Tropical Fish Forums

ctp010 · New Members Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Location: Pittsburgh PA

We have a 1.5 g tank in my sons room (he's 8 yr old). No heater (don't think they make them that small, the room ranges from 66-75F through the year. He's not a fan of white clouds or serpeas, he had a colored glo-zebra tetra in there for about 2 years, every time a 2nd was introduced it was either killed off or died shortly there after. The tank have been empty but running for about 2 months now and he is asking if we can get more fish. I really don't know what to get him - any thoughts?
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diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

Sorry but the tank is too small to be a viable home for fish as you've discovers.

Please don't try to add any fish in fact I would only keep shrimp in such a small tank.

ctp010 · New Members Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Location: Pittsburgh PA

That stinks that they even sell those, when we were given a goldfish years ago and had zero fish keeping knowledge we got that as a temporary housing. I may just scrap it and get him a 5g or 10g.
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diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

Go for a 10 or larger. Much more versatile and not much more expensive.
( & safer if kids are playing in the room as they are more stable)

Huntress · Moderators Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Location: Houston TX

Actually with a 1.5g with no heater or filter a betta can live quite happily there as long as you make sure that water maintenance is done at least once a week and feeding is done sparingly. By sparingly a couple of flakes, no more once a day. I had a betta on my office desk in a small tank like that for almost 3 years. Small tanks require a lot more diligence than bigger tanks only because the ammonia can build up that much quicker and crash the biological colonies, which can kill the fish. Nano tanks can be a lot of work, but very rewarding. Smile

Good luck.
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"Feminae bene moratea historiam raro faciunt"

diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

jpalimpsest · New Members Joined: 04 Dec 2012 Location: Virginia

I really like the size and dimensions of PetCo's 6.6 gal. bookshelf aquarium. I don't actually own the tank, but I've seen some really nice set-ups with it and it's on my to-do list. It comes with light, filter, etc. You may want to look into it as an option. FYI: If you decide to go with that tank, Amazon's price is cheaper than the store price.

Huntress · Moderators Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Location: Houston TX

diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

How much experience do you want?
I have selectively bred Bettas & Discus and others. I have been on field trips and done habitat temperature monitoring.

These tiny tanks can be kept going by someone with experience and dedication. They are not viable for a novice for a child's pet. My current pet betta is in a 180 litre tank as I'm downsizing to move and took down his 60 litre tank.

The temperature fluctuation of a body of water in the wild is much slower than in a small volume indoors. The max temperature differential is not the same as median difference.

I used to grow out show prospect male Bettas in tanks of about 4 litres but they were temperature controlled and on a filtration loop. The space wasn't huge (but much bigger than a lot of tanks being sold) but the water parameters were good.
These were temporary homes and only for a few months at most with the fish then going to larger community tanks or display tanks - typically about 40 litres.

Putting a Betta in a tiny tank is like putting a goldfish in a 10g. They may survive but won't thrive and I do wish the world would take a leaf from Germany and outlaw the sale of any tank smaller than 30 litres for fish.