The Joys of the Two Gallon AquariumApr 26 '03 (Updated Apr 27 '03) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line When responsibly stocked and cared for, keeping a small aquarium can be rewarding and easy.
I've been sick recently, and consequently have spent many a day at home watching the little community of fish in my two gallon aquarium. Last night I found myself wondering if perhaps I should upgrade the tank to ten gallons. I'd have space to add some more fish, and do a bit more decorating in the tank... Then I thought better of it. There is a certain beauty in a small aquarium. My aquarium, little and simple though it is, requires very little maintenance and is full of healthy, happy little fish. Many fishkeepers immediately dismiss small aquariums as being too small without considering that there are many fish who never reach above two inches in length, as well as fish that naturally live in small amounts of water. There are many fish out there that can live quite happily in a small tank without a heater. Here's a small sampling: ~ Bettas. These are hardy fish with beautiful coloration. In their native Southeast Asia they may be found in tiny pockets of water within rice fields. A two gallon tank is more than enough space for one of these splendid fish. Male bettas are aggressive toward other male bettas, but are big softies otherwise. Don't mix them with aggressive tankmates or speedy little fish that nip at long fins, or your betta will be bullied. I kept a betta in a two gallon tank with a couple of zebra danios, and he seemed quite happy with the set up. ~ White Cloud Mountain Minnows. These are cute, peaceful little fish that are often overlooked for more colorful species. They are among my favorites in my current tank setup. ~ Oto Catfish (a.k.a. algae eaters). Otos are peaceful, useful little fish that will clean algae from your glass, plants, and rocks. They can live contentedly in a two gallon tank, and have no need for a heater since they actually prefer cooler temperatures to warmer ones. ~ Zebra Danios. These striped fish are relatively peaceful and prefer to live in groups. Four or five zebra danios would fill a two gallon tank quite nicely. While Zebras remain small throughout their lives, be wary of other types of danio. Some grow to be large within a very short space of time and would easily outgrow a small tank. ~ Guppies. Guppies are colorful, friendly little fish. They do best when kept in a single species tank since their colorful fins often attract the attention of fin nipping species. Guppies breed at an astonishing rate, so you will probably want only one sex in your tank. ~ Bumblebee Gobies. These are another tiny fish that are best kept in a single species tank. Gobies are adorable little fish with round, striped bodies that give them a clear resemblance to their namesakes. Among the fish that you ought never keep in a small aquarium are goldfish. Goldfish grow much too large and produce far too much waste for such a small space. When choosing fish for your small aquarium, never believe the old adage that some less than reputable pet shops will tell you that fish grow to the size of their tanks. A fish may die before reaching its full size because its tank is too small. It will not stop growing before reaching its natural size anymore than you would stop growing if someone forced you to live in a closet. It's growth may be stunted due to its unnaturally small environment, but it won't be healthy or happy! Be aware that pet shops often sell fish that are still babies, and that within weeks those fish may easily double or triple in size. To make the best small aquarium possible, choose varieties of fish that are comfortable and active in a small tank, and will remain comfortable and active in that tank for the entire duration of their lives. Small aquariums require the same types of upkeep as larger aquariums. Regular partial water changes and vacuuming out the gravel with a siphon will help keep the water chemistry in check. Don't overstock your aquarium, since extra fish mean extra waste, which will make the water foul more quickly and result in extra work for you. You might consider feeding your fish every other day rather than every day. Most fish won't notice the difference, and it will keep a small tank clean for a much longer time. I think I'll keep my two gallon aquarium for at least a few months longer. In this case, bigger isn't always better.  |
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