For a project in my environmental science class, we have to set up an aquarium in a very small space within an ecosystem. The amount of space for the aquarium is literally the bottom half of a 1.5 liter soda bottle. There has to be plants, sand/gravel, and life (fish, frogs, snails, etc.) I need help with what species of fish/life and what type of aquarium would do well in such a small environment. They will be indoors, possibly near a window for a little sunlight, for about 5 weeks. They also have to be able to live without any assistance (feeding, filter, heater, etc.) What are some possibilities of what could go into the aquarium?
My sugesstion would be to keep it very simple. Duckweed, maybe java moss and them snails. Are you allowed water shanges? If not I personally wouldn't put much more in than that. The snails can eat the plants but unless you put too many snails in, that shouldn't destroy the plants. I would really personally go with the common pond snail but you could possibly try the Malysian trumpet snail too. I know that the pond snail are really hardy LOL look at the way they can take over a tank! Duck weed could be an issue for growing too fast though so you might ask if you're allowed to thin that out or only put in a very few leaf patches.
Sudden thought, you could try brine shrimp too. Though I'm not psoitive what they eat so some research would be in order :)
if you absolutely have to have fish life, i reckon you could use a betta (fighting fish) they are one of the only fish i know that can go without being fed for a month..... might be able to stretch it up to the 5 weeks....lol
people will say this is cruel but thats how they usually live, after all they live in the foot prints left behind by horses in rice paddies in asia, jumping between them to eat and to breed
ANd if you hatch enough brine shrimp, the betta would eat them too :) They would probably eat any mosquito larvae if you get any.
Re: Tiny Aquarium
i dont believe any life should be kept in a half of a 1.5 liter bottle with no food no water changes no heater for topical fish......
my answer would be when she asked what am i doing is....
no fish life and survive that long in these conditions. go with plants and a snail or two.
Thank you so much for everyones help so far.
mgamer.. I know what you mean. I thought the same thing. But apparently she does it every year with her classes so it must work out..
Here are the guidelines I was given, all of which I need help with.
• Determine how you will provide nutrients for your aquatic animals without ever feeding it.
• How will your aquatic animals get rid of their waste? (hint: this will require a decomposer)
• Water: fresh tap, old tap, distilled, or pond water?
• Gravel, sand, or a mix?
• Fish, snails, and elodea may go into your aquatic chamber. Be careful to limit number of large organisms as you will not open it to add food. Add only the number of consumers you think this chamber can support.
It seems like we're supposed to create a food chain in there, so that they get their nutrients and food naturally rather than being fed. So, any advice on any of these topics?
It's been a long time since I had sea monkeys LOL sorry, that's why I said research would be needed into brine shrimp before choosing. I think that a couple of plants like small grass plant or just java moss and pond snails would be the best. I can't think of a fish that would do well in that small amount of water. The snails should eat the plant and the plant would use the waste to as fertilizer.