HCA: Hermit Crab Association

In the depths of my basement, there behold a small 2 gallon fish bowl. I thought, "I wonder what I could use that for". So for an hour of contemplation, I have come to a few options: marine hermits, a betta, or some other small fish. I would really like marine hermits if possible, maybe I could fit 2, possibly 3. If I can't get any of those, a betta would be the next best option, but they aren't the most interesting creatures. Then as a last resort, some tetras or platies or something small of that sort. If I do get hermits, could I mix species, or just stick to one species? Can I even have a saltwater tank that small? Any info would be great, I have a general idea on how to take care of them, but not in depth like their relatives of the land. Thanks!

I hate to say it but I don't think a salt water tank at that size would be stable enough. Even those 5 and 10 gallon eclipse tanks you see at the pet store are more for advanced saltwater/reef keepers I believe. With saltwater/reef tanks I think its best to go bigger as a beginner. The smaller the tank the less room for error you have not to mention I don't think something that small would hold the natural cycle of a tank, let alone one for salt water.

I would go with a Betta myself, but I really like bettas. Yes they don't do a lot but their looks alone are what I like. I personally keep my bettas in a filtered tank (usually a 2.5 or 5 gallon works) but a bowl will work as long as you change the water at least once a week, possibly twice.

Awww, Thanks anyway. I don't know if I'll go for the betta, I'll have to think for awhile, see what I can come up with. It's not that I don't like bettas, I want something that will move around a lot and explore the environment. Better be safe then sorry I suppose when it comes to MHC's. (That's my motto for the zombie apocalypse, "better be safe then sorry". Expect the invasion, don't wait till it's here) do you have any other ideas as to what I could put in there, that is, if I'm even allowed to use it (my mom says no more aquariums).

Mike120 wrote:In the depths of my basement, there behold a small 2 gallon fish bowl. I thought, "I wonder what I could use that for". So for an hour of contemplation, I have come to a few options: marine hermits, a betta, or some other small fish. I would really like marine hermits if possible, maybe I could fit 2, possibly 3. If I can't get any of those, a betta would be the next best option, but they aren't the most interesting creatures. Then as a last resort, some tetras or platies or something small of that sort. If I do get hermits, could I mix species, or just stick to one species? Can I even have a saltwater tank that small? Any info would be great, I have a general idea on how to take care of them, but not in depth like their relatives of the land. Thanks!

It is possible to do a pico marine, but not in a bowl, marine tanks require massive filtration. Betta would be best in it, but a bowl is not really the best thing to do for any fish, it's a quality of life issue. Tetras, and platy are not going to be good for anything less than 10 gallons, because they are by nature a schooling fish.

If not a betta or other aquatic species, what about doing an enclosed thing? Like a green house in a jar? http://fifthseasondesign.net/blog/wp-co ... 1A79E3.jpg

Sealed properly and with the right set up they can be very interesting and low maintenance, and gives you an option other than some "pet" that your parents have to think about.

Whats a pico marine? I wasn't trying to make this a priority thing, just one of those things that could happen if it will work. See what I mean? I really don't need another tank, but it would be cool to have one. One that's actually in my room. : P anyway, it was a dream, crushed by reality *sigh*

I've also got a 2 and a half gallon bowfront that was a crab starter kit back in the early days of crabbing. It an acrylic, but it has a slight purple tint to it. Would this be better if I decide on anything?

Again a betta is really the only thing I would consider for anything that size. Though even with betta I've found the larger a space you give them the more active they are.

We just moved my girlfriends betta into her 5g (or 5.5g) acrylic bowfront. He was in a 1.5 or 2.5 gallon acrylic with a built in light. He seemed to be fine in the old tank and I can't really say yet whether or not he likes the upgrade yet. I've always kept bettas in 5.5 gallon tanks with a filter and a heater but thats a personal choice.

I didn't look it up but I'd take a guess and say a pico marine tank is a really small marine tank. These types of things really are for the more experienced fish keeper though because even a slight change can throw off the water chemistry big time. Thats why most fish forums recommend going bigger to begin with, bigger means you get more of a buffer to slight changes.

Also, I know how you feel Mike, with fish keeping reality really does crush dreams when you can't afford large tanks. There are so many fish I'd love to have but I don't currently have the room/money/time to invest in setting up a large tank and taking care of it. Personally moving anything over a 5.5 to 10 gallon tank is a huge pain I think. Thats the main reason I'm waiting until I get my own place and I'm completely done with school to setup a good sized tank.

Bah, a few days ago I got a good look at the bowl, it has a huge crack. There is a pea sized hole followed by a crack that extends to the top where the opening is. Its one of those old style drum bowls with half an inch thick glass.

Maybe you could keep earth worms! They are fun to watch through the glass.

Maybe a caterpillar if you can find one? Feed it until it turns into a butterfly/moth? I did that before, too. Very fun.