I'm a desperate woman!

Rava

Rava

Betta Babe
Dec 26, 2002
223
0
16
CA
So I made the mistake of looking at fish at Petsmart today... The 'need more fish' bug has already been biting, and seeing them in person only amplified it. :P I'll need to buy a test kit to check if my fishy cycle is over before adding anything (if I can), and I won't be adding anything for at least another 3 weeks.

You know the drill... 5 gallon tank, one female betta. No filter, no heater, steady room temperature.

Someone previously mentioned "pygmy" Corys. According to this site, they grow to a max. size of 1 inch. My local Petsmart only had 'dwarf" Corys, which grow to 2 or 2.5 inches, if I remember correctly. So I figured those were not an option. Are there really 'pygmy' cories, and would those be an option?

What about dwarf puffers or ottos? The dwarf puffers at Petsmart were too cute. They look like they're too chubby to swim very well, and it's adorable! :D I even liked the Ottos, which I previously was opposed to. Are Ottos or Dwarf puffs schooling fish? I forgot to look... Would either of those be an option?

I just need something else in this tank... It's killing me only looking at one fish in there, it really is! So a thousand apologies for asking AGAIN, but I, am a desperate woman now. :D Thanks all! Bunches!
 
With a 5 gallon tank you are limited. You already have a female betta... so that rules out a male betta... Pygmy cories do exist (they're cute little buggers), though I've never seen them at petsmart. I'm pretty sure the dwarf puffers are loner fish, unless you have a bigger tank to keep more than one (to prevent aggression)... not sure about ottos.

If I were you, I'd get some ghost shrimps or maybe 2 small snails or a couple of male guppies.

Have fun!

~Tara
 
Originally posted by Rava
I just need something else in this tank...
Click to expand...

or do you need another tank?? That would be an easier solution:
More tanks = more fish = desire for more tanks and more fish, before you know it they are taking over the house.... :D :cool:

Seriously though, I know it's difficult and tempting but I would prob just stick with the betta in the 5g. :)

Edit: Spelling.
 
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Dwarf puffers can be kept together. Allow 2gal per fish. If you're new at fishkeeping though, I wouldn't start with those. They're not easy to keep compared to most tropical fish.

Kim
 
What is your "steady room temperature"? Your fish may be better off with it a little warmer.

You have to be careful with puffers because they can be somewhat aggressive and nip the fins of other fish.

Another possible option for your small tank would be an african dwarf frog. Not sure if you like them or not but they are quite interesting. One of those or possibly a couple shrimp like was mentioned. Cherry shrimp are great looking because of their colour and will eat algae. Or ghost or amano shrimp could work.
 
Originally posted by Rava

Someone previously mentioned "pygmy" Corys. Are there really 'pygmy' cories, and would those be an option?

What about dwarf puffers or ottos?
Click to expand...

Hehehe that was probably me :D
I've got pygmys (corydoras pygmaeus) and they're the cutest fish in the world. There are two other species that are similarly coloured and stay small, as for staying under an inch, I can only vouch for pygmaeus since that's what I have. They are a bit more delicate than some other corys, they need very clean, stable conditions to stay healthy.
Otos also stay pretty small, if you have algae in your tank you might be able to get away with the betta and two otos (they get about 1.5" full grown).
I agree with Bigguppy, there are some really amazing looking snails out there, just be sure you don't get an apple snail, or be ready to give it another home some day - they get HUGE, about the size of a tennis ball. I was on applesnails.com and they actually say up to 6" across, they're the largest snails on earth. Definitely wouldn't fit into your 5g.
 
Dwarf Puffer are best kept in a species tank. They would be nippy towards a female betta. I would stick with some shrimp and be done with the tank.

~ MyShrimpDied
 
Dwayne/Tara- someone said no guppies when I asked before, but I believe that had something to do with fin nipping (?). Unless my female betta would nip the male guppy's tails, I guess I don't see a problem there! Any further objections to guppies anyone? :confused: I've been really wanting guppies anyhow...

I have other options as far as finding a place that sells pygmy Corys. Petsmart's just the only place I've had time to look yet. So are those a possible option? And would I need to buy more than one pygmy Cory?

Do Ottos need a special food beyond pellets or flakes? Maybe that's why I was opposed to them...

Fishsmurf- That's exactly what I need. :D I was planning on getting a 10 gallon for the tetras I've been wanting to have for a long time, but those plans got ruined. Cat broke my hamster's tank, so the new hamster cage had to be put in the corner of my room I'd previously reserved for the tank. :(

Captain Hook- I couldn't tell you the exact temperature, as the thermometer stuck on the outside of the tank happens to be on the side of the tank right next to a shelf, so I can't see it! I keep forgetting to stick my other little thermometer in there... The water actually stays warmer than the room most of the time, so it's between 70-80 degrees, I believe. I'll pop my other thermometer in there and let you know in a bit. :) I love ADFs, but they're a hassle to feed, and I'm a chronic worrier when it comes to making sure my aquatic pets actually eat. :P My bettas both wait at the top of the tank every morning, then eat everything within seconds. I've only ever seen ghost shrimps at Petsmart (not sure if I could get other varities elsewhere), but I'm not overly fond of them... The ghost shrimp are kinda cute, but all those legs kind of freak me out! That and Petsmart has a bajillion of them in one tank, which looks even more freaky. *gulp*

Thanks all for your help and suggestions! I really appreciate them. :)
 
Originally posted by Rava

Do Ottos need a special food beyond pellets or flakes? Maybe that's why I was opposed to them...
Click to expand...

They need algae... lots and lots of algae. I put 2 of the little guys in a 55g tank this weekend that was just starting to show signs of brown algae on a few things, and hair algae on one or two plants. Today, it's almost spotless. These little fellows are brutally efficient. I've already dropped in an algae wafer to make sure they have enough to eat after they're done cleaning.

I can't see why you'd be opposed to Otos. I'm not sure if they're schooling fish or whatnot, but the two I have love to swim around with each other and chase each other in circles before returning to sucking on the tank wall. The're fairly active, despite some things I had read about them being shy, nocturnal fish.
 
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