What can I keep in a 1.5g tank?

before I knew what I was doing with fish, I bought a 1.5 gallon tank kit. What can I keep in here? is this good for anything except taking up socket space and electricity?

 

it'd be good for a hospital tank or temporary tank for very young fry.

 

A way you could keep the tank cycled is by putting some sort of small invert in there.
Tom

 

A way you could keep the tank cycled is by putting some sort of small invert in there.
Tom

What kind of invert would be recommended? ps, I don't like the look of shrimp

 

Hmmmm... That's a problem.
There are a few really tiny fish that can go in such a tank, but they're usually either pretty plain (like an oto) or difficult to keep alive (like a dwarf puffer)
Another problem is keeping the water parameters. Many people suggest nothing smaller than a 20 gallon for beginners, because the larger quantity of water is better at keeping pH, waste products, and temp at a pretty steady level. (although I haven't had problems with my 10g)
You could keep a snail in the tank to keep it cycled.

 

maybe a dwarf puffer? they get to about 1.5".. it would mean extra tank maint, but they're cute little fish with personality.

 

One dwarf puffer is supposed to need 3G, so your waste might be enormous? We're doing research on this ourselves at the moment for our 10G. I have no first hand experience of them, though, so it might work? How about dwarf kuhlI loaches? They look quite cool (long fish) but small. They like to school, so you could get maybe 3 of them? Just saw them at the pet store today for the first time and they looked so cool.

 

One dwarf puffer is supposed to need 3G, so your waste might be enormous? We're doing research on this ourselves at the moment for our 10G. I have no first hand experience of them, though, so it might work? How about dwarf kuhlI loaches? They look quite cool (long fish) but small. They like to school, so you could get maybe 3 of them? Just saw them at the pet store today for the first time and they looked so cool.

yea, that's the extra tank maint.. a trio of dwarf loaches would give the same problem.. trying to think of 1.5" fish that like solitude... not getting any more fish ideas but a small invertebrate could be happy in there and easy to tend to with no tankmates.

 

what about a cool crab?
a african frog?

 

Oh that's a great idea. We saw some seriously cool crabs yesterday. Reaaaally nice.

 

Oh that's a great idea. We saw some seriously cool crabs yesterday. Reaaaally nice.

I often see crabs at the store.. those grumpy people need to cheer up!

 

The tank itself, after doing some research, is not very good for setting up a crab tank. Crabs need some real land to walk around on and a tight fitting lid to avoid escaping, it is too tall to put in land and keep water filtered and heated and the lid does not fit tightly at all. But the idea of a frog sounds good.

Can I keep a frog by itself?? does it have to be heated?? Could my size of tank hold two frogs??

 

& .. looks like 2 would be a little overstocked and they like 70-75, so heating would depend on room temp and I think mostly would be warm enough.

 

I have a one gallon tank that is cycled. Right now it is home to about 15 tiny baby apple snails, which are doing fine in there. I would think that one apple or mystery snail would be just fine in it. I guess that probably wouldn't be a very exciting tank to sit and gaze at, lol. I only have a lamp to heat it, tho, so anything that would require a constant temp would be out.

 

I have a one gallon tank that is cycled. Right now it is home to about 15 tiny baby apple snails, which are doing fine in there. I would think that one apple or mystery snail would be just fine in it. I guess that probably wouldn't be a very exciting tank to sit and gaze at, lol. I only have a lamp to heat it, tho, so anything that would require a constant temp would be out.

a mystery snail would be.. but an apple snail gets baseball/softball size - would it fit?

 

I have a one gallon tank that is cycled. Right now it is home to about 15 tiny baby apple snails, which are doing fine in there. I would think that one apple or mystery snail would be just fine in it. I guess that probably wouldn't be a very exciting tank to sit and gaze at, lol. I only have a lamp to heat it, tho, so anything that would require a constant temp would be out.

a mystery snail would be.. but an apple snail gets baseball/softball size - would it fit?

I honestly don't think she'll go for the snail...really apple snails get that big..I have one? uh oh! theyre pretty though.
what about 1 frog?
I have seen these really tiny water crabs before..at the lfs but don't know what theyre called..

 

I've heard 1 gallon per frog, so I guess you could do that one ...

OR

Make your own little brine shrimp colony, and feed your other fish like kings!

 

before I knew what I was doing with fish, I bought a 1.5 gallon tank kit.  What can I keep in here? is this good for anything except taking up socket space and electricity?

Get yourself a Betta Fish!! He'd be *super* happy!!

 

Get yourself a Betta Fish!! He'd be *super* happy!!

I'd respectfully disagree. Bettas can get quite large ... my 3" monster staring at me from his tank will testify to that! Compared to a tiny betta cup, yes, 1.5 gallons is spacious, but this is still too small a volume to be able to heat safely with a heater, even if size were not an issue. You'd be liable to boil your poor fish! You wouldn't have to heat water for all fish -- goldfish, white cloud minnows, etc, would be fine at room temperature. But these fish require much more room than 1.5 gallons! It's a very tricky tank to use effectively.

I stand by my recommendation for brine shrimp feeding factory, or the solo ADF.

 

Get yourself a Betta Fish!!  He'd be *super* happy!!

I'd respectfully disagree. Bettas can get quite large ... my 3" monster staring at me from his tank will testify to that! Compared to a tiny betta cup, yes, 1.5 gallons is spacious, but this is still too small a volume to be able to heat safely with a heater, even if size were not an issue. You'd be liable to boil your poor fish! You wouldn't have to heat water for all fish -- goldfish, white cloud minnows, etc, would be fine at room temperature. But these fish require much more room than 1.5 gallons! It's a very tricky tank to use effectively.

I stand by my recommendation for brine shrimp feeding factory, or the solo ADF.

I understand what your saying carillion and I agree. but, think of it... at least where I live about 95% of the bettas bought at my LFS will be going to unheated unfiltered bowls..in retro spect the betta she gets would probably end up being way luckier with her then with someon eelse..

 

Get yourself a Betta Fish!!  He'd be *super* happy!!

I'd respectfully disagree. Bettas can get quite large ... my 3" monster staring at me from his tank will testify to that! Compared to a tiny betta cup, yes, 1.5 gallons is spacious, but this is still too small a volume to be able to heat safely with a heater, even if size were not an issue. You'd be liable to boil your poor fish! You wouldn't have to heat water for all fish -- goldfish, white cloud minnows, etc, would be fine at room temperature. But these fish require much more room than 1.5 gallons! It's a very tricky tank to use effectively.

I stand by my recommendation for brine shrimp feeding factory, or the solo ADF.

Hey there!  I wanted to share that I purchased a heater for my 1.5 gal tank before I upgraded to a 10 gal.  It is in mat form, 7.5 Watt and was meant for 1-3 gal.  (That's what I was told anyway.)  You place it under the rocks.  I had a Betta in a 1.5 gal for 3 yrs and he did great!  The water stayed *so* much cleaner than the alternative bowl method and he was able to swim without any hinderance.  I don't think he got as big as yours, though.  Great thread! ;D

 

Lolagurl, I see your point, and I think I agree. Even though we'd probably like to give our fish all the space in the world, bottom line is that the fish is better off with a responsible fish owner who will monitor their water and do the changes than with someone who will not provide them with any care. If you can handle the extra water changes for the 1.5 gallon and the fish isn't too cramped, then that's one betta who's a bit better off.

Punkrockviolet, thank you for letting me know about that heater. We must not have heaters around here that small, because the smallest heaters I ever see available are 25 or 50 Watts -- hence my hesitancy to put one in a small tank! Sounds like it's an effective heater, though, if it kept your betta warm but not too toasty for his three years.

And yes, I'm pretty sure my fish is an anomaly. He won't stay still long enough for me to hold the ruler up to the tank and get a good measure, but I'm pretty sure he's bigger than any betta I've ever seen (at least in real life). I'm pretty sure he must be a mutant, because I swear I never even overfed him that much! I'd never tell him that though ... he's absolutely convinced he's the hottest thing on the planet. Oh, and he's just told me that if I ever get a 1.5 gallon tank, I absolutely MUST culture live foods for him in it, because the idea of another betta stealing attention from me is totally unacceptable!

 

carillon - your big guy sounds like our Teddy Bear. he's our biggest betta and was spawned last october according to his breeder.. unfortunately our big guy has either a genetic swim bladder defect or swim bladder disorder.. we think he has plakat in his bloodline that's showing itself - perhaps the same is true of your Betta.

 

Hey there! I wanted to share that I purchased a heater for my 1.5 gal tank before I upgraded to a 10 gal. It is in mat form, 7.5 Watt and was meant for 1-3 gal. (That's what I was told anyway.) You place it under the rocks. I had a Betta in a 1.5 gal for 3 yrs and he did great! The water stayed *so* much cleaner than the alternative bowl method and he was able to swim without any hinderance. I don't think he got as big as yours, though. Great thread! ;D

What kind of heater is it exactly? Where did you get it from?

 

What kind of heater is it exactly? Where did you get it from?

I purchased it online. Here's the link: It is made by a company called Hydor. It is a 7.5 W MinI Heater, and I made a mistake, it is for 2-5 gal tanks. It only increases the water temp ~7 degrees F, so it was perfect for my small tank that needed higher temps. (78-82 degrees). I lived in Wisconsin at the time, and those winters are BRUTAL! Pocalolo loved his tank and thrived in his evironment. It's rather surprising, too, as I knew nothing of water testing back then.

 

I personally wouldn't keep any fish in a tank that small. It's just too hard to keep clean and safely heated. But the main problem is simply space. I had a Betta in my 20gal Long, and he constantly cruised around the tank just like any tetra or livebearer or whatever. You wouldn't put one of those fish in a 1.5 gal tank, would you? Bettas do need room to swim around. You're right that compared to some other Bettas he'd be well off in a 1.5, but a Betta would be so much happier in a 5 gal at least.

The best thing would to make it an unheated tank with either a snail or a few shrimp. Or, you could simply leave it emply and keep it as a q tank. If you do that, you can keep it cycled by sticking its filter in the main tank.

 

so muffymouse, what are you going to do?

 

Well, I think I have decided to go with an ADF or two (with extra maintenance). Because I don't like shrimp, my husband doesn't like snails, and we can't keep it cycled and set it up for a crab. So Frog(s) it is, that is after I get it completely cycled and a better heater and hob filter.

 

Well, I think I have decided to go with an ADF or two (with extra maintenance). Because I don't like shrimp, my husband doesn't like snails, and we can't keep it cycled and set it up for a crab. So Frog(s) it is, that is after I get it completely cycled and a better heater and hob filter.

I didn't have a big interest in shrimp but after getting a few, I find them to be interesting.. watching the way they go about things. But I'd think that the ADF tank sounds good

 

interesting or not, they frighten me shrimp have evil eyes and they are all out to eat me they are very scary (true story)

 

interesting or not, they frighten me shrimp have evil eyes and they are all out to eat me they are very scary (true story)

are you sure you don't have them mixed up with clowns?

 

I'm with Muffymouse ... crustaceans are creepy ... like spiders with armor!

 

Everything is creepy if you look at it in the right (or wrong) light, just like everything can be fascinating when looked at in the right light.

 

Everything is creepy if you look at it in the right (or wrong) light, just like everything can be fascinating when looked at in the right light.

very true.. they lack the 'cute' factor, but crustaceans and similiar sea life are fascinating to watch. The little shrimp that we got -- I love watching the way they move around and the other day got to watch one molt (I think that's the term?).

 

I for one am definitely getting ghost shrimps at the next opportunity.

 

I for one am definitely getting ghost shrimps at the next opportunity.

I like the little cherry shrimp.

 

I bought a Jap shrimp today! it gives me the creeps but has made me laugh when I saw it scratch itself!

 

Picture, picture, picture! Cool, looking forward to seeing what it looks like.

 

Everything is creepy if you look at it in the right (or wrong) light, just like everything can be fascinating when looked at in the right light.

very true.. they lack the 'cute' factor, but crustaceans and similiar sea life are fascinating to watch. The little shrimp that we got -- I love watching the way they move around and the other day got to watch one molt (I think that's the term?).

Don't get me wrong ... I think they're fascinating things and have great respect for them. Even so, they still give me the creeps! I blame my crustacean fears on my two brothers, who used to scare me with shore crabs when I was little. For a while I actually went as far as checking my sheets every night, but luckily for me they would never take live crabs off the beach!

 

Well am definitely no big fan of spiders (not a crustacian, but hey, I'd hate to touch any arthropod!). It comes from being a girl I think.

 

LOL.. Stacy's not a big fan of them either.. but they are efficient cleaners with a relatively low bioload. unfortunately, our bettas view them as a meal.

 

Well am definitely no big fan of spiders (not a crustacian, but hey, I'd hate to touch any arthropod!). It comes from being a girl I think.

Heck, I'm a girl and I like spiders! They're so cool. ;D I love shrimp too...they're so cute.

 

That's good to know. I'll give you a call next time there's one in the bath!

 

Well am definitely no big fan of spiders (not a crustacian, but hey, I'd hate to touch any arthropod!). It comes from being a girl I think.

Heck, I'm a girl and I like spiders! They're so cool. ;D I love shrimp too...they're so cute.

You LIKE spiders???!!!! My shrimp, now called 'Ugly' is growing on me! Soooo funny to watch! don't think i'd be able to touch it though!!

I'll try and get some good pics soon Armadaillo

 

Have a look at this, it is the type I have but will try to get pic's of 'ugly'

 

That's good to know. I'll give you a call next time there's one in the bath!

LOL.. that's quite a housecall for a spider who likes to stay clean.

 

Have a look at this, it is the type I have but will try to get pic's of 'ugly'

I've got that type too. Have you watched yours wiggle out of their exoskeleton?

 

Have a look at this, it is the type I have but will try to get pic's of 'ugly'

I've got that type too. Have you watched yours wiggle out of their exoskeleton?

No not yet! Not something i'm looking forward to I have to say :-[but i'm sure i'd be glued to the tank!

 

Have a look at this, it is the type I have but will try to get pic's of 'ugly'

I've got that type too. Have you watched yours wiggle out of their exoskeleton?

No not yet! Not something i'm looking forward to I have to say :-[but i'm sure i'd be glued to the tank!

lol.. yea, you would be.. it's interesting.

 

That's good to know. I'll give you a call next time there's one in the bath!

Yeah, I'm my family's official bug remover. ;D Oh, did I mention I love cockroaches? I got to hold one once when I was younger at this presentation done by the zoo. hehehehehe...

"Ugly" sounds very cute. I've been trying to find Amano Shrimp for the longest time. They're great algae eaters.