General guidelines
One inch per gallon is the standard rule of thumb for keeping any tank. A five-gallon aquarium can house 2-4 fish no larger than an inch; five fish would be too crowded. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can put a five-inch fish in the tank; such a species requires a larger tank.
How Do You Set Up A 5-Gallon Fish Tank?
Tank
We must select a high-quality tank; typically, I propose a frameless tank so that you can see what is going on inside.
Filter
Once you’ve decided on a tank, you’ll need a filter. The majority of the fish in the five-gallon tank will be more vulnerable; if they become ill, the disease will swiftly spread and produce a disaster.
illumination
If you are feeding plants and fish in a tank, you will require illumination. If your tank lacks natural light, seek for a low-cost lighting or an external light.
What Kinds of Things Can You Keep in a 5 Gallon Tank?
The 5-gallon tank is ideal for fish up to 2 inches in length, and I recommend three fish species for beginners.
The Betta Fish
Bettas are ideal for a five-gallon aquarium. They are territorial and prefer to have their own place so that they do not feel lonely or bored alone. When housed with other fish, though, it requires a larger aquarium.
Endler’s Livebearer
Because of their modest size, these fish can fit nicely in a 5-gallon tank, but they are prolific, so you will need to replace them with a larger tank when the time comes.
Pea Puffer
The pea puffer is a carnivore, yet its small size leads you to believe you could keep a lot of them in a five-gallon tank. They are also territorial fish, so you can only maintain two at a time.
Popular 5-Gallon Tank Stocking Combos
However, it is more crucial that all of the species in a fish tank get along. In general, you should seek out species that can coexist peacefully.
Here are some possible combinations for you to consider:
Combo #1:
1 Betta and 2 Cherry Shrimp.
Combo #2
consists of 5 cherry prawns and 2 Thai micro crabs.
Combo #3
consists of 4 Celestial Pearl Danios (3 ladies and 1 male) and 2 Cherry Shrimp.
What Are the Best Live Plants for a 5 Gallon Tank?
Adding plants is another wonderful approach to improve water quality while also providing fish habitat.
For a 5-gallon tank, your options are limited, but I can also recommend a few for you to consider,
Java Fern;
Brazilian Micro Sword;
Anubias;
Java Moss;
Marimo Moss Balls.
These plants do not require fertiliser, special lighting, or professional maintenance, making them ideal for beginners!
Final thoughts
Your selections are relatively limited given the five-gallon size, but I have presented you with some harmonious combinations that you simply need to take care of to harvest a thriving tank.
