GoBlue!'s Guide to a great small tank!

Now I know it's not the best thing to keep fish in a tank under 10 gallons but college students and some people just have space restrictions. Don't worry though you can still keep fish. Some Fish that is. First proper filter: DON'T GET UNDERGRAVEL FILTERS!!! These things don't work well unless you have power heads hooked up to them. The best small tank filter is a small in tank or out tank power filter rater for 10 gallon tanks. BTW This is for tanks smaller than 10 Gallons. Second If you don't have goldfish which you could though I don't recommend it make sure you have a heater. Now I recommend a heater that you can set to a specific temp. They cost a bit more but are well worth it because most heaters can over heat your tank. Remember quality is a must in this hobby. Next a thermometer, you need to set your temp according to your fish, some like it warmer others on the cool side. You also will need a air pump and air stone. Honestly you fish will be healthier with it. If your a beginner fake plants are for you. Make sure you provide adequate cover for your fish. Rock caves are great too. On to Gravel: You should have 1-1.5inches of gravel no more. Pick a color any color. I like black myself. Kay now you have your set up. Time to cycle. I'm sure most of you know it will tank about a month for your tank to be ready for you fish to go in. On to what Fish can I have? Well believe it or not a lot of different set ups will work. I'm going to throw out a list of fish best suited for a smaller tank. These fish should really be in at least a 5 gallon. Guppies(Get males unless you want a bunch of guppies one morning when you get up)Minnows/Danio's. While there's some debate on if they do well and are happy in a small tank it's been my finding they do fine. Tetras - The smaller ones like Neons,glowlights, Black neons...You get the picture. Betta's of course however tank mates are limited. Cory Catfish. Though it's recommended a group and school a pair will do fine in most set ups just make sure you get them small. Dwarf Gourami's, a neat little fish but remember you can't overstock, when you have a fish as big as a gourami you are limited. Now onto fish that I've seen do great in small set up though it's not recommended. Cichlids....did I just say cichlids? Yes I did. My brother has had a single Bolivian Ram with 2 peppered corys in a 6 gallon systeam for 2 years going on three. Dwarf cichlids as they are called can do fine in here but some times you will get a bully and if you do keep a ram, only ONE and maybe a peaceful bottom dweller. Like I said I don't recmomend it but I've seen it work. One last thing to remember is don't get a fish that gets bigger than 2-3inches. You will stunt them.

 

I'm sure most of you know it will tank about a month for your tank to be ready for you fish to go in.

It usually goes by water testing not by time, but I am sure you know that. Welcome to Fishlore.com. I have not had the pleasure of posting to you yet, I believe. I hope you are enjoying the forum.

Rose

 

I'm sure most of you know it will tank about a month for your tank to be ready for you fish to go in.

It usually goes by water testing not by time, but I am sure you know that. Welcome to Fishlore.com. I have not had the pleasure of posting to you yet, I believe. I hope you are enjoying the forum.

Rose

Thank you and yes I do.

 

First of all a Goldfish couldn't be kept in there because they get way too big. A single Goldie needs a 20 gallon tank.
As I said in another post I disagree on what fish can be kept in a tank less than 10 gallons. Guppies are too active. Tetras and Danios need to be kept in shoals--5 gallons wouldn't support 6 of them. Gouramis and Cichlids get pretty big for such a small tank. If you have to have a tank less than 10 gallons, the only really suitable fish is a Betta. With him you could have a few small Cories.
Well, that's what I think, let's see what others say...

 

Dwarf Gourami's only get two inches. Dwarf cichlids about the same. I thought it better I post this than have people trying to put pictus catfish and other big fish in small tanks ;D

 

Really? I thought both got bigger. In that case, I guess a Dwarf Gourami would be ok. After all they are anabantids. Still not ideal, of course.
Ha ha, a pictus cat in a 5 gallon. They could get a Pacu to go along with him. ;D

 

Why not an aranowa? Sheesh, no taste! ;D

 

Trust me I know what I'm doing LOL

 

Naw get a red tail catfish for a 2.5 gallon, he'l fit in nicely. No offense but danios can't go in anything smaller than a 20 gallon without being stunted because they are highly active fish which means they need lots of surface area to swim, and they need 6 to be happy. There are also a lot of other fish you can keep in a small tank, just may be hard to find, maybe not a lot but there are a few. Cichlids, only one would work since they need their territory but I don't think any should be kept in smaller than 10 gallons and even at 10 only sheldwellers.

 

You are seriously wrong. Danio's get about 1-1.5 inches with the exception of the giant danio. You wouldn't be stunting those in a 5 gallon. Stunting in when you stop it's growth. Like I said this is what I've found to be true.

 

German Blue Rams(Microgeophagus ramirezi) get to at least 3 inches-recommended tank size is 10 gallons.
Blue Rams (Microgeophagus altispinosa) get to 3 inches and the recommended tank size is 30 gallons.
Dwarf Gouramis (Colisa lalia) get to 2 inches and recommended tank size is 10 gallons.
Zebra danios(Danio rerio) get to 3 inches- the recommended tank size is 10 gallons.
My research was done at      
GoBlue this may have worked for you in this one tank but it is not the norm. This is not something that I would recommend at all to anyone else. Mature size of fish should be researched before setting up a tank. If you can't supply its needs don't buy it.
this is of course my opinion and my feelings for my fish. But the research is there for all to see
Carol

 

German Blue Rams(Microgeophagus ramirezi) get to at least 3 inches-recommended tank size is 10 gallons.
Blue Rams (Microgeophagus altispinosa) get to 3 inches and the recommended tank size is 30 gallons.
Dwarf Gouramis (Colisa lalia) get to 2 inches and recommended tank size is 10 gallons.
Zebra danios(Danio rerio) get to 3 inches- the recommended tank size is 10 gallons.
My research was done at Live Aquaria      
GoBlue this may have worked for you in this one tank but it is not the norm. This is not something that I would recommend at all to anyone else. Mature size of fish should be researched before setting up a tank. If you can't supply its needs don't buy it.
this is of course my opinion and my feelings for my fish. But the research is there for all to see
Carol

That site is full of stuff. They claim Albino corys only get two inches yet they are just an albino version of bronze corys which get twice that size. Yes it works just fine my way. I've been keeping small tanks for 12 years and Rams get 2inches not three for blues FACT! I've had 7 rams before all that lived at least two years and in bigger tanks. Go to about and check out Dwarf Gourami, minnium 5 gallons. That site also says corys need 30 gallon it's a load of . You really got on my nerves with this one. Explain now why a fish that gets 1.5inches need 30 gallons? To recreat it's enviroment? Well that's impossible. If you feel that way don't keep fish. Danio's get 3 inches yeah right. Fact is if you don't like this thread stay out

I won't say anything about rams much because I don't know much about them, but I do know zebra danios in particular can't and shouldn't go in a ten gallon. My friends brother has some in there and they ARE 2.5" and look very unhappy and don't have enough swimming space, they keep running into the wall. Fact is if you don't like what other people say then you should'nt argue with them when they both have facts especially if they are a moderator because they can boot you. I'm done on this thread and that is MY opinion, you may have yours and I have mine, but let me warn you, you shouldn't talk to people like that to people, especially to moderators.

Austin

 

GoBlue, just a hint next time you reseach a type of fish check in more than one place to get info and German blue rams do get three inches I saw one at a show tank that size and danios I have seen up to 2 inches and some fish like the Blue rams may be small but they need to swim around . truly I wouldn't put minnows in any thing smaller than a 20 gallon because they are schooling fish like the danios as well and I wouldn't keep tetras in such a small tank because they are schooling fish that should be in groups of six like most all schooling fish also anyone can make a web site and put what ever they want on it that's not fact. also if liveaquria lies than why do the tell (accurately) how big other fish can get like angels and others

 

GoBlue, just a hint next time you reseach a type of fish check in more than one place to get info and German blue rams do get three inches I saw one at a show tank that size and danios I have seen up to 2 inches and some fish like the Blue rams may be small but they need to swim around . truly I wouldn't put minnows in any thing smaller than a 20 gallon because they are schooling fish like the danios as well and I wouldn't keep tetras in such a small tank because they are schooling fish that should be in groups of six like most all schooling fish also anyone can make a web site and put what ever they want on it that's not fact. also if liveaquria lies than why do the tell (accurately) how big other fish can get like angels and others

also moderators for the most part are in aquarium clubs and have friends that have had fish for like 20+years(like Dino)

 

This site is advertised to be helpful to folks new to the hobby. We have a lot of people here who would have disastrous results trying to keep a 5 gallon tank up an running with healthy fish in it. Your experiences may have worked for you, but your recommendations are not what we would generally recommend to our members due to their lack of experience in the hobby. It may work for you, and I'm glad that it does, but as moderators, we cannot condone your recommendations, and when we disagree with what other members are saying we must step in and we will step in if need be. We cannot just "stay out" of a thread when we disagree, nor should we. That is why we have this forum, and we are also very watchful of anyone that appears hostile toward other members. If you want to state your opinion, we encourage you to do so, but also be prepared to be called on something if others feel you are wrong. It goes both ways.

 

I happen to have done quite a bit of research on fish and everything I've ever read said either 2.5 or 3 inches for Zebra Danios. A 5 gallon is just too small for any shoaling fish, both because it can't hold 6 fish and because there is not enough swimming space. If any of your fish have not reached the usual size, it's because they were stunted by such a small tank.

Please do not be deterred from sharing your opinions. We just care a lot about fish--as I'm sure you do--ao if we feel something is incorrect we step in and say what we think. Don't get angry about it. I have been corrected planty of times. I just accept that I was wrong, no big deal.

And I too don't recommend arguing like that with moderators...remember they have probably been keeping fish for a lot longer than you have.

 

Whatever I'm out of here. I can see all I'm going to get is stuff for keeping fish that you can in small tanks. German Blue Rams get two inches no more. That's a fact. I had 2 in a 75 gallon and that's it. Are you telling me they were stunted? Look around more. Good bye!