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Are you searching for the best 2.5 gallon fish tank on the market? Do you want to have aquatic pets, but you have a small living space? If yes, this post is for you.
Most people who want very quiet and calming pets prefer getting aquatic pets. On the other hand, they are not like cats and dogs that you can leave alone. They will depend on you for cleanliness and food.
As you plan to have aquatic pets, you need to give them the right gear like filters and tanks. By doing so, you can expect low maintenance needs. In order for them to be healthy and to thrive, it’s your responsibility to give them ample space, especially the ones that can simulate their natural habitat.
In case you want to have aquatic pets while saving space, it’s nice to purchase a 2.5 gallon fish tank. We recognize that with so many choices available on the market, the shopping experience could be overwhelming.
Fortunately, we thoroughly review the best 2.5 gallon fish tank. So, if you are about to purchase your 2.5 gallon fish tank, you already have valuable ideas, and you will end up with the ones that can match your unique needs.
So, let’s get started!
Is 2.5 Gallon Fish Tank Big Enough
While a lot of people will suggest buying a 2 gallon fish tank to accommodate aquatic pets, this minimum size is not enough for their needs. It is technically big enough; however, it is not very ideal.
If you purchase a 2.5 gallon tank, then you will give the fish a little more space to live, play, and maneuver. In case you will not include some nice decorations, then this size of a fish tank is big enough.
What is the Best Fish for 2.5 Gallon Tank?
Before we dive into the best 2.5 gallon fish tank, let’s talk about the kind of fishes that are best for that fish tank size.
Betta Fish
The betta fish is a popular choice for 2.5 gallon fish tanks because of the small size. While you can simply keep them in bowls, a fish tank will give them more room. To avoid aggressiveness, make sure to keep one male inside the tank. They are clean and can live without filtration—besides, no need for frequent changing of water to prevent toxin build-up.
Bloodfin Tetras
If you want peaceful fish, then the bloodfin tetras are perfect for your needs. Make sure not to keep them alone because they can get easily lonely. They come with a silver body and can live up to 10 years as long as you give them the right treatments and care.
Small Tetras
Do you want colorful, yet peaceful aquatic pets? If so, then you can go for tetras. You just need to put a few plants inside the tan since they love to hide. Black tetra, Lemon tetra, Ruby tetra, Neon tetra, and Cardinal tetra are some of the tetra species that you can keep in a 2.5 gallon fish tank.
Cory Catfish
The best thing about Cory catfish is that you can add to any size of a tank. Even if they get adults, they are still small. It is ideal for keeping them in a group of at least three members. They are peaceful, but they cannot thrive alone.
Small Barbs
The Cherry Barb and Checkerboard Barb are two of the popular examples of barbs that you can keep in a small tank. Make sure to keep them in a group of at least 5 members. Never keep a small number of these fishes because it may lead to aggressiveness.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The same way with tetras, you can keep white cloud mountain minnow alone. They have a tolerance to different temperatures and water conditions. So, they can live in cold temperatures. You can let them join other small fishes like tetras. With proper treatment and care, they can live up to 5 years.
Black Molly
One of the interesting things about black molly is that they can live in different water types like saltwater and freshwater. If the fish tank is too small, do not put males and females together. That is because they have a strange behavior of eating their babies. They have high adaptability and flexibility.
Kuhli Loach
If you love seeing fishes living on the bottom of the tank, then the Kuhli Loach is best for you. You can make a small tunnel or cave for them to hide. Additionally, you need to be extra careful in choosing their food.
Black Skirt Tetra
Since your tank is 2.5 gallons, it’s ideal to buy one or two of them instead of a group. This type of fish is ideal for beginners. They are other peaceful fish. You can add a little rocks or plants for their hiding spots.
Danois
The Danois is known for its small size and activeness. They can adjust to any temperature and water condition. They are not picky when it comes to food. They are easy to notice because of their bright horizontal stripes.
Platies
The platies are another fish for beginners due to their variety. You can feed them flake or freeze-fired food. In case you want to keep the fish tank clean, it’s a nice idea to feed them algae.
Top 3 Best 2.5 Gallon Fish Tanks
Now that you already have an idea of what fishes you can put on a small tank, it’s time for you to know the top choices for 2.5 gallon fish tanks.
Koller Products AquaView 2.5 Gallon Fish Tank
This 2.5 gallon tank was built with plastic as the main substance to make it impact-resistant, leakproof, and shatterproof. So, it is safe to place around your kids. Since it comes with a plastic casing, it’s a lot easier for you to view from different angles. It is shaped like a cuboid, making it distorted at the edges.
We noticed that it is designed with a hood together with a built-in LED lighting system. Interestingly, the energy-efficient lighting system can be programmed to either turn on or off. It comes with seven variety of colored bulbs, which delivers dazzling colors for the interior of the fish tank. These include Daylight White, Red, Purple, Green, Blue, Aqua, and Amber.
As for the timer, we find it easy to use. You can power the Koller AquaView by plugging into an outlet, with a USB outlet, or with batteries. It also includes a powerful internal filter. While it creates a little noise, it does a great job of infiltration. The filter cartridge acts as the three-stage filter. Besides, it can remove colors, odors, nitrates, ammonia, solid debris, and other pollutants present in the water. Since the filter has a 25 gallon per hour flow rate, it is very powerful in keeping the water clean.
If you are looking for easy to use and maintain small fish tank, then the Koller AquaView is for you.
Pros:
- Built-in LED lighting system and filter
- Spacious for small fishes like Betta fish
- Clear view from different angles
- Durable plastic material made especially for kids
- Muted operation
- Attractive design
- Energy-efficient lighting system
- Lids require carving to install the filter
- The filter cartridges need to be replaced fairly often
- The filter may sound a little loud
- The LED lights may not last all that long
Aqueon 2.5 Gallon LED MiniBow Aquarium Starter Kits
Measuring 11.4 x 12.5 x 7.5 inches and weighing3.6 pounds, the Aqueon MiniBow is one of the smallest fish tanks you can find on the market. Due to its very tiny design, it can fit anywhere. This fish tank is perfect for anyone who just got into keeping fish as their pets.
The filtration system is located at the top together. We find it quiet, small, and compact. It flows quietly and calmly, so you won’t get disturbed if you are close to the fish tank.
The acrylic material used in this fish tank is tough and lightweight. When you are viewing from the outside, the image is not distorted. It comes with four clear sides, providing a nice 360˚ viewing experience. With its black base, it adds a little elegance to the tank.
Additionally, this fish tan has a black hood necessary for keeping everything in its place. The hood also comes with bright LED lights, which helps in keeping the entire tank illuminated. You can use the free care guide to create a healthy habitat for your aquatic friends.
While the Aqueon MiniBow mechanically works fine, the placement of the bulb and filter is a bit odd with each other. Not only that, but the bulb also seems too close to the water. Since this fish is only ideal for a single fish, space would not be enough if you will purchase more than one fish.
Pros:
- The filter is calm
- Ideal size for Betta fish
- User-friendly feeding hood
- Excellent for office or dorm setting
- Durable with tiny design
- Decent filtration unit
- The LED lighting keeps the tank illuminated
- Quiet filtration process
Cons:
- The filter is not powerful enough
- Does not include plants or substrate
- The filter might vibrate
- The design causes the filter to block the light
- Some of the design elements cause hood issues
UPLY 2.5 Gallon Aquarium Kit
One of the best things about the UPLY 2.6 Gallon Aquarium Kit is that it delivers more or less everything you want. This is another fish tank that is lightweight and durable. Unlike other fish tanks, the image will not be distorted when viewed from the outside. You can put up to two Betta fish.
You can put this 2.5-gallon tank anywhere you want, and it comes with four sides. So, you can have a 360˚ viewing experience. It includes a dependable filtration unit. Although the filter is not huge, it is effective in keeping the water clean. We find the filter not the best one on the market, but it will not make your aquatic pet very messy.
During the product test, we discovered that LED lighting is energy efficient. It comes with a hole to ensure easy feeding, which is located on the lid part. As for the base, it is elevated so that it’s a lot easier to see the fish on any side. Besides, you can use the user manual to get started with your journey to keeping aquatic friends.
Pros:
- Sleek and elevated design
- Has LED lighting system
- Fairly durable fish tank
- Ideal size for small living or workplace setting
- Great filtration unit
- Has feeding tank
- Perfect for beginners
- Includes food and water care samples
- Has a filter cartridge and a divider
Cons:
- The filter can be a little noisy
- The filter can vibrate and is not powerful enough
2.5 Gallon Fish Tank Buying Guide
Most people prefer buying small fish tanks like a 2.5-gallon tank for certain reasons. Other than affordability, these fish tanks are easier to care for and maintain compared to their bigger counterparts. After all, fish tanks need to be cleaned regularly to keep your aquatic friends happy and healthy.
In the same way as humans, aquatic pets do not want to live in a dirty environment. So, it’s important to keep their habitat clean all the time. If you have heavy and big tanks, you might feel more tired of maintaining them.
However, if you choose smaller tanks, you can expect flexibility and adjustability. You can place them anywhere without worrying that they might eat space in your living or working space.
In case you are new to keeping fish, it’s essential for you to consider the following things when buying the best 2.5-gallon fish tank.
Size of the Fish
The size of the fish is an important consideration when buying a 2.5 gallon tank as it can affect the movements of the fish. You need to make sure that the fish can fit perfectly so that you can swim, play, or move comfortably.
Temperature
Mind that cold-water and tropical fish are different from each other. Some of them need a different temperature for them to survive because their bodies are meant for particular temperatures. So, it’s essential to know the temperature requirements of the fish and keep the water in the right coldness or warmth.
Filter Unit
Ammonia is poisonous to fish, which their bodies emit after eating. Fortunately, a filter unit can help to eliminate ammonia. Make sure that the filter is not too strong so that your pets will not get sucked in. That is especially if you are planning to keep any baby fish or betta fish.
Proper Lighting
If you do not want to buy a separate lighting system, choose a fish tank that comes with a lighting system. This will help set the mood for your aquatic pet. Not only that, but it will also help fish to thrive as if they are in a real underwater setting.
Additionally, make sure to avoid incandescent bulbs as they can hinder you from controlling the right water temperature. The LED is preferred by many and considered as the best light. Note that it’s not ideal for putting the fish tank in front of your winder.
Budget
It’s not a good idea to spend too much on keeping aquatic pets if you have not completely explored it. Make sure to take advantage of cheaper options first. Once you realized that you need a higher quality fish tank, then it’s time for you to purchase a higher-priced tank.
Location
Another thing that you need to consider before buying a fish tank is the place where you can install it. Make sure that the 2.5-gallon fish tank will fit your desired spot. To avoid accidents, look for a fish tank that can be placed in a location where your children and other pets will not easily bump into it.
How to Feed A Betta Fish
Since betta fish is one of the top choices to keep in a 2.5-gallon fish tank, we give you valuable ideas on how you can feed them properly.
Make sure to thaw the frozen foods first. This will help the Betta fish digest the food easily. Never overfeed them, and you can do this by feeding only within a minute. This can prevent clouding the water as well. If you have betta babies, you can crush the food. You can give them small pallets or fine food like flakes as they can digest it easily.
Other alternative sizes:
Conclusion
In the same way with other pets, you need to consider several things like fish tanks to give them a happy, healthy living environment. The more you take care and treat them properly, the longer you will enjoy having them by your side.
So, are you excited to get your fish aquatic pet and fish tank? We hope that this post helped you a lot and end up with the right 2.5 gallon fish tank that will match you and your aquatic friend’s needs.
Need more?
When you decide to keep pet fish, there’s a lot of things to remember. You’ll need to make sure they have the right tank and the right substrate (be it aquarium sand or fish tank gravel ), that the water is filtered and clean and maybe even include some rocks, plants and other decorations in the aquarium to keep your fish happy. But what about the temperature of the water?