5 Gallon Tank Ideas?

Question

hello
im thinking about upgrading to a bigger fishtank, probably a 5 or 10 gallon tank, what are some good fish community ideas? I want to get a black moor (the black ones with bulging eyes), and possibly either a calico goldfish, a betta, or some zebra danios, but i cant have them all. what are the best ideas.

experienced fish keepers answer only please (ie, if you havnt owned more than a species or two of fish, you wont be much help :P )

current fish info: just a white goldfish just under an inch long.

Current Fish Info: Just a white goldfish just under an inch, ive had it for about 4 years in a 1 gallon tank with just a plastic plant for decoration

Coldwater fish or fish that do okay in cold water are preffered over tropical fish

Answer 1

a 5 gallon tank is somewhat limited in options, but you do still have plenty of choices. First, no goldfish! they need more room than that. A betta would be a good starting place. Bettas are peaceful fish that get along wth most other fish except other bettas. I don't know who started the stupid rumor that they are mean and kill other fish but it's just as wrong as the 1" per gallon rule. That's total junk too. You could add to that 4-5 zebra danios or neons or glolights... most any of those really small tetras. Killifish, sparkling or croaking gourami or small apistogrammas are also good options for a 5 gallon. Dwarf cory cats or otocinclus are the only catfish the right size and the otos are a bit touchy about water quality, so unless you are experienced I would suggest you stay with the dwarf corys.

MM

Answer 2

I am an experienced fish keeper, and I would never put more than one goldfish in a ten gallon tank because goldfish grow six to eight inches long. You definitely don't want to put an aggressive Beta with any other fish. Betas are supposed to be kept by themselves in small tanks. You will need a 30 gallon tank for the three other fish you are talking about. Otherwise, the water will become dirty very fast, and your fish will have problems with space as they start to grow. I've never heard of a zebra danios. I hope that's a type of goldfish too because goldfish can only be kept with other goldfish. Goldfish secrete high amounts of ammonia from their skin. The ammonia will eventually kill any other kind of fish.

Answer 3

For gold fish, you need a minimum of 20 gallon (general rule of thumb for gold fish is 20 gallon for the first fish and 10 gallons for each additional fish). They are very messy fish and get big (as long as they are in a tank that is large enough for them). As someone mentioned, the 4 yr old gold fish should be at least 6" long but his growth has been stunted by his environment. Bettas (possibly a puffer but I'm not very knowledgeable on them) are the only suitable fish for a 5 gallon tank. They do not eat other fish as the first reply said. They will attack their own kind (only one to a tank) or any other fish with large fins that they may perceive to be another betta. Danios are very active fish and need lots of swimming room. They are constant motion and would not do well in a 5 gallon tank.

Answer 4

i'm concerned about your current goldfish, a 4 year old goldfish should be about 8" long at least by now. but keeping him in such a tiny tank you've stunted him, possibly damaging him forever. get him a 20 US gallon tank and you will hopefully see him grow in to the goldfish he should be! and that's just for him, no tankmates.

a betta alone would thrive in a 5 gallon tank, maybe with an apple snail tankmate, but thats it.

danios need a tropical tank minimum size 20 US gallons.

a 10 US gallon tropical tank you could have a betta with a trio of otocinclus (mature algaefied tank only) or a fivesome of Hasbrosus or Pygmaeus corydoras.

remember to cycle any new tank you get BEFORE you put fish in it!

Answer 5

Your white goldfish has probably got more internal damage than one could imagine. They are supposed to grow at least 5" per year. The organs of this fish aren't going to fit its body much longer. It certainly won't last the lifespan of 20 years. You should have 10 gallons of cycled water per 3" of goldfish.

Answer 6

I would go with a 10 gallon tank (at minimum), that way you can accommodate a few more fish. betas and goldfish don't get along to well together (I did that once and lost the beta). make sure that you get a good filter, heater, thermometer, ammonia/ phosphate/ph testing kits etc...

If going with zebra danio's you need to get a minimum 6 (they are schooling fish).

Beta fish are ok with fish approximately the same size. if the other fish are bigger the beta will feel intimidated, and there is the chance he will attack the other fish. if the beta is the bigger fish, he will think that the smaller fish are food and eat them! my Beta is ok in a tank with my platys!

Find a reputable store in your area (one that specalizes in fish would be your best choice over a "box" store/chain!) and go in as ask the people that work there about you options/choices.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

i would go for a ten gallon. but avoid any type of gold fish, because they need at least 20 gallons a piece when they get full grown. and oscars? they need about 35 gallons ( jeeesh). and betta fish only attack other betta fish. i have a betta in my 30 gallon community tank with 5 cardinal tetras, 5 neon tetras, 5 oraange glow fish, and a pleco. so i'd do a 10 gallon tank and get 3 different types of smaller tetras with 3 to a fish type. and then you can add a pleco.

Answer 8

With the fish you want, you might want to think about upgrading to at LEAST at 20 gallon tank. A five or 10 gallon thank is really only capable of holding 1 to a few fish.

Answer 9

Leave the Betta out of the mix unless you get a female Betta. The male will kill any fish it thinks is prettier than itself. We have a female and don't have any problems with her.
When the gold fish gets big it will eat your other smaller fish also.
We have a 30 gallon and 14 fish in it right now. They also seem to do better in pairs.

Try these sites for compatibility of different fish.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/compatibility_chart.cfm

http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/fwcompatibility_chart.cfm

Answer 10

pass on the Betta. I put mine in a tank and it was scared. It did not like that environment. I thought it was mean of me having the poor thing in such a small shallow mini tank but that's what they are used to in their natural habitat. They live in basically large puddles.

If you get one, keep it in the proper container by himself or with just one female.

It also did not like the other fish. Then it died.

I like goldfish. Plenty of variety there.

I got a blue lobster and its mean. I would not recommend that either.