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i have it set up, and i just need to go to the pet store to get some fish. what fish would work well together? any fish that you think are especially pretty, or interesting? i'm probably going to get tropical fish. i'm definitely not going to get goldfish. thanks for your help.

2007-02-07 11:06:46 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets Fish

16 answers

You have a HUGE number of choices for a great little 2.5 gallon or micro tank! Don't believe for a momment they are betta only tanks!

Get a mental image of a normal sized community tank and now think smaller. Even smaller. As small as you can get. Now you have it, the same kind of fish in the same ratios but the smallest varieties out there. Dwarf cory catfish, Sparkling gouramis, most any of the smaller killifish, small tetras, Least killiefish ( which is actually a livebearer) all make good bets for a micro community tank. Toss out any “rules” you know about inches per gallon and just keep the tank to about 5-6 fish. Another choice for tank inhabitants is to go for a species tank. A single pair of a small fish can not only live but thrive and breed in your new micro tank. Killifish, sparkling gouramis and Least Killifish come to mind first, but there are obviously many more choices. Now for maintenance issues.

With quality lighting, a reasonable variety of plants are candidates for a mirco tank. Jave Moss, Jave Fern, Bladderwort, crystalwort all come to mind. Several of the bunch plants available at pet stores could be included as well if you are ready to do lots of pruning. There are also several varieties of small anubias sp. And even some micro swords available to spruce up your tank.

Maintaining a micro tank is not really any different than a full sized tank. Just remember the rule bigger is easier. This means the larger the tank the easier it is to maintain all other things being equal. Yes, it will require lots of frequent water changes, but those you can do with nothing larger than a clean gallon milk jug. Other than being very careful with your water changes anything else you would do for your fish in a big tank you do in a small tank. A micro tank is more work than a larger tank, per gallon at least. So is it worth it? That’s up to you. It can often be the only way to bring your happy to work with you and for some people is the only reasonable way to keep a tank in a small apartment or flat.

2007-02-07 12:30:18 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0 4

I am sorry but magicman1 is totally correct. Very few fish can be placed into your tank even on the dwarf size. Since you will more than likely have gravel and a plastic plant, you are now talking about water displacement of .3-.5 gallons leaving you with a 2 gallon tank. Even small fish need room to swim. Watch getting guppies, since they reproduce quickly. The largest problem with your tank will be the water quality. Keeping the water quality in tip top shape will be the hardes part for you.
Live plants may not be your best option, since they not only will displace more water, a light source will also be needed. Micro tanks are doable however if you are not sure what you are doing, chances are you will loose more fish than not.

you must have a heater, since this small tank will cool quickly subjecting your fish to rapid temp changes.

As for the dwarf cory cats, if you are thinking about getting either C. pygmaeus, C. hastatus or C. habrosus, which are all commonly referred to as dwarf corys, don't plan on them doing your job and cleaning the bottom of the tank. Depending on what other fish are in there, how much extra food you feed them and the size, they are just not up to the task.

Instead, they have their own requirements which include live or frozen blackworms, bloodworms or tubifex and a good quality flake. They are not algae eaters, although they will probably nibble on a spirulina disc or Hikari bottom feeder wafer.

Size: up to 1" pH: 6 - 8 dH: 2 - 25 Temp: 72 - 78 F They are usually the size of a dime, but can grow to 1".

Sparkeling/ Pygmey gourami
These are normally peaceful and shy fish, but I've discovered you cannot keep them with Betta splendens. Normally, you don't keep different labyrinth fish together anyway, so be careful.
Size: 1.2"-2" PH 7 Water temp 78

Cardinal Tetras make friendly companions in any community tank. The cardinal tetra is a long lived and hardy fish but difficult to get acclimated. Once acclimated they can live up to ten years. But can grow as large as 1 1/2"

In a smaller tank, you must take into consideration the size the fish will become, not the size it is now for healthy happy fish.

I know the mini tank Idea sounds wonderful on paper, keeping one with healthy fish is something else. Do your research. Don't overload or over feed.

Let us know what you decided and how the tank is going.

Good luck.

2007-02-08 11:10:04 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0 0

Please, please don't keep any type of schooling fish in this tank! That includes barbs, tetras, danios, cories. All of these fish need tankmates of their own kind, in a group of at least 6, and lots of swimming room. Just because you have a smaller tank does not mean you can cut down on this number. They need to be in schools to feel comfortable and a 2.5 gallon tank is just too small for that. A betta is definitely your best bet. You could have 1 male betta and 2 african dwarf frogs in that tank, as long as you do weekly 50% water changes. Also, betta are tropical fish and they DO need a heater and a filter.

2007-02-08 12:14:58 · answer #3 · answered by Liz 2 · 0 0

I have a 2.5 tank sitting right infront of me on my desk. Right now I have 4 feeder guppies that I keep as pets and a goldfish in it. I want to get rid of the goldfish and then get 3 fancy guppies but I dont know if it would be too crowded when they get bigger. If they get too crowded, I'm going to get a 10 gallon but I say Guppies, neon tetras, tiger barbs, betta, glow light tetras, rosy barbs, albino corydoras, and possibly some kind of small frog. Those species of fish will fit in that tank *it's more roomy than you would think once you look at the tank* but dont get too many. I say get them in groups of two untill you feel there are enough. I hear alot of people say something about the rule of one inch of fish per gallon but that isnt really true. Just remember, use common sence. It will probably tell you when there are enough fish.

2007-02-07 23:20:47 · answer #4 · answered by Kitty 2 · 0 3

the 2.5 gallon tanks are pretty much made for betta fish... there aren't any others that i know of that would do very well in that small of a tank. you might like bettas. very comical, and very rewarding.

it's good that you're not getting goldfish, because a single goldfish needs at minimum a 10-15 gallon tank for starters. they grow huge, and need lots of room. also, they dirty the tank very quickly.

i think, a betta is your best bet.

good luck!!

2007-02-07 19:11:05 · answer #5 · answered by Silver Thunderbird 6 · 2 1

You could probably fit a few neon tetras or some other small fish in your tank. Just try to have their combined lengths stay under 2.5 inches and your tank should be fine.

2007-02-07 19:37:38 · answer #6 · answered by 0000000000000000 2 · 0 1

Make sure you get some sort of small filter, and a heater is a must.

For fish there are lots of fish that could go in there. A trio of male endlers livebearers, least killies, or pygmy cories would work great if you don't want a betta.

2007-02-07 19:14:59 · answer #7 · answered by fish guy 5 · 1 2

OK here's another vote for a betta. And along with everyone else I am going to suggest to get a small heater and filter. Most pet shops now carry nano filters that are perfect for tanks under 5 gallons.

Best of luck
Eric.

2007-02-07 22:41:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

That is a small tank. Do you have a filter? Heater? It is unlikely that the tank will cycle well, so you will have to do weekly water changes. A betta would do ok. Two of any of these: female betta, guppy, platy, cherry barb, black tetra. Normally tetras and barbs are schooling, but in such a small tank two will be fine.

2007-02-07 19:12:34 · answer #9 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 1 2

one betta, male or female. Bettas are nice because you dont HAVE to filter it (you can though). You will need a heater, as all tropical fish require warm water.

2007-02-07 23:24:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

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