Alright. I have a nicely set-up 5 gallon tank, and I can put as many plants and decorations in itas possible. We are pretty good at keeping fish. I breed snails and have even gotten to the point where I am breeding for color in mystery snails (albino, red, and black). My brother used to raise Gar, African Clown Knife, Red-Tailed Cats,and things like that but now raises different types of Puffers, Lion Fish, Clown Fish, and other salt-water fish. I breed Triops (which is SUPER easy). And I have my Beta who is around 5 years old; so, fish around here are pretty much spoiled too as if they were apart of the family. Then there is the Dragon Goby we have who is a weird little guy and our star gazer and lion goldfish.
So, back to the big question! I have a 5 gallon aqurium with a very good bubbler and filter. The temp of the water is usually around 65*F-72*F (I believe that they should recieve nightcycles where the lights are off and the temp drops down a little). Most of the time, my room is around 70*F with the night being 65*F. I can put as many or as less plants/decorations as my heart (or the fishy’s) hearts desire. I would like more than 2 fish in the tank- but I just want something that looks nice.
Since your obviously experienced, you could keep many small fish in their. Neon tetras, rasboras, guppies ect, in small numbers of course. Since your going planted, you should definetely get some shrimp, I have a small colony of cherry shrimp and ghost shrimp in my 7g heavily planted tank with some tetras and rasboras and they are awesome to watch!
Good luck with whatever you choose!
Also if your considering planted definitely go with CO2 injection even for that size, as I have it in mine and the plants are growing like crazy and my glosso and hairgrass have even started pearling!
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It’s a mighty small set up but I trust, with your experience, you know about keeping the right water conditions. I think that a couple of nice colorful gouramis would suite your preferences. Peace
experience
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if you can get the temp. at about 75 degrees You can get 2 dwarf puffers NO MORE than that though because they need their space reguardless of size. They are one of the most interesting fish ive ever had and have great personality. you can alsoi feed it extremely small mystery snails you said you breed. they also love heavily planted tanks. they are perfect IF you get the temp up.
P.S. the triops are just brine shrimp. you can get them at your local fish store for like $1.25 for 100 of them.
edit: as said above you absolutely positively do NOT need co2 injections Ive used co2 in my planted tanks and have never seen a difference. and got rid of the co2 as it was pointless. just lots of nutrients and proper lights do the trick. ive been planting tanks for years
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If it is any type of tropical fish you still might want to worry about having a heater for your water. It might never even turn on if your water temp stays fairly regular, but if it were to drop really low for some reason you’ll loose all those pretty cichlids. Those fish might also have a hard time in a small tank because they like to grow. A five gallon doesn’t leave much room to stretch out. If you do go with tropical fresh water fish, just remember that they usually only get along with other tropical fish from their area. I always found cichlids to be the prettiest. Then again a lot of tetra fish can be pretty because they will school and do nicely in a smaller tank. Angel fish are good too. That’s the best part of having an aquarium you can try anything and if it doesn’t work out its not that hard to fix it or try something new.
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As far as fish go, I would only recommend a betta for that size tank. However, in addition to a betta, you could house snails, shrimp, or a pair of African dwarf frogs.*
*An aquarium heater would be necessary for your set up if you want to keep any of the above. A steady temperature between 78F-82F is ideal.
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nothing at all in that temperature. you should only keep a betta in there. with a heater.
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Nothing. Till you get a heater in there.
From what I understand, your temperature is fluctuating too much. Not a good idea. If you want to have varied temperature (not sure why…) get a programmable thermostat that you can slowly adjust. Also useful if you get ich.
Most will tell you to put a betta in it, along with bottom feeders and call it a day. I’m with them. Too many other tropical fish are schoolers and I feel they should be in something bigger than a 5 tank.
Also, throw ou the excessive decorations. Especially if you have one of those stupid “gone fishing” decorations. Give the fish room to swim. Plants are ok, but keep them to the corners and the back so there’s room to swim.
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