Ideas for new 5G?

[super_fishies]

I have a 5G and it has already been cycled. I am looking for fish to stock it with. Since it is a 5G, I don't have a lot of options. Also, the tap water in my area has a pH of 7.8 and I don't want to do anything to change the water. Any ideas for fish? I'm open to having just one specimen to display or just anything.

Thanks,

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

You could always go the betta route. A couple cherry barbs wouldn't hurt either like maybe 3 depending on size, but that would be pushing it and I'm sure some on here would disagree with that. You could go one dwarf gouarmi but it'd have to be a smaller one and you'd have to stay on top of your water maint.

 

[eja206]

sounds ideal for a betta to be. effective for a simple display too

 

[super_fishies]

I was considering a betta, but if I have one fish I would like for it to be something worthwhile. Any particular Bettas that stand out?

 

[mfdrookie516]

have you thought about rcs? i know you said fish, but since betas are pretty much your only option, rcs would be a really cool route to think about

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

What's rcs?

 

[mfdrookie516]

red cherry shrimp

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

Oh nice!! That's a good thought too. I didn't even think about them. How many would go in a 5 gal?

 

[super_fishies]

I don't know about just having shrimp. Don't get me wrong, I think they have loads of personality. What do you think about a dwarf gourami?

 

[mfdrookie516]

anything smaller than a 10g is just too small for any fish except a beta

 

[dkpate]

You could also get a divider and get 2 bettas. Or like 3-5 girls, making a sorority tank. I love my bettas!

 

[marchmaxima]

Agree. A dwarf gourami would be too big for a 5g. I also think either a single betta or a shrimp setup. A nicely planted out 5g wouls make a couple of dozen cherry shrimp look really nice.

 

[Asbestos]

You could also get a divider and get 2 bettas. Or like 3-5 girls, making a sorority tank. I love my bettas!

There is a potential that one or all of them are aggressive even in my 30g my two betta girls fin nip a bit.

 

[dkpate]

Probably because you have an even number?

 

[Asbestos]

I don't know lol, they keep to themselves when they are fighting they swim through my school of danios and they stop the shenanigans.

 

[th08tu]

I would have to agree about getting a betta, there are some really beautiful ones if you look around and don't pick the first one you see. A species you could look for is called the delta betta, they are my favorite.

 

[dkpate]

Most bettas look like crap when you see them in the store, and when you get them home and take care of them, they flourish and look beautiful! I always thought the pink ones were ugly, but then I bought one as a rescue, and when I brought him home and gave him some TLC, he became the most beautiful irridescent fish!
Another friend of mine rescued one that was starving to death and had a curved spine, (his "brother" had died a couple hours before that in the shop), so she bought him and took him home, and now he's a feisty little bugger and HILARIOUS, and in great health!
And I have to say the usual veiltails and the copepr halfmoons are my fave!

 

[Mark Hewitt]

I'm also considering resurrecting my 5 gallon. Although I was thinking more about keeping a number of smaller fish such as Neons? Or would getting a single Betta and some shrimp be a better choice?

 

[BigJim]

The betta will probably eat the shrimp. A betta and a few neons will do ok in a 5g.

 

[Mark Hewitt]

The betta will probably eat the shrimp. A betta and a few neons will do ok in a 5g.

Sounds like a plan. Although wouldn't the Betta just eat the neons?!

I'm still setting up my 64 litre just now so no doubt if I decide to bring my 5G back I'll be back on here for more advice!