Fish For A Micro Tank(2Gal Or Less)?

[TheShrimpGirl]

I am thinking of setting up a nice micro tank. It will be tropical and round 2 gallons or less. Just wondering what types of fish can be kept in a micro tank like this. I know there are a few or them, as I have seen them.

 

[FishBlast]

Probably fry. Betta needs at least 5 gal.

 

[Fishy friend2]

Not any fish at all, the only possible creatures would be shrimp, and snails. Though I wouldn't recommend keeping anything in something that small, as establishing and maintaining a cycle would be very difficult

 

[Tolak]

You can do a betta, if you keep up on water quality. Shrimp are about your best option for a tank that size.

 

[TheShrimpGirl]

I know there are various fish that have a maximum length of 1 inch and some with less than that. Those are the fish I am referring to.

I have seen these types of tanks before with these kinds of fish in them and they do quite well if you have the tank heavily planted and they also make filters for these types of tanks.

Just a thought, really, as I've seen these micro tanks before and they are quite striking.

 

[Fishy friend2]

Just Because a fish is small, around 1 inch doesn't mean it will best suit a small tank. Most of those tiny fish are schooling fish, and a 2 gallon will not support a school of fish, even micro species like ember tetras, Corydoras pygmaeus, and boraras brigittae. Ideally the only fish that would suit that tank is a Betta, but IMO, the ninimum for a Betta is 5 gallons, as they will become not as active in such a small tank of around 2 gallons. I would not think about a nano tank of that size and aim for a fluval edge, flora, or something else that is atleast 7 gallons

 

[pablothebetta]

I'd only keep small shrimp in a tank that size, IMO it really is too small for any kind of fish. I have a betta in a 7.4 US gallon tank and I wouldn't want to keep him in anything smaller, so I wouldn't advise keeping a betta in there. FF2 mentioned the fluval edge and flora tanks, I think they'd make a nice little setup at 23L and 30L respectively. You'd probably be able to have a nice shoal of microrasbora/ember tetra in either of them

 

[CezzaXV]

Much what the others have said. Just because you've seen fish in small tanks, doesn't mean they're suited to them.

Same goes for goldfish bowls - because they've got goldfish on the packaging, people assume it must be okay to put goldfish in them.

 

[creeker]

I've seen White Clouds in these mini setups, but like everyone has said, it is not a good environment for any fish.

 

[bae1994]

I've kept a 3 gallon with a single male endler livebearer but that was just big enough and heavily planted so it can be done and a betta Is way to big IMO but a single male endler livebearer can be done IMO

 

[TheShrimpGirl]

Endler is rather what I was thinking, that or some of the other rarer species of live bearer that are absolutely tiny.

I have seen bumble bee gobies kept in this type of set up as well and a sort of miniature ciclid type fish, not sure what type.

A very small and non-schooling fish would be able to sustain in a small tank, theoretically, if one goes by the ever popular "one inch per gallon" rule that everyone throws around. With the equivalent planting and filtration of a large tank on a smaller scale it is, in theory, possible to have a sustained cycle for this size tank. I have maintained a cycle in my micro tank when I had it set up for shrimp before.

I will add that I was not talking a Beta, as that is very obvious to me, and it is a different story entirely to mention a goldfish bowl to me for comparison, as goldfish are only suitable for ponds due to their large growth potential.

I was mainly just wondering about it since I have seen them around and I was just wondering if there was any fish that would be able to live in this size tank. Mine is 3 gallons and has the proper dimensions for it. Again, not doing it, just curious about it and thought I'd discuss it.

 

[onidrase]

these small tanks are totally worthless, some of them cost even more than a standard 10 gallon. If you ask me, anything smaller than 10 gallons deserves to be holding punch in the freezer, not a bunch of fish. I'd understand if they were small and cost effective, but a lot of them are either plastic boxes of the same quality as a plastic cup, or a fancy designer doodad which costs more than a standard tank over twice its size.

In regards to fish for tiny tanks, shrimp, endlers livebearers (I suppose, they're not "schooling fish" but they are social, let's not forget.) and well, that's all I can think of, would really be comfortable in such a set up.

It's really unfortunate how so many fish are improperly kept, most people don't even know what they're like at their full potential, and therefor think their fish are happy in a small tank, even if they're just holding on because that's basic instinct.

if you want to see that fish at its best, in its best color, best activity, best health, you should really just get a proper sized tank. Or if you just like the looks of small planted tanks, then get a small planted tank. Just don't put anything but plants in it.

 

[creeker]

Well said, onidrase.

 

[Shovelman]

You could do an oscar for a little while (maybe a year or so) and then give it a 10g for it to live in...








just kidding folks, just kidding... id personally go with Thai micro crabs!

 

[bae1994]

Gotta disagree your saying a fish would reach its full potential in a larger tank that makes little to no sense yes if you stick a fish in a 2.gallon tank with pebble and nothing else it's gonna be pale and not happy but a planted tank with hiding spots etc there's no reason for it to not be happy

With experience off keeping a endler live bearer in a 3 gallon and a group of them in a 15 gallon there was no difference in colour and little difference in behaviour .

It can be done and your question of why someone would want a small tank that cost twice the price is really just down to personal opinion and preference And is abit like some one saying a ten gallons to small you could get a bigger tank for less money ( second hand) it's not what you want so you'd get a ten gallon

And pico's can look very effective

Bae