What Can I Keep In A Small Tank - 24 Litres /6 Us Gallons?

[Kaida]

My mum was left a tank by a child in her care when he moved on.  It had a few tetras and mollies, and 2 bristlenoses, and now it just has the 2 bristlenoses left after the gradual ageing and deaths of the others mum passed it on to me.  I moved my betta in from his slightly smaller unfiltered tank, but unfortunately despite all my attempts to baffle the filter flow he was stressed by the current and ended up developing finrot - he didn't make it.
 
I'm trying to decide what to do with the tank.  I believe both bristlenoses are male, so at least one needs rehoming at some point.  I'm happy to rehome both if needs be.
 
It's only a small tank, so I know I'm limited, but I'd like some options.  I have always kept betta splendens as single specimens in this sort of size tanks on their own, but I don't know if I want another yet after euthanising Erik the other day.
 
I prefer individual fish, rather than shoals.  I like plecos of various types and corys too.  I did think about a single dwarf puffer, or I might succumb to the charms of another betta, once I'm over Erik's death a bit.  I would love to add at least 1 of one of the smaller plecos, ideally a pair but I doubt I have capacity in this tank?  What options do I have with a tank this small?
 
 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Afraid to say that any BN's are not suitable for 5 gal tanks
 
There are a few options, not many granted, for small nano tanks.
 
Obvious choice are bettas.
 
But small fish such as 3 - 5 endlers is ok, but obviously being active fish they would prefer some flow which by sounds of your filter may be suitable.
 
 Microrasboras (kubotai) may be suitable depends on set up.
 
Also Chili rasboras (brigittae) may be another option.
 
Dwarf puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) are fine in these sized tanks with lots of plants.
 
But to be entirely honest, I would suggest these stocking are at their minimum tank size, with exception of the dwarf puffer and bettas, obviously the bigger the tank, the better, I usually recommend these to be in 10 gal tanks but 5 gals is just about doable.
 
Personally, I would simply have a shrimps and snails tank set up only in 5 gal tanks, these can be very cool if set up nicely

 

[Akasha72]

I'm agreeing with ch4rlie. This tank is way too small for Bn's, the minimum tank size I'd use would be around 60-70 litres. In last months PFK they suggested that the smallest tank would be a 24" and I was horrified at that. They need more space despite spending most of their time fixed upside down to wood or what ever they've chosen as their hovel.
 
I'd 2nd the microrasbora - there is another aswell as the Kubotai - the galazy. There's also another that's red with black spots but I forget the name of those - they could be the chilli's that Ch4rlie mentions?
 
Shrimps is another idea if you like that kind of thing. But a tank of that size I'd keep as an emergency hospital tank or a fry tank. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear

 

[attibones]

I've got a 2.5 gallon I am thinking of turning into an elodea tank, maybe a handful of shrimp, but I haven't decided yet. Maybe you could do something like that in your tank? The benefits of an elodea tank is that you don't have to run a heater (if you aren't planning on keeping any thing else in the tank), the light needs are minimal too. So you can effectively run a tank with just some neat looking plants without much kit.

 

[Kaida]

Thank you.
 
Yeah I figured the BNs were probably too much for the tank - like I said, they came with the tank.  If I was choosing a pleco it'd be an L183 .  I'll find them a bigger home.
 
I do have bigger tanks around, I just haven't got anywhere to set them up really.  I suppose that would be an option, set up one of the bigger tanks if I can find somewhere for it, to move one of the BN to (and rehome the other; as I say, I think they're both males), with ... something.
 
As for the little tank, I'll move the BN out and wait and see if a betta catches my eye for in there, I know it's large enough for a single betta alone.  I'll just need to find a way to baffle the filter, though a new betta may well be more ok with it - I think Erik had just got too used to completely still water over the past couple of years with me.  Endlers are attractive, though.  But I generally prefer a single fish that becomes more of a pet, IYSWIM.  Or if I've got to rehome the BNs anyway I could go for a single dwarf puffer on his own, couldn't I?  I hear they're very picky re water quality though?  That's always harder with a smaller tank.
 
A completely random option is to turn it into a terrarium for a rhino beetle.

 

[DRay]

I run 2 Dwarf Puffers and a few shrimp in my 5 gallon. Honestly though, they don't seem pleased with the small size.

 

[attibones]

I had a pair of puffers in a ten gallon. They were some of the coolest fish I have ever had. They can be tricky though because you need plenty of plants and a steady source of snails, at least one or two live snails a day per puffer. They are really enjoyable fish though, but I would not recommend them for the beginner aquarist.