fish suggestions 5 gallon tank?

Question

i would consider myself of intermediate level of fish keeping..the 5 gallon tank is for my daughter, i have a large red devil of my own and love large chiclids but cant think of any small interesting fsh that would go nicely w a small tank,,i was thinking maybe a dwarf gourami,,any suggestions

Answer 1

I think 3 neon tetras(as they school) and one beta would be a fabulous aquarium for a child! The tetras are pretty and will give the aquaruim some interest as they are quick and colorful. The beta would make a nice centerpiece fish,such beautiful colors and so graceful! If you do chose to put other fish in with a beta-add the beta last so he knows the other fish already have established territories. I've included a link for you and your daughter,it shows which fish are compatible with one another ( an exellent tool-especially if considering other fish with beta)
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1911&articleid=3284

Answer 2

Honestly, my first suggestion would be to get at least a 20 gallon tank if you can afford it. A 10 gallon tank is very limiting in terms of what fish you can keep in it, and it's more difficult to maintain than a larger tank because the water quality can change faster. Most of the fish you see in pet stores are too big to keep in a 10 gallon tank if you buy them in the recommended numbers for proper school size. Don't ask me why, but many pet stores don't carry aquariums larger than 55 gallons, yet they sell fish that would require a larger aquarium than that. Almost every store I've seen carries oscars which need a minimum of 75 gallons. Anyway, if you have your heart set on a 10 gallon tank, pay attention to catx, especially her article about stocking a 10 gallon tank. She knows what she's talking about. Above all, don't even think about putting goldfish in a tank that small. Those "cute little goldfish" you see in stores will be a foot long as adults and need 20 gallons of water per fish.

Answer 3

Do you have a heater, good lighting and a decent filter? If so then gourami's would do fine as well as most docile tropicals. I would stay away from schooling fish like neon tetras as you wouldn't be able to buy enough for them to school in that small a tank and I would stay away from anything that will grow much larger than it is when you start out. An inch of fish per gallon is the typical tropical rule. You can always do a betta. They're actually NOT aggressive to other fish, as a matter of fact they tend to be the ones who get their fins picked by other fish. Of course you can only get one. Other options would be platies as they come in tons of colors (they even sell mickey mouse platies these days with little mouse ears on their tails) and mollies. For kids they seem to be the easiest (and cheapest) and most interactive. My son has his trained to all swim to the top the second he turns the lights on in the morning (they know it's feeding time). A few even let him hand feed them now (He's 5).

Answer 4

My 6 yr old twins adore their bettas. They have personalities...like the cichlids I keep :) They are pretty and swim with such grace that it keeps the child's attention. They come up to the top greedily when you walk in the room for food (remind you of any cichlids you know?? haha).
To add a bit of interest, we're planning on adding an African dwarf frog to each of the boys' betta tanks as well. They like to grab food that sinks to the bottom..and as your aware..bettas only like the food from the top.
The other nice thing about the betta is that it "patrols" its tank...all corners and nooks and crannies. So they swim all over..not just on top.

Answer 5

One, 'maybe' two dwarf puffers. Puffers are great fish, very inquisitive. They like to know what you are up to when near the tank. Puffers in general are great, but most need a big tank and maintenance on their teeth ... but dwarf don't!!!
http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/

One male betta would LOVE a 5 gallon. They are a beautiful fish, you could pick out your daughter's favorite color(s) and she would most likely love the flowing tail. They have had some great crown tails in the pet stores lately, as well as comb tails and the most common veil tail. Look for one that is responsive, free of disease, and hopefully in a clean cup.
http://www.bettysplendens.com/articles/catview.imp?catid=853&p=2&recs=10


You might get away with a dwarf gourami, I have saw recommendations between 5-10 gallons for each one.

3-5 guppies or mollies if they stay small. My mollies are staying apporximately 1".

Anything that stays small in length and mass. Depending on mass it is 1-5 gallons per inch of fish at adult size. Meaning a tetra can use 1" per gallon, but an Oscar is closer to 5 gallons per inch. Some fish can need more like the Mbu puffer needs 1000 gallons http://www.pufferresources.net/puffer_profiles/viewtopic.php?t=8.

Remember if it is tropical to get a heater (25W for a 5 gallon), and you can still use a filter for better fish health. They have special ones for 5 gallons.

Whatever you do, don't go for a goldfish. They are extremely messy and all types will outgrow a 5 gallon. Even the smaller goldfish grow to 8", and need about 20 gallons. Some put 2 in a 30. Comet goldfish (your general feeder fish) grow up to and beyond 12". They also live 20+ years when well taken care of.
http://www.petlibrary.com/goldfish/goldfish.html

It doesn't hurt to do extra research on whatever you decide so you can give it the best home you can!!!

I hope you find what you are looking for!!!

p.s. If you haven't bought the tank already, look to see if you can find one a little bigger around the same price! 10-15 gallons aren't too big and you know that more gallons can be quite easier to keep care of!!! Plus you get to keep more than one fish. You could keep two male bettas with a divider, or several female bettas (around 6) with little problem. Just trying a different suggestion.

Answer 6

I would suggest a pair of Dwarf Puffers. They are cute and they have brains. ONLY two; 1 inch per 1 gallon isn't enough for this type of fish.

Answer 7

Red Devils will Grow and eat just about everything in your tank including live plants.

Answer 8

You could go with a couple of glow fish they only get 1.5" long but they are really cool looking fish and come is several different colors. You could go with a couple of mollies or platties but get one that are of the same sex or you'll have so much fry b/c they breed like race horses.

Answer 9

Obviously any Goldfish or the like is certainly out of the question. Dwarf puffers become quite territorial as they mature and are really best suited kept alone or with at least 10 gallons of space each to prevent fighting.
http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/

I would suggest you check into sparkling gourami, croaking gourami, maybe a pair of the smaller apistogrammas, killifish, dwarf cory catfish, a group of male guppies, or other small live bearers.

MM

Answer 10

Gourami No, but live bearers like molly, guppy, or even some types of small types of cichlid but only get a couple and you can get a variety of them to live in a community fish tank