Goodbye Sal

[The Betta boy]

Yesterday, when I was feeding my three tanks, I couldn't find Solomon, Sal for short, in my five gallon. After about five seconds, I saw him laying down upside-down on the substrate, dead. He was the first fish I had ever owned, and lived in a one gallon, before moving him to a five once I was actually aware of humane tank sizes. He lived in a five gallon with white gravel, the kind of fake stuff they sell at the big chains, and plastic plants, both of which I regret, but didn't want to disturb his sick self. He spurred my entrance into fishkeeping, and the other tanks and fish I have now. I'd like people to pay respects, and give ideas for what to do with the five gallon. There is a nerite snail in there too, but it's easily moved.

 

[gwand]

RIP Sal.

 

[Innesfan]

Sorry to hear about Sal. How long did you have him? I assume from your avatar and handle that he was a betta. And a betta is your best bet for a 5 gallon tank. It's too small for most everything else.

 

[The Betta boy]

I had him for a little over two years.

 

[The Betta boy]

My picture is actually his tank, exept now it's on an aquarium stand and has a light.

 

[emeraldking]

Oh wow, sorry to hear about your fish...
Even overhere, with so many fish, I always feel sorry when one dies.

 

[gilltyascharged]

I am so sorry to hear about Sal's passing. A lot of people tend to minimize the impact of a fish's death, even though they can be delightfully personable and fascinating creatures that many keepers put a lot of time, energy, and heart into.

While up to you, some ideas for the 5gal (once you're ready, of course) could be as follows (from least to most amount of experience necessary, IME):
• Another betta
• African dwarf frogs
• Neocaridina shrimp
• A pea/dwarf puffer
• Clown killifish, or other killis with similar needs/size/behavior
• Scarlet badis

While I haven't kept the latter two (yet), I currently have a pea puffer in my 6.6gal. More difficult to aquire than a betta, and require frozen and live foods (bloodworms are a favorite, mysis and brine shrimp are tolerated). However, a nice change of pace if you want something as personable as a betta, but your heart isn't quite ready for another. Personality-wise: if bettas are the "cats" of the fish world (plakats being your DSHs and longfinned varieties being your fluffy purebreds), pea puffers are the terriers of the fish world; small, spunky, and likely to chase down any small moving creature.