5-gallon stocking ideas

[Native Keeper]

Hi everyone!

recently my mother's female Crowntail betta lost to Dropsy, so now the 5 gallon she lived in is empty. We still have to finish cleaning it out, but my question is this:

What fish would you recommend for a 5 gallon? Here are some chareristics she likes in fish:

schooling fish, preferably one small enough to where we could have 8+ in the tank.

active, not standing still

Iridescent

If you know a fish that fills out at least 2 of these characterisitcs and can live in a 5 gallon for it's entire life, pls lemme know!

[Dwayne Brown]

There are a few that come immediately to mind. 

1. Ember tetras (they are small and very easy to care for).

2. Celestial pearl danios (a little expensive and they require live or frozen food but they are absolutley stunning. 

3. Green neon tetras (Imagine small neon Tetras with no red)

4. If she's interested you could look into a Neocaradina  shrimp colony.

Edited January 18, 2022 by Dwayne Brown
Spelling error

[813aquatics]

I agree with @Dwayne Brownon celestial pearl danios (galaxay rasbora if youre in the UK), gorgeous fish that look like little speckled trout. I see them for around $6.99 usd here. 

I almost walked out of my LFS with 20 embers yesterday too so another solid choice. They are so tiny and vibrantly colored. 

For bottom dwelling, maybe a few pgymy corydoras (c. pygmaeus)?

A colorful nerite snail may be a cool addition too.

 

 

Edited January 18, 2022 by 813aquatics

[Biotope Biologist]

Just make sure that the 5 gallon is stocked with plants so that the water parameters stay stable. Even a couple lucky bamboo will soak up nutrients and waste. 
 

not only is it beneficial for the water but providing cover for small timid fish will help bring out their natural behavior and colors

 

I like @Dwayne Brown list, some exclamation point rasbora are what I had in my 5 gallon in college. They were tons of fun and can have an iridescent sheen when happy.

[Dwayne Brown]

I agree with @Biotope Biologist plant suggestions. I personally have always put duckweed or water lettuce in tanks, they seem to suck up more nutrients and maintain water parameters pretty well. Not to mention that fish seem more comfortable under them. 

Edited January 18, 2022 by Dwayne Brown

[Levi_Aquatics]

I would suggest a school of brigittae rasboras and some pygmy corydoras. I also would echo what others have said in regards to plants. 

[Patrick_G]

Since it’s for a someone who isn’t a hobbyist I’d lean towards a bright fish like the Green Neons or Chili Rasboras but if she wants action and tons of color then it’s hard to beat Endlers! 
 

[Native Keeper]

@Dwayne Brown, my mom is interested in the Green Neons. How many would you put in a 5 gallon?

[GameCzar]

On 1/18/2022 at 11:21 AM, HydraSlayer said:

@Dwayne Brown, my mom is interested in the Green Neons. How many would you put in a 5 gallon?

We have 8 in our 5.5, and they school up nicely at times.   They seem happy. 

[Dwayne Brown]

On 1/18/2022 at 9:21 AM, HydraSlayer said:

@Dwayne Brown, my mom is interested in the Green Neons. How many would you put in a 5 gallon?

I would say a minimum of at least 5, you could probably go from that number to up to about 10 of them.

[Flynn Naysmith]

Bettas are awesome so I think you should have a Betta but if you want an odd ball fish I recommend a Pea Puffer.

[Native Keeper]

@Flynn Naysmith, as I said, her female Crowntail Betta had died in the tank, so she wanted something new, particularly, something that schools. We've decided against Pea Puffers due to the conflicting info on whether they can be kept by themselves or not.

[Expectorating_Aubergine]

Shrimp and freshwater sponges

[ChefConfit]

All of the nano fish suggested so far would do well. Personally I would do CPDs and blue dream shrimp in a heavily planted tank. Add some ramshorn snails and an amano or two and you've got a sick tank that would also scale well if she were to want to move to a larger tank one day.