5 Gallon Stocking???

[Dani_13563]

Hello Everyone! I am an absolutely beginner with zero hands-on experience in saltwater. I have been researching the saltwater hobby for a little over a year now and I just have a couple of questions. I would like to start a 5.5 gallon nano (pico?) tank (just the basic one from petsmart). I have done my research on the nitrogen cycle and on tank lighting. I know that nanos are not recommended for beginners, but I also know that it’s doable and I love a challenge. I have seen both sides on whether or not a five gallon tank is ethical, and I have made my decision. I would like to know if any of these fish that I like would work if I kept up with the parameters and handled the bioload. I am pretty sure most of these are a no-no, but I would like to hear the opinion of others.


1. The Most Likely No-No’s (but I would love)
A.) single clown (a pair would require at least
a 10g correct?)
B.) single orchid dottyback
C.) single royal gramma
D.) pink-spotted goby & pistol shrimp pair
(with good, deep substrate)


2. Maybe?
E.) single bullseye pistol shrimp (no fish)
F.) wheeler’s goby & pistol shrimp pair
G.) geometric pygmy hawkfish
H.) griessingeri goby
I.) Tanaka’s pygmy wrasse OR possum
wrasse

I know of the other options (hi-fin, yasha, yellow/green clown, barnacle blenny, sexy shrimp, etc.), but they seem kinda plain to me, although, they are not out of the question.

P.S.: Although I would LIKE to start this tank, the chances of it are low due to my and my parents’ limited budget. My mother, specifically, is wary due to the large upfront/initial costs of saltwater (live rock, livestock, etc). But I figured there is no excuse to not be further educated by the experienced members of the saltwater community, so I made this post anyway.

Thank you in advance to everyone!

 

[littlefoxx]

None of those fish are appropriate for a 5 gallon. Clowns need AT LEAST 15 for just them. You might be able to do a neon cleaner goby thats it. Or sexy shrimp. None of the inverts or fish should go in that tank size at all. Most of those fish have 20-30 gallon MINIMUM

 

[Dani_13563]

None of those fish are appropriate for a 5 gallon. Clowns need AT LEAST 15 for just them. You might be able to do a neon cleaner goby thats it. Or sexy shrimp. None of the inverts or fish should go in that tank size at all. Most of those fish have 20-30 gallon MINIMUM

Huh, really? That’s what I figured with the clowns. I should have clarified that I meant all the “No-No’s” as juveniles (temporary housing) but I know that it’s inconvenient for both the owner and the fish. I didn’t expect a single “ok” for an A-D. I have only ever seen them recommended for a nano a couple of times, and the recommender usually received decent backlash lol. Why is a neon okay but not a clown goby? According to LiveAq., the clown goby is smaller than a neon. And it recommends minimum 10 for some of these. And wouldn’t a wheeler’s stay (for the most part) with its pistol shrimp? There seems to be inconsistencies depending on what forum I am on, but I guess that is to be expected.
Anyways, thank you so much for the reply! I will definitely take your recommendations into consideration!

 

[AydenLincoln]

I wouldn’t put any fish in a tank that small. But some hermit crabs and/or shrimp could work along with a few other types of invert choices. I had a purple reef lobster in a tank that size too.

 

[metro6775]

A 5.5 gallon aquarium is extremely small for saltwater. I can't recommend any fish. I recommend starting with 20 gallons. I started with 20 and kept 2 clowns. Or 15 and one clown. Clowns are fun. Just make sure you have a lid because they will jump.

 

[Lavey29]

I agree with the above posts. Save your money for a 20g.

 

[littlefoxx]

Huh, really? That’s what I figured with the clowns. I should have clarified that I meant all the “No-No’s” as juveniles (temporary housing) but I know that it’s inconvenient for both the owner and the fish. I didn’t expect a single “ok” for an A-D. I have only ever seen them recommended for a nano a couple of times, and the recommender usually received decent backlash lol. Why is a neon okay but not a clown goby? According to LiveAq., the clown goby is smaller than a neon. And it recommends minimum 10 for some of these. And wouldn’t a wheeler’s stay (for the most part) with its pistol shrimp? There seems to be inconsistencies depending on what forum I am on, but I guess that is to be expected.
Anyways, thank you so much for the reply! I will definitely take your recommendations into consideration!

I said the neon as a maybe, but I still wouldnt do it. The only shrimp I would put in there are sexy dancers, they are only a centimeter. And if it recommend at least 10, then a 5 is for sure out of the picture… even the wheelers goby and a pistol shrimp. Tank is way too small for them, and really anything in the saltwater hobby.

 

[nano7g]

I think gobies are great. I have a yellow clown goby and it barely puts a dent in the bioload of my 7 gallon. It mostly hangs around the rock work and stays in the front of the tank and hover up in the water column enough to make it interesting. Watching them hover from coral to coral makes them pretty fun to watch. Green-banded goby and two spot blennies should be an option as well. They stay close to the rockwork and shouldn’t be too demanding on bioload if you can get them to eat appropriately.


No matter how much research you do, there are going to be costs that sideline you that you did not expect for a pico/nano. Like bad equipment that break, and you end up buying the more expensive product you should have gotten in the first place. All in ones seem like a good deal and you soon realize the equipment it comes with is useless and breaks after a couple months. Costs to get rid of invasions/pests that take over the tank, numerous food that fish don’t end up liking etc. I’d be very careful on a tight budget. I ended up spending 3-5 times more than I thought I would. But it’s often the smaller purchases that add up.

 

[Dani_13563]

I wouldn’t put any fish in a tank that small. But some hermit crabs and/or shrimp could work along with a few other types of invert choices. I had a purple reef lobster in a tank that size too.

Oh that’s cool! Although, I see LA says that they grow to a max of 5”. Was the 5.5 its permanent home or only temporary? Thanks for the reply!

 

[AydenLincoln]

Oh that’s cool! Although, I see LA says that they grow to a max of 5”. Was the 5.5 its permanent home or only temporary? Thanks for the reply!

He was only about 2 inches and it was only him sadly the tank wasn’t up for long as the macroalgae went sexual and crashed the entire tank and killed him.

 

[Dani_13563]

I think gobies are great. I have a yellow clown goby and it barely puts a dent in the bioload of my 7 gallon. It mostly hangs around the rock work and stays in the front of the tank and hover up in the water column enough to make it interesting. Watching them hover from coral to coral makes them pretty fun to watch. Green-banded goby and two spot blennies should be an option as well. They stay close to the rockwork and shouldn’t be too demanding on bioload if you can get them to eat appropriately.


No matter how much research you do, there are going to be costs that sideline you that you did not expect for a pico/nano. Like bad equipment that break, and you end up buying the more expensive product you should have gotten in the first place. All in ones seem like a good deal and you soon realize the equipment it comes with is useless and breaks after a couple months. Costs to get rid of invasions/pests that take over the tank, numerous food that fish don’t end up liking etc. I’d be very careful on a tight budget. I ended up spending 3-5 times more than I thought I would. But it’s often the smaller purchases that add up.

Thank you for the reply! Yeah, I’ve always been wary of AIO. They always seem too good to be true in their descriptions, and their light (if it even comes with one) is always subpar. I have to say, though, that the reason for the tight budget isn’t the LACK of money, but the wariness of my parent’s to sponsor a hobby that most people seem to get out of after a year or two. Usually, if I seem eager enough for a long enough time they will budge, and if I were to have a good set up one day, I know they wouldn’t hesitate to help out in an emergency.
Thank you for the reply and thank you so much for the kind advice!

 

[Dani_13563]

He was only about 2 inches and it was only him sadly the tank wasn’t up for long as the macroalgae went sexual and crashed the entire tank and killed him.

Oh I’m sorry to hear that! Very beautiful invert.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Oh I’m sorry to hear that! Very beautiful invert.

Yes and nocturnal/shy so if you want something out and about and that you can see during the day. Don’t get one!

 

[Dani_13563]

Yes and nocturnal/shy so if you want something out and about and that you can see during the day. Don’t get one!

I’ll keep that in mind haha

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

New to saltwater- you absolutely need larger water volume to start a tank that small in this hobby. One minor mistake in chemistry and you will have bigger problems. This is just my opinion and others may disagree, but as a beginner, start with a 30g minimum tank that is drilled for overflow into a sump below. You can hide your equipment, have more stability when things go wrong, and you can have the fish you mentioned.

Obviously, the costs are considerably higher, but if you decide you love the hobby and want to delve into corals or anemones, you will have the breathing room for them. If price is an issue, go minimum of 20-29g if you dont do a sump. No wrasses on anything under 30-40g.

 

[Dani_13563]

New to saltwater- you absolutely need larger water volume to start a tank that small in this hobby. One minor mistake in chemistry and you will have bigger problems. This is just my opinion and others may disagree, but as a beginner, start with a 30g minimum tank that is drilled for overflow into a sump below. You can hide your equipment, have more stability when things go wrong, and you can have the fish you mentioned.

Obviously, the costs are considerably higher, but if you decide you love the hobby and want to delve into corals or anemones, you will have the breathing room for them. If price is an issue, go minimum of 20-29g if you dont do a sump. No wrasses on anything under 30-40g.

Thank you so much for the reply! I do have an empty 20g sitting around that I could use. I just really wanted a desk tank. I’ll definitely think about it tho! And no wrasses, got it!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Thank you so much for the reply! I do have an empty 20g sitting around that I could use. I just really wanted a desk tank. I’ll definitely think about it tho! And no wrasses, got it!

Yea I would stick to the 20g or bigger and then once you think you have a handle on keeping your tank stable, nothing wrong with a pico tank. I have a total hobby experience level of about 5 years... 4 1/2 years of that happened about 15 years ago, so I still wouldn't be comfortable keeping a nano or pico tank.

 

[NotReefsafe]

Eviota or trimma gobies are fine in a properly taken care of 5 gallon. Much smaller than any of the mentioned fish.

 

[Dani_13563]

Eviota or trimma gobies are fine in a properly taken care of 5 gallon. Much smaller than any of the mentioned fish.

Those fish are actually what I’ve been wanting, but they’re so hard to find in stock! Thank you for the suggestion!