OR can you get a good heater for a 5 gallon? I like colorful fish.
2007-02-28 11:37:40 · 11 answers · asked by Kyle 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Your best fish would be the good old goldfish. They are very hardy, come in many colors and seem to live forever. I have tried all kinds of fish in a heated tank but they all died mostly due to the heater not working that well. So I switched to goldfish which can live in just about any condition. Why not try them?
2007-02-28 11:41:58 · answer #1 · answered by Sandy B 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
When purchasing fish, look at the chart to see how large the fish will get. Figure you will need 1 gallon per 1" in size.
I have a heater in my 5 gallon tank and the light on top helps to heat the water too.
2007-02-28 19:52:49 · answer #2 · answered by Ella 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A five gallon doesn't give you room for many fish. A few fancy guppies or platies (I'd go with males so they don't reproduce) would be okay. The guppies & platies would be okay without a heater as long as the water temperature doesn't get too far below 70o: http://www.fishlore.com/CloudyWater.htm, http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Platy.htm
You can also get a heater for the tank. They make them now for the acrylic tanks under 5 gallons. This would expand your possibilities to things like a male betta or neon tetras. They also have "nanofilters" for small tanks.
2007-02-28 19:52:14 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
White Cloud Mountain minnows are cold water fish and small enough to fit 3-4 in a five gallon tank. Japanese rice fish are cold water fish and also fairly small, but I wouldn't keep more than three (two females and a male, if you wish to breed) in a five gallon tank.
Alternatively, a 50w heater can be had relatively inexpensively if you want to have small tropicals. Don't forget a filter, too!
Good luck!
2007-02-28 19:56:37 · answer #4 · answered by Lady G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a male betta is a perfect fish for a 5 gallon, but they do need a heater.
2007-03-01 22:11:54 · answer #5 · answered by environgrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can get a nice heater for a five gallon for 10 dollars or less.
i would invest in the heater and then you can get any fish you want.
guppies or platies are always nice colorful fish
2007-03-01 01:49:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you don't have a heater, you'll want to stay away from tropical fish generally. Goldfish are a good bet for you, and they come in many varieties to suit your tastes. Someone mentioned betta fish too, which would work, but they are tropical fish, so if you live in a house that is especially cold, or you're planning to put the tank somewhere that may be drafty, I'd stay away from bettas. They can live in colder temps, but they get very lethargic. Also, remember that you can only have one betta in your tank at a time, but you can probably have two or three goldfish in your tank comfortably, depending on their size.
Good luck :)
2007-02-28 19:46:57 · answer #7 · answered by hmx_mail 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
your common gold fish are a great fish to put in your tank. they require no heater. they are cold water fish. But you can only have 2 fish in there at a time...
2007-03-02 15:22:20 · answer #8 · answered by Betty 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guppies are great fish that can live in a wide range of temps. Try some of them, they come in many colorful variations. In that small of a tank avoid getting females.
2007-02-28 23:49:12 · answer #9 · answered by Palor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441810762&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030114&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1172713324404&itemNo=0&In=Fish&N=2030060+4294966882&Ne=401
25 watt submersible from Top Fin. I have one in my 5.5 gallon "hospital tank" and it works fine. With only 5 gallons to work with, I'd say 5 neon tetras. You will also need a filter.
2007-02-28 20:44:38 · answer #10 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋