Nano tanks – fish and decoration

There is a saying that the smaller the tank, the larger the trouble, but with the modern technologies and knowledge we have about tank maintenance, that doesn’t have to be the case. Just because you don’t have room for a larger tank, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider having a smaller tank which compliments the space and livens up your office or your home.

In the fishkeeping community, any fish tank smaller than 54 liters (14 us gallons) is considered a nano tank.  The fact that the tank is smaller in size doesn’t mean it cannot be properly decorated or that the fish have to suffer in a small space, it just means you have to decorate it in a smart way and choose the appropriate species of fish.

Top 3 freshwater species for nano tanks

 

Betta fish are a very popular species in the fishkeeping community due to their elegant, colorful tails and their temperament. The smallest tank size for a Betta fish is 30 liters, but we suggest keeping them in a bit larger space of at least 45-50 liters. Betta fish like plants and greenery, a lot of hiding spots, and floating plants where they can rest and hide. They are highly aggressive and territorial, so keeping more than one male in the tank is not a good idea. Even keeping female bettas with a male can be risky, and breeding these fish should be done only by very experienced fish keepers.

The rule of thumb is- one Betta for one fish tank. Even though they have a labyrinth organ (which they use to breathe air on the surface of the water), doesn’t mean they don’t need a proper filtration system, a thermostat, and oxygen supply. Our suggestion for decoration are Q models, which can be used as filter covers as well. The filter can be placed in the rock, and with just a few smaller holes drilled at the base of the rock, you can have a natural-looking setup for your Betta fish.

 

Neon tetra originates from the Orinoco and the Amazon Basin in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. These are areas of black water under dense forest canopies that allow very little light. Neon tetras live mainly in the middle depths of water and feed on worms and small crustaceans.

Today almost all Neon tetras that are kept in aquariums are now mostly all bred, and most come from Eastern Europe.

Neon tetra is a freshwater fish belonging to the family Characidae, known for its bright colors and energetic temperament.
Neon tetra can grow up to 6 cm, however, the average size is about 3.5 cm. It is hard to spot the difference between males and females- females are just slightly shorter in size.

The neon tetra aquarium should be similar to the natural habitat of these fish. Keep in mind to use dark substrate as well. The ideal water conditions for Neon tetra are as follows: the water temperature must be between 20 ° C and 26 ° C. It should contain a water pH of 5.0-7.0 with a hardness of (<10 dGH). As for lighting, they require dim lighting. Finally, in terms of water change, you should make a 25% water change every seven days. Do not exceed this recommendation as a sudden change in water can be deadly to your Neon tetra fish. For a perfect Neon tetra aquarium setup, we suggest Q models and artificial Catappa leaves. The filter can be easily hidden inside the Q model. With a few smaller holes drilled in the ledges of the decoration, you will achieve a perfect setup, with high-quality water, without ruining the natural look of your Neon tetra aquarium.

 

Guppy or Poecilia reticulata is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish. The variety of bright colors and their perky colorful fins is what attracts everyone’s attention.

Sexual dimorphism in guppies is very pronounced. As with most live births, females are larger than males. The adult female is about 6 cm long and the adult male is about 4 cm. Wild males have short but impressive tail fins colored, while long females are usually gray and inconspicuous. Males with long plumage fins and even females with colored tails were obtained by crossing. The homeland of guppies is Central and South America, but they were imported and survived on almost all continents. 

Guppies are not demanding in terms of water chemistry and temperature, so they quickly and easily adapt to various aquarium conditions. The optimum temperature ranges from 22 to 25 ° C, but they can withstand temperatures up to 15 ° C. They should not be kept with larger fish that could become prey, nor with fish that like to nibble on long fins. Males can be aggressive towards each other, they can often be hard on females, whom they constantly court. For this reason, it is recommended to keep one male and four females.