How should I stock my 5 gallon?

Question

I'm getting a 5 gallon tank and I'm wondering how to get the most fish for that space without overstocking. I would like some mollies but I feel they might be too big. Guppies are another one of my top choices. Pretty much I would like to have more than 1 fish (like 2-3 or 4-5 small). What would be the best way to stock my tank.
P.S. I want pretty hardy fish that wont die id chem. level are just a little off.

Answer 1

Absolutely DO NOT follow the "1 inch of fish per gallon of water" "rule". It simply is not applicable in most situations because there are so many variables (waste production, aggression, swimming level, oxegen necessity, tank dimensions, activity level, water parameters, filtration, and many others). In such a small tank, it would be best if you just kept one or two species. Either get 5 Neon Tetras and a Betta, or 3 MALE Guppies (if there are any females present, you will have innumerable worthless babies). Another option would be a Betta and a few White Cloud Minnows. Bloodfin Tetras grow to about 2 inches and are schooling fish, so they aren't going to do well in a 5 gallon tank. Just stick to really small, slow moving fish like Bettas and Neons, or Guppies. Email me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: Goldfish will reach about 1.5 feet, so for such a small tank, that is completely out of the question. Also, no fish eats fish poop, they may eat left over food, but they don't eat poop (there is no nutritional value in poop because all the useful nutrients have already been removed).

Answer 2

DO a small water change and levels will be back to normal .


Also ads one or two small plants in the tank. Dont fill up with plants ....one or two maximum and put some colourful gravel at the bottom.


Now abt fishes. If you want them to breed ....ad 1 male to 3 female guppy fish in your tank .So total 4 fish . I would suggest not exceeding 4 fish in this tank.

Do not put any bettas as they'll be only one that can live int there.

Guppies are more hard than molies (personal experience) Mollies die sooner than guppies.


Also dont throw all 4 fishes in at a time .One fish at a time ....and let tank CYCLE before you put in second third and fourth.


In repsonse to MR Stephen;

I have never seen 15 swordfishes in 5 gallons except in pet store where many of them float dead on the surface . Matt is new to this ....dont sugest him something he regret later. Go with minimum .

Answer 3

Guppies are NOT a good choice!!! Guppies and mollies are both livebearers and breed like rabbits!! In a few weeks you will have, literally, a hundred billion fish in your 5 gallon tank.

Answer 4

one betta is all u have room for. 10 gallons cost the same then u can get mollies

Answer 5

8 Fancy guppies will be PERFECT!!! they are very interesting and fun to watch. tetras have little color and are too boring. you can only put one betta so obviously that wouldnt be a good idea. goldfish would dirty the water really fast. THE ANSWER: FANCY GUPPIES

Answer 6

Goldfish are the easiest to care for, in a five gal tank, no more than 3.
You could also try swordfish, they are colorful.
Guppies, of course, yo could get 15 or so in a small tank, and they live a long time.
Make sure you get snails or algea eater, to keep your glass and gravel clean.

Answer 7

Get a couple of goldfish and a sucker fish to eat the poop and algae.

Answer 8

well first you must get starter fish.. they are like 20 cents each.. they are like mini goldfish. this will help start the algie in your tank wich fish need to live.. then buy yourself bout 4-5 small to medium fish and a small catfish like algie eater when you start to see algie grow on the side of the tank..

Answer 9

tetras are a very colorful small fish
the prettiest are the rainbow ones