First small fish tank- but is it too small!?!

[KTYB]

I have recently acquired a Betta fish who is quite possibly the most beautiful fish I have ever owned! I was gifted it from a friend with one of those ridiculous sized fish bowls. I read that I can house a Betta in a minimum of 20L (I think that's 5.5 gal?) I am totally aware that is a really small tank but due to the other inhabitants in my current 4ft and 60L I was not able to add him in to either, plus space was an issue for a larger tank.

Anyway I rushed out and bought a 20L, a filter with low flow, heater and light. After adding in the hardscape I'm realising my 20L tank is not so much 20L anymore with all the added material.. I basically added the hardscape as I would in a larger tank (slope in substrate to add depth, hardscape to add interest and hiding places etc). So now I'm worried that the tank is way too small. I have been watching him and he does seem active and happy - although that could be because he is just excited to be out of the tiny pet store cup!

I have already bought my plants online, which are both low lying carpeting plants so this shouldn't impact on his swimming area much if at all. I might have to keep it at that though to allow enough (of the already limited) swimming room, right?

Anyway I'm going on a bit I know, sorry I just figured more info is Betta (pun intended hehe) I really don't want to deconstruct the tank and move Him, and can't really fit a tank much bigger than 20L in my current living situation. I've added photos, one from birds eye view so you can see the surrounding space around the hardscape too. Honestly, I'm pretty worried I'm being cruel to him (which was never my intention) so please any advice or experience with keeping a Betta in a smaller tank welcome. Thanks in advance!

Ps. The lava rock has a hole in it so he can also swim through that

 

[King Fisher]

5 gallons is plenty. I keep mine in a 3g which everyone seems to balk at.

 

[SunnyGoldfish]

Your Betta

Hello!
Yes, I too think you 5gal tank is big enough! I think 2.5 gallons is the minimum for Bettas! He looks super happy! Great job!

 

[KTYB]

That's great to know and also a big relief for me, phew!! Thank you for your response

 

[KTYB]

Great to know! Thanks so much

 

[JaredShope1]

Yeah 20L or 5.5 Gal is perfect for a beta. A lot more than what 90% of them get. 40L~1 US Gallon for future reference

 

[KTYB]

Yeah 20L or 5.5 Gal is perfect for a beta. A lot more than what 90% of them get. 40L~1 US Gallon for future reference

Thanks so much for your input! So after getting the "all clear" from others with experience, I deliberated and bought a 38L/just under 1gal tank for Anthony - the dimensions for this particular tank were pretty similar to the 20L I bought but just higher and a tiny bit wider. So it still fits where
I had the 20L. Even though everyone said 20L/5gal was fine, I just wanted to make sure he had enough space. I'm super happy to know that 20L is Okay but thought if I can fit a bigger tank then why not!? Animal welfare and all that

In other news my MS egg clutch hatched! So the 20L still has a purpose woohoo!

Thanks again all, I'll post a photo once Anthony's tank is completed!

 

[KTYB]

Hey guys!
So as promised here is a photo of Anthony in his 38L tank. I'm just waiting on a few more plants but it's more or less complete

In other news my MS hatchings didn't go very well so I couldn't resist and bought another Betta

So much for saving space now I have the 20L and 38L both still set up

I have included a photo of the 38L and 20L plus a close up of Anthony and Phantom

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[KTYB]

Forgot the photos of the tanks!

 

[KTYB]

Last reply! But this is a better photo of the 20L

 

[earhtmother]

Nice looking tanks, wish my moss would attach that well [emoji37]

 

[Lokilow]

5 Gal is the smallest I would go and since you have him alone I think its plenty. His tank setup looks very nice for him as well. He will be fine and happy.

 

[KTYB]

Nice looking tanks, wish my moss would attach that well [emoji37]

Thank you! I also plan to put a few floating plants into the 20L.

Also with the java moss, I grow it on netting. You could use the ones that some fruit comes in from supermarkets (the type of plastic mesh bag that Avos and lemons come packaged in). Once the moss grows out a bit in my 4ft I do a big trim. The bits that are trimmed, I attach to the driftwood/rocks then place the mesh over the top to keep in place! Plus some fishing line to secure the mesh. Soon the moss will grow out again and you won't be able to see the mesh anymore ! The mesh stops the moss going for a float! This is how I've done it in these tanks anyway the more moss you attach at one time, the quicker it grows out!

 

[KTYB]

Thank you! I also plan to put a few floating plants into the 20L.

Also with the java moss, I grow it on netting. You could use the ones that some fruit comes in from supermarkets (the type of plastic mesh bag that Avos and lemons come packaged in). Once the moss grows out a bit in my 4ft I do a big trim. The bits that are trimmed, I attach to the driftwood/rocks then place the mesh over the top to keep in place! Plus some fishing line to secure the mesh. Soon the moss will grow out again and you won't be able to see the mesh anymore ! The mesh stops the moss going for a float! This is how I've done it in these tanks anyway the more moss you attach at one time, the quicker it grows out!

Added a photo to better explain.. Not great at using this website yet.. should have added in my original reply but it was an afterthought