Smallest Planted with fish, not shrimps

[jennieelaine_]

Hello all,
First time poster...

I have been keeping fish for years and have gone back and forth between being full on addicted and a general keeper for over 12 years. At my peak, I had 5 tanks over 20 gallons! I know only have one 75 gallon with my long time blood parrots, some Cory and a new catfish.

I would really like to setup a small desktop/bedside table tank. I've sourced what is available locally and what I could get online. The live plants I've kept in my tanks have always just been Pothos hanging over the sides or salvinia - nothing rooted in the substrate. So this would be a new adventure.

If possible, I'd really like to add a small school of mini fish. I don't really like endless or guppy if I'm honest. But Cardinal Tetras, Harlequin Rasbora's, Ember Tetras or White Cloud Minnows are my favourite small fish available locally. Shrimp and snails really creep me out, so I do not want those. And Betta make me sad.

I'd like some suggestions please! I'm wondering if going with a longer low profile tank would gain me substrate space and more schooling space for fish instead of something standard/taller and square. I have my eyes looking at 2.5, 5.5, 6.5 and a 4.2 gallon rimless tanks.

Smallest tank size for plants and small school?
Filters that make little "splashing" noise?
What do I need to grow plants (substrate, light, COs or bubbler?, heater?)

I'm looking for suggestions, help and anything else you'd care to share (photos are bonus!)

 

[tlindsey]

Cardinal Tetras, Harlequin Rasbora's, Ember Tetras or White Cloud Minnows

Welcome aboard

I would suggest going with a bigger aquarium for your stock list 20 long would be better imo for a small group.

 

[jennieelaine_]

Welcome aboard

I would suggest going with a bigger aquarium for your stock list 20 long would be better imo for a small group.

Do you have suggestions for the sizes of tanks I listed? I don't have the space for a 20 gallon, let alone a long. I'm looking for what I can work with in 10 gallons or less simply do to space.

 

[tlindsey]

Do you have suggestions for the sizes of tanks I listed? I don't have the space for a 20 gallon, let alone a long. I'm looking for what I can work with in 10 gallons or less simply do to space.

I suggest the Ember Tetras for a standard 10 gallon.

 

[Coot]

I think pygmy sunfish are pretty cool and stay tiny. A five gallon should be sufficient for a pair. Could probably even get away with a small group in a ten. You wouldn’t even need a heater. They’re not a schooling fish though and you would need somewhat more specialized food. Feeding frozen really isn’t any more trouble than flake in my opinion

 

[esoxlucius]

Welcome to the forum J jennieelaine_

I set up a 13g hex tank a few weeks ago. It's quite a tall tank for the size of the footprint.

It's got 3 rams and six rummynose in there as stock. I'm not into snails and shrimp either.

Plants wise it's got a couple of clumps of java moss, surface salvinia and a small terrestrial spider plant with its roots submerged. Also I have lots of algae growing on the back panels which I love the look of.

This tank has settled down very well, and my thriving greenery ensures constant 0ppm nitrates now.

This might be at the top end of your size spec but hopefully it'll give you something to think about.

 

[Deadeye]

Welcome to the forum!
Betta, dwarf puffer, badis, dwarf dragon goby, or dwarf frog all are options in that size tank. Most schooling fish are going to need 5-10 at a minimum and even then you’re just looking at rasboras or ember tetras.

 

[wednesday13]

Plenty “fun” to be had even in a 5gal… i know u dont like guppies but my neons have been alive in here for 2 yrs now. Lots of options for tiny fish even in a 11” cube. The plants will keep ur water clean enough for most of the “general” tetras and what not. 2 many people think its about “space” these days. Its always about water quality. Lots of keepers who do no filtration at all in these types of tanks and still keep an erray of small fish aside from guppies.

 

[jennieelaine_]

I think pygmy sunfish are pretty cool and stay tiny. A five gallon should be sufficient for a pair. Could probably even get away with a small group in a ten. You wouldn’t even need a heater. They’re not a schooling fish though and you would need somewhat more specialized food. Feeding frozen really isn’t any more trouble than flake in my opinion

They're pretty but too big. I've never seen them anywhere either
.

 

[jennieelaine_]

Welcome to the forum!
Betta, dwarf puffer, badis, dwarf dragon goby, or dwarf frog all are options in that size tank. Most schooling fish are going to need 5-10 at a minimum and even then you’re just looking at rasboras or ember tetras.

I'm ok with rasbora's or embers!! Thank you!