I just got a two gallon aquarium to keep in my office. What kind of fish should I get? I know this is a small tank, but I really don't want to go bigger because I'm keeping it at work and not at home. The tank has a filter and a light and I will look into getting a small heater - recomendations for an affordable heater are welcome too! Thanks
I suggest you return the 2 gallon and up it to a 5 gallon. 2 gallons is too small for any fish. In a 5 gallon, complete with a filter and heater, you could keep a single Betta. Any other commonly availible fish will need 10 + gallons, depending on the kind.
Here are the basics you need to know for your Betta to live a long and happy life:
1. A cycled (
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php and
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquarium ... ) 5 gallon or larger aquarium is minimal for Betta health. Smaller tanks are impossible to safely and reliebly heat. You can cycle your tank with a Betta.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com 2. A filter is necessary in any tank in order to keep the water aerated and free of toxins. For Bettas it is best to set the filter flow to low, as they are not very strong swimmers. Another good option is a sponge filter. If your current filter is too strong, you can remedy it by covering the intake with a pair of pantyhose, putting a tall plant in front of the output, or follow these instructions to oufit your filter with a simple current/flow reducer:
http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/347/ 3. A heater is essential. Bettas need warm steady temperatures of about 80F, to thrive. Constant fluctuation leads to stress, which inevitably leads to disease and often death. You can find an inexpensive heater for a small tank at any fish store.
4. In a 5-gallon or larger tank, weekly 25% water changes, using a gravel siphon are necessary. Water conditioner must be added to the new water before it is put in the tank to remove toxic chlorine, chloramine, metals, etc . Never change all of your Bettas water, as this shock your Betta, and ultimately weaken him. The Betta stays IN the aquarium during water changes.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
5. Bettas enjoy a well planted aquarium, (use live or silk plants, plastic can tear their fins,) with a cave or two for exploring and resting. The tank should not, however, be stuffed with plants, as Bettas also need a good amount of room to swim. (And swim they will if given enough space.)
6. Feed your Betta a good staple pellet or flake diet, substituting frozen foods such as brine shrimp andand blood worms several times per week. Reserve one day per week for fasting.
When properly cared for, Bettas have been known to live for 10 years. I have personally known them to live for 6.
A betta would be just fine in a 2 gallon.
People hear something and then go crazy on it! The reason the 5 gallon used to be the minimum is that is was one of the smallest tanks you could keep heated. A single betta in a 2 gallon is nothing terrible as long as you can heat and filter the tank. Not too long ago you could only get heaters down to 25 watts (or even not find anything less than 50 watts!) and they tended to overheat the small tanks and never kept a constant temp in the small tanks, resulting in disaster. Now there are many heaters on the market that make the 2 gallon and above tanks acceptable.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Here is a great small heater intended for just this purpose:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?h ... Of course african dwarf frogs (ADFs) are great, as are the the referenced killifish.
Many of the other small fish referenced are schooling fish and do poorly in small numbers.
One male betta would be all that you could put in a tank that size people will say that they should have at least 5 gallons but for one fish by himself 2-3 gallons is fine. if you do get a betta it is ok if they come up to the surface and "pop" at the surface of the water because they are actually breathing the air because they have lungs. happy fish keeping:)
hi,
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
You shoudl stick with small, hardy fish instead of bigger more fragile fish so fish like neon tetras, they bring your tank to life! And what about some black neons. It is a small tank but neons and small catfish dont need much room. Guppies are the of the best colourful fish to buy, get about 2 males and as many females as you want and give them plant cover! do not get a fighter fish as they are very delicate and do not mix with guppies!!!
