If you have ever wanted to have a beautiful fish tank, you might consider buying 5 gallon tank. You’ll love having your own five-gallon aquarium and adding decorations, plants, and fish.
For smaller homes or apartments, a 5 gallon tank could be a smart alternative to a traditional tank. This is because it looks nice and gives you an opportunity to have your own fish.
The size of the aquarium has a big impact on the number of fish you can keep in a tank. The health of your fish will be compromised if your aquarium is not big enough to accommodate them, and even the smallest fishes need space to swim around.
Do you know how many fish you can keep in a 5-gallon tank? That’s just one of the questions that you’ll find answers below. This guide introduces the best fish for a 5-gallon tank.
When stocking a 5-gallon tank, what factors should you consider?
There are some things that you should consider when stocking a 5-gallon tank. First, you should think about the fish species that you would like to keep. You have to know that in order to keep a healthy aquarium, only a few species of fish are acceptable to keep in 5 gallon tank.
A small aquarium is very attractive as the first tank for new hobbyists. There are many attractive small tanks that will fit nicely on a countertop or desktop, and they’re usually much less expensive than larger tanks.
Nano tanks can be a great addition to your home. Generally, a nano tank is defined as less than 10 gallons in size.
To be fair, a nano tank will definitely limit your options, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep any fish in it.
Remember that only a certain number of fish will thrive and do well in a small tank. This means that you should consider buying larger tanks if you want to keep more fish. But there are certainly a number of fish species that would be perfectly happy in a nano tank.
Filtration and Heater
In order to maintain the health of your aquarium, you need to be sure that the water in it is properly treated. One of the first things you need to do is to set up a filter system. This is a device that will remove the solid waste from the water. It also removes impurities.
A heater is also necessary if you want to keep tropical species in your tank. Before adding any live animals to the tank, it’s best to run the system through the nitrogen cycle.
Fish produce wastes, and as the wastes decompose, they create ammonia and nitrites. This two substances are toxic to aquarium fish.
Water filtration systems are very important to the health of your aquarium. They remove impurities from the water, including those that can harm fish and other animals. There are different kinds of filtration systems available.
The most common filtration systems include mechanical filters, chemical filters, and biological filters. Mechanical filters are used to remove large particles of waste from the water.
A biological filter in a fish tank is a filter containing porous media that allows water to pass through it. This is a home for anaerobic bacteria that break down fish waste to keep the water clean and non-toxic.
Chemical filtration removes unwanted chemicals (heavy metals, tannis, medication, compunds) from your fish tank. Activated carbon or other cleaning resins are most common filtration substances used in these filtration
Size and Behavior of the Fish
The first thing that you should consider when buying fish is their size. You should buy fish that are appropriate for the size of the tank that you want to build.
There are many varieties of fish, and each type varies greatly in size and behavioral traits. Choosing fish for a small tank must take these differences into account.
Most of the fish that you find for sale in fish stores and pet shops are juveniles. Juvenile fish grow fast. The little one-inch-long fishy that you’re considering buying will eventually become an adult and be measured up to almost 8 inches.
Some fish are shoaling species. This means that they swim together in groups. This is a natural way for fish to protect themselves. Fish in aquariums are usually shoaling in groups of six or more. In nature, a large shoal of nano fish feels like a much safer place to be than on your own or with just one companion.
Tiny species can be very stressed when they are kept on their own. If you keep your fish in a group, they will feel better.
Some fish are aggressive and don’t like being around other fish. Because they’re happy when kept alone in a small tank, they are more suited to a solitary life than as members of a group.
Some fish can be very active and need plenty of space in which to swim. For these species, a 5-gallon aquarium will not be suitable. You can put these species in a larger tank, but it is best to select a tank that is at least 10 gallons.
Before buying any fish it’s important to research the species you’re considering, to see if its size and behavior suits a 5-gallon tank.
Tank Shape
It’s important to consider the shape of the tank before you stock it. There are many shapes of fish tanks. Long, rectangular aquariums are easier to stock and decorate than square, cube-shaped or tall hexagonal tanks.
I don’t recommended fish bowls and vases for keeping fish. They do not provide enough space for a fish’s full body to swim in.
Both styles of tanks are small and have a limited amount of water. This means that the water levels are typically low and dissolved oxygen is lower. Also filtering water is difficult, leading to bad water quality, and a high fish mortality rate.
In my opinion, you should choose a rectangular tank if you want a very small aquarium.
How many fish in a 5-gallon tank?
You should aim to have a fish tank stocked with one inch of fish for every gallon of water in the tank.
There is no way you can put a 6-inch fish in a 5-gallon tank. How much swimming space there is in the tank and the water quality are some of the factors that need to be considered. The one inch of fish per gallon rule can still be applied to small fish species, such as betta fish and tetras.
The best approach is to gradually introduce fish into a new tank and check water quality at regular intervals.
Best 5-gallon tank fish combinations
A 5-gallon tank is not suitable for keeping multiple types of fish. If you want keep a lot of fish together, you might need to get a bigger tank. A good way to avoid too many fish in a small tank is to keep snails and shrimp instead.
One way of avoiding the problem of too many fish in a small tank is to keep snails and shrimp instead.
Shrimp are often overlooked, but they do come in myriad colors and species, and they do very well in small, well-planted aquariums.
Shrimp are undervalued, but they’re worth knowing about. There are many varieties of shrimp and they do well in small planted tanks.
| Mixed community 1 | Mixed community 2 | Invertebrate community |
| Amano shrimp x 2 Nerite snail x 1 Betta fish x 1 Killifish x 2 | Microrosboras x 7 Amano shrimp x 1 | Cherry shrimp x 10 Nerite snails x 5 |
Plants for a 5-gallon tank
Plants not only filter the water, they oxygenate it, too! They use nitrogen to grow, which makes the water cleaner. Live plants help your community thrive by creating a natural habitat for the inhabitants, and your home will feel more natural if you have them.
Aquascaping is the perfect way to decorate your aquarium. You’ll also create a living environment that helps to keep your fish healthy.
Adding live plants to a 5-gallon aquarium is a great idea.
There are a lot of aquatic plants easy to grow. This makes them perfect for beginning hobbyists.
If you have a 5-gallon aquarium, I recommend the following plants: Java Fern, Java Moss, Marimo moss balls, Anubias. If you want to know what plants are perfect for beginners, have a look here.
17 Best Fish Species for a 5-gallon Tank
There are several different fish species that you can keep in a 5 gallon aquarium or larger.
Guppy
| Common name(s) | Guppy, millionfish, rainbow fish |
| Binomial name | Poecilia reticulata |
| Size range – length | 0,6 – 2,5 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 74 – 82FpH 6,8 – 7,6dGH 8 – 12 |
| Tank level | Middle and top |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 2 – 3 years |
| Tank mates | Nerite snails, shrimp, cardinal tetras, cory catfish, harlequin rasboras, mollies, dwarf chain loaches, rummy nose tetras, kuhli loaches, sparkling gouramis, zebra danios |
Guppies are tropical freshwater fish that are native to the waters of the tropical regions of South America.
They’re great little fish that are easy to care for and come in a variety of colors.
Female guppies also breed easily, but it’s a good idea to buy males only to make sure your aquarium doesn’t get overrun.
Betta Fish (Betta splendens)
| Common name(s) | Betta, Siamese fighting fish, Japanese fighting fish |
| Binomial name | Betta splendens |
| Size range – length | 3 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 76 – 82FpH 6,8 – 7,4dGH 5 – 20 |
| Tank level | Middle and top |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Lifespan | 3 – 5 years |
| Tank mates | Tetras, Corydoras, cherry barbs, mystery snails, ghost shrimp, feeder guppies, harlequin rasboras |
These beautiful little fish are also called Siamese Fighting fish. They’re highly territorial and males will fight, sometimes to the death.
One of the easiest aquarium additions to try is a female betta with a few cherry shrimp.
Mollies
| Common name(s) | Molly fish, molly, common molly, short-finned molly |
| Binomial name | Poecilia sphenops |
| Size range – length | 3 – 4,5 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 72 – 78FpH 7,5 – 8,5dGH 15 – 30 |
| Tank level | Top of the tank |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 3 years |
| Tank mates | Guppies, danios, platys, gouramis, tetras, angelfish, swordtails, some cichlids (dwarf cichlids, keyhole cichlids, ram cichlids), snails, algae-eating crabs, shrimp |
Molly is a great fish for beginner. All of the molly species are very active, colorful fish that come in several forms, including black molly, sailfin molly, balloon molly and more. Mollies are very peaceful fish. Choose only male fish to avoid having too many fish in the tank.
Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi)
| Common name(s) | Neon tetra |
| Binomial name | Paracheirodon innesi |
| Size range – length | 1 – 1,5 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 70 – 81FpH 6,0 – 7,0dGH 2 – 10 |
| Tank level | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 6 – 10 years |
| Tank mates | Mystery snails, shrimp, crabs, barbs, small catfish, gourmis, dawes cichlids, other tetra species |
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to brighten up your fish tank, neon tetras will do the trick. Neon tetras are easy to care for but they are shoaling fish, so they tend to swim in small groups.
Harlequin Rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
| Common name(s) | Harlequin Rasbora, Harlequin, Red rasbora, harlequin fish, harlequin rasbora |
| Binomial name | Trigonostigma heteromorpha |
| Size range – length | 1,75 – 2 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 72 – 81FpH 6,0 – 7,8dGH 2 – 15 |
| Tank level | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 5 – 8 years |
| Tank mates | Snails, shrimps, neon tetra, rummy nose tetra, danios, dwarf gourami, cherry barbs, cory catfish, honey gourami, bolivian ram, mollies, kuhli loach, guppies, hatchetfish, platies |
Harlequin Rasboras are lively shoaling fish that are fun to keep in a well-planted 5-gallon tank. They are known for their bright colors, which make them look especially good in tanks with dark substrate.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes)
| Common name(s) | White Cloud fish, White Cloud minnow, Canton Minnow, Mount Baiyunc fish, Baiyunshan fish |
| Binomial name | Tanichthys albonubes |
| Size range – length | 1,5 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 64 – 72FpH 6,8 – 7,5dGH 5- 19 |
| Tank level | In the middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 3 – 5 years |
| Tank mates | Gold barbs, Rosy barbs, Cherry barbs, Weather Loaches, Gouramis, Dojo Loaches, Horseface Loaches, Zebra Danios, Corydoras Catfish, Harlequin Rasboras, Shrimps, Snails |
The White Cloud Minnow is a fish that needs a group of its own to be happy. These fish are cold-water fish and prefer cooler water temperatures, which makes them unsuitable for life in a tropical tank.
Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
| Common name(s) | Sunset gourami, red flame gourami, red honey gourami |
| Binomial name | Trichogaster chuna |
| Size range – length | 2 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 71 – 82 FpH 6,0 – 7,5dGH 4- 15 |
| Tank level | middle or upper part |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 4 – 6 years |
| Tank mates | Cyprinids (harlequin rasbora and danios), smaller pethia and puntius species, peaceful barbs, smaller loaches, smaller catfish, smaller rainbowfish, snails |
Honey gourami care is pretty easy and can be managed by anyone with a small aquarium. In addition to their calm personalities, they also have a wide range of tank-mate compatibility.
These fish are closely related to the Dwarf Gourami. When the fish are settled and happy they will glow with their true, golden honey color.
Least Killifish (Heterandria Formosa)
| Common name(s) | Least Killifish |
| Binomial name | Heterandria Formosa |
| Size range – length | 0,8 – 1,2 |
| Water parameters | Temperature 68 – 79FpH 6,0 – 7,5dGH 5 – 20 |
| Tank level | Middle |
| Diet | omnivore |
| Lifespan | 3 years |
| Tank mates | Freshwater Shrimp, Pencil fish, Dwarf Corydoras, Otocinclus |
This small fish likes an aquarium that’s filled with lots of plant and hiding places. Least Killifish are very sensitive to water quality and they will not thrive in a poorly maintained aquarium. The Least killifish is a shoaling species that does best when kept in groups.
You won’t usually find these little fish in stores, but you can order them online for a relatively low price.
Celestial Pearl Danios (Danio margaritatus)
| Common name(s) | Celestial pearl danio, galaxy rasbora, fireworks rasbora |
| Binomial name | Danio margaritatus |
| Size range – length | 1 inch |
| Water parameters | Temperature 71 – 78 FpH 6.5 – 7.5dGH 1 – 5 |
| Tank level | Bottom strata of the tank |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 3 – 5 years |
| Tank mates | Other danios, Pygmy hatchet fish, Guppies, Molly fish, Cherry shrimp, Amano shrimp, Killifish, Regular, ember, cardinal, or green tetras, Honey or sparkling gourami, Cory catfish, Endler’s livebearer, Kuhli loaches, Snails |
The Celestial Pearl Danio is a beautiful addition to the small aquarium. Fish that live in a community tank should be kept together, so they can interact peacefully with each other.
Endler’s Livebearers (Poecilia wingei)
| Common name(s) | Endler guppy, livebearer |
| Binomial name | Poecilia winge |
| Size range – length | 1 – 1.5 inch |
| Water parameters | Temperature 68 – 82pH 7 – 8.4dGH 10 – 30 |
| Tank level | All |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 3 – 6 years |
| Tank mates | Other same spacies, Cherry barb, Ember tetra, Dwarf gourami, Honey gourami, Neon tetra, White Cloud, Corydoras catfish, Glassfish, Glowlight tetra |
Endler’s livebearers are beautiful fish. They are very popular and come in lots of colors that are eye-catching. These fish can be kept in a 5-gallon aquarium. They prefer to swim around in groups.
Clown Killifish (Aplocheilus Annulatus)
| Common name(s) | Rocket killifish, Banded panchax |
| Binomial name | Epiplatys annulatus |
| Size range – length | 1 – 1.5 inch |
| Water parameters | Temperature 68 – 79 FpH 4 – 7dGH 4 – 8 |
| Tank level | Top part of the tank |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Lifespan | 5 yeras |
| Tank mates | Bettas, Corydoras Catfish, Danios, Gouramis, Minnows, Small Barbs, Small Plecos, Some Varieties Of Tetras, Shrimp, Snails |
The Clown Killifish is a tiny little fish that’s extremely attractive. You can keep that fish in a 5-gallon aquarium or larger. In their natural environments, these fish prefer to be kept in large schools in a dense planted tank.
They require good-quality water and a filtration system, and they’re very sensitive to water quality.
Pea Puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus)
| Common name(s) | Dwarf Pufferfish, Pygmy Pufferfish, Dwarf Pea Puffer, Malabar Pufferfish |
| Binomial name | Carinotetraodon travancoricus |
| Size range – length | 1 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 77 – 79 FpH 6.5 – 7dGH 5 – 25 |
| Tank level | All |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Lifespan | Up to 10 years |
| Tank mates | Ember Tetras, Neon Tetras, Glowlight Tetra, Filament Barb, Mosquito Rasbora, Zebra Danio, Leopard Danio, Harlequin Rasbora, Dwarf Otocinclus, Siamese Algae Eaters |
Pea puffers are tiny little animals that are great additions to a small aquarium. They’re intelligent and active and make a good addition to a 5 gallon tank. The dwarf puffer fish is one of the most interesting fish species because it swims in a specific way, which makes the fish a fascinating to watch.
But they’re not exactly sociable at first, so don’t be alarmed if they don’t come to watch what’s going on outside the tank.
Rosy Loach (Tuberoschistura arakanensis)
| Common name(s) | Rosy Loach |
| Binomial name | Tuberoschistura arakanensis |
| Size range – length | 1.2 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 68 – 78pH 6.5 – 7.8dGH 3 – 10 |
| Tank level | Bottom of the tank |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 3 – 5 years |
| Tank mates | Other species of loach, Tetras, Danios, Corydoras, Honey gouramis |
These little fishes are quite sociable and are pretty much easy to keep. Rosy loaches needs a place where it can find a spot to hide in the water
These fish have very sensitive barbels so they need a soft, sandy substrate.
Nerite Snail (Neritidae)
| Common name(s) | Nerite snail, spotted nerite |
| Binomial name | Vittina natalensis |
| Size range – length | 1 inch |
| Water parameters | Temperature 72-78FpH 8.0 – 8,4dGH 6 – 12 |
| Tank level | All |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Lifespan | 1 – 2 years |
| Tank mates | Shrimps, barbs, neon tetras, guppies, bettas |
Snails are easy to keep and are an attractive addition to your tank. They come in many varieties and colors. The snail is a helpful creature that helps keep aquariums clean and help control the spread of algae. Nerites are friendly and peaceful to fish and other invertebrates.
Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
| Common name(s) | red cherry shrimp, Cherry shrimp, fire cherry shrimp, fire shrimp |
| Binomial name | Neocaridina davidi |
| Size range – length | 1,5 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 65 – 85FpH 6,5 – 8,0dGH 4,0 – 8,0 |
| Tank level | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 1 – 2 years |
| Tank mates | Small plecos, catfish, small tetras, dwarf gouramis, other shrimp, snails |
These shrimps are native to Taiwan. They are probably the most popular freshwater shrimps in the hobby. There are several varieties of cherry shrimps, although most are red. They’re all graded depending on the depth of coloration.
Cherry shrimp help keep aquariums clean and clear. The shrimp will thrive in aquariums filled with plants, and a lot of hiding places and sheltered areas.
Dwarf Crayfish (Cambarellus patzcuarensis)
| Common name(s) | Mexican Dwarf Crayfish, Orange Dwarf Crayfish, Mini Mexican lobsters |
| Binomial name | Cambarellus patzcuarensis |
| Size range – length | 2 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 60 – 75 FpH 6,0 – 8,0dGH 3 – 25 |
| Tank level | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 2 – 3 years |
| Tank mates | Celestial Pearl Danio, Sparkling Gourami, Guppies, Platies, Hatchetfish, Chili Rasbora, Harlequin Rasbora, Swordtails, Congo Tetra, Ember Tetra, Neon Tetra, Rummy Nose Tetra |
Dwarf crayfish are an interesting addition to a 5-gallon aquarium. They’re cute and easy to keep. They spend most of their time exploring the bottom of the aquarium. Crayfish are highly sensitive , so they need a well-filtered environment with lots of hiding places.
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentate)
| Common name(s) | Caridina Japonica, Japonica Shrimp, Yamato Shrimp, Algae Eating Shrimp |
| Binomial name | Caridina multidentate |
| Size range – length | 2 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 70 – 80 FpH 6,0 – 7,0dGH 6 – 8 |
| Tank level | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 2 – 3 years |
| Tank mates | Cherry Shrimp, Malaysian Snails, Guppies, Bamboo and Vampire Shrimp. Tiger Barb. Neon Tretras, Otocinclus Catfish, Discus, Mystery Snails, Cory Catfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Nerite Snails |
These little shrimp are famous for their feeding habits. They’re consuming algae and keep aquariums clean and clear. Amano shrimp are are the ideal choice for beginners. Nano fish and other invertebrates are good partners for Amano shrimp in your tank. Shrimp need a well-planted tank with lots of hiding places.
Which species of fish are not good for a 5-gallon aquarium?
When using 5 gallons tank you should stay away from these species:
Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Goldfish are one of the most popular types of fish to keep as a pet. They are very attractive and appealing to kids and adults.
Goldfish can be quite large, and they should not be kept in a small tank. A 2-inch goldfish can quickly grow to measure upward of 6 inches.
Goldfish are very active animals so they need a big aquarium.
Angelfish (Pterophyllum)
Angelfish are very beautiful tropical fish. They have attractive colors and a graceful movement. They can grow up to 5-6 inches in height.
They are not suitable for small tanks because they are larger than the typical tropical fish. Angelfish are cichlids and they can be aggressive towards other smaller fish.
If you decide to keep Angelfish, you will need to buy a tank of at least 20 gallons.
Cichlids
Cichlids are one of the most popular aquarium fish. They are very colorful and make a great addition to any aquarium.
Cichlids can be aggressive and eat smaller fish and invertebrates. There are more than 1,300 different species of cichlids. Some of them reach large sizes and are not suitable for a small tank.
In conclusion
There are many kinds of fish that can live in a 5-gallon tank. Most of the fish listed above are small and can be kept in a small aquarium.
However, you will need to be careful when you purchase fish for a small tank. They can quickly grow out of control if they aren’t kept in the proper environment. It is important to provide enough water for the fish to swim around in.
Do you have a nano tank? What kind of fish do you keep in it?
Let me know in the comment and share your experiences.
2 comments
whoiscall
Thanks!
Matt
My pleasure 🙂