Conflicted about 2.5 gallon
 

I will be getting a 2.5 gallon hopefully soon. I can't decide between these two stocking options! Help? Any suggestions would be great!

1.
-m/f dario dario
-CPD's or micro rasboras
-shrimp and snails

2.
-pea puffer, female preferably
-shrimp, depending on temperament


For both I want soil/peat/kitty litter capped with sand. I want a really fine sand that is actually soft, not the coarse stuff. What type of sand is cheap and fine?

Shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp. :smile:

How about pool filter sand?

I like pea puffers and shrimp, although the shrimplets will be tasty snacks.

As for schooling fish, you would need to keep a small school, and it would have to be the only thing living in your 2.5

Keep the footprint small, as it's a small tank.

This:

And remember that just because you can keep it in a small tank? Doesn't mean you should.

Puffers typically need 5-10gal at a minimum to thrive.

Even Boraras brigittae need more than 2.5gal, though they can certainly live and be okay in the tank. While a dozen of them would still look small in the tank, they do best with more swimming room.

Your best bet is shrimp.

Go for the shrimp. I have 3 pea puffers in my 8 gallon & can't imagine how well it would work in a 2.5 gallon. Keep in mind I have random plants scattered & floating *not scaped really* so they can explore & also to get rid of there aggression

Shrimp and snails :) They can be pretty and active and fun to watch, while still being 'OK' in the small footprint.

Another vote for shrimp and snails. My original plan for my 3 gallon was shrimp & small fish, but I added the shrimp first to let them grow a bit. Now that I've had them for a while, I've decided to keep it just shrimp and snails. The shrimp are so active when kept alone that you don't 'need' the fish, and their load is so small that a bunch can live and breed in there just fine with less maintenance than overstocking it with fish.

Shrimpies!

Amanos and some amazing colored neos.

If you want something bigger, dwarf Mexican crayfish -- bright orange!

Then some pink ramshorn snails.

Very colorful tank, variety of motion and behaviors and no sad fishies.

Sounds good to me actually! I would like crystal reds (cardinia) and fire reds (neos) together, though crystal's may be a bit out of my league. Also, are cpo's possible once the shrimp start breeding?