5 gal tank, looking for sugestions.

[Vanor]

I got a 5 gal tank for Christmas, and I'm looking for suggestions on what to put in it.

I have a larger tank, that has 2 angels, 12 neons, 6 black neons, 3 black skirt tetras and a beta. They are all very healthy and seem happy. The tank also has live plants. Over the last 9 months I've lost 1 neon so I'm figure I'm doing pretty well all in all. The 2 angels will most likely be leaving soon, they're a matting pair and are turning rather aggressive to the other fish. But I'll see how that goes.

I'm thinking of either a school of small fish, neons, or something along that line. I plan on using live plants in this one as well. Maybe a shrimp for cleaning.

That or perhaps 2-3 dwarf Cichlids of some sort.

I know 5 gallons isn't a big tank, so I'm rather limited in what I can put in there, but any ideas would be most welcome.

[Compass]

I have a male Betta in my 5 gallon and it's just perfect for him. I know it is only one fish but it's something to think about.

[~firefly~]

5 gallons is too small for dwarf cichlids.

You could keep shrimp - have you considered them? They're fun and interesting. You're at an advantage if you already have a planted tank - you could set up a nano planted aquascape.

[ddavis1979]

I would say do a betta tank or raise some shrimp.

[Vanor]

5 gallons is too small for dwarf cichlids.

Yeah I'm seeing that after looking a bit. I did find the Scarlet Gem Badis, that looks like maybe 3 or so might work. They only get to be about 1" long, and are quite peaceful. I'd do a species tank anyway, so they seem like a good fit.

You could keep shrimp - have you considered them?

Sorta. I wouldn't mind a shrimp but the tank doesn't have great light, a single LED right now. So I'd have to get better lighting before I could consider doing a aquascape.

A ghost shrimp with the badis could make a interesting tank perhaps.

[~firefly~]

Hmmm...I'd not heard of Scarlet Gem Badis but looking them up suggests they need at least 10 gallons. To be perfectly honest I wouldn't keep a betta in anything less than 10 gallons either.

You could look at some of the microrasbora species...you're pushing it a bit for them (volume) but might be ok.

I keep a shrimp tank with low lighting (planted). If you choose your planting carefully you should be ok. Anubias (nano varieties are nice in small tanks) and java moss should thrive.