5 Gallon Hydroponics Tank. What Fish?

[nikkifro8994]

I have a 5 gallon tank that is going to be a hydroponics type of setup. My mom want to grow basil, oregano, etc in the kitchen so she has fresh herbs to cook with. The plants will be placed in a styrofoam board, and the roots would hang down about 3 inches into the water. The plants would be the filter and the fish would provide food for the plants. I will most likely use aquatic plant food as well (have to check with the plant shop on that). I have a small DIY sponge filter that I could use if needed.

What type of fish can I have in this tank? I already have a 5 gallon betta tank. What else can live in a 5 gallon? For inverts, my 5 LFS only sell ghost shrimp and blue crayfish. All others must be ordered or bought online.

 

[Plecc]

Tricky one..

I guess as your using Styrofoam you want to float the pots on the waters surface?
And as its a small tank your probably going to be covering at least 1/2 the surface.
This may be a problem for gas exchange! (but the plants may compensate for that)

So I would go with something with a "labyrinth lung" I think that's what they are called.
This extra organ allows the fish to breath from the surface.
A good example are betta's and gourami, given the tank size I would go for a betta.
Could you use your existing fighter and get something new for the other tank?

But I'm not sure if he will produce the waste needed to feed the plants.

 

[nikkifro8994]

I have to add an airstone for the herbs, so that should be fine for any fish. The styrofoam will cover the entire surface with a spot to feed the fish, if I get any.

 

[nikkifro8994]

Would a dwarf puffer be good?