What Fishies For A New Small Tank (20 Liters)

[madcaow]

Hi all, im new to the fish game. Just filled up a small EC Hexa 5 tank. Was wondering what fish to get to start her off. LFS recommened to cycle with some Congo Tetras. (expensive little things tho!)

I had a bit of a look around but couldnt find much on what sort of fish and how many to keep in such a small tank. Ive got a few live plants in there and the pH is at about 7-7.2 water temp about 25-6 celcius.

sooo. how many fishies can i have all up in my little tank? and what fish to start of with that will handle the cycle OK and still put up with a few more after a few weeks?

Cheers in advance!

caow

 

[Tempestuousfury]

to the forum.

Have you introduced yourself in the newbie section/ (too lazy to check, so sorry if you have already done so )

Congo tetra in a 5.3 gallon tank? Nope, they're trying to get money out of you. Congo's won't really work in something that small, especially since they like being in groups, like most tetras.

Something you could put in there: neons. However, you'd be taking a risk since they are not the hardiest of fish...

You could go with livebearers, if you wanted. A male guppy tank wuold probably look very good, though if you have females or plan on breeding, you might potentially have to worry about lots of babies growing up in the tank, or the male stressing the female(s) out.

If at all possible, I'd suggest getting a bigger tank. Why--more water =:
less drastic temp changes (and if you have incandescent lighting, this could be a problem in a 5 gallon tank)
you can keep more fish
you can keep more fish of different species (yeah, sort of redundant)
water chemistry is easier to maintain
bigger tanks look better
you could get cichlids, which some people prefer hands down to normal community fish

This is but a small list that I came up with, there are no doubt quite a few more reasons.

Anyways... what sort of light (to see if the plants'll do well)? Also, have you considered using sand? (check out the pinned thread if you have not done so already)

 

[Xebadir]

First of all, welcome to the forums, and the fish game.

pH is good, and temperature is also good.

As per fish for this, no matter on the size of the tank if cycling you want to keep numbers to an absolute minimum: Some good species for cycling include Platies, Tetras(the less delicates such as Black Widows), and even tiger barbs.

Given this is a small tank, id suggest keeping fish numbers to a maximum of 5 of smaller species once the water has fully matured. Have a read through some of the beginner threads and the valuable information they contain. Hope this helps.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88634 for all of these

Make sure to keep an eye on your GH and match it to the species you choose. You might also want to look at the KH(carbonates) and make sure it is 100ppm-200ppm to buffer your water well to avoid sudden pH fluctation.

Have fun.

 

[madcaow]

cheers guys!!

this is my tank here...
http/www.aa-aquarium.com/showroom4.php?id=8&level=2

its pretty small. i cant go any bigger as i dont really have anywhere to put a bigger tank. It's got a 6W fluorescent lamp.

here it is.

I was thinking of guppies! they are sweet. although i have read here that they are not too fond of being crowded and the males hack eachothers tails off

i dont want to breed them. might go with a tank of platies if the males can put up with eachother. huhuh.

off to do more investigating!

 

[catxx]

i have a 5 gal hex very similar to that.
all i've kept in mine is a single Betta. but not everyone loves Bettas hehe.
a 5 gal hex has more limited stocking than a longer tank, less surface area and swimming space, bare that in mind.

and cycling WITHOUT fish is cheaper than cycling with fish.

 

[Blade118]

A few tiger barbs will look nice.

 

[madcaow]

they wouldnt be too big for the tank??

a single betta would be cool. but my girlfriend wants more than one fish in there!! hehe

 

[trace1]

yeah i've got 2 of those tanks as well & i'm the same just keep a single betta in there. you might ( i stress the word might before i get trouble ) lol be able to put a few pygmy corys in as well but 100% sure on that.
i would not put tetras or tigar barbs in as tiger barbs need more space & like to be in groups the same with tetras & neon tetras like a well matured tank
hope this helps

 

[madcaow]

as well as a betta eh?

those things are tiiiiny!




thanks for all the info peeps. I was thinking about doing the fishless cycle. getting poked and proded by people to get some fish in there!!

 

[BigIan]

the fishless cycle is the way to go buddy....


i have a similar tank that i`m currently using a hospital/ birthing tank

but once every one is out of there i`m going to plant t up and add a single betta to

 

[dwarfgourami]

A betta would be my first suggestion, maybe combined with some amano shrimps (these are seriously cool!).

Or a betta, and later when the tank is mature some pygmy corydoras.

Some of the very smallest livebearers- heterandria formosa or endlers- are another possibility, but IMO the tank is even on the small side for platies and guppies.

Tiger barbs are a definite nono- you would get aggression issues in a tank that small.

There might be some small killifish that would be a possibility.

 

[catxx]

theres pygmy corys and otos are the smallest catfish.
both like to be in groups. REALLY 5gallons is too small for them, but you could at a push as long as you made sure it was well planted and lots of places to zip in and out of.

 

[PaulEbs]

Hey there..

here's a link to a topic on fishless cycling...
Fishless cycling

Hope it helps, and welcome to TFF!

 

[Bloo]

and cycling WITHOUT fish is cheaper than cycling with fish.

Unless of course the fish die due to nitrite and ammonia poisoning - or get fungus, bacterial infection or ICH - and you have to buy extra medicationto treat them

I think a single betta would be great - and you can also get a couple of Amano shirmp in there - as long as they are not baby shrimp (or else might be seen as food). Or an African Dwarf Frog with the betta

KG Bettas usually have some stunning imported bettas and he should get some in again very soon - and I think one like that would love a tank like that.

It's a lovely little tank you have there with some nice real plants.

Good luck and to TFF!

 

[madcaow]

ooooh! a frog! i wonder if we can get them in Aus!?

that would be sweet. i have looked at those shrimp before aswell. they look to be a good option.

Well, judging by all the great responses ive had , looks like i might go with a single betta to start me off after a fishless cycle has done its thing.

cheers to all who have replied and thanks for the warm welcome!

caow! :moo: