2 Gallon nano tank

[Adastra808]

In an attempt to get my bf on-board with my ever growing hobby, I'm setting him up with a 2 gallon hex tank for Christmas. I figured I'd start him off with something small and easy to maintain then work our way up from there. I want to give him several options of different fish to put in there so I'm making a list (checking it twice ) of fw fish that would do ok in a 2 gallon tank. Here's what I've come up with so far:

1 Betta
2 Endler’s livebearer
1 Dwarf puffer
2 Dwarf Livebearer (Heterandria formosa)
2-3 Blue-Eyed Rice Fish
3-5 Ember tetra

Any other ideas?

 

[Pufferpunk]

Forget the puffer, he needs 5g. As a matter of fact, why not just scrap the 2g altogether & go with 5? Really not much you can keep in a 2.

 

[Richie_ELP]

Two gallons? A plant.

 

[NCStateFisher]

Get him a 10 gallon and a Crayfish if it's feasible, relatively easy maintnence and he'll probably enjoy feeding it worms and other live foods, i know i used to when I was a kid, good memories

As far as the 2 gallon ur best bet would probably be to find the best possible looking beta and maybe add a few plants, don't know how interesting he'd find a couple livebearers


Merry Christmas and good luck choosing

 

[Adastra808]

I know it's small and there are limited options. Like I said, it's just to get his feet wet and for him to get used to daily feeding and the weekly water changes etc to find out if he likes it or not. If not, I'm not wasting a ton of money, if so, I've got a 10 gallon on hand he can up-grade to.

 

[knifegill]

He'll get fed up with things dying in that tiny tank and never try again. 10g minimum for any beginner. Small tanks are harder to maintain.

 

[NCStateFisher]

He'll get fed up with things dying in that tiny tank and never try again. 10g minimum for any beginner. Small tanks are harder to maintain.

Guess it is a little tougher to do WC's, but if she went the route of a beta or just a couple really small livebearers it wouldn't be very difficult, just a couple solo cups worth of water changed a week and it's not like it's overstocked - also i'm sure she knows enough to make sure he doesn't kill all his fish right away lol

 

[Plec123]

just go with a 10, or at LEAST a 5....

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

i have to agree with most people here. A 10 gallon is much better than a 2 gallon. Its just 10 gallons, not really a monster fish tank. He could carry it with his hands even if it was full of water.

Get him 2 female dwarf puffers. He would love them and their awesome personalities.
Be sure to fully cycle the tank for him as dwarf puffers would not survive the cycling process.

PS : what a lucky bf he is, my gf is always complaining im spending more time on fish than her. I wished she shared my hobby with me

 

[Adastra808]

Guess it is a little tougher to do WC's, but if she went the route of a beta or just a couple really small livebearers it wouldn't be very difficult, just a couple solo cups worth of water changed a week and it's not like it's overstocked - also i'm sure she knows enough to make sure he doesn't kill all his fish right away lol

Thanks for the vote of confidence lol.

I think most of you are missing the point here. I HAVE a two gal tank...I know what I'm getting into and the point is to find out if he likes it or not. I would much rather find out he doesn't enjoy my hobby with a tiny tank that is easy to de-construct and as I said, if he does like it, I've got a 10 gal he can upgrade to.

I just threw this thread out here to find out if I was missing any small fish that could go in this tank, not to ask if it was a good idea. Come on people, I did my research, I know it's not going to be an easy or versatile tank but it's not like I'm trying to set him up with a cichlid tank with it. this tank is one that I wouldn't mind having around for myself, if he doesn't like it, for a nano planted tank. I don't really have anywhere to go with another 10 gal. I considered a 5 gal tank, but again, I don't really have a place for it if he doesn't end up getting into it. Space is extremely limited for us college kids and I'm cramped enough as it is with my two 55 gal and a 5 gal beta tank.

So to reiterate...I HAVE the 2 gal and I'm LOOKING for input on if there is anything else I'm missing from my list (minus the puffer) of possibilities.