Fish for a five gallon (and where to get them)

[LordJoshaeus]

I am looking for a single fish, no longer than 2.5 inches (and ideally no more than 2 inches), for a standard five gallon I am going to set up. What would you guys suggest? And where can I go to find fish for the tank? I was going to keep various inverts (but probably not corals) in the tank as well. Thanks :)

 

[Bear22]

If you can find them: Trimma species goby. Unfortunately, small pygmy fishes aren't often available with the better known online fish sources.

 

[RobynR]

I am looking for a single fish, no longer than 2.5 inches (and ideally no more than 2 inches), for a standard five gallon I am going to set up. What would you guys suggest? And where can I go to find fish for the tank? I was going to keep various inverts (but probably not corals) in the tank as well. Thanks :)

The trimma sp. are super cute, but have a REALLY short lifespan. Usually not more than a year; but there are quite a few nano fish that would work in such a tank; one of any of the following:

Any of the clown gobies (or a couple/trio)
- green
- citron
- maroon
- lined
Pygmy gobies (short lived trimma sp.)
Neon goby
Shark nose goby
Yellow lined shrimp goby
Dracula goby (and many other of the under 2” shrimp gobies) with a Candy cane pistol shrimp
Tail spot blenny
Rainford’s goby
Hectors goby
Griessingers goby

There are so many! But these are my favourite nano-nano fish. :D

 

[mh0ward]

My vote would be for tailspot blenny

 

[RobynR]

My vote would be for tailspot blenny

I love the Rainford’s gobies. They are so cute and they sift and swim in the water column.

To be honest, I might get one of those and a clown goby if I were setting up a 5 gallon. I don’t think they’d interfere with each other and the bio load would be pretty small. :)

 

[Bear22]

The trimma sp. are super cute, but have a REALLY short lifespan. Usually not more than a year; but there are quite a few nano fish that would work in such a tank; one of any of the following:

Any of the clown gobies (or a couple/trio)
- green
- citron
- maroon
- lined
Pygmy gobies (short lived trimma sp.)
Neon goby
Shark nose goby
Yellow lined shrimp goby
Dracula goby (and many other of the under 2” shrimp gobies) with a Candy cane pistol shrimp
Tail spot blenny
Rainford’s goby
Hectors goby
Griessingers goby

There are so many! But these are my favourite nano-nano fish. :D

Many of these fish listed above need more space than a 5 gallon. Case and point: the Rainford's and Hector's need a very robust and established pod population. These fish graze all day long. Same can be said of the Tail Spot Blenny.

 

[RobynR]

Yes, BUT if they are the only fish in the entire tank it should work fine (aside from a clown goby), I was also thinking of captive bred Rainford’s/hectors and should have specified that.

I would not put a tail spot blenny in a 5 gallon with another fish as it would definitely be too small, but as an only fish, they are mostly perchers and not big swimmers. I don’t see it being an issue. Mine basically stayed on one rock in a 100 gallon tank once I moved it from the 32 biocube. It lived on that rock for three years until we sold the house/tanks. Sure it occasionally roamed, but not much or often. I can’t imagine it having an awful quality of life in a 5 gallon tank.

 

[Bear22]

To the OP, many of the better online sources will have min tank size for your fish prospects. Good luck!

 

[areefer01]

I am looking for a single fish, no longer than 2.5 inches (and ideally no more than 2 inches), for a standard five gallon I am going to set up. What would you guys suggest? And where can I go to find fish for the tank? I was going to keep various inverts (but probably not corals) in the tank as well. Thanks :)

You didn't mention location. In short, Biota can help you here. ORA would be another.

You mentioned 5 gallons. We need to factor in rock, corals, and equipment. That all takes up space.

Gobies.

Links
Dragon
Starry
Court Jester
Upside Down (may not see as they love nooks and crannies)


Can also look for Pan American barnacle blennies. Some of the gobies will be out of stock at Biota but just throwing out names for you to search and read on. 5 gallons is not a lot of space but you can mix a couple of the gobies together and get some movement. Some recommend 10 gallons so just work with what you have.

Links substrate. Starry moves about reef. Court Jester more open water. Upside down, reef structure, etc.