ashenwelt
Member
So a question that comes up a lot is what can go into a five gallon aquarium. This expects heat and filtration and good water. We have made a list based on what people have been successful with. As such, can you help me expand this list? Please only add if YOU have done it. Here is our list so far.
What can go in a five? Many, many options. Many of which will start arguments. This is a list that people have been successful with. It’s not a guarantee but it is a place to start. Also, please research these fish as many has very specific requirements. Also note that many of these fish would be best listed as fish for "advanced" fishkeepers.
Fish:
Characiformes Characidae:
Remember there are additional concerns when doing this such as: water temp., water type, water quality, plant levels, ground cover/substrate, etc. One of the most important things to remember is that water is inherently less stable in smaller quantities. Yes, this means a 5 gallon aquarium is harder to manage than a 20 gallon aquarium. Additionally, many fish here do require what is referred to as old water. So think an aquarium that has been up for a few months at least.
Please note there are additional highly debated fish, such as the Danionella Dracula that have wildly differing sources. As such at this time we recommend holding to this list, and avoiding those fish. You may have unexpected and negative consequences for your aquatic pets when moving to those animals.
Contributors from many places but here at Fishlore.com includes:
Anders247
BottomDweller
Bruxes and Bubbles
Little Tank of Happiness
Catfish12345
Kaleb Rinehart
Coradee
CROWNTAILBETTA
fishandle
scarface
MrBryan723
ashenwelt
TexasDomer
JRS
APierce
beau
aquatickeeper
fishychachki
HappiestCamper
chromedome52
Thank you all for the contributions!
- List Curated by ashenwelt
--------
Additional Killifish breeding information provided by chromedome52
Killies are generally kept as M/F pairs, occasionally M/F/F trios.
Killifish for 5 gallon tanks with difficulty rating 1-5:
1- eats anything, and if you can't get them to spawn, there's something wrong with YOU!
2 - usually adapts to dry/frozen foods, may require some water chemistry adjustment or other.
3 - May eat frozen foods, but to breed live foods are needed. Water chemistry and possibly temperature requirements will have to be met.
4 - Require live foods, may have special spawning requirements or could be a seasonal breeder.
5 - You really have to know what you're doing to keep them alive, and breeding will require some very specific conditions.
Raising fry of killifish in general requires egg removal from parent's tank, though some 1 or 2 rated species might even allow fry to grow up in the tank. However, in a 5 gallon tank it will generally be necessary to remove fry that are seen so as to control population.
I use the terms common, uncommon, and rare. Common fish are species that may occasionally be seen in stores, but are pretty much available through auction sites and AKA show auctions. Uncommon are fish that you might find on auction sites, and have a good chance of finding at AKA shows. Rare is a fish that you will almost never see available on auction sites, and if you find them at AKA auctions, have a very, very deep wallet.
And now, some FISH:
What can go in a five? Many, many options. Many of which will start arguments. This is a list that people have been successful with. It’s not a guarantee but it is a place to start. Also, please research these fish as many has very specific requirements. Also note that many of these fish would be best listed as fish for "advanced" fishkeepers.
Fish:
Characiformes Characidae:
- Green Neon Tetra or Paracheirodon simulans - (recommend a minimum of 170 square inches (1096 square cm) of aquarium floor space, with 200+ (1290 square cm) preferred; length is wanted) - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Nannostomus anduzeI - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Celestial Pearl 'Danio' / Galaxy 'Rasbora' or Celestichthys margaritatus - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Strawberry Rasbora or Boraras naevus - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Neon blue rasbora or Sundadanio axelrodI - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Dwarf Rasbora or Boraras maculatus - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- ChilI rasboras / Mosquito Rasbora or Boraras brigittae - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Boraras micros - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Boraras urophthalmoides - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Ember barb / Dwarf Amber Barb or Barboides gracilis - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Barboides britzI - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Phoenix Rasbora or Boraras merah - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Aphyoplatys duboisI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion australe - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion aureum - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion bualanum - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion calliurum - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion celiae - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion coeleste - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion exigoideum - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion hofmannI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion joergenscheelI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion louessense - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion ocellatum - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion prnium - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion raddaI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion wachtersI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion (Chromaphyosemion) species - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion (Diapteron) abacinum - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion (Diapteron) cyanostictum - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion (Diapteron) fulgens - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Aphyosemion (Diapteron) georgiae - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Epiplatys annulatus - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Epiplatys chaperI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Epiplatys dagetI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Fundulopanchax ahlI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Fundulopanchax gardnerI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.; mature fish can eventually outgrow a 5, but albino and Gold forms tend to stay smaller)
- Fundulopanchax filamentosa - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Fundulopanchax marmoratum - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable; larger size, but very peaceful fish
- Fundulopanchax oeserI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Fundulopanchax scheelI - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Endler's Livebearer or Poecilia wingeI - 1-4M or 2F; swims in all zones; caution breeds prolifically
- Dwarf Mosquitofish / Least Killifish or Heterandria formosay - 1-4M or 2F; swims in all zones; caution breeds prolifically
- Pygmy Sunfish or Elassoma sp.- 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Banded Pygmy Sunfish or Elassoma zonatum - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Bluebarred Pygmy Sunfish or Elassoma okatie - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Carolina Pygmy Sunfish or Elassoma boehlkeI - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Gulf Coast Pygmy Sunfish or Elassoma gilbertI - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish or Elassoma okefenokee - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Spring Pygmy Sunfish or Elassoma alabamae - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Everglades Pygmy Sunfish or Elassoma evergladeI - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Parasphaerichthys lineatus - Requires 6 in a 5 gallon aquarium
- Scarlet Badis or Dario dario - 1M, 3M or 1M/2F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Red Dario / Red Melon Dario or Dario hysginon - 1M, 3M or 1M/2F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Dario dayingensis - 1M, 3M or 1M/2F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Dario kajal - 1M, 3M or 1M/2F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Dario urops - 1M, 3M or 1M/2F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Black Tiger Dario or Dario sp. 'Myanmar' - 1M, 3M or 1M/2F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Licorice GouramI or Parosphromenus deissnerI - (Debated; Recommend captive bred only, in very soft water; Recommend to focus on breeding) - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Betta Albimarginata - (Recommend to focus on breeding) - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Betta Brownorum - (Recommend to focus on breeding) - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Betta Channoides - (Recommend to focus on breeding) - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Betta Persephone - (Recommend to focus on breeding) - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Betta Rutilan - (Recommend to focus on breeding) - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Betta sp. ApI ApI - (Recommend to focus on breeding) - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Betta / Siamese Fighting Fish or Betta Splendens - 1M or 1F
- Betta Tussyae - (Recommend to focus on breeding) - 1M/1F Pair is preferred, 1M or 1F is not optimal but minimally acceptable.
- Stiphodon birdsong - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F
- Big-Eye' Lamprologus / Zebra Shelldweller or Neolamprologus similis - (use caution and watch for aggression; recommend a minimum of 170 square inches (1096 square cm) of aquarium floor space, with 200+ (1290 square cm) preferred) - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Ocellated Lamprologus / Ocellatus Shelldweller or Lamprologus Ocellatus - (use caution and watch for aggression; recommend a minimum of 170 square inches (1096 square cm) of aquarium floor space, with 200+ (1290 square cm) preferred) - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Multis /Multi-Bar Lamprologus or Neolamprologus multifasciatus - (use caution and watch for aggression; recommend a minimum of 170 square inches (1096 square cm) of aquarium floor space, with 200+ (1290 square cm) preferred) - 1M or 1F or 1M/1F, due to aggression and territorial aggression; lower third swimmer
- Dwarf Puffer / Malabar pufferfish or Carinotetraodon travancoricus - 1 Puffer
- Cherry Shrimp (all varieties) / Neocaridina davidI (up to 12 shrimp)
- Crystal Shrimp (all varieties) / Caridina cantonensis (up to 12 shrimp)
- Cardinal Shrimp / Caridina sp. "Cardinal" (up to 12 shrimp)
- Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis / Snowball Shrimp (up to 12 shrimp)
- Ghost Shrimp / Paleomonetes sp. (up to 8 shrimp)
- Amano Shrimp (up to 5 shrimp)
- ThaI Micro Spider Crabs / Limnopilos naiyanetrI (up to 3 crabs)
- Pom Pom Crab / Lybia sp. (up to 3 crabs)
- SpikI Snail (up to 2 snails)
- Pond Snail (beware) (up to 3 snails, warning: prolific breeders)
- Nerite Snail (up to 2 snails)
- Assassin Snail (up to 2 snails)
- Mystery Snail (only 1 snail)
- Dwarf Mexican Crayfish (up to 1 crayfish)
- African Dwarf Frogs (please remember these are social and should be 2 in 5 gallons; some research shows that it does best in species only aquariums
Remember there are additional concerns when doing this such as: water temp., water type, water quality, plant levels, ground cover/substrate, etc. One of the most important things to remember is that water is inherently less stable in smaller quantities. Yes, this means a 5 gallon aquarium is harder to manage than a 20 gallon aquarium. Additionally, many fish here do require what is referred to as old water. So think an aquarium that has been up for a few months at least.
Please note there are additional highly debated fish, such as the Danionella Dracula that have wildly differing sources. As such at this time we recommend holding to this list, and avoiding those fish. You may have unexpected and negative consequences for your aquatic pets when moving to those animals.
Contributors from many places but here at Fishlore.com includes:
Anders247
BottomDweller
Bruxes and Bubbles
Little Tank of Happiness
Catfish12345
Kaleb Rinehart
Coradee
CROWNTAILBETTA
fishandle
scarface
MrBryan723
ashenwelt
TexasDomer
JRS
APierce
beau
aquatickeeper
fishychachki
HappiestCamper
chromedome52
Thank you all for the contributions!
- List Curated by ashenwelt
--------
Additional Killifish breeding information provided by chromedome52
Killies are generally kept as M/F pairs, occasionally M/F/F trios.
Killifish for 5 gallon tanks with difficulty rating 1-5:
1- eats anything, and if you can't get them to spawn, there's something wrong with YOU!
2 - usually adapts to dry/frozen foods, may require some water chemistry adjustment or other.
3 - May eat frozen foods, but to breed live foods are needed. Water chemistry and possibly temperature requirements will have to be met.
4 - Require live foods, may have special spawning requirements or could be a seasonal breeder.
5 - You really have to know what you're doing to keep them alive, and breeding will require some very specific conditions.
Raising fry of killifish in general requires egg removal from parent's tank, though some 1 or 2 rated species might even allow fry to grow up in the tank. However, in a 5 gallon tank it will generally be necessary to remove fry that are seen so as to control population.
I use the terms common, uncommon, and rare. Common fish are species that may occasionally be seen in stores, but are pretty much available through auction sites and AKA show auctions. Uncommon are fish that you might find on auction sites, and have a good chance of finding at AKA shows. Rare is a fish that you will almost never see available on auction sites, and if you find them at AKA auctions, have a very, very deep wallet.
And now, some FISH:
- Aphyoplatys duboisI - 5 - RARE.
- Aphyosemion australe - 2 - common
- A. aureum - 3 - uncommon
- A. bualanum - 4 - uncommon (subgenus Kathetys, other species with same requirements are dargei, elberti, exiguum, and thysi; last two more uncommon than others)
- A. calliurum - 1 - uncommon
- A. celiae - 2 - uncommon (also subspecies A. c. winifredae, same ratings, more color)
- A. coeleste - 3 - uncommon
- A. exigoideum - 2 - uncommon
- A. hofmannI - 4 - rare, I think
- A. joergenscheelI - 5 - rare
- A. louessense - 1or2, depending on pop. - uncommon
- A. ocellatum - 3 - uncommon (highly recommended, but has low temperature requirements)
- A. prnium - 3 - uncommon
- A. raddaI - 4 - uncommon?
- A. wachtersI - 5 - rare (closely related, A. herzogI and A. bochtleri, same ratings)
- A. (Chromaphyosemion) species - bitaeniatum and some splendopleure populations may be seen in commercial imports, and these are generally rated 1-common. I've even had a very small splendopleure type that had fry with them in a 2 gallon drum bowl. There are a lot of new names in this group, but there are three species that I would not keep in a 5: riggenbachi, known as the Giant Krib; bivittatum; and lugens. Last two have highly aggressive males.)
- A. (Diapteron) abacinum, cyanostictum, fulgens, and georgiae - 4.5 - uncommon
- Epiplatys annulatus - 4 - common
- Epiplatys chaperI - 2 - uncommon
- Epiplatys dagetI - 1 - used to be common, now uncommon
- Fundulopanchax ahlI - 3 - uncommon
- Fpx. gardnerI - 1 - common (limited; mature fish can eventually outgrow a 5, but albino and Gold forms tend to stay smaller)
- Fpx. filamentosa - 3 - uncommon (along with robertsonI and rubrolabiale, small fish with feathered finnage, usually a substrate spawner)
- Fpx. marmoratum - 1 - uncommon (larger size, but very peaceful fish)
- Fpx. oeserI - 1 - uncommon (also larger, but calm species)
- Fpx. scheelI - 1 - has become common, though better stock is to be found at shows
