DH came home today with a 5 gallon fish tank for Matthew. I have been wanting to get him one now for the past year and with the new baby here this was a good opportunity to do something special for Matthew. His bedroom has a nautical feel so the fish tank is a really good addition.

I heard that Gold Fish are really dirty and people have told me not to get them. Does anyone have any fresh water fish suggestions? How many fish should we get for a 5 gallon tank?

TIA

By Vicki on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 01:31 pm:

As far as how many fish, I think that depends on the type of fish. I think once you figure out what kind you want, the store will be able to tell you how many would fit into a 5 gallon tank.

By Colette on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 02:04 pm:

One inch of fish, full grown size per gallon. Neon tetras are easy and fun to watch. You can mix and match the fish - they will tell you at the pet store which fish are good together.

By Missmudd on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 02:29 pm:

Platys are colorful and pretty sturdy fish. They come in oranges, yellows and black. Angel fish are neat. Grommis can be agressive so dont get them with angel fish.

By Kaye on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 04:50 pm:

I love tiger barbs for kids tanks, they swim alot and are pretty. You could probably get 4-5. Or you could get guppies, 6-7. Go to the fish store and tell them you want community fish for a small tank.

Another option is to get one beta, not much cleaning to do and they are beautiful fish.

By Shann on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 10:15 pm:

I think it goes 1 fish per gallon. You also want to check into fish that will not out grow your tank. Guppies will bread and bread fast .Neons are a good bet and Beta's but you can only get one male if you have 2 they fight to the death but you can put a beta with other small fish they are not aggresive if only only one. Also angel fish will outgrow your tank. We have a 50 gallon with ciclids we also have a 20 gallon witch is a commuity tank we have another 20 that is community and 1 ten gallon with gold fish that the kids one at the fair. and then last but not least we have a 5 gallon with a beta in it that dd had to have and we have numerous empty ones that are in storage. to many but they are fun to set and watch

By Rayanne on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 11:19 pm:

I have a gold fish and it has lated me about 6 months now. It is all by itself and I also have 2 turtles which ate all of my other fish.

By Feona on Thursday, September 8, 2005 - 07:06 am:

I vote for the tiger barbs. They are fun. I would start with two. You can add up to five. Must float the bag for 1/2 hour and add water to the bag else they just die. Too much of a shock if you don't do it right.

By Unschoolmom on Thursday, September 8, 2005 - 09:30 am:

I love goldfish because they have so much personality but you're right...they eat constantly and poop often. A 5 gallon tank would only be half of what a goldfish would need to thrive. We have one godlfish in a 10 gallon tank and will not be getting more until we get a bigger tank.

Everyone here has good advice. Just don't try to get too many. They're pretty but the more your get the more work it is to keep the tank clean and the more at risk their health is.