you are creating a demand so its quite confusing.

Yeah, it's horrible how they're treated in stores, I actually have a local store who keeps them in cups that are about 1/4 gallon (maybe a bit less) and they're in an entire rack system that actually allows the cups to be filtered, it's pretty nice compared to most stores setups. 4 of my bettas are "rescues" from chain stores, but all of them were the leftovers when the racks of bettas were almost empty and they were in rough shape, I hate to do that, but they had no chance. I guess I see at as, if I can avoid those stores all together I try to, but I don't think petco will stop selling bettas anytime soon regardless of whether or not I buy. Nowadays I just avoid those stores altogether, not only do I try to avoid getting animals from there, but I also try to avoid giving them any money and I have a hard time saying no to an animal who would otherwise probably die, so I just stay away and hope that the petcos around me get some better employees who actually at least try. It's not fish related, but I was there once and saw a mouse who was obviously dying, we told an employee and his response was "yeah, that's not good" and he just went back to what he was previously doing… I was absolutely shocked to say the least.

 

I totally agree, it can be quite confusing and hard at time to choose the right decision. Luckily betas are not kept in cups here but mostly in filtered tanks with some tetras or other Nano fish which is better than cups but still not the best choice. It can be really hard not to help a poor fish. I doubt that a single purchase will affect the stores shipment of that fish they will still ship them probably that's why I prefer to help the fish as I can see that I am physically making a difference rather than just waiting for that store to stop shipping that item or a vulnerable beginner who is told they can be kept in a bowl and the fish continues to suffer. It really is a sad and horrible life for these poor fish.

 

I was changing some stuff up on the 2.5 gallon again today, and I think I've decided against keeping a betta in it, although I may still use it as a quarantine if I ever do divide another tank, knowing myself, I'd just wind up buying him a 5-10 gallon tank in like a week anyways and there's a chance I may get a fluval or similar tank to put there (something around 5 gallons) so I just decided against it, I've kept bettas for years and always given them 4-5 gallons as a minimum and I see no reason to stop doing that. I think for now, I'm going to keep it running and possibly start trying out some plants in it, and once they grow out, I can add them to my larger freshwater tanks! I'll use it as a "plant nursery" thanks for all the input guys!

 

Glad you came to a decision