2.5 Gallon Compatibility

[SwayLocks]

here's my 2.5 gallon betta fish tank setup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7qokn2R-Mo

i was wondering what other types of organisms i could pet in there besides plants.. the betta ihave in there right now isnt the same in the video its quite smaller small hmpk adult male. (ill have a vid up very soon.)

i was thinkin maybe acouple of shrimps or snails.. what are your guys experience with smaller tanks?

[kfryman]

Shrimp or snails would be it. Snails have a large bioload though and you would still have to feed both of what you get in the tank.

[SwayLocks]

Originally Posted by kfryman

Shrimp or snails would be it. Snails have a large bioload though and you would still have to feed both of what you get in the tank.

which type of snails/shrimp would be the best? what do they eat?

[diablo13]

I personally wouldn't do shrimp, with a predator they will barely ever be seen and may get eaten. I would teccomend a Nerite Snail, they will eat algae wafers. I like the Hikari brand, but you can use whatever one you like.

[SwayLocks]

cool i think i will get a snail than.. i dont have any real plants though, and i clean my tank (100% water change) once a week so algae will never be able to grow; will that cause any problems because of lack of nutrients for the snail?

[LittleBettas]

With snails, they have a HUGE bio load, it is recommended you not have them in anything smaller than a 5 gallon
Actually, I have a 2.5 gallon with shrimp.. and a male betta :)
if you have enough cover and hiding places, the shrimp(s) are more comfortable coming out.... your tank does need a bit more cover (plants) and a hiding spot for your male
hiding spots for shrimp: I use sea shells propped up on a rock... making a little cave, my shrimp actually spend most of their time looking for food or swimming (they are adorable!) they have almost no bio load and help keep the tank cleaner than a snail would in such a small spot

-EDIT-

Snails actually do not eat that much algae, you would need to be wafers for them (special food)

[Silverfang]

snails can also eat veggies, and your bettas are much less likely to eat the veggies than the wafers.

[diablo13]

If you get a snail, make sure it's the kind I mentioned, any other kind will overload your tank. Yes, they need special algae/spirulina foods or veggies.

[kfryman]

To sum it up snails have a large bioload and need to be fed wafers or veggies and you don't need any more cover (Although your betta will be happier with more cover). Shrimp need more cover, they eat the betta poop from what I have heard and I fed my shrimp wafers. I had ghost shrimp, they are really interesting to look at because you can see their organs. (When they eat it is even cooler!)

[SwayLocks]

sounds like their pretty funny to watch huh? i think i will give them a try and get some shrimp. so do i just get one? or are they a schooling species? sorry for so many questions im a noob at this stuff