Cool and unique fish for a 5 gallon nano

[Reef Altitude]

Hector's gobies, court jester gobies. I think the colors are real good and the behaviors are interesting in a tiny tank where they are not getting bothered.

Maybe somewhat common fish I think they are some of the best colors for tiny fish.

 

[Norcoreefer]

Hector's gobies, court jester gobies. I think the colors are real good and the behaviors are interesting in a tiny tank where they are not getting bothered.

Maybe somewhat common fish I think they are some of the best colors for tiny fish.

It's a "meh" for me personally. I've seen much nicer looking fish. Thank you for the suggestion though.

 

[Latte]

I'd expect some kind of frogfish might be suitable for a tank that size in terms of them being quite small and rarely moving. I'd expect like most predator style fish they'd require some special attention on water in a tank that size though? Certainly uncommon and I think very cool!

 

[NeedAReef]

seahorse. always wanted to do a seahorse tank personally but no can do, i get one and a qt and that is all

 

[Latte]

Otherwise there are some interesting inverts suited to tanks of this size such as reef lobsters? You can get some in pretty striking colours and I don't see them kept commonly.

In my opinion I'd be looking for something that doesn't tend to play well in a normal reef tank but is also suitable to a very small tank. Things like frogfish and smaller predatory inverts are well suited to this. I've got a small mantis at the moment that'd probably be suitable to a 5gal for a good while, but you've got to be very careful with water quality for mantis, as well as most of them outgrowing that tank relatively quickly.

 

[GARRIGA]

Frog fish

 

[ReeferHD]

Frog fish

i have a frogfish in a 6 gallon fluval edge, if you can get a really small one (under 2") it's a great nano fish but it will eventually outgrow it. i have a build thread about it.

 

[gobybryant]

i have a frogfish in a 6 gallon fluval edge, if you can get a really small one (under 2") it's a great nano fish but it will eventually outgrow it. i have a build thread about it.

I have a red rooster waspfish. I think you could probably make it work in a 5g. Doesn’t move a whole lot.

For a frogfish you’d have to be diligent about water changes.

 

[areefer01]

It depends on what unique means to you. Not a huge size and you will need some room for flow, for rock, and corals both frag size and long term growth.

Biota has some unique gobies that are not often seen in larger displays. May not say wow with color but will say wow with personality. Upside down goby, Sleeper Banded, Link's, black belly, Hairfin, queensland, Starry goby, Trimma, and so on.

You could almost put in a captive bred Cuban Golden Basslet or the regular Cuban Basslet. Beautiful fish suited for a dedicated display due to size or focal point compared to larger displays.

I have a links and trimma goby in my 210 display and love them although rarely see them. Well I see the links all the time but trimma unless one knows where it sleeps or hangs out you won't see it ever. You could also setup a nice SPS and host some clown gobies.

As noted above there are fish out there that would look nice but it won't be the larger or more colorful fish. There are some really nice gobies that may attract your attention mixed in with some soft corals or SPS in the case of clown gobies.

 

[crazyclownfishchick]

My favorite little fish, the Panamic Barnacle Blenny! Mine just jumped out of my tank sadly they're awesome to watch when feeding since they dart out of their little hiding spots!

 

[NotReefsafe]

dwarf seahorses.

 

[LadAShark]

Acclimate guppies or endler's. Would be truly bizarre

 

[RedoubtReef]

I'd say a Dracula goby/pistol shrimp pair.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I do agree and have looked at them however, I would never want to have a time when pods aren't available. A 5 gal is not sustainable to keep an ongoing pod population. I've considered that fish and would love a mandarin but the pod situation is just not secure where I am atm.

Actually if you dose phyto you could keep a Greissenger Goby in a 5 gallon. There would be enough pods as long as they're not just the big orange rigger pods you add since those are so easy to find. I've had a Greissenger Goby in a Pico for some time now and he seems to be doing fine. They don't eat anywhere close to as many pods as dragonets.

 

[i cant think]

I do agree and have looked at them however, I would never want to have a time when pods aren't available. A 5 gal is not sustainable to keep an ongoing pod population. I've considered that fish and would love a mandarin but the pod situation is just not secure where I am atm.

You’d be surprised. These guys don’t eat an awful lot of pods in a day. Most other people I know that keep them don’t have them in tank over 10G, and most often they’re in 5-6G tanks where you’ll see them the most.
Mine was in a RS Max Nano and I saw him a lot but he’s now an incredibly elusive fish in my 3’x16”x1’ tank.
Here’s some fish I’ve had that would fit in your nano (Some I still have but others have outlived their lifespan and passed on).

And it’s not a fish but as others have said heres an awesome invert you could have, a Mini Maxi or even a Rock Flower Anemone.
Although the downside to these is you’ll likely be unable to have slow moving fish like Griessinger Gobies as they could get stuck in it (It’s unlikely IMO but it’s still a risk).

 

[Lineatus]

I've looked at the sail fin but can't remember I'd they are suitable for 5 gal?

Yeah they’d be suitable. One of my favourite fish I’ve ever kept, such big personalities. Would highly recommend.

 

[Eric R.]

Edited

 

[JoJosReef]

You’d be surprised. These guys don’t eat an awful lot of pods in a day. Most other people I know that keep them don’t have them in tank over 10G, and most often they’re in 5-6G tanks where you’ll see them the most.
Mine was in a RS Max Nano and I saw him a lot but he’s now an incredibly elusive fish in my 3’x16”x1’ tank.
Here’s some fish I’ve had that would fit in your nano (Some I still have but others have outlived their lifespan and passed on).

And it’s not a fish but as others have said heres an awesome invert you could have, a Mini Maxi or even a Rock Flower Anemone.
Although the downside to these is you’ll likely be unable to have slow moving fish like Griessinger Gobies as they could get stuck in it (It’s unlikely IMO but it’s still a risk).

Ever considered entering your yasha into a longest dorsal fin contest?

 

[i cant think]

Ever considered entering your yasha into a longest dorsal fin contest?

I know right!
That beast has a dorsal that must be twice its body length. It’s only about 1.5” at a max and the dorsal is Atleast 2.5”.

 

[JoJosReef]

I know right!
That beast has a dorsal that must be twice its body length. It’s only about 1.5” at a max and the dorsal is Atleast 2.5”.

Mine arrives with the M. bipartitis in a few weeks. I will not be showing them your photos--don't care to pay a fish therapist for dorsal fin envy.