Could I breed native species in a 5-10 gallon?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

divemaster99

Dovii
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2014
4,795
385
107
Pittsburgh, PA
I'm getting either a fluval spec 5 gallon or a marineland 10 gallon tank around next Tuesday. There is still much debate in my mind going over what to put in it but I think breeding natives would be cool if possible! I don't have a tank for the fry so I'm looking for a fish whose fry could survive with their parents in the same tank for 2ish months if possible, otherwise the fry will just go in a large cooler with a sponge filter. Some species I like are mosquitofish, american flagfish, pygmy sunfish, and (I doubt this would work but possibly if I did a 10) Enneacanthus species. This would be my first time with natives and I'm looking forward to it :). I would leave the tank at room temp which ranges from 66-82 F and on rare occasions for very short periods will hit 84 in the summer, but not very often, rarely will it go above 78. My pH is naturally 7.6 and I don't really want to mess with it so the fish would have to be ok with it. I'm open to any other suggestions as well, thanks for the help in advance!
 
Pygmy sunfish, Bluefin killifish and pygmy killifish can breed in a 10gal tank. The flagfish need some space, especially when the male flagfish guarding the eggs and he may will attack anyone, included the female flagfish so it's a no-go for a 10gal.
 
Pygmy sunfish, Bluefin killifish and pygmy killifish can breed in a 10gal tank. The flagfish need some space, especially when the male flagfish guarding the eggs and he may will attack anyone, included the female flagfish so it's a no-go for a 10gal.

I think I'm going to go with pygmy sunfish. Any advice on scaling the tank? I've heard pack it with hornwort until you have to look for the fish but is it ok to have some open area?
 
I think I'm going to go with pygmy sunfish. Any advice on scaling the tank? I've heard pack it with hornwort until you have to look for the fish but is it ok to have some open area?
It's okay to leave some open area but the fry/egg predation will increases. I have no experience on pygmy sunfish breeding.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com