5 Gallon Fish - 'Funnest' way to go?

[TripleB67]

After my problem with neon tetras (see story below), I'm looking for something else to put in our 5 gallon tank.

Here are my thoughts as to what put in the 5 gallon tank, after it is completely cycled.

For the fish I'm thinking either:
1) a couple of male guppies; how many would be comfortable in a 5 gallon tank?
2) or a Betta; although I think my 5 year old would like to watch more than 1 fish

For the bottom dweller I'm thinking either:
A) African Dwarf Frogs; how many could a 5 gallon tank house? do they need special food?
B) Julii Cory Catfish; maybe two. I think the tank is too small for them? I've heard they aren't very active?
C) Cherry Shrimp; although I heard they multiply like crazy? I would worry about the babies going inside our 'cave', passing away, and me not being able to see them.

So, for the most interesting/fun/exciting/easy-to-care-for set up I can make from the above possibilities?

Thanks for all your input, help, and patience.

TripleB67


I unfortunately must not have cycled the tank properly before adding the fish yesterday morning. I added 6 Neon Tetras and after 9 hours, only 1 remained. This morning the 1 neon tetra is still swimming strong. I'm going to have my water tested by a 'pro' today.

[lohachata]

i am not much of an expert , this is what i would suggest.....
there are a number of micro type fish that only get to be about an inch or so long...tetras, danios and rasboras.....
killiefish are great as well..many of them are very colorful and stay fairly small...
male guppies would be nice as well...
as for bottom dwellers there are dwarf type cories such as habrosis,pygmeus,and hastatus..aspidoras are great too...i have several species of them and i love them..the least expensive and most available are the albaters...you can have 4 or 5 of them in your tank..
stay away from ghetto gravel and decorations....fish don't really like them..and they certainly do not exist in nature..natural gravel..a nice little piece of driftwood...some live plants such as java fern , anubias or cryptocoryne and a decent filter..i think some Aphyosemion Australe or clown killies Pseudoepiplatys annulatus and about 5 Aspidora Albater would be perfect....and you won't even need a heater...they both like a little cooler water....
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...HqGQ2QXHoqjGCg

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...F4qYrAGVq-2OAg

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...w=1680&bih=867

[fishbubbles]

Comfortably I would suggest 3 guppies (male only) because otherwise you will have too many guppies being born. I would say maybe 3 cherry shrimp. Thats about all you can fit in that 5 gallon.

[TripleB67]

Originally Posted by lohachata there are a number of micro type fish that only get to be about an inch or so long...tetras, danios and rasboras..... killiefish are great as well..many of them are very colorful and stay fairly small... male guppies would be nice as well... as for bottom dwellers there are dwarf type cories such as habrosis,pygmeus,and hastatus

There are several types of tetras and danios locally...rasboras I think I've only seen one type.

Love the looks of the killiefish but can't find any locally.

All the cories locally are on the larger size (3"+) except for the Julii which state that it only gets 2".

Had my water tested today and he said everything looked good with my water.

Thanks for all the help so far.

TripleB67

[lohachata]

try www.aquabid.com
you can even get killie eggs and hatch them yourself...much cheaper than buying a couple of pairs of fish...but be very careful...you may catch killie fever....
aquabid has aqlmost everything you could imagine...and usually cheaper and better than the lfs......from the most common to the super rare.....and they have plants of every kind....if you are unsure of a seller ; ask me and i will try to help...