What to put in a 5gallon tank?

Question

I have a 5 gallon tank with a screen top. I don't want to put fish in it, but I want to have something. As for pets, I have two cats, a 10g tank with four fish, a betta, and a snow corn snake. Its been recommended I get an invertebrate.

What do you all think. I don't mind if its just one animal or two of the same kind. (if the animal needs companionship to stay healthy)

I would like an animal that does not smell, make a lot of noise and for it to be either a land animal or an animal that uses both land and water. No tarantulas, scorpions, or very small insects(like crickets) My grandmother would throw them out in fright.

Any suggestions?

I've considered frogs, but I would need to know what specific kind can live in a 5g. I don't want to guess.

I've heard hermit crabs can become smelly. I've had them before and grew rather bored of them.

Crabs aren't really my thing.

A 5g is a bit small for a hamster in my opinion and also, glass tanks are not very good for rodents because they do not allow as much air flow.

Also, my grandmother has strictly stated I am not to bring in a rodent of any shape, size or color. She hates rodents of all kinds. I think I should stick to frogs or invertebrates.

Once again, no rodents. I mentioned getting a rat or mouse, and my grandmother nearly died at the mention of a rodent. A mantis sounds cool, or a frog. I love frogs and insects.

The only lizards I think can live in a 5g are anoles and I don't want anoles.

No fish as I don't want the tank to be an aquarium.

Any animal that lives on land or are semi aquatic are good suggestions. Frogs, toads, invertebrates, ect.

Answer 1

Try a fire-belly toad. 1 or 2 would fit just fine in a 5gal. They have fire-belly newts, too.

http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/amphibians/fire-belly-toad.php
http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/amphibians/fire-belly-newt.php

Or, a fully aquatic frog: the dwarf african frog. NOT the clawed african frog, which is large and aggressive.

http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/mypets/dwarfs.html

I keep a dwarf frog in my fish tank, he's a funny little creature, very fun to watch.

Does your grandma's fear of insects extend to mantis? They are fascinating creatures to watch.

Or: get a carnivorous plant! Or several! Carnivorous terrariums are a very neat addition to any exotic collection. Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, sundews... a miniature garden that eats things.

Good luck in your search!

Answer 2

There are not very many fish you could shop in a 5 gallon tank. The featherfin gets to be 6 - 8 inches, so as that's out of the question. Angelfish require swimming area and likewise advance extremely super so which you ought to no longer shop even a million in a 5 gallon tank; smallest tank for them is 30 gallons. have you ever seen a betta ? they're loaded with character and a betta could do o.k. in a 5 gallon tank. you ought to upload a snail for cleanup and business employer. yet another decision could be 2 or 3 male guppies, yet my own decision may be the betta. .

Answer 3

For a five gallon tank you are kind of limited by space. Here are some ideas

1. Hermit crab- easy to care for, live up 25 years!, make almost zero noise.

2. Some small species of frog, there are a number of them. Land or water

3. Fresh water crabs/lobsters/crayfish..They can be quite interesting to watch.

Answer 4

Some good pets you can try are:

1) hermit crabs: easy to take care of, may require a heating pad, food comes out of a jar, quiet, not very active.

2) frog, turtle or lizard: easy to take care of, may require a heating pad, food can come out of a jar, quiet, can be entertaining, may require live food such as crickets or meal worms.Turtles and frogs can be given a semi-aquatic semi-terrestrial using terrain dividers/plastic. My ecology professor has an environment as described using plastic and bio-caulk to create an "island" and a "pond". There is a fountain running from on land to in the "pond" so that the water is oxygenated without requiring a pump. He then puts some fish in to make it more "realistic" and uses small fry from his breeder tank of guppies for food. Overall, I would avoid reptiles and amphibians if the species you choose prefers to eat live food since most of the food is live insects.

3) small mammal such as a hamster or gerbil: food is pellets, if you clean the cage, they do not smell (especially if you get dwarf hamsters), quiet (gerbils are slightly louder from my experience), easy to take care of, you can actually play with them. I know it may come to mind, so I will mention it here. Depending on the excercize wheel used, it may sqeak, but just rub a little vaseline on the the area that allows it to turn, in a pinch butter will work, but then they try to get to it to eat it. Avoid metal wire wheels, although it does not always happen, there is a chance for the breakage of limbs. Give the animals chewing blocks, they are quieter then since they will not chew on their toys or the cage as much (and chewing at the glue as a last result gives them diarreah. They can also be givel paper towel/toilet paper tubes to chew on, it is slightly louder than the wood blocks, though. Sirian hamsters are solitary, but dwarf hamsters can be kept in male female pairs (some pairs will never breed even when housed together for life) and female female pairs, some minor fighting may occur (but in my twisted little mind, I find it cute). These little cutties are also able to be potty trained with a little effort to help with the clean-up efforts.

Remember, your cats may look at these animals as a tasty meal in a nice little 5 gallon see-through platter. I recommend that if you notice your cats looking at the tank and licking its lips or flat out trying to pry off the lid that you secure it to the tank. There are clips that are specially made for this that can be purchased at most pet supply retailers for only a few dollars for two strong, durable, one-size-fits-most-tanks clips

Answer 5

Hermit crab, snail, slug, vinagaroon, solfugid.

Answer 6

A hamster. They're cute and don't smell if you keep the cage clean.

Answer 7

how about my wife