Tag: Fishkeeping

  • Antibiotics for Fish: What Actually Works and When to Use Them

    Antibiotics for Fish: What Actually Works and When to Use Them

    After 25+ years in this hobby, the biggest mistake I see when fish get sick is treating the wrong thing. People reach for antibiotics when the problem is parasitic, or use anti-parasitics when it’s actually a bacterial infection. The diagnosis step matters more than the medication choice. That said, having the right antibiotics on hand before you need them is critical โ€” these illnesses can progress fast, and waiting for a shipment while a fish is deteriorating is a bad position to be in. Kanaplex is my go-to for bacterial infections, and I’ve used Furan-2 for gram-negative bacterial issues. Here’s what you need to know about how fish antibiotics work and when to actually use them.

    How Do Antibiotics For Fish Work?

    To understand when to treat with antibiotics, we need to first understand how fish antibiotics work.

    It’s important to realize that fish antibiotics do not magically cure fish of their ailments. Instead, fish antibiotics decrease the growth of bacteria populations until the immune system of the fish is able to recover and naturally build resistance.

    Simply put, fish antibiotics interfere with the physiological and reproductive abilities of bacteria, slowing or stopping growth and spread. In the aquarium setting, there are two main types of bacterial infections you need to be aware of: gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria.

    Gram-Positive Bacteria vs. Gram-Negative Bacteria

    Gram Negative Bacteria

    Differentiating between bacteria can be complicated, but it’s necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment. In short, the difference between gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria is their cell wall composition.

    • Gram-positive bacteria have a thin cell wall surrounded by an outer membrane. Gram-positive bacterial infections are less common in the aquarium setting and usually consist of Streptococcus spp..
    • Gram-negative bacteria lack an outer membrane but have thick polymer layers instead. Most aquatic bacterial infections arise from gram-negative bacteria, like Aeromonas spp., Flavobacterium spp., Vibrio spp., and Pseudomonas spp..

    The most definitive way to tell gram-positive bacteria apart from gram-negative bacteria is by performing a gram stain, hence the name. Gram-positive bacteria will stain blue while gram-negative bacteria will stain pink.

    As most hobbyists aren’t able to perform such a test, only physical symptoms can be observed for diagnosis. Gram-negative infections are typically more aggressive and deadly to fish.

    Identifying Bacterial Infections

    A bacterial infection can be difficult to diagnose. They often happen alongside other diseases and infections with similar symptoms, especially fungal infections. However, bacterial infections are much more common than true fungal infections as bacteria readily live in aquarium water, waiting to affect a compromised pet fish.

    The most common symptoms of a bacterial infection are:

    • Inflammation or redness
    • Irregular mucus/slime coat
    • Fragile and frayed fins
    • Cloudy or swollen eyes
    • Bloating

    Infection is largely caused by injury alongside poor water conditions and/or malnourishment. It is possible for your fish to fight off infection if water quality is good and diet is maintained, though sometimes even the strongest pet fish can succumb to harmful bacteria.

    It is near impossible to differentiate between gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria without a gram stain. Since gram-negative bacterial infections are much more common (in freshwater), most hobbyists use a fish medication that will target those bacteria first. In marine fish, gram-negative is more common.

    Treating Your Aquatic Pets

    Knowing what to treat is equally as important as correctly treating. Fish antibiotics have exact directions and the treatment schedule needs to be followed carefully.

    How do these antibiotics move from the water into your fish, though?

    How To Give To Your Pets

    The best way to give fish antibiotics is through treated food. This lets the medicine be administered in more direct, higher doses and saves some damage to nitrifying bacteria. A problem arises when your pet fish refuses to eat though, making this method impossible.

    Most fish antibiotics can be dosed directly into the aquarium. From there, these medicines need to be incorporated into the body of the fish, but how? This involves some physiology.

    Fish experience osmoregulation1. Osmosis is the process of a solvent moving from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration across a semipermeable membrane in order to create a balance between the internal and external environments. Osmoregulation differs between freshwater and saltwater life. Here’s a video from Its AumSum Time. The explains the difference between freshwater and saltwater fish.

    Freshwater fish are hypertonic, meaning that their internal environment has more salt than their external environment. Because of this, water flows in through the gills and is absorbed by the body.

    On the other hand, saltwater fish are hypotonic, meaning that their internal environment has less salt than their external environment. Because of this, water wants to leave their body. In order to compensate for this loss, saltwater fish need to actively drink water and conserve it by sending some to their digestive tract.

    In the aquarium setting, this is an advantage to saltwater species. Because saltwater fish actively take water into their bodies, soluble antibiotics are much more likely to immediately enter the internal bloodstream in the marine environment. Still, freshwater fish can be given soluble antibiotics, though feeding them is much more effective.

    In general, there are two ways to administer fish antibiotics for both freshwater and saltwater fish. If your fish is suffering from an external infection, then bath treatments are recommended, though they can sometimes be ineffective. If your fish is showing signs of internal infection, then food treatment is the best route.

    Bath Treatments

    Bath treatments are the preferred choice of treatment for external infections when the fish is refusing to eat or there are other limitations.

    Bath treatments are best when there is no access to a quarantine system that allows for fish antibiotics to be directly dosed into the aquarium. This could be due to sensitive corals and invertebrates or where there is large biological filtration that could be affected.

    The problem with bath treatments is that very little medicine actually enters the bloodstream of the fish. In addition, the constant transferring of the fish can be stressful and cause injury; if the fish dies during this transfer, then there was probably little hope for it in the first place.

    Antibiotic-Treated Food

    The best treatment for bacterial infections is through food mixed with fish antibiotics. This requires a binding factor, like Seachem Focus, so that the fish antibiotics do not leak out of the food.

    This method allows the medication to be administered in large doses. However, it requires that the fish is still actively eating, which means that the infection has not yet compromised the fish to a large extent. Still, appetite can sometimes be increased through garlic or live food methods.

    Injection

    Lastly, injection is a possible course of treatment, though many hobbyists do not have this option available to them.

    An injection is the best and most effective method of treating infections in large and expensive fish, like oscars or koi, but is often unattainable for the average hobbyist.

    The 9 Best

    Depending on the type and severity of the infection, different fish antibiotics will be more effective. Most of these fish antibiotics can be used in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater systems though it is recommended to read all instructions closely. We have a video just for you from our YouTube channel. We go into more detail in the blog post below. Please subscribe if you enjoy our content.

    1. Thomas Labs Cephalexin (Keflex)

    Thomas Labs Cephalexin offers two grades of fish antibiotics: Thomas Labs Fish Flex and Fish Flex Forte. Though this antibiotic is labeled as ornamental fish antibiotics, hobbyists have actually found it to be most effective against invertebrate bacterial infections, especially those found in anemones.

    This is a very broad fish antibiotics and needs to be administered in a quarantine system or bath for 5-10 days.

    2. Thomas Labs Ciprofloxacin

    Again, Thomas Labs offers two grades of this antibiotic: Thomas Labs Fish Flox and Fish Flox Forte.

    Ciprofloxacin is much more effective as a fish antibiotic than cephalexin, though this product is regularly used to treat anemones and other invertebrates as well. Specifically, this medicine can be dosed in a bath or in a quarantine tank for gram-negative bacterial infections over the course of 5-7 days.

    3. Thomas Labs Amoxicillin 

    Amoxicillin is a very popular antibiotic for other animals and human use. However, amoxicillin isn’t commonly used in the aquarium as a viable course of fish antibiotics. Regardless, Thomas Labs carries Thomas Laboratories Amoxicillin Fish Mox and Fish Mox Forte.

    If for anything, amoxicillin is one of the few fish antibiotics, alongside penicillin and ampicillin, used for treating gram-positive bacterial infections. These fish antibiotics should not be used with invertebrates and should be administered in a quarantine tank or bath treatment for 5 days. Still, hobbyists prefer other fish antibiotics first.

    Can You Use Amoxicillin In The Aquarium?

    Never use antibiotics intended for human consumption in the aquarium and vice versa. Medications should always be dosed seriously and carefully. Aquarium brands have specific formulas for making ornamental fish drugs that are not for human use.

    While aquarium brand amoxicillin can be used in the aquarium, hobbyists usually prefer other options first. Amoxicillin is very popular for treating other animals and humans but is generally useless in the aquarium setting. One of the only ailments hobbyists have found amoxicillin to be useful for is treating fungal infections in the eyes.

    4. Nitrofuracin Green Powder

    Nitrofuracin Green Powder is one of the most popular aquarium antibiotics. It is also used as a healing agent to use in quarantine tanks. This product contains methylene blue, in addition to nitrofurazone and sulfathiazole sodium, which will kill nitrifying bacteria. Nitrofuracin Green Powder is especially useful for healing cuts and abrasions while dealing with the infection.

    Many hobbyists consider Nitrofuracin Green Powder to be a quicker and more effective alternative to API Furan-2. Nitrofuracin Green Powder should be dosed for at least 10 consecutive days.

    5. Seachem KanaPlex + Seachem MetroPlex + API Furan-2

    Seachem KanaPlex, MetroPlex, and API Furan-2 are very common fish antibiotics to dose together. These three medications can be incredibly effective at combatting a variety of infections.

    Seachem Kanaplex is a 7-day kanamycin-based medicine recommended for:

    • Popeye
    • Cloudy eye
    • Fin rot
    • Dropsy
    • Mouth rot
    • Hemorraghic septicemia(Aeromonas hydrophilia)

    MetroPlex should be dosed at the same time, though can be administered up to 3 weeks on its own. This antibiotic is made from metronidazole and is meant to treat protozoan parasites and anaerobic bacterial diseases (Cryptocaryon, Hexamita, Ichthyophthirius). Mainly, MetroPlex is used for ich, hole in the head/head and lateral line erosion (Hexamita spp./Spironucleus vortens), and velvet.

    API Furan-2 targets both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria through a 7-day nitrofurazone-based treatment. This antibiotic specifically treats for:

    • Bacterial gill disease
    • Open red sores (Aeromonas spp.)
    • Body slime
    • Cloudy eye
    • Columnaris (Flavobacterium columnaris)
    • Fin rot

    This combination of fish medications can cover a wide range of infections as long as the treatment is carried out in full.

    6. Seachem SulfaPlex + NeoPlex

    Seachem SulfpaPlex and NeoPlex can be used together at the same time or separately depending on the illness.

    SulfaPlex is a general sulfathiazole-based antibiotic meant to treat bacterial, fungal, and protozoan-related illnesses. Though this product can be used in both freshwater and saltwater settings, it is most effective to travel across gills in saltwater.

    Specifically, SulfaPlex can be used to treat:

    • Fin rot
    • Hemorraghic septicemia(Aeromonas hydrophilia)
    • Fur coat syndrome
    • Mouth rot
    • Fungus

    NeoPlex is another broad neomycin sulfate-based treatment for external infections, like fin rot, bacterial lesions, bloat, and mouth rot. Most hobbyists describe it as having the same effects as topical Neosporin.

    Both of these medicines should be used for at least 7 days but can be dosed for up to 3 weeks on their own.

    7. API Triple Sulfa

    API Triple Sulfa is one of the safer fish antibiotics treatments to use in the aquarium as it won’t completely kill all nitrifying bacteria. Still, filter media should be removed before dosing for best results.

    Sulfa medications are thought to be somewhat outdated. Many hobbyists have found some resistance to these treatments and opt for stronger alternatives, like Furan-2. However, API Triple Sulfa has the benefit of being gentle on the display tank ecosystem if need be.

    API Triple Sulfa can treat gram-negative bacteria, like those that cause:

    • Hemorrhagic septicemia (Aeromonas hydrophilia)
    • Bacterial gill disease
    • Fin rot
    • Cottonmouth diseases
    • Body slime
    • Cloudy Eyes

    Treatment should last 10 days.

    8. Enrofloxacin

    Enrofloxacin is one of the most modern ways to treat bacterial infections in fish2, though it is still best administered in a quarantine tank or through 5-hour baths. Though effective, this medicine can be difficult to find; it is most commonly found as Baytril from Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

    This is a fast-acting fluoroquinolone antibiotic that can help treat gram-negative and gram-positive infections.

    9. AAP Spectrogram

    As of 2021, AAP Spectrogram has become difficult to find fish antibiotics; this is likely in direct response to heightened pharmaceutical regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    If you come across AAP Spectrogram, it can be very useful for treating both gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial infections. This fish medicine is a combination of KanaPlex and Furan-2 (kanamycin/nitrofurazone), but much easier to use and more effective. It can be used to treat most infections besides parasitic ones.

    Which Are Safe?

    All medications that are labeled for aquarium use are safe for the aquarium. However, it is possible to overdose on some medications so it’s important to follow directions closely.

    There is one thing you should avoid though, and that’s ‘natural’ medications.

    Avoiding ‘Natural’ Products And Medications

    While many reputable aquarium brands offer great products to their consumers, some brands take advantage of branding treatments. Some of the latest trends in the aquarium hobby have arisen from ‘natural’ fish antibiotics and medications which end up hurting fish more than helping them. Some of these organic alternatives include tannins and natural oils.

    Tannins can be very beneficial to aquatic systems and can lead to healthy fish, however, they don’t exactly help with bacterial infections. Research has found that tannins are only effective at combatting bacteria at very high concentrations3, much more than is reasonable for any tank size. Tannic acid is also a blood coagulant with can decrease healing rates.

    Natural oils, like those found in MelaFix and PimaFix, are also detrimental to the health of your fish. Though these oils might look and smell medicinal, they have been linked to swim bladder damage and have been found to be nearly ineffective at low concentrations. Similarly, aloe vera also inhibits your fish’s ability to exchange oxygen and increases available sugars for bacteria to feed on.

    Though it might seem like a good idea to stay as natural as possible when it comes to treating fish diseases, it is usually safer and easier to use tried and true fish antibiotics.

    Can You Give Your Fish Over-The-Counter Human Types?

    Fish should never be given medications intended for human consumption. Though the chemical makeup may be similar between medicines, factors like dosages, solubilities, and efficacy cannot be known.

    It is true that some fish antibiotics have become difficult to find recently. Though you may not be able to get the antibiotics of your choice, there are many alternatives for each treatment from reputable aquariums brands like API and Seachem. This makes treating your fish safe, fast, and easy.

    Can Humans Take Fish Meds?

    Also no! You should never be using an antibiotic you haven’t been personally prescribed. Not only does this put your own health at risk, but it can also make it difficult for other hobbyists to obtain these fish antibiotics in the future, like AAP Spectrogram.

    In case of a medical emergency, consult your primary doctor.

    Where To Buy

    It’s actually getting more challenging these days to purchase fish antibiotics as regulations get tougher from states (and the food and drug administration). Supplies have also gotten tighter. Here are a few places you can likely find the fish med you are looking for.

    Chain Pet Stores and Local Stores

    These are usually your defaults when you are in a hurry for a fish medication and you can’t wait even on 2 day shipping. The problem that you run into with either is the limited availability. You will usually find Seachem medications at both stores, but hours will be limited. Sometimes you can get to a chain pet store like a Petco later at night as they tend to stay open later than local fish stores.

    Amazon

    Another default choice for fish antibiotics is because of availability and speed of shipping. Again, the brand limitation can be an issue. Thomas Labs fish antibiotic medication isn’t always available here. There is another choice if you are looking for Thomas Lab medications.

    Chewy

    Chewy surprisedly has a number of Thomas Lab fish meds available. They ship slower than amazon through. They also have generic Thomas Lab medications under the name Aqua-Mox that is available.

    National Fish Pharmacy

    This is a great choice when looking for Nitrofuracin Green Powder. They sell in bulk sizes and shipping is slow. This is a good choice if you are building a fish pharmacy for emergencies.

    References

    Final Thoughts

    There’s a lot more to fish antibiotics than you might have thought. Identifying a bacterial infection in your fish can be difficult, but treatment doesn’t need to be complicated.

    First, understand the difference between gram-positive and gram-negative infections. Then choose a course of fish antibiotics and a method for administering them. Keep up with water changes and water parameters and keep your fish eating.

    Within no time, the infection should start to heal and your fish will get back to normal

  • 7 Best 20 Gallon Fish Tanks โ€“ Reviews & Setup Tips

    7 Best 20 Gallon Fish Tanks โ€“ Reviews & Setup Tips

    The 20 gallon is the sweet spot for hobbyists stepping up from a nano โ€” it opens up far more fish options than a 10 gallon while still being manageable in terms of maintenance and space. I’ve set up 20 gallon tanks as community tanks, species tanks, and planted setups, and it’s a size I recommend constantly for beginners who want more creative flexibility. The 20 gallon long (as opposed to the tall) is particularly good for most fish since it offers more horizontal swimming space โ€” something I always point out when helping people decide between configurations.

    Today, weโ€™ll be talking about the best 20-gallon aquariums for you and what fish to get. Let’s start by discussing criteria!

    What Is The Best 20 Gallon Aquarium (Our Criteria)

    I used to own a 20 gallon long aquarium. It was one of those 30 inch long standard tanks you purchase at the chain pet store. Nowadays, the options are plenty. There’s an aquarium, aquarium kit, or fully decked out system for every taste and budget – but what really makes one preferable over another? Here is how I determined my favorite choice! You can also check out our video above from our YouTube Channel.

    Aquarium Layout

    The rimless aquarium is a style that’s gaining popularity for its sleek design. At this size, it can be purchased at an affordable price. I want to provide multiple purchase opens and setups for you to consider.

    Filtration

    Several of these aquariums are going to be all in one tanks complete with a 3 stage filtration system. For kits, I want to make sure I find a glass aquarium kit with a decent starter filter that you won’t outgrow or will fall apart on you. If it is a basic fish tank, I want to make sure it’s the right dimensions to allow for multiple filter setups.

    There’s a new trend in the fishkeeping world – a fish tank kit with everything included! These kits come complete with three-stage filtration systems – often times with the system built into the fish tank! Tanks made this way make it so you’ll never have to buy another filter again. Other kits may include a power filter or internal filter. I’m looking to list packages that have solid equipment so you start out on the right foot.

    Lighting

    Some of these aquariums will come with lighting systems. If they do, I want to lean on systems that can support low light aquarium plants if they are designed for freshwater tanks or soft corals if they are designed for saltwater.

    I want to lean on systems that can support at minimum low light aquarium plants if they are designed for freshwater tanks. For saltwater tanks, they need to be the correct spectrum and have enough par to support soft corals and easy to care for LPS corals.

    Price

    Price is always a considerations when it comes to building your dream aquarium. The most basic of glass tank can be found for as little at $50, but high-end models will set you back more than that! This article aims at helping those who want an affordable and durable setup with great features while still being able stay within their budget constraints. An aquarium kit may also help with costs as they can be cheaper than buying all the equipment separately.

    The 20 Gallon Aquarium Candidates

    Below is the list of 20 gallon fish tanks that made the cut. They are from various price ranges and cover both freshwater and saltwater tanks. I’ll go over each one in detail.

    In a hurry? I recommend the UNS 60!

    PictureNameFeaturesLink
    Editor’s Choice
    UNS 60     		UNS 60
    • Rimless
    • Excellent Quality
    • Great Price
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Best Value
    Waterbox 20 Cube     		Waterbox 20 Cube
    • Cube Format
    • Built In Filtration
    • Rimless
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Budget Option
    Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit     		Aqueon 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit
    • All In One Kit
    • Price
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Red Sea Max Nano Red Sea Max Nano
    • Built In Filtration
    • Great For Nano Reefs
    • Premium Setup
    		Buy On ChewyBuy On Amazon
    Fusion Pro 20 Fusion Pro 20
    • All In One Aquarium
    • Rimless
    • Great For Nano Reefs
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Aqueon Neo Glow Tank Kit Aqueon Neo Glow Tank Kit
    • Designed For GloFish
    • Great Value
    		Buy On Amazon
    Aqueon 20 Gallon Tank Aqueon 20 Gallon Tank
    • Cheap
    • Easy to Find
    		Buy On PetcoBuy On Amazon

    The 7 Best (2023 Reviews)

    So, you’ve seen the list. Now it’s time for some fish tank knowledge! Let me show ya each one below and tell ya what makes them special in their own unique wayโ€ฆ

    1. UNS 60U

    Editor’s Choice
    UNS 60U
    UNS 60U

    UNS offers a quality rimless aquarium at a great price. One of the big pure rimless aquarium brands you can purchase today!

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    The UNS 60U is a great 20 gallon glass tank. It has the same dimensions as a traditional 20 gallon fish tank, but is rimless. UNS is well known in the planted fish tank community for building high quality rimless aquariums. These aquariums are well built and are actually cheaper than other rimless tanks you may find online.

    This aquarium is very popular among the aquascaping community. There are plently of videos online of builds that will get your inspiration going. Here is a great example of wjhdrew’s fish tank below:

    Because this aquarium is the same dimensions as a rimmed 20 gallon fish tank, it should be easier to find a cabinet, or you can purchase your own. Just make sure the surface the aquarium is sitting on has support all around it. Many discount cabinets will have large gaps, which won’t work with a rimless fish tank.

    It’s a great brand and a great fish tank if you want a rimless fish tank. It can be on the pricey side if you are comparing it to a rimmed fish tank, but beauty and looks does have a price!

    Best For – Freshwater Tanks, Aquascapes

    Pros
    • Rimless
    • Great price
    • Excellent quality
    Cons
    • No filter included
    • No background

    2. Waterbox 20 Cube

    Best Value
    Waterbox 20 Cube
    Waterbox 20 Cube

    A great 20 gallon all in one tank in cube format. Great for reef tanks.

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    The Waterbox 20 Cube offers a great looking cubed fish tank with all the bells and whistles to get you started. It is an all-in-one fish tank with a built in filtration system. The filtration systems comes with a filter sock, which is a type of mechanical filtration that is going to be superior to most other filtration systems in this aquarium size. The socks are replaceable or washable and can be more maintenance then foam. Waterbox also includes bio-balls, carbon, and a filter sponge to round out the system.

    The system is more designed for saltwater systems, but this fish tank can also be a great freshwater planted tank. It comes with a black background versus a frosted or clear background that you will see with many planted style scapes. While this might take away from the landscape look, you can balance it out by using more colorful nano fish that stand out when setting these up.

    For saltwater tanks, this cube is a perfect glass tank. it has great dimensions for building up rock scape for corals and the footprint means the AI Prime a perfect light for this system. Most reefs will end up using the filter sock and opt-in for a protein skimmer for added filtration. It’s great that this system can function with either setup.

    This is a great value for a cubed rimless given all the features offered for this fish tank. The price may be high for some people, but the next option offers another great value at a lower price.

    Pros
    • Cube format
    • Great brand
    • Built in filtration
    Cons
    • Black background
    • Expensive

    Best For – Nano Reef, Freshwater Tanks

    3. Aqueon 20-Gallon Aquarium Kit

    Budget Option
    Aqueon 20 Gallon Kit
    Aqueon 20 Gallon Kit

    Aqueon’s 20 gallon aquarium kit offers all the basics to start off on the right foot.

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    The Aqueon aquarium starter kit is an excellent budget option for those who want to get started with fish keeping. This because they offer a multitude of equipment in one package, most or which performs well and remove any guesswork about what you need when starting out

    This package includes everything you need to get started with fishkeeping, including a standard fish tank and hood, a fish net, fish food, and tap water conditioner. You save money by purchasing the complete set over buying each item separately! I believe this kit is one of the best 20 gallon glass aquariums because it has a better quality equipment than other kits including the Marina led aquarium kit, Tetra whisper 20, and generic brand kits.

    The main difference between the Aqueon kit and the other competitors is the power filter. The Aqueon filter is a 3 stage filtration system that can tell you when it needs to be replaced, so there is no guesswork when to do maintenance. The hood is good for fish only tanks, but not good for planted tanks.

    The main separator between Aqueon’s offering and the others is the power filter. Aqueon’s filter is a true 3 stage filter and as a feature that tells you when you should change the filter cartridges. The hood is good, though not ideal for planted tanks. The water heater is decently made. I’ve personally used these heaters for either a hospital tank or quarantine tank and never had an issue, but the preset heater bit too hot if you want to keep your temperature lower than 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 Celsius).

    This package is perfect for those who want an easy and stress-free experience when selecting their fish tank kit. This is the best 20 gallon fish tank kit to buy if you want cheap, yet good equipment to start.

    Pros
    • Complete kit
    • Good price
    • Quality brand
    Cons
    • Rimmed tank
    • Okay heater

    Best For – Freshwater Tanks

    4. Red Sea Max Nano

    Best Nano Reef Tank!
    Red Sea Max Nano
    Red Sea Max Nano

    Editor’s Choice

    A high end plug and play reef system. Top shelf reef equipment and design

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Red sea offers the best nano reef tank available starting at 20 gallons. It offers all the benefits of your classic red sea reefer, but in the small footprint of a 20 gallon fish tank.

    It offers ultra-clear glass with bevealed edges at the top and bottom for the best viewing experience you can get. The water pump provided offers 240 gallons per hour, which puts this at the 10 times turn over level you want for many desirable corals in the hobby. It’s designed to be adjusted to ensure there aren’t any dead spots in your aquarium.

    The filtration system is powered by a micron filter bad and a protein skimmer can be detached from the fish tank. This is the only nano reef tank package I have seen that offers a protein skimmer out of the box – and the protein skimmer is actually pretty good. You also get a media shelf to place any chemical or biological media you want. The system also comes with an auto-top off system that has a has a built in reservoir that supply 3 days worth of freshwater.

    The led lighting system is designed for reef tanks. The kit comes with a ReefLED 50, which Red Sea’s competitor to the AI Prime and AI LED lighting units. It’s a great light for corals. The light is powered by the ReefBeat App, which connects all your red sea devices together.

    This is bar none the best nano reef tank you can buy today, but it comes with a big price. As the most expensive tank kit on this list, it’s not for everyone. However, this is a premium quality fish tank kit for reef setups. If you are looking for a high quality setup with the guess work taken out of it, look no further!

    Pros
    • Great brand
    • Built in filtration
    • Premium quality
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Designed only for reef tanks

    Best For – Nano Reef Tanks

    5. Innovative Marine Fusion Pro 20

    Best Value
    Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion PRO
    Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion PRO

    Best Value

    Complete with pump and filter, this rimless nano tank screams value

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Innovative marine is the originator of the modern all in one nano aquariums you see in the saltwater tank hobby. This Fusion Pro 20 is their latest line of aquariums and really comes in offering premium features. This extraordinary fish tank kit comes with a mesh lid and micro glass cleaner to keep your favorite dweller from jumping out, plus it has an algae scrapper for removing unwanted algae.

    The Innovative Mighty Jet DC water pump is a great option for any nano reef tank. It’s got adjustable flow rates so you can customize it to your needs, no matter what type of corals are going into the aquarium!

    Innovative is a company that has been making stellar aquariums for years. Their products are worth every penny and they’re one of our favorite brands!

    Pros
    • Great brand
    • Built in filtration
    • Peninsula style
    Cons
    • Expensive

    Best For – Nano Reef Tanks

    6. Aqueon NeoGlow Tank

    Aqueon NeoGlow LED
    Aqueon NeoGlow LED

    A 20 gallon aquarium kit that is specially designed for Glofish.

    Buy On Amazon Buy On Petco

    Want something really unique? Try Glofish. This aquarium is a kit that is specially designed for Glofish in mind.

    What are Glofish? Glofish are a specialized type of fish that have a fluorescent glow to them. These fish are not injected like the old painted glass fish we used to see 20 years ago. These fish are specially bred. Their colors are hereditary traits that are passed down from generation to generation. Their breeding has helped us understand cellular disease and development1.

    What you get here is a 20 gallon fish tank, a Aqueon power filter, a specialized LED lighting system and hood, artificial plants, rocks, and gravel that all show well in fluorescent lighting.

    There are many Glofish fish species available these days including:

    The price is not too shabby with everything that’s included here. If you want something unique, then this Glofish fish tank kit might just be what you need!

    Pros
    • Good value
    • Designed for GloFish
    • Multiple color options
    Cons
    • Limited setup use
    • Rimmed aquarium

    Best For – GloFish Tanks

    7. Aqueon 20 Gallon Long Tank

    Aqueon 20 Gallon Tank
    Aqueon 20 Gallon Tank

    A classic 20 gallon aquarium in its 30 inch long variant. A very popular aquarium.

    Buy On Petco Buy On Amazon

    The Aqueon 20 gallon long is a great glass tank for getting length at a cheap price. While the price may seem great at first impression, it can actually end up costing more than an Aqueon glass kit to build out your system – not that there’s anything wrong doing this!

    I included the links to go purchase this if you want. It’s an affordable 20 gallon fish tank and will last a long time. It’s just not my first choice, as I prefer to work with rimless aquariums these days or all-in-one systems for smaller aquariums. If you want a rimless or an all in one system, consider the other aquariums on this list.

    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Long format
    • Easy to find
    Cons
    • Not ideal for aquascaping
    • Rimmed aquarium

    Best For – Freshwater Tanks

    What Fish Can I Get For This Size of Tank?

    Nano fish are the best choice for new aquarium keepers. They’re small, colorful and adorable! Some common nano fish species options include:

    Nano reef tanks are great-looking and challenging tanks to keep. You need to be mindful when selecting freshwater fish species that will get along in a small tank like this. Here are a few options:

    The clownfish and the damselfish are the two riskiest fish species of the bunch. Clownfish are iffy trying to pair at this size as a non-paired couple will fight it out until one of them submits. With the damselfish, their aggression might be too much for many on this list. If you are going to attempt a damselfish and clownfish, it’s best to pair them together as the clownfish and damsel can work through their aggression – while most other fish will be harassed to death.

    Setup Guide

    Setting up a 20 gallon fish tank can be stressful if it is the first time for you. Luckily, it’s easier than you think if you are guided.

    I go for planted tanks or reef tanks. Here is a good video from Shawn Hineidi that shows a simple aquascape that can be installed in a 20 gallon fish tank. Check it out below:

    To start building your own aquarium from scratch, you will need the following:

    • Filter
    • Heater (if going with tropical fish or marine fish)
    • Lighting
    • Decorations
    • Live Plants or Corals

    Aquarium Filtration for The Tanks

    There are a ton of options when it comes to 20 gallon fish tanks. If you want to go with a canister filter, I would recommend the OASE Biomaster 350. This is the smaller version of the Biomaster 600. It’s great for a 20 gallon fish tank. If you are looking for a pro level 20 gallon planted tank, you might want to consider upgrading to the 600 model.

    You can try power filters, which are a great choice. My go to for power filters are Hagen Aquaclears. In my mind, the aquaclear is the best power filter you can purchase in the hobby.

    Editor’s Choice
    Hagen AquaClear
    Hagen AquaClear

    The Best Aquarium Power Filter

    The worlds best selling and most reliable power filter on the market. Unchanged for years because it’s so reliable and versatile

    Buy On Amazon Click For Best Price

    Aquarium Heaters

    You want to have a quality heater in order to keep your tank temperatures stable. it’s important to consider a brand like Eheim when shopping around. The heaters that come with OASE filters and controllers are also excellent choices – you’ll have no problem getting the job done!

    Hooking up your heater to a controller is the best way for added safety. Inkbird has great controllers with wifi capability, and they even have an app on you phone that you can download that will send you alerts.

    Protects Against Heater Failure!
    Inkbird Heater Controller
    Inkbird Heater Controller

    Protect your investment with this heater controller. An excellent choice for small tanks. WiFi models now available!

    Buy On Amazon Click For Best Price

    Aquarium Lighting

    The range of led light options is as vast and diverse, from basic to advanced. You have the option of two great choices at this size whether you want to go with a freshwater planted tank or a saltwater reef tank.

    The freshwater Serene RGB Pros have a variety of led light features that will help you grow your favorite live plants. They come with an easy-to control and adjustable controller, making this led light perfect for anyone looking to add some lushness into their aquarium!

    Best Value
    Serene RGB Pro LED
    Serene RGB Pro LED

    Current USA’s offering into aquascaping is an incredible value. Spectrum, spread, easy to program and great PAR output.

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    For saltwater aquariums, the AI Prime is the best led light you can purchase for nano reef tanks. With the AI Prime, you can grow just about anything short of hardcore SPS corals. They work amazing for Zoas – a very popular beginner coral that’s great in Nano reef tanks! This led light is good for 24×24 footprints. You may have to plan a different led light if you go with a 20 gallon long. For 20 gallon longs, I would recommend the Current USA IC Pros.

    Great For Zoas
    AquaIllumination AI Prime
    AquaIllumination AI Prime

    The AI Prime is a great overall all light for Zoas. It contains the correct, PAR, spectrum, and spread needed to get you going with growing your own Zoa colony!

    Buy On Amazon Click For Best Price

    Decorations

    Driftwood make a solid decorative piece for 20 gallon aquariums, but you can use any type of decoration that suits your needs. Some people prefer driftwood with low tannins and others like those made from manzanita. Manzanita are reasonably placed and easy to place in an aquarium.

    Editor’s Choice
    Manzanita Driftwood
    Manzanita Driftwood

    Editor’s Choice

    Manzanita offers it all. Great shape, low tannins, quick to water log and reasonably priced. It’s the ultimate driftwood!

    Click For Best Price Click For Branch Pieces

    For saltwater tanks, I would recommend purchasing live rock at your local fish store. These are so small you really don’t need much to get started! A couple pounds is plenty – 7-10 lbs should do it for starters. Fill the rest of the aquarium up with dry rock.

    Live Plants or Corals

    If you’re just getting started with keeping fish, it’s best to start off by adding some beginner plants. There are many different types that will thrive in a 20 gallon tank and they can make fish’s home look more appealing too! Some great options include:

    All of these live plants feeds off the aquarium water column, so you can glue them to driftwood. If your looking for a high-quality live plant seller consider buying from an online retailer like Buce Plant

    My Pick
    Buce Plant
    Buce Plant

    Buce Plant offers a wide variety of aquatic plants for sale. With one of the largest selections in the US, you will find what you need here. They are also a great source for freshwater shrimp!

    Click For More Info

    FAQs

    What Fish Are Good In A 20-Gallon Tank?

    Guppies, rasboras and danios all make excellent choices for aquariums of this size. Small tetras are another great addition if you want something with more color! Corydoras catfish can’t be beat either- they’re easy to care for and require very little maintenance once established in their tank or pond surroundings. A betta sonority is also a great option.

    On the saltwater side, nano reef fish like firefish gobies, clown goby, clownfish, or an azure damsel would work. Aggression is a major factor with tanks these small. Clownfish and azure damsels will be too aggressive for timid fish like fishfish.

    How many can this size of tank support?

    The smaller the fish, the more you’ll want to house them in a tank of their own. 10-16 small schooling freshwater fish can live together with proper filtration and decoration (or even better: live plants) for company!

    Is This Size of Tank Good?

    A 20 gallon tank is a great first timer’s fish tank if it is setup as a freshwater aquarium and the filtration system is of good quality. It is sizable enough to build a good filtration system and not as maintenance heavy as a 40 or 55 gallon tank.

    On the saltwater side, a 20 gallon tank is considered at the moderate end of a nano reef tank. These tanks can be a challenge to maintain and keep stable. A 40 or 60 gallon breeder are the best first time saltwater tanks to start with.

    Is This Sizze of Tank Hard To Maintain?

    No. The ease of maintenance for a 20 gallon tank is one reason it’s so popular. You can keep your stocking reasonable while still having enough space to grow plants without worrying about maintenance issues that come with larger tanks- which means you won’t be spending as much time monitoring water quality or trimming plants!

    If you plan on a heavily planted tank, the trimming and water changes and add up to a lot of maintenance time for some aquarists.

    Is This Tank Big?

    20 gallon tanks aren’t that big in size. The 20 gallon tank is a great size for home or office use. The standard dimensions of this type are 24″ x 13″, and they can easily be found in most stores! The 20 gallon tank is a great size for home or office use. It’s not too big, but it can hold enough water and fish to make your space feel more complete!

    How much would a tank this size cost?

    A basic 20-gallon tank will be about $20-$25 per gallon or $400-$500 to set up for a freshwater glass tank. For a saltwater tank, expect to pay $40-$60 per gallon or $800-$1200. You can definitely pay less than what I’m suggesting, however, keep in my the ranges I throw out are for higher-quality setups not discount store kits which tend to have low-quality equipment that will not last. A glass tank will also be cheaper than an acrylic tank in most cases.

    Closing Thoughts

    Whichever tank you choose, it will be a great addition to your home and provide an excellent living space for small fish. These 20-gallon tanks are perfect if thatโ€™s what suits YOU best! If there’s anything else on this list of aquarium options but isn’t quite right (maybe too big or small), leave us questions below – we’re here everyday ready talk through any issues

    ๐Ÿ”ง Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

  • 7 Best 10 Gallon Fish Tanks โ€“ Reviews From a 25-Year Hobbyist

    7 Best 10 Gallon Fish Tanks โ€“ Reviews From a 25-Year Hobbyist

    The 10 gallon is probably the most popular beginner tank size in the hobby โ€” it’s widely available, affordable, and gives you just enough room to create something interesting. I’ve owned 10 gallon tanks at various points over 25 years and have watched the quality of all-in-one kits improve dramatically. They work great for bettas, small community setups, shrimp, and easy planted tanks. The main thing to know is that not all 10 gallon tanks are equal โ€” filtration quality and build durability vary a lot between the budget options and the better kits.

    What Is The Best 10 Gallon Aquarium (Our Criteria)

    I’ve owned 10 gallon aquariums and see the evolution in the industry. There are simple aquariums and fully decked out all in one systems. Here is what I used to determine the best.

    Aquarium Layout

    Everyone wants a rimless aquarium. I’m primarily going to be looking at this style of fish tank because you can rimless tanks at this size at an affordable price. It’s way too easy to point out a discount fish tank kit. You didn’t come here for that, you came here for high quality and style.

    Filtration

    Several of these aquariums are going to be all in one tanks compete with a 3 stage filtration system. For kits, I want to make sure I find a glass aquarium kit with a decent starter filter that you won’t outgrow or will fall apart on you. If it is a basic fish tank, I want to make sure it’s the right dimensions to allow for multiple filter setups.

    Lighting

    Some of these aquariums will come with lighting systems. If they do, I want to lean on systems that can support low light aquarium plants if they are designed for freshwater tanks or soft corals if they are designed for saltwater.

    Price

    Price is always a factor in any aquarium build. I’m looking at a price of aquariums here from high end to the most basic. If it’s priced high, I want to make sure it has premium features like being rimless or including a good light. If it is priced low, I want to make the aquarium will last.

    The 10 Gallon Aquarium Candidates

    Below is the list of aquariums that made the cut. They are from various price ranges and cover both freshwater and saltwater tanks. I’ll go over each one in detail.

    In a hurry? I recommend Serene Aquariums!

    PictureNameFeaturesLink
    Editor’s Choice
    Serene Aquarium     		Serene Aquarium
    • Comes with light
    • Frosted background
    • Rimless
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Best Value
    Waterbox 10 CLEAR Mini     		Waterbox 10 CLEAR Mini
    • Rimless
    • Great Value
    		Click For Best Price
    Budget Option
    Aqueon 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit     		Aqueon 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit
    • All In One Kit
    • Price
    		Buy On AmazonBuy On Chewy
    Water Box Nano Water Box Nano
    • Built In Filtration
    • Great For Nano Reefs
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Fusion Pro 10 Fusion Pro 10
    • All In One Aquarium
    • Rimless
    • Great For Nano Reefs
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Dennerle 10G Shrimp Tank Dennerle 10G Shrimp Tank
    • Gentle Filter
    • Shrimp Tanks
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Aqueon 10 Gallon Tank Aqueon 10 Gallon Tank
    • Cheap
    • Easy to Find
    		Buy On PetcoBuy On Amazon

    The 7 Best (2023 Reviews)

    You have seen the list, now it’s time to learn more about each fish tank. Let’s look at each one below.

    1. Serene Aquariums

    Serene Aquarium
    Serene Aquarium

    ๏ปฟThe perfect first time aquascaper tank. Comes with dragonstone rock. Just add filtration and plants!

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Current USA’s Serene aquariums are a new entrant into rimless aquariums, but it’s one of the best freshwater focused kits you can buy today. What I love the most about this aquarium is they design it so you can have a low maintenance tank. It comes with a frosted background that is backlit. This is a feature you don’t get with any fish tank manufacturer. In fact, to get similar, you would have to purchase a background and lighting system from ADA, which is as much as this tank! The frosted background is the perfect color for freshwater aquascapes.

    The light that comes with this aquarium is Current USA’s Serene line. While it is not the Pro RBG light, it is still good enough to grow lots of low light plants. The Serene light has a ton of features. See the video below from Current USA to see some of the features below.

    This is a rimless aquarium with a very good price. You get a 13 gallon fish tank (yes, it’s slightly better than 10 gallons, but I felt it’s close enough to be on this list), the Serene light, a frost background, and you even get some decorations. This aquarium is a stand-alone tank that is a better quality offering than some of the all-in-one aquariums you will see like the Waterbox or Innovative Marine. It is also designed for freshwater aquascaping versus reef tanks.

    Current USA has several aquascaping packages to choose from. The one I linked to is the dragonstone package. They also have a Manzanita and a planted package. You can chose these other packages and get the aquascaped look without live plants.

    The main cons with this package is the price. It is on the pricey side, but there also is a nice 15% offer you can get from me to help with the price (use offer code ASD15).It is also missing a filtration unit. I would either use a canister filter or opt with OASE’s Bioplus Thermo. It’s a great buy and highly recommended!

    Best For – Freshwater Tanks, Aquascapes

    Pros
    • Comes with light
    • Frosted background
    • Comes with decor
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Light is best for low light plants

    2. Waterbox 10 CLEAR Mini

    Best Value
    Waterbox 10 Mini
    Waterbox 10 Mini

    The Waterbox 10 Mini offers a great rimless tank at a great price. Perfect for a mini aquascape!

    Click For Best Price

    When you are looking for a rimless aquarium only, the Waterbox 10 Mini offers an excellent price to get into a high clarity fish tank. Waterbox is really putting in efforts to penetrate the freshwater hobby with this well priced package. They are well known for their great all in one aquariums that comes with aquarium sumps and easy to install plumbing.

    The CLEAR aquarium is roughly the same dimensions as your standard 10 gallon tank. The straight edged silicone gives the glass aquarium a seamless look. You won’t see ugly silicone on the edges of your aquarium or a plastic rim. The aquarium comes with a self leveling mat, so you do not need to purchase your own. Waterbox also offers cabinets, though they pretty expensive. The Serene offers more equipment, a background, and decorations, but the CLEAR is cheaper and gives you the freedom to buy your own gear.

    In looking at the Clear aquarium, I like the design and simplicity. I prefer this name brand over similar offerings I’ve found on Amazon, and the customer support with Waterbox is pretty responsive in my opinion.

    If you are looking for a pure rimless aquarium with a great brand behind it, this is the aquarium to get. It is more expensive as a traditional rimmed tank, but it looks a lot better and well suited for planted tanks.

    Pros
    • Rimless
    • Good price
    • Quality brand
    Cons
    • Tank only
    • No background

    Best For – Freshwater Tanks, Aquascapes

    3. Aqueon 10 Gallon Aquarium Kit

    It would be really easy for me to place Aqueon’s standard 10 gallon tank as the budget pick here, but I felt Aqueon’s aquarium starter kit is a great budget option. This is because Aqueon takes the guesswork away from select equipment and most of the equipment they offer in the package is pretty good.

    The package comes with the standard fish tank, a hood with standard LED light, Aqueon’s power filter, a heater, a fish net, themometer, water conditioner, and some sample fish food. You save a bit of money purchasing this package over buying everything separately. I feel the overall quality of the package is better than most other 10 gallon glass aquarium kits, including the Marina led aquarium kit, Tetra’s, and generic brand competitors.

    The main separator between Aqueon’s offering and the others is the power filter. Aqueon’s filter is a true 3 stage filter and as a feature that tells you when you should change the filter cartridge. The hood is good, though not ideal for planted tanks. The heater is decent in quality. I’ve personally used these heaters for quarantine tanks and never had an issue. The main thing I don’t like about the preset heater is that you can’t adjust it – it is designed to keep temperatures at 78 degrees.

    Overall, this is a great fish only starter package if you are looking for good equipment and stress free selection.

    Pros
    • Complete kit
    • Good price
    • Quality brand
    Cons
    • Rimmed tank
    • Okay heater

    Best For – Freshwater Tanks

    4. Water Box Nano

    Waterbox Nano
    Waterbox Nano

    A classy rimless nano reef tank that won’t break the bank! Great design with a well design all in one chamber

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Are you looking for a nano reef tank? If so, The Water Box Nano is an excellent choice at the 10 gallon aquarium size. This all-in-one fish tank offers a built in filtration system, return pump, black background, and rimless style aquarium.

    The cubed dimensions of this aquarium allow for more aquascaping space then a regular 10 gallon. The built in filtration unit is large enough to house an auto top off system and aquarium heater. In my personal experience with dealing with this tank, they are prefer for softy nano reef setups. The filtration is basic enough for them and a simple lighting fixture is all you need.

    There are a few things here that could be improved. The return pump isn’t that great and the price is on the higher end. However, if you want a better return pump, you can opt for the next option below.

    Pros
    • Great all in one filter
    • Rimless
    • Built for nano reefs
    Cons
    • Okay return pump
    • Expensive

    Best For – Nano Reef Tanks

    5. Innovative Marine Fusion Pro 10

    Fusion Pro 10
    Fusion Pro 10

    A great all in one tank designed for saltwater. Comes with a high quality DC return pump

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Innovative marine is the originator of the modern all in one nano aquariums you see in the saltwater tank hobby. This Fusion Mini is their latest line of aquariums and really comes in offering premium features. It comes with a mesh lid and micro glass cleaner to keep your fish from jumping and algae a breeze to scrape. It has superior features, build quality, and a higher price compared to the Waterbox.

    The return pump included is Innovative’s Might Jet DC pump. This DC pump is one of the best DC pumps you can put into a nano reef tank. With its adjustable features, you can adjust the flow to suit whatever corals you plan to keep.

    This package is what I call a premium package and commands a premium price. It’s the most expensive fish tank on this list. If you are looking or the best nano reef tank at this size, this is the aquarium to purchase. My personal recommendation is purchase this over the Waterbox if you want more than soft corals. I’ve worked on LPS and mixed reef tanks from this line and seen plenty of successful setups.

    Pros
    • Manufacturer designs upgrades for tank
    • Rimless
    • Built for nano reefs
    Cons
    • Expensive

    Best For – Nano Reef Tanks

    6. Dennerle Shrimp Aquarium

    Dennerle 10G Shrimp Tank
    Dennerle 10G Shrimp Tank

    A great shrimp tank package. One of the few shrimp tanks equipped with a power filter!

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Looking for a freshwater shrimp tank? If so, this 10 gallon tank by Dennerle is a great option for a larger shrimp tank. This is aquarium is built for the purpose of keeping shrimp. Starting with the Eckfilter internal filter, this gentle filter can keep your fish tank clean while keeping your shrimp safe. The filter is simple, making it easy to clean and maintain. It also comes with a LED light with a color output of 6500K. While it is not the best-planted tank LED, it is adequate for low-light plants.

    The aquarium itself is a rimless tank that is a bit wider than your standard ten-gallon aquarium. This allows you to play with the depth space and give your shrimp more space to run around in. The aquarium is built as a curved corner glass tank. Keep this in mind as this can give an odd look when looking at the corners.

    My affiliate partner, Flip Aquatics loves these tanks for his customers. It offers a simple yet effective setup. This is a great tank if you are looking for a shrimp-only tank. If you are looking to build a community tank that includes freshwater shrimp, consider the Serene instead. They are more expensive to set up over the Dennerle, but you get a higher-quality glass tank and the option of installing better filtration.

    Overall, the Dennerle, with its Eckfilter and LED lights great option for shrimps and offers a great overall value for everything it comes with. It has the functionality, is built for shrimps, and has better looks than rimmed glass aquariums. It’s a great first shrimp tank.

    Pros
    • Built for freshwater shrimp
    • Gentle filter
    • Good price
    Cons
    • Not good for community tanks
    • Expensive

    Best For – Freshwater Shrimp Tanks

    7. Aqueon Ten-Gallon Aquarium

    Aqueon 10 Gallon Tank
    Aqueon 10 Gallon Tank

    Your standard 10 gallon tank. Goes on sale at local Petcos for cheap

    Buy On Petco Buy On Amazon

    I left this aquarium for last. This is the aquarium you will typically see when you go to Petco or Petsmart’s dollar-per-gallon sale. While the price may be great at first impression, you can actually end up spending more than the Aqueon glass aquarium kit to build out a suitable system.

    I included the links to go purchase this if you want. It’s cheap and Aqueon aquariums should last a long time. It is longer than most all-in-one aquariums (20โ€ L x 10โ€ W x 12โ€ H).

    It’s just not my first choice when it comes to building out a good-looking display tank. If you are looking for a classy rimless tank or want to do a premium setup, consider going with the other tanks on the list.

    That’s not to say you can’t build a great-looking setup with this over the Serene tank. I’ve built plenty of great 10 gallon setups using these tanks from aqueon including community fish and betta fish tanks.

    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Easy to Find
    • Standard Dimensions
    Cons
    • Rimmed Tank
    • Bare bones

    Best For – Freshwater Tanks

    What Fish Can I Get For A 10 Gallon Fish Tank?

    A common question when purchasing an aquarium at this size is what type of fish species can you put in these tanks. The preferred options would be nano fish like the following:

    If you want the most stunning fish you can buy at 10 gallon aquariums, I would recommend a betta fish. The link below is from Glass Aqua, which favors Plakat Betta fish. These types of betta are the best to purchase for larger tanks because they are more active, hardy, and can compete for fish food from other fish tank mates.

    WYSIWYG Available!
    Betta Fish
    Betta Fish

    Use Coupon Code ASDFISH at Checkout

    Betta Fish are one of the most beautiful varieties of freshwater fish available in the hobby. Easy to care for with plenty of varieties!

    Buy Premium Varieties Buy On Petco Online

    If you are looking at a nano reef tank, your options are going to be limited. The best fish to buy at 10 gallons would be:

    • Firefish Gobies
    • Clown Goby
    • Single Azure Damsel

    Check out my full list of the best fish for 10 gallon tanks here.

    How to Setup a 10 Gallon Fish Tank

    Setting up a 10 gallon fish tank can be stressful if it is the first time for you. Luckily, it’s easier than you think if you are guided. For those of you who are video inclined, I provided a video below from Waterbox that explains their process of setting up their mini aquariums. I’ll go in more detail below.

    Assuming you building everything with just an aquarium to start, you will need the follow to setup:

    • Filter
    • Heater (if going with tropical fish or marine fish)
    • Lighting
    • Decorations
    • Live Plants or Corals

    Aquarium Filtration for 10 Gallon Fish Tanks

    There are a ton of options when it comes to 10 gallon fish tanks. If you want to go with a canister filter, I would recommend the OASE Filtosmart 100. This is a mini version of their Biomaster Thermo, but small enough not to be over kill for this size.

    You can try power filters, which are a great choice. My go to for power filters are Hagen Aquaclears. They do not display very well in rimless aquariums though.

    Editor’s Choice
    Hagen AquaClear
    Hagen AquaClear

    The Best Aquarium Power Filter

    The worlds best selling and most reliable power filter on the market. Unchanged for years because it’s so reliable and versatile

    Buy On Amazon Click For Best Price

    For rimless aquarium options, I would consider an OASE BioPlus Internal Filter or Filtosmart 100. Either filtration system will get the job done.

    Aquarium Heaters for 10 Gallon Aquariums

    You want to have a quality heater in order to keep your tank temperatures stable. Consider a high quality brand like Eheim when shopping around. The heaters that come with OASE filters are also excellent choices. You can hook up your heater to a heater controller for added safety. Inkbird has a great line of controllers that have wifi capability. The controller comes with an app that you can download on your phone that sends you alerts.

    Protects Against Heater Failure!
    Inkbird Heater Controller
    Inkbird Heater Controller

    Protect your investment with this heater controller. An excellent choice for small tanks. WiFi models now available!

    Buy On Amazon Click For Best Price

    Aquarium Lighting for 10 Gallon Aquariums

    Lighting can be basic or advanced depending on what you are looking for. The great thing is at this size there are two great choice depending on whether you go freshwater or saltwater. More options are led lighting systems.

    For freshwater, the Serene RGB Pros are a great value and will grow just about any freshwater plant available in the hobby. It comes with a great controller and adjustable features

    Best Value
    Serene RGB Pro LED
    Serene RGB Pro LED

    Current USA’s offering into aquascaping is an incredible value. Spectrum, spread, easy to program and great PAR output.

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    For saltwater aquariums, the AI Prime is the best light you can purchase for nano reef tanks. Just buy this light and you can grow just about anything short of hardcore SPS corals. They work amazing for Zoas, a very popular beginner coral.

    Great For Zoas
    AquaIllumination AI Prime
    AquaIllumination AI Prime

    The AI Prime is a great overall all light for Zoas. It contains the correct, PAR, spectrum, and spread needed to get you going with growing your own Zoa colony!

    Buy On Amazon Click For Best Price

    Decorations for 10 Gallon Aquariums

    For a 10 gallon aquarium. I prefer to go with a solid piece of driftwood and decorate from there. Manzanita driftwood offers a great value, has low tannins, and has a reasonable price. You can also use plastic plants or silk plants if you want to use artificial plants as decorations.

    Editor’s Choice
    Manzanita Driftwood
    Manzanita Driftwood

    Editor’s Choice

    Manzanita offers it all. Great shape, low tannins, quick to water log and reasonably priced. It’s the ultimate driftwood!

    Click For Best Price Click For Branch Pieces

    For saltwater tanks, I would consider purchase live rock at your local fish store. These tanks are so small you really don’t need much to get started. A 5 to 7 pound rock is all you need. Fill the rest up with dry rock.

    Live Plants or Corals for 10 Gallon Fish Tanks

    Beginner plants are the best plants to add for a 10 gallon fish tank. The following are great plants you can add to your tropical fish tank:

    All the plants above feed off the aquarium water column, so you can glue them to driftwood. If you are looking for a quality live plant seller, considering buying from an online retailer like Buce Plant.

    My Pick
    Buce Plant
    Buce Plant

    Buce Plant offers a wide variety of aquatic plants for sale. With one of the largest selections in the US, you will find what you need here. They are also a great source for freshwater shrimp!

    Click For More Info

    FAQs

    What Fish Are Good In A 10 Gallon Tank?

    On the freshwater side, nano fish like guppies, rasboras, danios, small tetras, and corydoras catfish all make excellent choices. A single male betta is also a great choice.

    On the saltwater side, nano reef fish like firefish gobies, clown goby, or an azure damsel would work. Note for a 10 gallon tank, you will likely only be able to house 1 or 2 saltwater fish depending on the aggression levels of the fish. Clownfish are generally too large for 10 gallon fish tanks

    How many fish can a 10 gallon tank support?

    If the fish are small schooling fish, 4-6 small freshwater fish can be housed in a 10 gallon tank with proper filtration and shelter from decorations (or even better live plants)

    Is A 10 Gallon Tank Good?

    A 10 gallon tank is a great first timer’s fish tank if it is setup as a freshwater aquarium and the filtration system is of good quality. While not as stable as a 20 or 40 gallon tank, you can still enjoy success with this size tank.

    On the saltwater side, a 10 gallon tank is considered at the low end of a nano reef tank. These tanks can be a challenge to maintain and keep stable.

    Is A 10 Gallon Tank Hard To Maintain?

    Definitely not. A 10 gallon tank will have one of the lowest maintenance commitments due to its size. You sacrifice stability for maintenance time with small tanks. As long as you keep your stocking reasonable and

    Is A 10 gallon Fish Tank Big?

    10 gallon tanks aren’t that big in size. The standard dimensions of a 10 gallon tank is 20″ x 10″ x 12″. Most rimless and all in one aquariums will actually be built with shorter lengths to accommodate a smaller footprint on a desk or countertop. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place for it in your home or office.

    How much would a 10 gallon tank cost?

    A basic 10 gallon tank will be about $20-$25 per gallon or $200-$250 to setup for a freshwater tank. For a saltwater tank, expect to pay $40-$60 per gallon or $400-$600. You can definitely pay less than what I’m suggesting, however, keep in mind the ranges I throw out are for higher quality setups not discount store kits which tend to have low quality equipment that will not last.

    Closing Thoughts

    You can create beautiful 5 gallon fish tanks with any of the aquariums on this list. All these tanks are suitable for small fish and will get you going on your fishkeeping journey. I hoped I helped alleviate your buyerโ€™s anxiety with this roundup today. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and letโ€™s start a conversation! Thanks for reading!

    ๐Ÿ”ง Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

  • 15 Best Fish for a 10 Gallon Tank: How Many Can You Actually Keep?

    15 Best Fish for a 10 Gallon Tank: How Many Can You Actually Keep?

    The 10-gallon tank is one of the most popular starter sizes in the hobby โ€” and one of the most commonly overstocked. After 25 years of keeping and recommending fish, I’ve seen this play out hundreds of times: someone grabs a 10-gallon kit, picks fish that look cool together, and a few months later wonders why things aren’t going well. The fix is simple but requires being honest about stocking numbers. In this guide I’m sharing 15 fish that genuinely work in a 10-gallon, with real numbers on how many you can keep and a clear-eyed look at which species are often oversold for this tank size.

    Top Picks

    Editor’s Choice
    Betta
    Betta
    Buy Premium VarietiesBuy On Petco Online
    • Easy to care
    • Lot of breeds available
    Easiest To Care For
    White Cloud Minnow
    White Cloud Minnow
    Click For Best Price
    • No heater needed
    • Easy to care for
    Most Unique
    Pea Puffers
    Pea Puffers
    Click For Best Price
    • Species only
    • Personality

    Let’s get straight to the point and go with my top picks. Bettas are my top choice because there are so many varieties available, and they have a great centerpiece look to them. White cloud minnows are the easiest to care for of all the fish I’m listing on this post. They don’t require a heater, school and are very hardy. Finally, pea puffers are a great choice if you want something unique, but they are semi-aggressive and best housed with their own kind in a species only tank in a group for an aquarium this small.

    The 15 Best Fish For 10 Gallon Tank

    Now that you know a little more about my top picks for fish you can keep in a 10-gallon tank, it’s time to meet some of the other fish! For you visual learners, my video is above for you to view. Check out my YouTube channel here.

    For each species, I’ll be provided a quick rundown on the most important stats you need to know like:

    • Their scientific name
    • Size when fully grown
    • Care Level
    • Temperament
    • What they eat
    • Where do they come from
    • Temperature range
    • Swimming level in the tank

    Let’s begin!

    1. Betta

    WYSIWYG Available!
    Betta Fish
    Betta Fish

    Use Coupon Code ASDFISH at Checkout

    Betta Fish are one of the most beautiful varieties of freshwater fish available in the hobby. Easy to care for with plenty of varieties!

    Buy Premium Varieties Buy On Petco Online
    • Scientific Name: Betta splendens
    • Adult Size: 2.5-3 inches
    • Care Level: Moderate
    • Temperament: Aggressive
    • Diet: Carnivorous, Feed live/frozen foods, flakes, and pellets
    • Origin: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand
    • Water Temperature: 75-80ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Top, Midwater

    The betta fish is surely the most popular nano fish for freshwater tanks of all time! These aggressive little fish prefer to be kept as the only fish in the aquarium. They are also known as Siamese fighting fish because males will fight to the death if kept together in a small aquarium.

    This means only a single male betta fish should be kept in a 10-gallon species-only tank. Don’t worry though, the tank won’t feel too empty because these colorful fish have plenty of personalities. Betta fish come in a huge range of colors and shapes, so there’s a type of betta out there to suit just about anyone. They do need warmer temperatures than most fish.

    2. Guppy

    Guppy Fish
    • Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
    • Adult Size: 1-2.5 inches
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feed dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: South America and the Caribbean
    • Water Temperature: 63-82ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: All levels

    Guppies are another one of the most popular fish in the aquarium hobby. These colorful, peaceful community fish come in an amazing variety of colors and breeds known as fancy guppies.

    The fancy guppy is a hardy fish that does great in both community tanks and species-only tanks. They are livebearers, so if you would prefer not to breed them, make sure you don’t keep males and females in the same tank.

    Female fish may already be pregnant when you buy them so males tend to be the better bet. The males are also smaller, more colorful, and have longer fins.

    3. Rice

    Japanese Rice Fish
    Japanese Rice Fish

    Japanese rice fish are a commonly overlooked fish suitable for freshwater aquascapes. Very peaceful and hardy fish that color up with companions

    Click For Best Price
    • Scientific Name: Oryzias Latipes
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feed dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: Japan
    • Water Temperature: 72-80ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: All levels

    Japanese Rice fish are an often overlooked, but extremely interesting and playful little fish. They have been raised for centuries in Asia due to their natural habitat being on rice patties across the continent! These curious creatures also go by many names including Medaka or Japanese killifish because they can be found naturally around these areas as well.

    Ricefish, known for their peaceful nature, should be housed in the aquarium with other tranquil fish and larger invertebrates. Ricefish do best when kept at numbers of 6 or more, as they show their finest coloration and behavior when around others for companionship. They have the potential to jump out of a tank so you will want to cover your tank with an appropriate hood or glass lid.

    4. Endler’s Livebearer

    Endler's Livebearer
    • Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei
    • Adult Size: 1-1.8 inches
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feed dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: Venezuela, South America
    • Water Temperature: 72-80ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: All levels

    Endler’s livebearers are the nano cousin of the common guppy. Like guppies and mollies, these fish breed very easily in the home aquarium. You can prevent breeding by keeping only specimens of a single-sex.

    Males are smaller and more colorful than females, just like guppies. These colorful little fish are very easy to care for and great fun to watch as they forage all over the tank. This is one nano fish that I would recommend to any beginner!

    5. Chili Rasbora

    • Scientific Name: Boraras brigittae
    • Adult Size: 0.8 inches
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Carnivorous, feed-dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: Southeast Asia
    • Water Temperature: 68-82ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Top, Midwater

    The Chili rasbora (video source) is a tiny fish that does great in a 10-gallon aquarium. They can be kept on their own or with other community fish and inverts.

    These bright orange fish captivate aquarists with interesting black markings on their sides and fins. Chili rasboras are schooling fish and you can keep as many as 20 of them in a planted 10-gallon tank with great filtration.

    6. White Cloud Minnow

    White Cloud Mountain Minnow
    White Cloud Mountain Minnow

    A very peaceful fish that does well in coldwater fish. Other minnow varieties are also available

    Click For Best Price
    • Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
    • Adult Size: 1.5 inches
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Carnivorous, feed-dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: China
    • Water Temperature: 58-72ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Midwater

    White cloud mountain minnows are beautiful and graceful schooling fish that are a great choice for a 10-gallon aquarium. They are not tropical fish like the other species in this list and are suitable for cool water tanks.

    White cloud minnows are available in some amazing varieties, with gold body color, or long flowing fins for example.

    7. Celestial Pearl Danio

    CELESTIAL PEARL DANIO
    • Scientific Name: Celestichthys margaritatus
    • Adult Size: 0.75 inches
    • Care Level: Moderate
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feed dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: Thailand, Myanmar
    • Water Temperature: 68-78ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Midwater

    The celestial pearl danio is beautiful nano fish that is a wonderful choice for a 10-gallon aquarium. These small fish are most happy in a heavily planted tank. They can be kept with other peaceful fish, but they can be outcomhttps://aquariumstoredepot.com/blogs/news/small-freshwater-fishpeted by faster more aggressive feeders and bigger fish.

    Celestial pearl danios are small school fish, so be sure to pick up a group of at least 6 individuals.

    8. Neon Tetra

    Neon Tetra
    • Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi
    • Adult Size: 1 inch
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feed dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: South America
    • Water Temperature:70-77ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Midwater

    The neon tetra is a classic nano fish that will add amazing color to your 10-gallon tank.

    This is about the smallest tank size that neon tetras will thrive in, but with great filtration, you can easily keep small groups of 6 to 8. These popular tropical fish are easy to find at just about any pet store and are very easy to care for.

    9. Female Bettas

    Female Betta Group
    • Scientific Name: Betta splendens
    • Adult Size: 2-2.5 inches
    • Care Level: Moderate
    • Temperament: Semi-aggressive
    • Diet: Carnivorous, Feed live/frozen foods, flakes, and pellets
    • Origin: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand
    • Water Temperature: 75-80ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Top, Midwater

    Female betta fish are often overlooked in the aquarium hobby because they don’t have as much color and fancy finnage as the males. The truth is that females still have great colors and personalities. They are not as aggressive as the males, which makes them a better option as tank mates for community tanks. You will have an easier time finding tank mates with females.

    A small group of female betta fish is known as a sorority. Experienced aquarists can keep a sorority in a 10-gallon tank, but a single female betta is usually the perfect fish for a tank of this size.

    10. Zebra Danio

    What Does A Zebra Danio Look Like
    • Scientific Name: Brachydanio rerio
    • Adult Size: 1.5-2 inches
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Carnivorous, feed dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: India
    • Water Temperature: 70-82ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Top, Midwater

    Zebra danios are very adaptable and hardy fish that can be housed in a 10-gallon aquarium. These active fish are great fun to watch as they zoom around the tank at high speed!

    Zebra danios are not always schooling fish, but a group of at least 5 or 6 danios should be kept in the same tank. These fish need plenty of swimming space, so make sure you leave a lot of space available.

    11. Dwarf Corydoras Catfish

    Pygmy Cory
    • Scientific Name: Corydoras hastatus
    • Adult Size: 1 inch
    • Care Level: Moderate
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feed dried, frozen, and live foods
    • Origin: South America
    • Water Temperature: 72-78ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Midwater

    The dwarf corydoras is a great little cory catfish that stays really small. These schooling catfish swim around actively in the midwater of the aquarium, unlike most other species of cory cats that are bottom dwellers.

    10 gallons is the minimum tank size that these cory catfish should be kept in and they do best in groups of at least 6. They are a great addition to community tanks with other community fish.

    12. Freshwater Pea Puffer

    Freshwater Pea Puffers
    Freshwater Pea Puffers

    At only an inch in length, this is the smallest pufferfish you can purchase in the aquarium hobby

    Click For Best Price
    • Scientific Name: Carinotetradon travancoricus
    • Adult Size: 1 inch
    • Care Level: Moderate
    • Temperament: Aggressive
    • Diet: Carnivorous, feed frozen and live foods
    • Origin: India
    • Water Temperature: 72-82ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Top, Midwater

    The freshwater pea puffer (video source) is a unique tropical fish species that has a larger-than-life personality. These tiny predators are aggressive fish that do best in a species-only tank.

    I would suggest keeping just one freshwater pea puffer in a 10-gallon tank. Some aquarists have had success keeping as many as 3 of these fascinating fish in this tank size, however.

    If you do plan on keeping more than one, make sure your tank is heavily planted. Adding plenty of structure like driftwood will also ensure that the fish are not constantly visible to one another. It can be difficult to house them with other fish successfully.

    13. Dwarf Gourami

    Dwarf Gourami in Aquarium
    • Scientific Name: Trichogaster lalius
    • Adult Size: 2.5-3 inches
    • Care Level: Moderate
    • Temperament: Semi-aggressive
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feed dried and frozen foods
    • Origin: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan
    • Water Temperature: 72-82ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Top, Midwater

    The dwarf gourami is an amazing little fish from the same family as the betta fish. They are the smallest gourami type and therefore the best option for small tanks.

    Due to their small size, a pair of these beautiful fish could be kept in a 10-gallon aquarium, as long as you have great filtration and plenty of live plants and hiding places. Dwarf gourami fish like dark, shady spots in the tank, and this will allow the female to get some alone time if the male is giving her too much attention.

    14. Freshwater Shrimp

    Freshwater Shrimp
    Freshwater Shrimp

    Freshwater aquarium shrimp are a great addition to small tanks and aquascapes. Peaceful, full of personality, and colorful. Many varieties are available.

    Click For Best Price Buy WYSIWYG
    • Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
    • Adult Size: 1-1.25 inches
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Omnivorous, Algae
    • Origin: Taiwan
    • Water Temperature: 60-82ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Bottom

    You don’t have to keep fish species to have a lively 10-gallon aquarium. Freshwater shrimp are another cool stocking option for nano aquariums. These useful inverts eat algae and leftover food from the bottom of the tank. There are many types of freshwater shrimp and great algae eaters available with the cherry shrimp being the one with the most utility in an aquarium.

    These cherry shrimp are relatively hardy and can be found in a great variety of different color morphs from cherry-red to deep blue. Baby are not safe with any fish species in the tank, but adults can be kept with some nano fish like dwarf corydoras.

    15. Nerite Snails

    Zebra Nerite
    Zebra Nerite

    Nerite snails are one of the best algae eating snails you can buy. Plant safe and do not reproduce in fresh water!

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon
    • Scientific Name: Clithon, Vittina, and Neritina spp.
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • Care Level: Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Diet: Algae
    • Origin: Africa and Asia
    • Water Temperature: 72-82ยฐF
    • Swimming Level: Bottom

    Many fishkeepers think of snails as unwanted pests. They’ve probably never kept nerite snails! These awesome algae eaters cannot breed in freshwater which means they never take over tanks.

    What’s more, they are great-looking animals and add very little bioload to a small tank. There are few species of nerites in the aquarium hobby, including the horned, tiger, zebra, and olive nerite snail. All of them are ideal for 10-gallon aquariums.

    What You Need to Know About Stocking For Your Aquarium

    The first thing to know when stocking a ten-gallon aquarium is that smaller doesn’t necessarily mean easier. The smaller the aquarium is, the less stable the water conditions will be.

    There is just something so special about a nano aquarium, however, that makes the challenge welcome. For me, there are 3 keys to success when keeping a 10-gallon fish tank:

    • Choosing the right fish
    • Providing good quality filtration
    • Keeping up with regular maintenance

    I’ll cover each of these factors in the article, so make sure you read until the end.

    Debunking the Inch-Per-Gallon Myth

    How many fish can comfortably inhabit a 10-gallon tank? Many fish keepers will automatically go to the inch-per-gallon rule when stocking an aquarium. This old rule states that you can keep 1 inch of fish for every gallon of water in your tank.

    In many cases, this can be good advice, but there are always exceptions to any rule! For example, ten 1-inch-long fish might sound just fine for a 10-gallon tank, but one 10-inch fish will obviously be too big for the same fish tank.

    Of course, you can keep more fish of a small species in a tank than the same number of larger fish. It is equally important to understand that not all fish have the same needs.

    Keeping too many fish in your tank creates a few different problems. The obvious issue is that the fish will feel cramped and not be able to behave naturally. Poor water quality problems are just as serious, if not more so!

    The more fish you have in a tank, the more waste they are going to produce. This waste can cause big problems if not managed, and the results can be tragic for your pets. Beefing up your filtration and maintenance, and growing plenty of live plants can increase the number of fish you can keep, but there are definitely limits.

    Aquariums Hold Less Water Than Youโ€™d Think

    Another important thing to remember is that a ten-gallon aquarium usually doesn’t hold a full 10 gallons of water. Your aquarium is never completely full either because you’ll want to leave just a little room to prevent spilling during feeding and maintenance.

    Along with the water, your aquarium will probably contain:

    • 1-3 inches of substrate
    • Hardware like the heater, filter, thermometer, etc.
    • Hardscape features like rocks and driftwood
    • Ornaments and decorations

    As you can tell, your ten-gallon tank will not be able to house 10 inches of fish if you follow the inch-per-gallon rule. In fact, you’d need to bump the number down to about 8 inches.

    The Characteristics of the Ideal Nano

    In the aquarium hobby, very small fish are generally known as nano fish. But what makes a good nano fish? The following factors are all important characteristics:

    Size

    Of course, a fish for small aquariums should not outgrow its tank. This is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make when choosing new fish at the pet store.

    90% of the fish you see in their tanks are juveniles, and have a whole lot of growing to do! Always make sure to research the adult size of a fish before taking it home.

    Hardiness

    The tank environment can be a lot less stable than the natural habitat of freshwater fish. This is especially true in small tanks like 10 gallons. The easiest nano fish are the hardy species that can survive fluctuations in water parameters and conditions.

    Behavior

    Size and hardiness are extremely important characteristics, but understanding the natural behavior of a fish species is just as crucial. Aggressive, territorial fish like male bettas can do great in small aquariums, but only if they are the only member of their species in the tank!

    Other awesome nano species like the freshwater pea puffer are less particular about who they’ll attack and they should only be kept with their own species, or on their own in smaller tanks.

    Finally, the ideal nano fish does not require too much swimming space, because there isn’t much room in a nano aquarium.

    How To Set Up the Aquarium

    After you’ve chosen the kind of fish you want to keep, the next step is to learn how to provide them with the perfect home.

    A great place to start is to look at the natural habitat of the fish you keep, whether you’re setting up a community tank or keeping just one fish species. In this section, I’ll give you a quick rundown of what you’ll need.

    Filtration

    An aquarium filter is a must-have for any 10-gallon tank. The only question is, which type of filter should you get? There are many different types of aquarium filters available on the market today, and you will need to select a model that suits your tank size, fish type, and budget.

    For the ultimate display tank, I suggest a small canister filter. These filters create a much more natural look by taking up no room in the tank (apart from the intake and outflow pipes, of course). Hang-on back and internal power filters are also great options, and even the humble sponge filter will provide great filtration, at a very reasonable price.

    Whichever type of filter you choose to run, make sure it is rated to at least 10 gallons. You can certainly use a filter designed for larger tanks too, the only consideration is that you do not want to blast your fish with an overly strong water flow!

    Heating

    Most of the aquarium fish and inverts in the hobby are tropical species, which means they are at home in warm temperatures. If you live in a tropical part of the world, you might be able to get away with an unheated tank.

    Using an aquarium heater is usually the best option no matter where you live, however, because it maintains stable temperatures. A small aquarium thermometer mounted somewhere in the tank is also very handy for monitoring the performance of the heaters in your fish tanks.

    Lighting

    Your choice of lighting is very broad unless you are going to be growing live plants. Even then, standard LED or fluorescent lighting will usually work just fine for low-light species like Java ferns. For plants that require moderate to high light, you’re going to need some good quality lights in the correct spectrum for live plants.

    Best Value
    Serene RGB Pro LED
    Serene RGB Pro LED

    Current USA’s offering into aquascaping is an incredible value. Spectrum, spread, easy to program and great PAR output.

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    I recommend running your lights for 6-10 hours a day to provide your fish with a natural photoperiod. Setting your lights on a timer is the best way to keep the timing consistent.

    Maintenance

    Having a fully cycled aquarium with all the equipment and the perfect nano fish for your ten-gallon setup is not the only thing you need to maintain an awesome fish tank. You’ll also need to roll up your sleeves on a regular basis to keep your tank clean and your fish happy.

    Read on for a brief introduction to tank maintenance.

    Water Quality

    Water quality decreases over time as fish waste and uneaten food accumulate in the tank. Although your filter will go a long way towards maintaining good water quality, there’s no way to get around performing regular partial water changes.

    This is so important because nitrates will eventually build up to high enough levels to poison your pets. Physical waste will also accumulate on the substrate and hardscape in your tank, which doesn’t look so great.

    Testing

    A basic test kit is an absolute must-have for any aquarist. They are vital for testing to determine your pH, hardness, and other parameters, and to determine when your tank is cycled.

    You’ll also need to test your nitrate levels regularly to work out the ideal frequency and volume of water changes necessary for your setup.

    Keeping Your Aquarium Clean

    The best time to clean up your aquarium is while you are performing water changes. Since you will be siphoning water out of your tank, you may as well suck up all the waste on the substrate and hardscape with your gravel vacuum at the same time!

    Algae can be removed from the glass and hardscape with an algae scraper and a small brush. You will also need to rinse out your filter media from time to time.

    This should only be done with conditioned water or old water that you have taken out during a water change. This will keep your hard-working beneficial bacteria safe from the harmful chemicals in tap water.

    Growing Plants

    Growing live plants in your aquarium has a number of great benefits. In case you aren’t already convinced, here are 5 reasons to grow live plants in your ten-gallon aquarium:

    • Live plants provide your fish with a more natural habitat
    • Micro-organisms that grow on live plants are a great food source for small fish
    • Live plants oxygenate the water
    • Plants use nitrates as a fertilizer
    • Growing live plants is fun!

    Live plants do best with good lighting. Choose a light that is specifically designed for aquarium plants for the best growth. Once you’re a little more experienced, you may want to invest in a CO2 injection system for a densely planted tank with the most beautiful plants.

    Creating a ten-gallon aquascaped aquarium with amazing nano fish is a challenging but hugely rewarding goal for any aquarist!

    Where To Buy The Aquarium

    Most of the species in this list can be found at your local fish store. Trusted online fish dealers are another great place to find nano fish. Buying online also takes a lot of the hassle and stress out of transporting sensitive fish for longer distances.

    FAQs

    What fishes can the aquarium hold?

    Unfortunately, most aquarium fish are simply too large or need too much space to be kept in a 10-gallon aquarium. All the fish species in this list are great starting points for stocking a 10-gallon tank.

    What is the biggest type you can keep in this size aquarium?

    An adult male betta is probably the largest fish that can be kept comfortably in a 10-gallon tank.

    Can I have 8 fishes in this aquarium?

    You can definitely keep 8 fish in a 10-gallon tank. However, it’s important to avoid overstocking. The species of fish is very important, however. Nano-schooling fishing like ember tetras and chili rasboras, for example, are excellent fish choices for this tank size.

    How many can I have in this size of the aquarium?

    The number of fish you can keep depends on all kinds of different factors. Most fish species cannot be kept in a 10-gallon tank, but some species will even do fine in groups of as many as 20 or more.

    Final Thoughts

    A 10-gallon tank freshwater aquarium is a great size for your bedroom or even your desk at the office. Now that you’ve been introduced to different species of nano fish and inverts, which species will you choose?

    Let us know below, we’d love to hear from you! If you are looking for fish for a 20 gallon tank, check out this article.

    ๐Ÿ“˜ Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.

  • 15 Axolotl Morphs: Colors, Rarity, and What to Look For

    15 Axolotl Morphs: Colors, Rarity, and What to Look For

    Axolotl morphs have become a serious collector’s niche โ€” and the variety available today is genuinely impressive. The leucistic (pink with dark eyes) is what most people picture when they think “axolotl,” but that’s just the starting point. Rare morphs like firefly, mosaic, and chimera command high prices and get serious attention from breeders. For most keepers, the common morphs are easier to find and just as rewarding to keep โ€” the care requirements are identical regardless of color. Here’s a rundown of the 15 most notable axolotl morphs and what sets each one apart visually.

    What are Axolotls?

    Axolotl in Aquarium

    Axolotls are unique species of salamanders, mainly found in the lakebeds of Mexico city. They are very easy to look after. However, unlike other salamanders species, such as the Tiger salamander, axolotls spend their entire lives underwater.

    Therefore, they require a larger tank (at least 20 gallons) with optimum temperature and water requirements.

    Axolotls are critically endangered species of salamanders that are almost extinct in the wild. However, they are bred in captivity in large numbers.

    One thing that should always consider before buying an axolotl is, it may require a special permit to keep an axolotl. So, to avoid any mishaps, always check with your state’s or country’s laws before getting your smiley pets.

    What Causes a Wide Variety of Axolotl Morphs?

    Let’s get technical. 

    The color variation of many aquatic animals, including axolotls is due to the pigment cells called chromatophores1. Three various types of chromatophores determine the color of your axolotl.

    1. Melanophores โ€“ having Eumelanin that causes a black or brown pigmentation
    2. Xanthophores โ€“ having Carotenoids and Pteridines that cause a yellow and red pigmentation
    3. Iridophores โ€“ having Crystalized Purines that cause a shiny soap-bubble type of pigmentation (Iridescence)

    These three types of pigment cells possess 14 pairs of chromosomes, each coming from a male and female. The creative brains behind these clever crossover activities produce such extremely rare varieties of axolotls that we’ll discuss now.

    Facts

    Here’s some quick facts about the Axolotl species before we dive into morphs. Note that all axolotls you purchase from stores are captive bred. Wild species are protected and endangered.

    Scientific NameAmbystoma mexicanum
    Common NamesAxolotl, Mexican salamander, Mexican walking fish
    Basic Animal GroupAmphibian
    Size6-18 inches
    Weight2.1-8.0 ounce
    Lifespan10 to 15 years
    DietCarnivore
    HabitatXochimilco Lake near Mexico City
    Wild PopulationLess than a hundred
    Current StatusCritically Endangered and Detrimental Aquatic Animals

    15 Different Types

    There are numerous types of axolotls in the wild and captivity. Sadly, the native axolotls are almost extinct and we only rely on the lab-created and breed created ones to fill our places with smiley pets.

    The different axolotl morphs are a result of genius genetics and thanks to genetic engineering, we can now pet some amazing axolotl morphs in our home aquariums.

    Even though there is no definite color variant for axolotls, I’m going to list 15 different exotic axolotl types with pictures.

    1. Leucistic

    Leucistic Axolotl

    At first glance, you might confuse Leucistic axolotls with albinos. However, they are a very different and unique breed.

    Leucistic morphs are pinkish-white in color with dark gray, dark brown, or black eyes with pink or red gills that make them unique pets. They usually display shiny gold flecks on a translucent body that shimmers while they swim.

    Leucistic axolotls are docile and cute pets that require a simple diet and regular upkeep. However, in the daytime, they might be shy. But they are more inclined to their owners if taken good care of.

    The cost of leucistic axolotls varies from $30 to $100 minus the tank accessories and food expenses.

    2. Golden Albino

    Golden Albino Axolotl

    As juveniles, golden albinos are almost indistinguishable from white albinos. Like white albinos, they are super sensitive to bright light. However, as they age, they change color from white to peach, yellow to orange, and ultimately gold. Hence, called Golden Albinos.

    The eyes of Golden albinos are usually white, pink, or yellow. And their bodies are adorned with reflective spots and speckles that shine like diamonds with peachy pink gills with a yellow hue.

    In captivity, golden albinos are common species that cost around $50 minus the tank and food expenses.

    3. Wild Type

    Wild Type Axolotl

    As the name suggests, the wild-type axolotls mimic the appearance of the native Axolotls found in the muddy lakebeds near Mexico city. This type of axolotl is dark grayish-green in color with black or olive mottling. They also showcase a pale abdomen and gold speckles on their body.

    The essence of this morphed axolotl lies in the purple gill filaments and dark eyes surrounded with golden irises. The cost of wild axolotls type ranges anywhere from $40 to $50, depending on the individual reptile and they are a very common axolotl morph in captivity.

    4. Piebald

    It is fairly easy to spot a piebald axolotl (video source) in an axolotl galore due to the pigmentation on the sides of the body. And just like other axolotl morphs, they are easy to care for and keep. A piebald axolotl has darker and thicker black spots than other axolotls morph.

    Piebald axolotls are white with red gills, which makes them identical to Leucistic. However, they have black eyes and black symmetrical patches on the back and face that make them easily distinguishable.

    Piebald axolotl morphs are rare. Hence, costs around $300. 

    5. Mosaic

    Talk about exotic morphs in exotic pets, and we get a mosaic axolotl!

    The mosaic axolotl is a product of wild type and leucistic morph colors that are spread all over the body. Mosaic axolotls are mottled with black and white colors and a hint of golden flecks on their body. They possess gills that are striped with red and purple colors and eyes that are multi-color, Imagine the beauty!

    However, if you plan to breed these species, chances are you’re going to fail. They are a result of beautiful accidents and cannot be bred. Hence, very rare and costlier than most morphed axolotls.

    6. Copper

    When we’re talking about copper axolotls (video source), we’re generally speaking about a special type of albino that comes in various copper axolotl colors. They range from light, medium, to dark copper colors with reddish eyes. Mostly, copper axolotls are divided into three groups:

    1. Light Coppers
    2. Coppers
    3. Het Coppers

    One way to distinguish a copper axolotl from any other morphed axolotl is by shining a flashlight at their eyes. When pupils reflect red color, know that you have an albino copper axolotl.

    Also, there’s the rarest breed of Copper axolotl namely Copper Melanoid axolotl, but one can get it only by luck!

    7. Lavender or Silver Dalmatian

    A very popular morph in the USA due to the cool color is a Lavender axolotl. This axolotl morph has light purple hints to its body with red gill filaments and black eyes. Usually, the body is covered in gray spots and that’s where they get their name from – Silver Dalmatian (Picture of breed is located here). 

    Sometimes, these lavender axolotl morphs change their color from purple to gray or green. However, mostly it remains the same.

    Lavender morphs are rare yet desirable due to their color and unique specks all over the body. The lavender morphs cost around $115 and are mostly sold in the U.S.A.

    8. Black Melanoid

    Black melanoids (video source) are usually known as Blue Axolotls. However, they are not blue at all. Due to different lighting, black melanoid axolotls might appear bluish, but they have a dark black body and alight, pale-colored stomach.

    Unlike most axolotl morphs, they don’t possess shiny spots on their bodies. Since they are dark in color, a black melanoid can usually be confused with the wild variety.

    If this confusion occurs, look closely at the eyes of your axolotl, if there is a shiny ring around the pupil, your axolotl is not a Black melanoid and a wild one instead.

    9. White Albino

    White albinos (video source) are a close relative of leucistic morphs that are pure white with red gill filaments. They also have light-colored eyes particularly, white or pink. On their gill stalks, there are flecks of gold. Due to the absence of pigments in their eyes, they are sensitive to light and may have poor vision.

    One distinctive feature of white albinos is their dark fingertips that appear dirty when the axolotl reaches maturity. They are usually bred in captivity and cost around $40. 

    10. Speckled Leucistic or Dirty Leucistic or Dirty Lucy

    Speckled leucistic (video source) is exactly the same as regular leucistic besides they have black, dark green, or brown spotting or specklings on the face and upper body. The black specklings on their body vary depending on the age of the axolotl and it is more prominent when the axolotl resides on a dark substrate.

    If you keep your dirty Lucy in clean water with fewer predators, the black spots will disappear.

    Fun Fact: The dirty black spots keep your dirty Lucy safe from predators by maintaining a camouflage. 

    11. Chimera

    Chimera is the result of two egg morphs when fused before hatching. And this is the reason you’ll rarely find Chimera in the wild but in captivity only.

    They are usually not considered true axolotl morph as they possess one morph on one side of their body and a different morph on the other. The axolotl morph is then split right down into the middle and right halves.

    Interestingly, depending upon the individual axolotl, one side of the morph can grow significantly at a slower pace than the other. Chimerism in axolotls is extremely rare, and they are not sold in the markets.

    Fun Fact: The chance of the birth and survival of Chimera is about 0.00001%!

    12. Heavily-Marked Melanoid

    Heavily-Marked Melanoid

    When we talk about melanoid, it is usually misunderstood that there are no axolotl colors. However, the literal definition of melanoid in the axolotl hall of fame is “the absence of iridophores (shiny patches).”

    Heavily-marked melanoid axolotls are a unique variation of black melanoid morph that is black with grayish purple spots.

    These color morphs are rare and there is little to no information available about them.

    The light green and yellow patches on their body make them highly distinguishable from a regular black melanoid. They are uncommon in the wild and captivity as well and sold for around $75.

    13. Green Fluorescent Protein

    Glow in the dark axolotl might be a stunning surprise for you. However, they are for real (video source).

    GFP or Green fluorescent protein radiates a bright neon green color under blacklight. But blacklight is detrimental to these adorable creatures, so they shouldn’t be exposed to it for more than a few seconds.

    You’ll experience some greenish tint on your GFP axolotls under a normal lighting and their eyes will radiate green color, even under normal room lighting.

    Originally, the green fluorescent protein was artificially introduced into the axolotl community by the Max Planck Institute in 2005 to give axolotls a glow-in-the-dark effect. However, now they may naturally occur in some species.

    The purpose of mutating this genetically modified axolotl morph was to research cancer and the regeneration process. On average, you will find GFP axolotls almost everywhere and they cost around $70.

    14. Firefly

    The genius brain behind Firefly axolotls is Lloyd Strohl II from Indiana USA in 2016, who artificially created this axolotl morphing through embryonic graphing to study limb regeneration. 

    The firefly axolotls have a lighter tale and a darker body or vice versa. Out of which, some have GFP tails that glow in the dark.

    Since this morphed axolotl was created in a lab, they are rarely found and sold. Since they possess a GFP tail, their tails are fluorescent under UV or black light and hence the name, “Firefly.”

    They are not easily found in captivity and cost around $250. 

    15. Enigma

    Enigma (picture source) is another artificially created axolotl morph for the sake of research by an American hobbyist. Therefore, they are sold only in the U.S.A.

    Enigma axolotls have a dark gray body with translucent underbelly and toes. They possess pale red gills and beautiful golden eyes.

    They often display a green-golden patch that grabs attention. Enigma axolotls are derived from the wild types.

    All in all, each axolotl morph is an endangered species that demand your attention. Therefore, breeders and keepers should play their part in keeping axolotl’s waters clean and their diet healthy.

    FAQs

    What is the rarest Color?

    The Lavender morph or Silver Dalmation is the rarest axolotl color as they can only be found in some parts of the U.S.A.

    What is the rarest type?

    The piebald axolotlย is by far the rarest axolotl morph, which is a leucistic axolotl morph with pigments in other parts of its body other than the face.

    What is the rarest in real life?

    Mosaicย andย Chimeraย axolotls are very rare in real life.

    Conclusion

    That’s all about exotic axolotl breeds for now. If you want one for yourself, I suggest that you check with your local breeders after getting the permit, and decide which one you’d like to get for your home aquariums.

    Whatever morph you get, be sure to provide it with enough space to roam around freely and feed nourishing live food (especially live earthworms) to keep them healthy and happy for the rest of their lives.

  • How to Set Up a Saltwater Aquarium: The Complete Beginner Guide

    How to Set Up a Saltwater Aquarium: The Complete Beginner Guide

    Setting up a saltwater aquarium is one of the most rewarding things you can do in this hobby โ€” and it’s far more approachable than most beginners assume. I’ve been in the saltwater side of the hobby for over 25 years, have run a 125-gallon reef of my own, and I’ve helped countless people get their first saltwater tank off the ground. The biggest mistake I see is people trying to do everything at once, or buying equipment before they understand what it’s actually for. In this guide I’m walking you through everything you need to know about setting up a saltwater aquarium the right way โ€” from choosing your tank and equipment to cycling, stocking, and maintaining it long-term.

    How Much Does It Cost To Set Up A Saltwater Aquarium?

    Before we dive into the specifics, you will want to know more about the financial investment you’re about to make.

    It is no secret that saltwater aquariums cost more to set up and maintain than freshwater aquariums, but by how much exactly? In general, it’s estimated that every gallon of saltwater costs $40-$60.

    This includes the original startup cost, water and electricity bills, equipment, and general maintenance. Most hobbyists spend between $1,000-$2,000 on building and starting their tank alone1.

    This is definitely a lot of money and it doesn’t get much cheaper the more involved you get. Luckily, many hobbyists sell used premium products, fish, and invertebrates at a discount to fellow hobbyists. There are even social media groups that exchange corals at no extra cost!

    The truth is that this side of the hobby is expensive no matter how you go about it. However, there’s nothing quite like adding a saltwater aquarium fish to a new tank for the first time ever.

    How Hard Is It To Assemble?

    Though more expensive, a saltwater aquarium isn’t necessarily more difficult to set up or maintain than a freshwater aquarium.

    Just like a freshwater aquarium, saltwater tanks need to go through the nitrogen cycle where ammonia is converted to nitrite and nitrate by beneficial bacteria. This process takes about 4-6 weeks, though it can be expedited with mature live rock and filter media.

    From there, a new saltwater aquarium will go through an ugly algae and/or diatom phase for the first couple of months. During this time, water parameters may swing, especially if the nitrogen cycle wasn’t allowed to fully finish. Because of this, it isn’t recommended to begin adding corals until the tank is at least 3 months old.

    One of the main differences between a freshwater and saltwater fish tank is that marine ecosystems are constantly changing. As corals grow, you will need to increase water flow and dose nutrients. As you add more fish, you might need to perform more water changes and change the settings on your protein skimmer.

    The difficult part about setting up a saltwater aquarium is finding what works best for your system. There are guidelines and recommendations, but only you will be able to tell where and when your saltwater tank does best.

    What Type of Saltwater Aquarium Setup Do You Want?

    That being said, there are a few types of saltwater aquarium setup you can try. It is important to decide which one you want at the beginning of the setup process as it can be difficult and expensive to change once the tank has been established.

    The three main saltwater aquarium setups are:

    • Fish only (FO)
    • Fish only with live rock (FOWLR)
    • Reef

    Within these three setups, there are also community and predatory fish options.

    Fish Only (FO)

    As the name implies, a fish only system will have only fish without any live rock or corals, very similar to how most freshwater setups work. A fish only tank can be simple in design, yet incredibly effective. They often use fake aquarium decorations and a plain substrate to accent the fish in the display.

    This option is especially popular for predatory setups but is common among beginner hobbyists as well. A fish only setup allows the hobbyist to focus only on the fish and their health and not on maintaining an entire ecosystem. As we’ll see, live rock can actually be very beneficial to the tank as a whole.

    Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR)

    A FOWLR system is the most popular saltwater tank setup and is relatively easy to convert to a reef system down the line.

    Live rock provides a healthy population of beneficial bacteria that can make water chemistry more stable while providing fish and invertebrates with food and shelter. However, it can also come with unwanted hitchhikers, algae, and other pests that beginner hobbyists might not know how to immediately treat.

    Ocean Direct
    Maricultures Florida Live Rock
    Maricultures Florida Live Rock

    An old school solution. Once cured, Dinos tend not to be an issue because of the great biodiversity contained in this rock.

    Click For Best Price

    Live rock can be intimidating at first. It can also be hard to come by and pretty expensive for what it is. Once live rock is established though, it can be used indefinitely to stabilize the system and even seed other marine systems with the necessary bacteria.

    Dry rock is more common these days, but I prefer to use a mix of live rock and dry rock to get proper diversity. Too little biodiversity in a reef tank combined with no nutrients leads to nuisance dinoflagellates.

    A FOWLR system can support a community or predatory ecosystem. These setups are also best if planning to keep saltwater fish species that are not entirely reef-safe, like angelfish, butterflyfish, or triggerfish.

    Reef Tank

    The truth is that many hobbyists end up with a reef tank at one point or another in their aquarium-keeping careers even if they never intended to; the coral bug eventually gets everyone.

    At the same time, reef tanks are believed to be unattainable for most. They’re thought to be expensive, difficult to maintain, and only suitable for expert hobbyists. They also limit saltwater fish stocking to only reef-safe, community species.

    While they’re certainly expensive, reef tanks don’t necessarily take more time or maintenance than FO or FOWLR systems and can definitely be kept by hobbyists at all levels. Reef tanks can be as simple or intricate as desired.

    In general, there are three reef tank setups:

    • Soft coral reef tank
    • Mixed coral reef tank
    • SPS coral reef tank

    Soft Coral Reef Tank

    Soft corals, like mushrooms and leathers, are relatively easy to keep. They adapt to changing and imperfect parameters and don’t demand much light or water flow. Some hobbyists have even had success keeping soft corals under stock lighting, without any additional maintenance or equipment.

    Soft corals are also usually mixed with macroalgae, which can create a beautiful, yet self-sufficient ecosystem.

    Mixed Coral Reef Tank

    Most hobbyists end up with a mixed coral reef tank. This includes soft corals, large polyp stony (LPS) corals, and small polyp stony (SPS) corals.

    Mixed reef tanks need slightly more care and time than soft coral tanks. These systems also need better lighting, water flow, and a good understanding of how nutrients move throughout the tank. Still, the overall requirements of the system do not differ much, especially if keeping easier coral species.

    SPS Coral Reef Tank

    On the other hand, there is a huge gap between mixed reefs and SPS reefs. SPS reefs are truly for experts only and demand top-of-the-line lighting, water flow, and mastery of water quality. Supplements will need to be dosed to keep up with nutrient uptake due to coral growth in addition to regular water changes.

    There is no denying that SPS reefs are some of the most spectacular aquariums around, though.

    All-in-One Tank Assembly vs. Build-Your-Own

    After deciding what kind of system you want to run, you will need to decide on the physical blueprint. If making the transition from freshwater to saltwater, this process can definitely be intimidating. At the end of the day, you want something that is guaranteed to hold water and comfortably house fish and corals.

    There are two main options available when shopping for aquariums: all-in-one aquariums or build-your-own aquariums.

    All-In-One Tank Set-ups

    All-in-one setups, often abbreviated as AIO, are convenient. They often include a pre-drilled tank with internal or external filtration, all necessary plumbing, an aquarium stand, and sometimes even a light. All that is left to add is substrate, rock, water, and some additional equipment.

    Marine AIO’s like Red Sea Reefers are often top-of-the-line with aesthetic designs and hefty price tags. On the other hand, there are also all-in-one freshwater setups that can be modified for saltwater purposes that are much less expensive, though more clunky in appearance.

    Red Sea Reefer
    Red Sea Reefer

    The originator of the all in one reef tank. Newly improved and ready to run. This is the benchmark all reef tanks are measured against

    Click For Best Price

    These freshwater AIO’s usually include a standard rectangular fish tank, hang-on-the-back filtration, a heater, an aquarium hood, food, and other accessories. If just starting out in the saltwater aquarium hobby, these packages can seem convenient and at a discount, but are actually more expensive than their individual parts.

    Build-Your-Own Tank

    The majority of hobbyists choose to build their own saltwater aquariums as there’s much more room for customizability. When setting up an aquarium, the most important factors are size and equipment.

    For both freshwater and saltwater aquariums, it’s often said that bigger is better. This is because imperfections are more diluted in bigger tanks, meaning that the tank is more stable overall. For saltwater especially, a larger fish tank will allow for more livestock options, which is what most hobbyists want.

    On the other hand, nano and pico tanks under 40 gallons can be just as rewarding as large systems, though they sometimes require more time and care. In order to know what size tank to get, make a preliminary stocking list and maintenance schedule. This will allow you to gauge how much space you actually need and how much time you’re willing to put into maintaining that ecosystem size.

    Once a size has been determined, equipment needs to be selected. When it comes to equipment, it can be very easy to cheap out and go with products that are good enough for the time being. In most instances, it is always recommended to go with a better quality product to avoid spending money on broken and inadequate equipment.

    This is especially true when choosing the lighting for your saltwater aquarium. It can be difficult to see the future of your tank. As mentioned before, many hobbyists do not intend to keep corals but often change their mind about a year into the hobby. If you have the slightest inclination towards keeping corals, then you should buy a light designed for keeping corals.

    Lighting can be especially expensive and most beginner hobbyists aren’t willing to take the jump at a several hundred-dollar lighting systems. However, money spent on low-tech lighting could have been put towards the end-goal high-tech lighting.

    Used by World Wide Corals
    EcoTech Radion G5
    EcoTech Radion G5

    Editor’s Choice

    The newest Radion G5 is a massive update to the prior generation. It’s the light of choice for pro level reefers.

    Click For Best Price

    This is also true for other necessary aquarium equipment, like filtration, heaters, protein skimmers, and powerheads/wavemakers.

    Acrylic vs. Glass Tanks

    One more consideration you need to make before buying your saltwater aquarium is what the tank is made from. Today, acrylic and glass aquariums are largely available and there are some noticeable differences between them.

    Most aquariums are made from glass. Many pet stores and aquarium stores carry standard-sized aquariums made from glass that are sealed together by silicone. For years, glass aquariums have been dependable, scratch-resistant, and affordable. However, they’re bulky, heavy, and limited in the shapes they can take on.

    On the other hand, acrylic is much more expensive, but a better alternative for larger tanks. Acrylic is proportionally stronger than glass and can be molded into various shapes and sizes for a more unique appearance. Acrylic is also incredibly lightweight, which starts to matter when you’re dealing with hundreds of gallons of water and weight.

    The problem with an acrylic tank is that it is very prone to scratches; it is not unheard of for beaked-fish to be able to scratch the sides of an acrylic aquarium. New acrylic also starts off completely transparent, giving a cleaner, more refined look into the saltwater aquarium. Though this is the best view you can get, acrylic tends to yellow and warp with time.

    In general, small and regularly-shaped tanks can be made from glass while large and irregularly-shaped tanks can be made from acrylic. Usually, higher-end all-in-one aquarium brands will be made from acrylic, so make sure you know what you’re ordering!

    A good compromise between glass vs acrylic is to purchase a rimless tank. Rimless aquariums offer high clarity and a clean look. They aren’t as clear as acrylic and heavy like traditional glass aquariums, but the look they provide is very clean. You will also see rimless tanks used in planted tanks.

    Equipment and Test Kits

    Saltwater fish tanks require much more equipment than freshwater aquariums.

    There are different types of filters, like hang-on-the-back filters, canisters filters, and sumps, which we’ll discuss in-depth later on. Each of these can be successful if they provide adequate mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. An aquarium heater is also necessary to keep the tank at tropical temperatures as most saltwater fish originate from warm waters near the equator.

    If you’re new to the saltwater world, then you may not understand the full importance of water flow in the saltwater aquarium. Not only are these tropical waters warm, but they’re shallow and easily influenced by tides and currents which exchange gases and deliver nutrients to animals below. Water flow becomes especially important when dealing with SPS corals found at the top of the reef.

    In short, saltwater aquarium setups need higher water flow for gas exchange and nutrient dispersion. The rate of water flow will largely depend on the types of corals being kept and their size.

    Underneath the tank, a protein skimmer is often recommended for hobbyists with larger displays. These machines help polish water of organic waste which would otherwise negatively affect corals. Other equipment, like sterilizers and reactors, may also be used to help maintain water quality.

    In addition to this equipment, water tests are necessary for a saltwater aquarium. Most hobbyists choose to mix their own saltwater with aquarium salt, which requires a refractometer for determining salinity. Reliable liquid test kits should also regularly be used for:

    • Ammonia
    • Nitrite
    • Nitrate
    • Alkalinity
    • pH
    • Calcium
    • Magnesium
    • Phosphate

    Not only will test kits let you know when the cycling process is done, but they are also necessary when keeping corals. As corals grow, they use nutrients available in the water column. These nutrients may sometimes be replaced by routine water changes but usually need to be supplemented. Testing allows for precise dosing with little room for error.

    Lastly, a reliable thermometer is needed. Some hobbyists use a digital thermometer that relays live information to their phones in case of emergency. Anything is better than external thermometers which have a tendency to read ambient temperature rather than tank temperature, though. These days, a temperature controller or aquarium controller are preferred to prevent heater failure tank crashes.

    Budget Option
    HYDROS Control 2
    HYDROS Control 2

    Budget Option

    The Hydros Control 2 kit is very simple to use. It allows you to program the controller without having any prior coding knowledge. 

    Click For Best Price

    Tank Sump Assembly

    Just like everything else in fishkeeping, saltwater aquarium filtration can be as simple or as complex as you make it. Members of the hobby have successfully run tanks with hang-on-the-back filters and canister filters, but most experienced hobbyists use sumps.

    Aquarium sumps are external filtration systems that allow for a high degree of customizability. They often have three chambers. The first chamber is mostly used for mechanical filtration. A filter stock can be positioned underneath the drain so that physical waste is collected and later cleaned.

    The second chamber can be used in a few ways. One common use for the middle chamber is for equipment storage. Saltwater aquariums require a lot of equipment, and most of it can be hidden in the sump as opposed to in the display tank like freshwater aquariums. This includes heaters, protein skimmers, reactors, and other sterilizers.

    Another use for the second chamber is as a refugium. Refugiums are mini-ecosystems in themselves, usually housing substrate and macroalgae, like chaeto (Chaetomorpha linum). This part of the sump acts as biological filtration as the macroalgae take up excess nutrients and return oxygen in exchange. Some hobbyists even like to throw pest corals in their refugium for extra nutrient export.

    The third chamber is used for chemical media to polish off any last-minute impurities before the water is returned to the display tank via the return pump. Hobbyists also use bafflers and bubble traps to get the most level and smoothest return possible. This is also where auto top-off systems are installed to keep the salinity and water levels stable.

    Editor’s Choice
    Tunze Osmolator
    Tunze Osmolator

    Editor’s Choice

    The most reliable and best auto top off unit available today. Digital and manual sensors with an auto shut off feature

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Though a sump isn’t entirely necessary for running a healthy reef tank, they offer room for bulky equipment, additional filtration, and can make overall maintenance easier.

    How to Pick the Perfect Location

    Once all items have been picked up and delivered, it’s time to find the perfect spot for your tank. Though it is incredibly exciting to start filling up and cycling a new saltwater aquarium as soon as possible, patience and planning is the best way for success in the long run.

    Saltwater aquariums are statement pieces. They can bring a unique ecosystem to the middle of any room and become the center of attention. It’s important to frame your tank in the best way possible, while still making it fully accessible for maintenance and viewing.

    No matter a freshwater or saltwater aquarium, you want to keep your tank as far away from windows and direct sunlight as possible. Saltwater tanks are especially prone to growing nuisance algae and do not need any more influence from excess sunlight. Keep in mind that light can still seep in through blinds and window drafts can make the heater work overtime.

    Next, you want to make sure that your floor can support the weight of the tank. This is unique to every build, but it is recommended to hire an evaluator if dealing with especially large amounts of water. At the same time, electrical outlets should be easily reachable and accessible as saltwater tanks require a lot of energy.

    Lastly, leave more space around the tank than originally planned. Saltwater tanks are messy: there’s salt creep, saltwater, and humidification. These factors can quickly lead to damage to nearby walls, floors, and furniture if left unmonitored.

    You will also want enough space around the tank to be able to reach all areas of the display. Live rock can make cleaning and catching fish near impossible and you will want that extra space to maneuver.

    Salt Mix vs Salt-water

    Lastly, you will need to think about how you’re going to fill your saltwater aquarium with saltwater. Most hobbyists that have a local fish store will purchase natural saltwater due to convenience. Other hobbyists that are not so lucky have to come up with other solutions.

    The most common way to get saltwater is by using a salt mix from a reliable aquarium company. Most salts are very similar to one another, but again, your fish tank will react differently with each one. But where do you get the water to mix with your salt?

    Saltwater needs purer water than freshwater does. While freshwater aquariums can be topped off with tap water, those extra minerals and nutrients do not do well in reef aquariums. Instead, most saltwater hobbyists install a reverse osmosis deionization (RO/DI) water system.

    Best Value
    LiquaGen - 5-Stage RODI
    LiquaGen – 5-Stage RODI

    Best Value

    A complete 5 stage RODI unit without the excessive price

    Buy On Amazon

    While these units can be expensive, they are cheaper and more convenient in the long run. Not only can you mix saltwater with this water, but you can also perform regular freshwater top-offs when your tank level is running low from evaporation.

    If you are not able to get an RO/DI system, then you may regularly purchase it from the store or rely on distilled water instead. Mainly, you want to avoid adding extra nutrients or minerals that could feed algae and disrupt the water quality in your aquarium.

    Final Thoughts

    Setting up a saltwater fish tank doesn’t have to be hard, but it will be more than likely expensive. First, decide what type of saltwater aquarium you want to have and allot a budget. Then pick a tank size, suitable equipment, and a place to keep your fish tank. Install a water system if needed or find a reputable source. Add salt and let the cycle begin!

    Within a few weeks, you will be able to add your first marine fish and corals. Welcome to the saltwater aquarium hobby!

    ๐Ÿ“˜ Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Saltwater Fish & Reef Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for marine fish, coral care, reef setup, and more.

  • Freshwater Fish Compatibility Chart โ€“ A Complete Reference Guide

    Freshwater Fish Compatibility Chart โ€“ A Complete Reference Guide

    Fish compatibility is one of the first things I look at when helping someone stock a new tank โ€” and it’s where a lot of beginners go wrong by trusting the fish store without checking the numbers. After 25 years of keeping community tanks and fielding compatibility questions from my YouTube audience, I’ve developed a clear sense of which fish coexist peacefully and which create problems. This compatibility chart covers the most popular freshwater fish and gives you a quick reference for building a balanced, peaceful community tank.

    What Are They?

    A compatibility chart is used in the fish-keeping hobby as a reference to see what fish can get along with each other. Each fish type is placed on the chart and referenced against another fish species. You look at the two species on the chart that are cross-referenced to see if the fish are compatible with each other.

    Some charts are more detailed than others. A general chart is good for looking at general compatibility. There are also species-specific charts like African Cichlid compatibility charts that will go through all the various types of cichlids and determine which types get along with each other.

    Below are a few charts to help you make informed decisions based on the type of aquarium you are keeping.

    Freshwater Compatibility Chart

    Below is a general guideline on freshwater aquarium fish and their compatibility with each other. Keep in mind that compatibility can vary based on the temperament of the fish. There are also some extreme varieties in fish species that are outside of their norm. A good example are Buenos Aires Tetras, which are known for eating live plants. Always do extra research before making a purchase.

    Freshwater Fish Compatibility Chart

    Saltwater

    Below is a list of major marine fish species and their compatibility with each other and corals. Keep in mind with marine fish, there can be vast differences in personality. A yellow tang can be very peaceful while another can be very aggressive fish and a terror. Personalities vary more in saltwater fish – especially when it comes to determine whether they are reef safe fish.

    Saltwater Fish Compatibility Chart

    Factors That Determine If Fish Will Get Along

    While the chart supplied below is a good general guideline, every fish is different and many charts do not go into great detail about specific species within the fish breed. Let’s talk about these other factors. These especially are important to consider if the fish you are looking to house are labeled as a “c” on the chart.

    Fish Temperament

    Fish within the species you want may have varying temperaments. A good example are Tiger Barbs. These Barb Fish are considered semi-aggressive fish while Cherry barbs are considered peaceful and will get along with many peaceful fish.

    There is individual fish temperament to take into account as well. Some fish within the same species will be more aggressive than others. You will often see this with male and female species. The males will typically be more aggressive. Another factor to consider is if the fish is breeding. Many cichlids will get more aggressive and territorial if they are breeding.

    Activity Levels

    Some fish are more laid back than others while others are very active. Good examples would be discus fish and dither fish like danios. Sometimes mixing a calm fish with a hyper active fish can be problematic as the more peaceful fish will have trouble competing for food. Other times more active fish can help more timid fish relax.

    Water Temperatures

    Some fish are cold water fish – like goldfish while others like Betta fish prefer the higher end of tropical water temperatures (76-78 degrees). Others like Discus fish do better in warmer waters above 78, which would be harmful to other fish. Most fish compatibility charts will not cover water temperature differences, so do your research on the fish’s individual needs. Check out my freshwater fish profiles as I have many popular species documented on my site.

    Position In Tank

    Every fish occupies different areas of the tank. This is most pronounced with bottom feeders who will only stay near the substrate. Too many bottom feeders in the tank could result in aggression issues. Balance out the spacing of all fish in all areas – bottom, mid-level, and surface swimmers. You can create a friendly freshwater fish community tank if you keep in mind these three levels.

    Size

    Size of the fish can be a major factor in compatibility. Some fish have large mouths. While they may not be aggressive, their mouths may be big enough to shallow smaller fish. In general, they to avoid adding fish that can fit in the mouth of the existing fish you already have.

    Water Chemistry

    Water chemistry like pH and hardness can create issues with compatibility. African cichlids require hard water and higher pH while many tropical fish prefer softer and lower pH water. Some compatibility charts will not address this. There are also species with the classes of fish listed on the chart that could have major differences. A good example would be certain Discus species that prefer low pH in the 5 range.

    Territorial Behaviors

    Some fish, particularly Cichlids, are territorial1. They will stake a claim on a space and become more aggressive if there isn’t enough space or shelter in the tank. While two fish can be compatible on paper, the aggression caused by lack of space and shelter will cause problems.

    To work through this, build up your aquascapes with shelter like live plants, aquarium driftwood, and/or aquarium rocks. A fully scaped out aquarium should curb many aggression issues.

    Editor’s Choice
    Manzanita Driftwood
    Manzanita Driftwood

    Editor’s Choice

    Manzanita offers it all. Great shape, low tannins, quick to water log and reasonably priced. It’s the ultimate driftwood!

    Click For Best Price Click For Branch Pieces

    When it comes to marine fish, nearly all fish on the saltwater aquarium side are going to be aggressive or semi-aggressive. This has to do with their natural environment, where they constantly battle for prized shelter in the coral reefs. This is the main reason why it’s more difficult to keep many fish in a saltwater tank even with stellar filtration.

    Introducing New Animals In An Existing Tank

    This can be a full blog post in itself. I feel the best way to explain this is to differ from PrimeTime Aquatic’s channel. He’s an amazing content creator, and a regular at various tradeshows I’ve been to. This video will show you how to introduce your newly purchased fish.

    While this particular video does not addressing quarantining, I do have a quarantine blog and video post that is marine fish related. The same principals apply, though in freshwater most aquarists will not use medications prophylactically.

    FAQS

    What Species Are Friendly with Each Other?

    Many people mistakenly believe that all fish can live together in the same tank. This is not true. Some fish are compatible, while others are not. The following list provides a few examples of compatible fish:

    Corys
    Danios
    Gouramis
    Guppies
    Loaches
    Mollies
    Catfish

    How Do You Know If They Can Live Together?

    There are a few things to look for when trying to determine if two types of fish are compatible. Aggression is one factor โ€“ if you place an aggressive fish with a timid one there will be constant harassing. They’re probably not compatible. Size is also important โ€“ you don’t want a small fish getting eaten by a larger one. Temperature and activity level are also important โ€“ you don’t want two fish that need radically different water temperatures or fish who have opposing activity levels that bother the slower moving fish. And finally, water chemistry needs should be considered as well โ€“ some fish need harder or softer water than others.

    Which Should Not Be Together?

    Some fish should not be together because they will consume each other. For example, large cichlids and tetras should not be together in the same tank because the cichlids will consume the tetras. Additionally, different species of fish should not be together in the same tank because they will compete for food and can even attack and kill one another.

    What Is A Good Combination For A Tank?

    There is no one perfect combination of fish for an aquarium, but there are general guidelines that can help you create a healthy and balanced ecosystem. For example, it’s generally recommended to have a mix of bottom feeders, surface swimmers, and mid-level fish. This helps to create different levels in the tank, curbs aggression, and provides a natural habitat for the fish.

    Another important consideration is the size of the fish. It’s important to choose fish that are compatible in size, so they don’t outgrow their home or become aggressive towards other fish. And finally, remember to research the specific needs of each type of fish before adding them to your tank; not all fish can tolerate the same water conditions.

    Closing Thoughts

    I hope the charts supplied today helped you in determining if fish you are thinking of housing together are compatible. I am aware that the charts are general guidelines and more specific sub-species may require questions. If you have such questions, leave a comment below and let’s start a conversation. Thanks for reading!

    ๐Ÿ“˜ Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.

    ๐ŸŸ Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Care Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for water chemistry, maintenance, feeding, disease prevention, and everything you need for a healthy tank.

  • Fancy Goldfish Types – 12 Best (With Pictures)

    Fancy Goldfish Types – 12 Best (With Pictures)

    Goldfish have been bred and kept as pets for over a millennium, and today, they’re just as popular as ever! In fact, the humble goldfish is probably the most well-known and popular aquarium fish in the whole world.

    Not all goldfish look the same, however. As a result of centuries of breeding, there are now many incredible types of goldfish available for your aquarium! In this article, I’ll be introducing you to the 12 best fancy goldfish types, and giving you a good introduction to their care.

    So let’s get started!

    What Is A Goldfish?

    Goldfish are small to large freshwater fish that are kept in aquariums and ponds across the globe. These fish are members of the Cyprinidae(carp) family.

    In the wild, goldfish can grow to over 15 inches and 9 pounds, although they usually stay below 8 inches in most fish tanks. Modern goldfish range from your regular common goldfish to weird and wonderful breeds like the bubble eyes and telescope goldfish.

    What Makes Them Such Great Pets?

    Goldfish are undemanding pets that are very relaxing to watch. It’s easy to get attached to your goldfish because each individual can have a unique appearance and personality.

    Goldfish are very peaceful aquarium pets that do not show aggression towards each other or other animals in the aquarium. They can live for over a decade, although the more usual lifespan is more like 5 years.

    Where It All Started

    Modern-day goldfish were originally bred from a small wild goldfish species known as Carassius auratus which is native to China and other parts of Eastern Asia. Amazingly, the first records of domestication of the species go back over 1000 years!

    Glass aquariums did not exist hundreds of years ago when goldfish types were being bred, so many of the characteristic features were selected to make these fish look more attractive when viewed from above.

    12 Types Of Goldfish for your aquarium

    Now that you know a little more about the background of one of the world’s favorite fish species, it’s time to meet some fancy goldfish types! Before we get started, here are a few important technical terms to know:

    • Caudal fin: Another name for the tail fin
    • Dorsal fin: The fin on top of a fish’s back
    • Anal fin: The fin closest to the tail on the bottom of a fish
    • Hood: A growth on the top and/or sides of the head of a fancy goldfish. Known as a wen in Chinese.
    • Telescopic eyes: Protruding eyes that stick out from the sides of the head
    • Metallic scales: Glossy, reflective scales
    • Nacreous scales: Multicolored scales
    • Matte scales: Clear scales without color

    We have a video below from our YouTube channel that goes over our list. If you like our content, please subscribe. We post videos every week. We go into more detail in the blog post below.

    1. Fantail

    Fantail Goldfish Swimming
    • Adult Size: 6-8 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: Double tail

    The fantail goldfish is one of the most popular fancy goldfish breeds. They are best known for their amazing double fins and large, flowing tail fin.

    In this type of goldfish, all the fins are paired except for the dorsal fin. The body is egg-shaped and, when viewed from above, the tail creates a triangular shape.

    Fantail goldfish can have either normal or telescope eyes and are available in a range of different colors and patterns.

    2. Ranchu

    Ranchu Goldfish
    • Adult Size: 6-8 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: Well developed hood, no dorsal fin

    The ranchu goldfish is a Japanese breed that is seriously cute. This type of goldfish fish is best known for its prominent hood, thick body shape, and missing dorsal fin. They have a rounded back and small, rounded fins.

    The impressive hood of this fancy goldfish type takes about a year to grow. Ranchu goldfish have double caudal fins that are flared out. When seen from above, this creates an interesting 3-lobed appearance.

    3. Lionchu

    • Adult Size: 6-10 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: No dorsal fin

    The lionchu goldfish is a cross between the popular lionhead and ranchu goldfish breeds. These fish share characteristics of both their parent breeds like their head growths and lack of dorsal fin.

    This relatively new fancy goldfish breed was accepted in 2006 and is thought to have originated in Thailand (video source).

    4. Ryukin

    Ryukin Goldfish
    • Adult Size: 6-10 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: Large shoulder hump, pointed head

    The ryukin goldfish is a stunning ancient Chinese breed with a very deep body shape. The body of this fancy goldfish variety is 75% or more of the fish’s body length. The impressive humped back of the ryukin goldfish develops as it gets older.

    Ryukin goldfish have a pointed head that sticks out from their massive body, creating a unique look. They have double fins that can vary in length and a large and prominent single dorsal fin.

    5. Pearlscale

    Pearscale Goldfish
    • Adult Size: 6-8 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: Special scales, Spherical body

    Like other goldfish from the double fin group, pearlscale goldfish have all paired fins except for the dorsal fin. The body shape of the pearlscale goldfish is short and rounded, and they can reach the size of an orange!

    These fish have rounded fin tips and there are many varieties of pearlscale goldfish, including fish with oranda goldfish type heads.

    6. Butterfly

    • Adult Size: 6-8 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: 180 degree horizontal paired caudal fins

    The butterfly or butterfly tail goldfish (video source) is a breed that gets its name from its double tail fins. These fins are spread out and flattened. The effect is that the caudal fins look like a flying butterfly when viewed from above.

    This amazing feature isn’t all that’s interesting about this breed though. These fancy goldfish belong to the double-finned group of breeds and butterfly goldfish most often have telescopic eyes/dragon eyes. This breed of goldfish is also available with normal eyes, however.

    7. Oranda

    Oranda Close Up
    • Adult Size: 8-12 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Variable
    • Unique Traits: Large hood, egg-shaped body

    Oranda goldfish are a spectacular breed. They have an egg-shaped body with a prominent hood/wen. These fish have well-developed, flowing fins, including a large dorsal fin.

    They have a similar body shape to the fantail goldfish. There are many different forms of these type of goldfish, with different color hoods and even telescopic eyes.

    8. Black Moor

    Black moor goldfish in aquarium
    • Adult Size: 6-8 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Black
    • Unique Traits: All-black color and telescopic eyes

    The black moor is a popular and dramatic-looking telescope eye goldfish breed. These all-black fancy goldfish are one of the most easily recognizable breeds.

    The black moor goldfish has a rounded body and the same double finnage as the typical fantail goldfish.

    9. Veiltail

    Veiltail Goldfish in Aquarium
    • Adult Size: 6-8 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: Large double tail with a straight edge and no fork, sail-like dorsal fin

    The veiltail goldfish is a rare breed that is known for its large and beautiful tail. In this type of goldfish, the caudal fin should be 1 to 1.5 times the length of the body. Furthermore, the lobes of the caudal fin are not forked, and the back edge of the fin should be straight.

    It is not only the tail that is impressive, this breed also has a large, upright dorsal fin. Veiltail goldfish have a similar body shape to the fantail goldfish, with the same double fins. Veiltail goldfish can have matte, nacreous, or metallic scales.

    10. Lionhead

    Lionhead Goldfish
    • Adult Size: 6 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: Large hood, no dorsal fin

    The Lionhead goldfish is a centuries-old Chinese breed of fancy goldfish. They have a very well-developed hood that covers almost their entire head.

    This breed was created before the ranchu and has a similar egg-shaped body. While they also have paired caudal and anal fins, and no dorsal fin, these slow-moving fish differ from the ranchu by having a fairly straight back.

    11. Bubble Eye

    Bubble Eye Goldfish in Aquarium
    • Adult Size: 3-5 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Varied
    • Unique Traits: Large sacs(bubbles) below the eyes, no dorsal fin

    The bubble eye is one of the strangest fancy goldfish breeds available. These fish have fluid-filled sacs on their cheeks that make their eyes bulge out and look upwards.

    Apart from their protruding eyes, bubble eye goldfish have the same body shape as the ranchu goldfish and also lack a dorsal fin. Because of this extreme body modification, bubble eye goldfish are pretty weak swimmers and need special care and tank setups to avoid injuries.

    12. Sabao

    • Adult Size: 6-8 inches in length
    • Color Pattern: Red and White
    • Unique Traits: Strongly forked single tail

    This uncommon Japanese breed is also known as the Tamasaba goldfish (video source). They are a single tailed goldfish breed with a strongly forked caudal fin with pointed tail fins, almost like a fast swimming ocean fish.

    While this fancy goldfish variety does have a plump body, the shape is more like a common or comet goldfish than some of the round-bodied breeds. These beautiful fish usually have red and white body colors.

    Colors

    You may have noticed that almost all of the fancy goldfish types in my list are available in varied colors. Let’s take a look at some of the most common goldfish colors:

    • Red
    • Orange
    • Yellow
    • White

    Other Colors

    apart from the regular colors you expect to see on a goldfish, there are also some more subtle and natural color forms available. These include:

    • Green- Green goldfish are actually more of a light bronze color than a true green
    • Black – Black goldfish are relatively rare. The black moor goldfish is a great example of this color morph
    • Blue – Blue goldfish have a dusty black look, rather than a true blue color
    • Wild/Iron – The silvery brown color of wild goldfish
    • Uncolored – Uncolored goldfish have the wild/iron color when young. They often develop brighter adult colors as they mature

    Patterns

    Goldfish come in an almost infinite variety of patterns, and that’s what makes each individual so unique! Apart from single-colored fish, there are some well-recognized goldfish patterns that you are likely to encounter out there like:

    Panda

    These goldfish are also known as magpie or black and white goldfish. They are variously marked in pure black and white.

    Calico/Multicolored

    Calico goldfish usually have nacreous scales. They can have multiple different colors, in complex patterns.

    Redcap

    These goldfish typically have a white body with a red ‘cap’ on the head.

    Whitecap

    These goldfish typically have a red body with a white ‘cap’ on the head.

    Scale Types

    The type of scales is another characteristic that varies between different individual goldfish. Fancy goldfish can have 3 different types of scales. These are:

    Metallic

    This is the most common scale type. Metallic scale types are glossy and reflect a lot of light. These scales are typically single-colored.

    Matte

    This scale type is translucent and does not reflect any light. Goldfish with matte scales do not have typical colors and tend to be a pinkish color.

    Nacreous

    This scale type is a mix between metallic and matte. Goldfish with nacreous scales can be multicolored, like calico goldfish.

    Tank Setup

    Successful goldfish keeping starts with the right fish tank setup for their needs. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at how to set up a great goldfish aquarium.

    Tank Size

    Although many pet stores sell goldfish bowls, the truth is that goldfish need plenty of space. As a general rule, an aquarium of 20 gallons is necessary for keeping a single goldfish, and you’ll need a further 20 gallons for each additional goldfish you add.

    That might sound like a lot of space for a 6-inch fish, but remember that goldfish are very stocky, which makes them very large in relation to their body length. Since they prefer to live in groups, you’ll need a fairly large aquarium to set up the perfect home for your fish.

    Substrate

    A substrate is not absolutely necessary for your tank. A bare bottom aquarium makes cleaning much easier but does not provide a very natural look.

    https://aquariumstoredepot.com/blogs/news/what-do-goldfish-eatGoldfish love to search the substrate at the bottom of the tank while looking for food, and this natural behavior is not possible in a bare bottom tank. To create a more natural environment for your fish, consider using a fine gravel or sand substrate.

    Ideal For Goldfish
    Caribsea Super Naturals Sand
    Caribsea Super Naturals Sand

    This sand by Caribsea is perfect for supporting the foraging habit of goldfish. Also works with bottom feeders and discus fish.

    Buy On Amazon Buy On Petco

    Filtration

    An aquarium filter is a very important piece of hardware for your goldfish tank. You can use just about any kind of filter for common goldfish, but weaker swimmers like bubble eye goldfish will do far better with a simple sponge filter that creates a very gentle flow.

    Goldfish produce plenty of waste, so adequate filtration is important. That means you can run several sponge filters or even a combination of a hang-on back or canister filter with additional sponge filters.

    Goldfish like cool, well-oxygenated water. Sponge filters are useful for oxygenating the water, but running a simple airstone or bubbler as well is a good idea.

    Heating

    Goldfish are cool water fish, which means they do not require a heater in many homes. Their ideal temperature range lies between 65-72ยฐF, so if your home gets below these temperatures, a heater will be necessary.

    At the same time, if you live in a tropical climate and the water in your aquarium naturally rises above about 72ยฐF, you would need to keep your tank in an air-conditioned room or run an aquarium chiller to keep your fish comfortable.

    Other Important Parameters

    • pH: 7-8
    • GH: 150ppm
    • KH: 70-140ppm

    Live Plants for Tanks

    Goldfish are omnivorous, and they love to feed on live plants. Unfortunately, this means they are not good fish for aquascaped aquariums. There are, however, a few species of plants that goldfish don’t usually feed on.

    Here are a few popular choices:

    Your other option is to grow fast-growing plants that can keep up with your goldfish’s appetite and provide them with a natural food source. The following species work great for this:

    Fake plants are another option if you would like to green up your tank without growing live plants. Be sure to select plant decorations that are aquarium safe, and have soft, smooth surfaces that can’t damage your goldfish’s eyes or fins.

    Great For Delicate Fins!
    Marina Naturals Plants
    Marina Naturals Plants

    Silk plants that are designed to be gentle on fish with fancy fins like Bettas and Fancy Goldfish

    Buy On Amazon

    Decorations

    Although decorations aren’t strictly necessary, they are a great way to make your aquarium more aesthetically pleasing.

    You can let your creativity run wild when choosing your decor, but remember to keep the health of your fish in mind.

    Fancy goldfish can be pretty clumsy, and sharp decorations can be a serious hazard for them. Veiltail goldfish, for example, have long flowing fins that can easily tear. Bubble eye goldfish can also burst the fluid-filled sacs on their cheeks on sharp objects.

    Care Instructions

    Goldfish are a relatively easy species to care for once you understand their needs. They are social creatures that should be kept in a pair at a minimum. Let’s take a look at how to keep your fancy goldfish well taken care of.

    Water Quality

    Maintaining good water quality is the key to success for any tank, and a goldfish aquarium is no different. Poor water quality puts your fish under stress, and this can lead to poor health and disease.

    Good water quality is a result of an appropriate size tank, good filtration, correct feeding, and regular maintenance.

    Testing

    In order to keep your goldfish happy and healthy, you will need to keep your water parameters stable at the values listed above. To do this, you’ll need a test kit so that you can measure and monitor your water chemistry.

    A liquid test kit is all that you will need. Choose a test kit that allows you to measure all of the following parameters:

    • Ammonia
    • Nitrite
    • Nitrate
    • pH

    An inexpensive aquarium thermometer is also useful for monitoring the water temperature in your aquarium.

    Aquarium Maintenance

    Goldfish are hardy fish, but they do need good water quality and regular maintenance and monitoring. This means you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and get your hands wet every now and then to keep your pet’s tank in great shape.

    Water changes and gravel vacuuming are the two most important maintenance activities, and you will need to do this every week or two. The bigger your tank, and the fewer fish you keep, the longer you can go between water changes.

    Remember to test your nitrate levels regularly, because this will help you work out the perfect maintenance schedule for your tank. Ideally, you should aim to keep your nitrates to 20ppm, but goldfish are hardy fish, so anything below 50ppm before a water change is still well below their tolerance level.

    Use your gravel vacuum or python system to suck up any waste at the bottom of your tank while removing water, and take this time to scrape off any algae that is growing on the glass of your aquarium.

    Python Cleaner
    Python Cleaner

    The Python is a mainstay in the fish hobby. Easily clean your aquarium by connecting this to your sink!

    Buy On Amazon

    The new water you put into the tank should be the same temperature as the water you took out, and always remember to use a water conditioner to neutralize harmful chemicals like chloramine in tap water.

    Feeding Instructions

    Goldfish are omnivorous, which means they eat both plant and animal foods. High protein diets can be good for improved growth and color, but balance is very important. To keep your goldfish in great health, always feed them a high-quality, varied diet.

    The following food sources are recommended:

    • High-quality sinking pellets
    • Frozen brine shrimp
    • Frozen bloodworms
    • Vegetables

    Many keepers feed floating foods without any issues, but there are reports of fish ingesting too much air while feeding at the surface. If your fish develops buoyancy issues, a change of diet may be necessary.

    In warmer water, you can feed your goldfish 2 or 3 times a day. In cooler water, your fish will be less active and can be fed once a day or so. Avoid overfeeding your pets by only supplying enough food for them to finish within about 2 minutes.

    For some clumsy fancy goldfish, 2 minutes may not be enough time for them to finish a meal. Another rough estimate then is to feed your fish a portion size that is the same size as one of their eyes.

    Tankmates

    It is best to keep goldfish in a species-only tank. Furthermore, slow-moving fancy goldfish types should only be kept with other goldfish with similar needs, rather than with faster moving single tail common goldfish. This is to give the fancy goldfish a fair chance at reaching the food at mealtimes.

    There are some other fish that are compatible with goldfish. Goldfish community tanks are only a good idea for more experienced goldfish keepers though. The important thing is that any tank mate must be peaceful and enjoy the same cooler water temperatures.

    Possible options include:

    Breeding

    Although it can be challenging, it is possible to breed your goldfish at home. For starters, you will need an adult pair. Unfortunately, the goldfish sexes are not that easy to tell apart.

    You can identify a male goldfish by his smaller, more streamlined body. You may also notice spots on his pectoral fins, and small bumps (tubercles) that develop on his gill covers when ready to breed.

    Female goldfish tend to be heavier, with deeper bodies. The vent of a female goldfish will also protrude slightly when she is in breeding condition.

    Goldfish prefer to breed in the spring, and if you find one of your goldfish is constantly following another one, you could have a breeding pair. When ready, they will spawn on plants in the aquarium and this is where the eggs will stick.

    You will need to move the plant with eggs to a separate tank or container. Run an airstone in this tank to keep the eggs well oxygenated. The fertilized eggs will hatch in just days.

    If successful, you will have a huge number of fry to feed with baby brine shrimp. Congratulations!

    Health Problems

    Goldfish are generally hardy, but they can be susceptible to a few common goldfish conditions such as:

    • Swim bladder disease and other buoyancy issues
    • Polycystic kidney disease
    • Parasites such as anchor worms and fish lice
    • Bacterial infections such as fin rot
    • Fungal infections

    The best way to prevent health problems is to keep your fancy goldfish in excellent water quality, feed them a high-quality diet, and keep their water at the correct temperature.

    Due to the heavily modified body shapes of some of the fancy goldfish breeds, they can be affected by a few specific problems. Eye and fin injuries can be avoided by keeping sharp objects out of the tank.

    Bubble eye goldfish can be very susceptible to infections if their bubbles should become damaged. Fortunately, their bubbles can heal and restore themselves naturally under ideal circumstances.

    You can prevent exhaustion in weaker swimmers like ranchu goldfish by running sponge filters, rather than power filters.

    Where To Buy

    Goldfish are one of the easier types of fish to find at your local pet store. Most aquarium stores sell common goldfish as feeder goldfish for other carnivorous aquarium fish. For different types of goldfish and fancy breeds, buying online or getting in touch with a local club is another great option.

    Fancy Goldfish
    Fancy Goldfish

    Fancy goldfish come in a variety of types and make great aquatic pets. Check out these What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) goldfish in the link below!

    Click For Best Price Buy From Petco Online

    FAQS

    How many types are there?

    There are about 200 types of goldfish breeds recognized today. Many of these fancy goldfish breeds are ancient, although breeders continue to create new fish today.

    What type can live together?

    Goldfish are peaceful animals that do not fight with each other. The only consideration when putting different breeds together is their speed and ability to compete for food.

    It is best to not keep fast-moving breeds like comet goldfish with slower breeds like the lionhead goldfish.

    Which is the hardiest?

    The hardiest fancy goldfish are probably the breeds that are most similar to the regular common goldfish. Single-tailed types of goldfish like the comet goldfish are a good example.

    What is the difference between a regular and a fancy breed?

    Fancy goldfish are special breeds that have been bred for various traits like body and fin shape, double fins, head growths, and bubble eyes. A regular common goldfish can still be a beautiful fish but is not considered a fancy goldfish.

    Which is the most popular?

    The classic fantail is probably the most popular of the fancy goldfish varieties.

    Final Thoughts

    The fancy goldfish varieties make some of the best pets in the aquarium world because they are just so adorable and full of personality. I love that there are so many different types of goldfish and the rich history behind these fish is fascinating.

    Which is your favorite goldfish breed? Let me know below!

    ๐Ÿ“˜ Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.

  • 15 Best Aquarium Shrimp Types: From Beginner to Advanced (Plus the Copper Warning)

    15 Best Aquarium Shrimp Types: From Beginner to Advanced (Plus the Copper Warning)

    Aquarium shrimp have exploded in popularity over the last decade, and after 25 years in this hobby I completely understand why. Adding a thriving colony of dwarf shrimp to a planted tank โ€” watching the constant movement, the colors, the babies appearing โ€” is genuinely one of the most satisfying things you can do in this hobby. But shrimp are different from fish in one critical way that catches a lot of beginners off guard: they’re extremely sensitive to copper. Many fish medications, fertilizers, and even some tap water additives contain trace copper that fish tolerate fine but that will wipe out an entire shrimp colony. That’s the most important thing to understand before you start. This guide covers 15 aquarium shrimp types, ranging from beginner-friendly to more advanced species, so you can find the right fit for your setup.

    What Are Aquarium Shrimps?

    What Are Aquarium Shrimp

    Freshwater aquarium shrimp are tiny crustaceans from the Atyidae family. Although there are many different colors available, most of them have been produced through selective breeding and there are just a few very popular species.

    The 3 most commonly kept groups of freshwater aquarium shrimps are:

    • Caridina species like the Taiwan bee shrimp
    • Neocaridina species like the cherry shrimp
    • Palaemonetes species like the ghost shrimp

    Other freshwater shrimp types that are kept include:

    Neocaridina vs Caridina

    The Neocaridina and Caridina genera are the two most popular aquarium shrimp, and they have been bred into an amazing variety of colors and patterns. Apart from their different color patterns, these freshwater shrimp look very similar, and you need a very well-trained eye to tell them apart based on their body structures.

    Nevertheless, these animals come from two distinct genera and cannot breed together. They also have pretty different needs which makes it very important to know exactly which kind of shrimp you are caring for.

    The Neocaridina genus includes very popular dwarf shrimp species like red cherry shrimp, babaulti shrimp, and snowball shrimp. Neocaridina species are ideal beginner shrimps that tend to be easy to care for and breed.

    Caridina shrimp are better for more experienced shrimp keepers. These awesome animals include freshwater shrimp species like the Sulawesi shrimp/cardinal shrimp.

    Top 15 Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Types

    Now that you know a little more about the different types of freshwater shrimps, it’s time to get into the fun stuff, and get to know the best-looking and most useful shrimp types for your tank!

    For each freshwater shrimp species I’ll be listing the following important care information that you need to know:

    • Species
    • Difficulty Level
    • Adult Size
    • pH
    • TDS
    • GH
    • KH
    • Diet
    • Difficulty to breed
    • Gestation Period
    • Planted tank suitability

    Below is a video from our YouTube Channel. We go into more detail in the blog post below. If you like our content, be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube where we post new videos every week!

    So let’s meet some interesting inverts!

    1. Fire Red Cherry Shrimp

    Fire Red Cherry Shrimp
    Fire Red Cherry Shrimp

    High quality Cherry Shrimp can now be shipped directly to your door! These premium quality cherry shrimp are a great way to stock your tank!

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Neocaridina davidi
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1-1.25 inches
    • pH: 7-8
    • TDS: 200-300ppm
    • GH: 4-8dGH
    • KH: 3-15dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    Number one on this list has to be the fire red cherry shrimp. This is a really popular freshwater shrimp with deeps. This cherry shrimp that is easy to care for and actually helps maintain your tank!

    The fire red cherry shrimp is the ideal choice for beginners because they are hardy and easy to feed and breed. These active shrimp are very entertaining and work great in a planted nano tank. Neocaridina davidi is an adaptable species that can be kept in temperatures between about 60ยฐF and 85ยฐF.

    2. Amano

    Best Shrimp For Planted Tanks!
    Amano Shrimp
    Amano Shrimp

    Best For Planted Tanks!

    When it comes to keeping a healthy planted aquarium, Amano Shrimp are the best. These hard-working crustaceans will dutifully wipe your plants and rockwork clean of algae. Their appetite for different types of algae that can’t be matched by other shrimp breeds!

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Caridina multidentata/ C. japonica
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1.5-2 inches
    • pH: 6.5-8
    • TDS: 80-450 ppm
    • GH: 1-15dGH
    • KH: 1-10dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The Amano shrimp was introduced to the hobby by Takashi Amano way back in the 1980s. Since then, these excellent inverts have been a staple in the planted tank hobby because they are algae eaters which makes them a great part of any clean-up crew. They are one of the few shrimps that are known for eating black brush algae.

    Amano shrimps are a little larger than cherry shrimp and tend to be relatively long-lived. While they might not have the same bright colors as some of the other Caridina species, The ‘natural’ look is great for nature aquariums. They also will only breed with the same species and cannot successfully reproduce in freshwater only!

    3. Blue Dream

    Awesome Blues!
    Blue Dream Shrimp
    Blue Dream Shrimp

    The Blue Dream Shrimp is a great shrimp if you are looking for blues in your aquarium. Also a hardy shrimp!

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Neocaridina davidi
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1-1.25 inches
    • pH: 7-8
    • TDS: 200-300ppm
    • GH: 4-8dGH
    • KH: 3-15dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    Blue animals can be pretty hard to find for freshwater aquariums. Fortunately, the blue dream shrimp is an excellent exception!

    These unique and eyecatching forms of the popular cherry shrimp are just as easy to care for but provide a different dimension of color. These inverts provide a number of benefits for the health of your aquarium, just like regular cherry shrimp.

    4. Sunkist Orange

    Sunkist Orange Shrimp
    Sunkist Orange Shrimp

    These orange shrimp make great additions in a shrimp only or freshwater planted tank. Low maintenance and easy to care for!

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Neocaridina davidi
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1-1.25 inches
    • pH: 7-8
    • TDS: 200-300ppm
    • GH: 4-8dGH
    • KH: 3-15dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The Sunkist orange is another color variant of Neocaridinia davidi, and these guys really know how to brighten up an aquarium! These shrimp look amazing in planted tanks with a dark substrate that makes their colors pop.

    They are also known as orange sakura shrimp, and they are pretty hardy and low maintenance. These shrimp are another great choice for beginner shrimp keepers.

    5. Yellow Goldenback

    Yellow Goldenback Shrimp
    Yellow Goldenback Shrimp

    The goldenback offers a yellow shrimp with a translucent line on the middle of their backs. They look amazing in dark backgrounds

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Neocaridina davidi
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1-1.25 inches
    • pH: 7-8
    • TDS: 200-300ppm
    • GH: 4-8dGH
    • KH: 3-15dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The yellow goldenback shrimp is another form of the cherry shrimp. In terms of color, these inverts pack a lot of punch for such a small animal. These shrimp have a solid gold-yellow line along their back from their nose to their tail, and the rest of the body is a translucent yellow color.

    6. Tangerine Tiger

    Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
    Tangerine Tiger Shrimp

    This variety of shrimp offers an orange color with black strips that resemble a tiger. Beginner friendly and will not breed with neocardina shrimp

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Caridina serrata
    • Difficulty Level: Moderate
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • pH: 6.5-7.8
    • TDS: 100-250ppm
    • GH: 5-6dGH
    • KH: 0-5dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The tangerine tiger is a relatively hardy Caridina species. Like the popular Amano shrimp, these crustaceans make a great addition to your tank as a dedicated member of the clean-up crew.

    These shrimp are a great starter for keepers who are new to the world of Caridina, and they can even be mixed with Neocaridina species because they will not breed together.

    7. Crystal Red

    Crystal Red Shrimp
    Crystal Red Shrimp

    A beautiful looking freshwater shrimp that is more on the difficult side of keeping. A hallmark among shrimp hobbyists

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Caridina cantonensis
    • Difficulty Level: Moderate-Advanced
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • pH: 6-7.5
    • TDS: 100-200ppm
    • GH: 4-6dGH
    • KH: 0-2dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The crystal red shrimp is cool-water shrimp that is most at home in water between 64ยฐF and 76ยฐF. They were originally bred from the Taiwan Bee shrimp and their bold colors are reminiscent of the koi fish.

    To achieve these colors, they have been selectively bred, and today they are available in a variety of grades. The crystal red shrimp is one of the best-looking inverts in the hobby, but they do require more experience and they tend to be fairly expensive.

    8. Green Jade

    Deep Green Colors!
    Green Jade Shrimp
    Green Jade Shrimp

    The Green Jade Shrimp is the best shrimp to buy if you are looking for striking green colors

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon
    • Shrimp Species: Neocaridina davidi
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1-1.25 inches
    • pH: 7-8
    • TDS: 200-300ppm
    • GH: 4-8dGH
    • KH: 3-15dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The green jade shrimp is a beautiful color variant of the popular cherry shrimp. They have very similar markings to the yellow goldenback, with the same ‘racing stripe’ along their back. They differ in their amazing jade-green body color.

    9. Blue Bolt

    Blue Bolt Shrimp
    Blue Bolt Shrimp

    The blue bolt shrimp is a Caridina shrimp that offers blue and white colors

    Click For Best Privce
    • Shrimp Species: Caridina cantonensis
    • Difficulty Level: Moderate-Advanced
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • pH: 5.6-6.2
    • TDS: 100-200ppm
    • GH: 4-6dGH
    • KH: 0-2dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The blue bolt shrimp is a stunning, but difficult to keep, cross between the Taiwan Bee shrimp and the crystal black shrimp. These eye-catching shrimp have speckled whitish bodies, with blue heads and reddish eyes.

    10. Red Rili

    Red Rili Shrimp
    Red Rili Shrimp

    A striking red and white shrimp that is hardy and easier to care for

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Neocaridina davidi
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1-1.25 inches
    • pH: 7-8
    • TDS: 200-300ppm
    • GH: 4-8dGH
    • KH: 3-15dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The red rili shrimp is a great option for inexperienced keepers who want the red and white colors of something like a crystal red. As a product of selective breeding of the cherry shrimp, they are relatively hardy. Unlike the more expensive crystal shrimp, red rili shrimp have more translucent bodies.

    11. Glass (Ghost)

    Ghost Shrimp
    • Shrimp Species: Palaemonetes sp.
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • pH: 7-7.8
    • TDS: 150-200
    • GH: 3-15dGH
    • KH: 3-15dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 3 weeks
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    Glass shrimp, which are also known as ghost shrimp, are native to North America. Ghost shrimp are often sold at your local fish store as feeder animals for larger fish, but they actually make awesome pets.

    There are a few different species of shrimp known as ghost shrimps, and they get their name from their translucent body. Buying these shrimp can be a bit of a gamble because some ghost shrimp species are actually adapted to brackish or salt water.

    12. Chocolate

    Chocolate Shrimp
    Chocolate Shrimp

    A shrimp with a dark brown color that is easy to care for.

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Neocaridina davidi
    • Difficulty Level: Easy
    • Adult Size: 1-1.25 inches
    • pH: 7-8
    • TDS: 200-300ppm
    • GH: 4-8dGH
    • KH: 3-15dKH
    • Diet: Omnivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The chocolate or black rose shrimp is a really attractive but understated color morph of the cherry shrimp. Their color varies from an almost red-brown color to brown speckled over a clear yellow body. These shrimp are easy to care for and will be a great addition to a planted tank.

    13. Black Pinto

    Black Pinto Shrimp
    Black Pinto Shrimp

    A unique Caridina shrimp with a black and white body and blue highlights. Requires excellent water conditions to keep.

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Caridina cantonensis
    • Difficulty Level: Moderate-Advanced
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • pH: 6-7.5
    • TDS: 100-200ppm
    • GH: 4-6dGH
    • KH: 0-2dKH
    • Diet: Herbivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The black pinto shrimp is a selectively bred variant of the bee shrimp. These stunning inverts are best suited for more experienced shrimp keepers because they are sensitive and require excellent water conditions.

    14. Black King Kong

    King Kong Shrimp
    King Kong Shrimp

    An all black shrimp. A rare shrimp that requires extra care to keep

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Caridina cantonensis
    • Difficulty Level: Moderate- advanced
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • pH: 5-6
    • TDS: 100-200 ppm
    • GH: 4-6dGH
    • KH: 0-2dKH
    • Diet: Herbivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    These incredibly marked inverts are also known as the panda shrimp or black king kong pandas. They are rare and high-end animals, that come at a cost, but they’re worth it if you ask me! If you’re an experienced shrimp keeper, this type is definitely worth considering.

    15. Extreme Wine Red

    Extreme Wine Red Shrimp
    Extreme Wine Red Shrimp

    A very popular shrimp that is best suited for experienced shrimp keepers. Dark red and white coloration

    Click For Best Price
    • Shrimp Species: Caridina cantonensis
    • Difficulty Level: Moderate- Advanced
    • Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
    • pH: 5-6
    • TDS: 100-200ppm
    • GH: 4-6dGH
    • KH: 0-2dKH
    • Diet: Herbivorous
    • Difficulty to breed: Easy
    • Gestation Period: 30 days
    • Planted tank suitability: Yes

    The extreme wine red shrimp has a very dark red body with lighter-colored legs, tail, and mouthparts. Like the black king kong, these valuable shrimp are descendants of the bee shrimp. The extreme wine red is a hugely popular but rare variant that is best suited to experienced aquarists.

    Freshwater Aquarium Tank Setup

    Shrimp have much the same needs as tropical fish when it comes to their tank set up. This means an adequately sized aquarium with a filter and a heater(in temperate climates) is necessary. Let’s take a look at how to create the perfect tank environment for your shrimp.

    Tank Size

    Shrimp are very small animals that contribute very little to the bio-load of an aquarium. For this reason, many shrimp keepers are able to maintain their shrimp in tanks of just a few gallons.

    For beginners, however, a larger tank of 10 gallons or more will help in maintaining safe, stable water parameters. For the more sensitive Caridina species, a tank of 15-20 gallons is ideal.

    Filtration

    Filtration is vital in any aquarium, and freshwater shrimp setups are no different. The type of filter you run in your tank is important, however, especially if you are going to be breeding them.

    Shrimp are not the strongest swimmers, and they love looking for new places to hide. This can mean trouble and they can easily be sucked into the intake of a power filter.

    I would suggest a simple, air-powered sponge filter, although a hang-on back or internal power filter are also good options as long as you set up a prefilter sponge to keep your pets out of the intake. You can make your own prefilter sponge, or select a model that provides this option.

    Flow rate is also important when selecting a filter for your shrimp tank. choosing a model that is designed for your tank size is very important, and an adjustable flow rate will help in keeping the current down.

    Substrate

    You can keep your shrimp on an inert substrate like sand or gravel. These are good options for non-planted tanks or setups with floating and epiphytic plants.

    Active aquarium soils like Tropica Aquarium soil or UNS Controsoil are better options for heavily planted tanks with stem and rosette plants. These soils can also be helpful in buffering the pH and keeping it down to ideal levels.

    Tropica Aquarium Soil
    Tropica Aquarium Soil

    A top grade planted tank substrate from Europe. More natural looking than ADA Soil

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Live Plants

    Freshwater shrimps do very well in planted tanks. Plants are very helpful for taking up excess nutrients, oxygenating the water, and generally improving water quality. If you’re new to growing live plants, I would suggest starting out with some easy to grow, low-light plants like:

    Shrimp can, however, also be kept in high-tech, CO2-injected tanks, provided the gas is kept in the safe range of below 30 ppm.

    Freshwater shrimp are very sensitive to copper found in some plant fertilizers. Keep this in mind when picking up any products for your plants.

    Freshwater plants are a very common source of unwanted pests in the aquarium. Don’t be discouraged though, there are safe ways to green up your tank. I would suggest growing tissue culture plants to avoid introducing pests like planaria that can kill shrimp.

    Water Parameters

    When discussing the needs of freshwater shrimp (or any aquarium fish or plant for that matter), aquarists are most concerned with the following parameters:

    • pH: The level of the alkalinity or acidity of the water.
    • GH: A measure of dissolved salts (particularly magnesium and calcium) in the water
    • KH: A measure of the carbonates and bicarbonates in the water. These affect the stability of the pH
    • TDS: Total dissolved solids in the water, measured in parts per million

    The only way to reliably monitor these parameters is to test them regularly.

    Don’t sweat it, you don’t need a degree in chemistry for this. All you need is some simple test kits and a TDS meter to start out. They’re easy to use, and pretty fun too!

    My Pick
    HM Digital TDS Meter
    HM Digital TDS Meter

    Readily available online, this TDS Meter is perfect for ensuring your levels are optimum for your shrimp

    Buy On Amazon

    Water Quality

    Together with the parameters listed above, there are some other chemicals found in your water that increase when uneaten fish food and waste accumulate. These are nitrogen compounds called Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. These parameters should be kept at:

    • Ammonia: 0ppm
    • Nitrite: 0ppm
    • Nitrate:<20 ppm

    These parameters can also be tested with your strip tests.

    Before adding any shrimp to an aquarium, make sure it is fully cycled. A cycled aquarium will not produce any ammonia or nitrite as these harmful chemicals are converted into nitrates by beneficial bacteria.

    If this sounds like a different language to you, go ahead and check out my article on fishless cycling.

    A build-up of nitrates is to be expected in any tank. This is easily managed by performing regular partial water changes.

    Care

    Freshwater shrimp are generally easy to care for once you get the basics right. Shrimp are small, sensitive creatures, so slowly and carefully acclimating them to your tank is important. They are naturally social creatures, so make sure you keep them in a group of at least 10 or so.

    Read on for some more important shrimp care tips.

    Feeding

    Shrimp are often kept as part of an aquarium’s clean-up crew. Some species like the Amano shrimp eat algae, and most shrimp will be more than happy to pick up the scraps of leftover fish food. Other freshwater shrimp species like bamboo shrimps, for example, are actually filter feeders.

    In the right sort of setup, you might not have to feed your shrimp at all, but this is only really safe in mature established tanks that have some algae and other natural food sources.

    In most cases, you’ll want to feed your shrimp a healthy, balanced diet. This can be done once per day, and remember to avoid overfeeding. Let’s take a look at some good freshwater aquarium shrimp food sources:

    My Pick
    Dennerle Shrimp King Food
    Dennerle Shrimp King Food

    Great For Freshwater Shrimp!

    A color enhancing food for shrimp that will help intensify yellows, oranges, and most importantly red!

    Buy On Chewy Buy On Amazon

    Maintenance

    Shrimp need good water quality, and that means regular tank maintenance is necessary. You will need to perform a regular water change in the aquarium once a week or so to remove physical waste and reduce the nitrate levels in the water.

    Great care is necessary since shrimp are small and can easily be sucked up by your gravel vacuum. A good workaround for this problem is to fit some fine mesh or stocking over the end of the gravel vacuum.

    Be sure to treat the new water with a water conditioner and match the temperature to your tank water before adding it to your aquarium.

    Tankmates

    One of the most common questions aquarists ask is what kind of fish they can keep with their shrimp. Most shrimp make incredibly peaceful tank mates, but the challenge is that other animals tend to kill or eat them. Unfortunately, this means they don’t always work well in a community tank.

    Freshwater snails are one of the best tank mates for your shrimp. I would suggest nerites and mystery snails because they will not breed out of control and compete with your shrimp for food resources.

    There are very few fish that are completely shrimp-safe, especially if you are breeding your shrimp. Even adult shrimp can be picked at by surprisingly small fish. To be completely safe, a shrimp-only tank is your best bet.

    Keeping fish with your shrimp is possible, however. Let’s take a look at a few potential peaceful fish tank mates:

    When choosing fish as tank mates, it is best to assume that any species could be a potential threat to your baby shrimp. To be on the safe side, make sure you provide plenty of hiding spaces for your shrimp in case they need to retreat from their tank mates!

    Breeding

    Breeding your aquarium shrimp can be very easy (video source). The secret to success is simply to provide your shrimp with excellent water quality and the parameters they need to stay healthy. This is a lot easier to do with hardy Neocaridina shrimp species than the sensitive Caridina species.

    Although the males tend to be a little smaller, sexing your shrimp is very difficult. For this reason, stating your shrimp colony with at least 10 individuals is recommended since this should provide you with at least a few of either sex.

    If your shrimp are happy and healthy, you will probably be amazed to see tiny shrimp in the tank after a little while. Specialist baby shrimp foods are available to give the little ones the perfect nutrition.

    Baby shrimp will often be eaten pretty quickly in a community fish tank. Providing them with plenty of cover in the form of floating plants is one way to minimize your losses, but it’s far better to grow your colony in a shrimp-only tank.

    Avoid keeping different colors variants in the same tank if you’re going to be breeding your shrimp for specific colors. If they aren’t kept separately, they will breed together and lose their colors, producing pretty dull-looking offspring.

    Where To Buy

    If you’re looking for ghost shrimp, they can usually be found at your local fish store or even big box stores. For the higher quality and higher grade shrimp, I would check out an online fish store like Buce Plant. Not only do they stock an amazing range, but you can also pick up a couple of tissue culture plants from them at the same time to really get your tank started!

    My Pick
    Buce Plant
    Buce Plant

    Buce Plant offers a wide variety of aquatic plants for sale. With one of the largest selections in the US, you will find what you need here. They are also a great source for freshwater shrimp!

    Click For More Info

    FAQS

    Which kinds are used in aquariums?

    There is quite a variety of freshwater shrimp types available in the aquarium hobby. The most popular are certainly the Neocaridina and Caridina species.

    Which kinds can be kept together?

    Most of the dwarf freshwater shrimp can be kept together. It can be tough to match the parameters between the different types, however, so selecting a single species of shrimp is usually a safer bet for beginners.

    Which are the hardiest?

    The ever-popular cherry shrimp is considered by many aquarists to be the hardiest freshwater aquarium shrimp. Bamboo shrimp and glass shrimp are other close contenders.

    Are they easy to keep?

    Freshwater shrimp can be very easy to keep. For beginners, they are not as easy as some fish species, so be sure to get all your research done and your tank set up correctly before starting with shrimp.

    What are some common types?

    The freshwater shrimp that you are most likely to come across are cherry shrimp, Amano shrimp, and ghost shrimp. The various types of bee shrimps are also popular, and other shrimp species like bamboo shrimp are also available.

    Final Thoughts

    Freshwater shrimp are wonderful pets. They don’t need a lot of space, and they’re just as entertaining as fish (if you ask me anyway). The ongoing development of this side of the hobby is very exciting and I can’t wait to see which new breeds and species of shrimp will become available!

    Which of the 15 shrimp types in this list do you like best? Let me know below!

    ๐Ÿ“˜ Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.

  • 7 Best 5 Gallon Fish Tanks โ€“ Tested and Reviewed

    7 Best 5 Gallon Fish Tanks โ€“ Tested and Reviewed

    Five gallon tanks are the perfect entry point into the hobby โ€” small enough to fit anywhere, large enough to create a genuinely beautiful setup. I recommend the Fluval Spec V constantly as a starter tank because of its built-in filtration and clean design, but there are several solid options depending on whether you’re setting up a betta tank, a shrimp tank, or a planted nano. Having set up countless small tanks over 25 years, I know what separates a quality 5 gallon from a frustrating one โ€” this guide covers the best options I’d actually recommend.

    With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, Iโ€™ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you in overcoming their tank choice anxiety (and believe me, there are so many aquariums to choose from today). Iโ€™ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the best 5 gallon fish tank on the market.

    The Top Picks

    Editor’s Choice!
    Fluval Spec V
    Fluval Spec V
    • Built in Filtration
    • Plant Light
    • Peninsula Style
    Buy On AmazonBuy On Chewy
    Best Value
    Lifegard Full View Aquarium
    Lifegard Full View Aquarium
    • Unique View
    • Built in Filtration
    Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Budget Option
    Marineland Portrait
    Marineland Portrait
    • Built in Filtration
    • Price
    Buy On Amazon

    To those in a hurry, the Fluval Spec V is the best 5 gallon fish tank you can buy today. It really has it all. It has the best of everything of all the aquariums I reviewed in this post – the best light, the best filtration, and the best dimensions. The other aquariums are here mostly due to them being cheaper than this wonderful aquarium.

    The Lifegard is a great value choice for those who want to spend a bit less but still want good features that you get from the Spec V. It is cheaper than the Spec V aquarium kit and you can select your lighting unit. The Marineland offers a budget friendly setup that is best used for a fish only setup.

    The Candidates – A Quick Overview

    Now that you know what my top picks are, let’s look at the others I reviewed. I limited my choices down to 7 as there are a large number of choices out there and I want to limit my focus on only ones I would consider for myself.

    PictureNameFeaturesLink
    Editor’s Choice!
    Fluval Spec V     		Fluval Spec V
    • Built In Filtration
    • Plant Light
    • Peninsula Style
    		Buy On PetcoBuy On Amazon
    Best Value
    Lifegard Full View Aquarium     		Lifegard Full View Aquarium
    • Unique View
    • Built In Filtration
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Budget Option
    Marineland Portrait     		Marineland Portrait
    • Built In Filtration
    • Price
    		Buy On Amazon
    Fluval Evo 5 Fluval Evo 5
    • Built In Filtration
    • Coral Light
    • Peninsula Style
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon
    Hagen Fluval Chi Aquarium Kit Hagen Fluval Chi Aquarium Kit
    • Zen style
    • Filtration
    • Lights
    		Buy On AmazonBuy On Chewy
    biOrb Classic biOrb Classic
    • Fish bowl
    • Filtration
    		Buy On ChewyBuy On Amazon
    biOrb Flow biOrb Flow
    • Lid
    • Filtration
    • Peninsula Style
    		Buy On PetcoBuy On Amazon

    The 7 Best 5 Gallon Fish Tanks Reviewed

    Let’s take a look at each aquarium in detail and see why they made the list. Starting with Fluval Spec V. We got a video from our YouTube Channel you can follow along as well. Give us a sub if you like our content!

    1. Fluval Spec V

    Editor’s Choice!
    Fluval Spec V
    Fluval Spec V

    The Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank

    The best filtration, best light, and perfect size. Everything you need to get started. It’s the perfect small tank!

    Buy On Petco Buy On Amazon

    The Fluval Spec V is the perfect 5 gallon fish tank. It is an all-in-one tank that comes with a 3 stage filtration system and a light. This aquarium was such a great product, that I listed it as the best betta tank you can buy. It makes the top spot in this round up.

    The 3 stage filtration unit is as good as you can get at this tank size. It runs off sponges for the mechanical filter stage, carbon for chemical, and includes Fluval’s biomax for its biological filter media section. I love how they use sponges such this keeps you from having to buy cartridges – which can get expensive over time.

    Fluval Spec V Filteration System

    Above is a photo of the filtration unit. The return section as enough room to place an aquarium heater, which gives this system a very clean presentation. The peninsula style view makes this look like a stylish aquarium. It can enjoyed from three sides, which gives you plenty of placement options.

    The light is also a big plus. It is powerful enough to work with low light plants. The lid keeps evaporation down and this aquarium stable.

    It really is the perfect tank at 5 gallons. The only downside is that it is on the expensive side. Other than that it’s the aquarium to get on this list. Buy it now if it is in your price range!

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Best filtration unit
    • Best LED Light
    • Looks amazing!
    Cons
    • Powerful pump
    • Expensive

    2. Lifegard Full View

    Best Value
    Lifegard Full View Aquarium
    Lifegard Full View Aquarium

    Lifegard offers a 5 gallon aquarium with built in filtration and a unique viewing pane

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    If you are looking to get an aquarium that presents bigger than it really is, the Lifegard Full View is a great option. It has a patented glass tank with a front viewing pane that is angled. This gives you a larger viewing area when viewing the aquarium from the front.

    Like the Fluval, it has a built in 3 stage filtration system that uses a sponge for mechanical filtration. It has enough enough room in the back to place a heater. The dimensions make it easier to install planted LED or reef led system depending on what setup you are going for. It also has a drain system that allows for quicker water changes!

    If you are going the planted tank route, the system has an integrated line to place your CO2 diffusor. All of this comes with a very reasonable price. It’s one of the best value buys in the 5 gallon range. The main downfall is the system does not come with a light and the return pump is on the weaker side.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Unique viewing pane
    • Rimless design
    • Good price
    Cons
    • No light included

    3. Marineland Portrait

    Marineland Portrait
    Marineland Portrait

    This 5 gallon aquarium has the space for a small fish to start out in

    Buy On Amazon Buy On Petco

    The Marineland Portrait aquarium kit is a great budget option that comes with a 3 stage filtration unit and a light. The tank comes with a glass canopy to keep evaporation at bay. The price is very affordable. The tall setup makes this tank a bit more accommodating when setting it up on a desktop

    The light is a basic one, so do not plan on housing any special plants. The all-in-one chamber also cannot house a heater, so you will need to place it inside the tank. It uses a filter cartridge system, which can get expensive overtime. Given the starting price though, it’s a great budget tank.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Fully covered
    • Great price
    Cons
    • Basic light
    • Cartridge based filtration

    4. Fluval EVO 5

    Fluval EVO 5
    Fluval EVO 5

    An excellent choice for those looking to attempt a pico reef tank. Built in filtration and light means this pico reef ready

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    The Fluval Evo 5 is the Spec version designed for saltwater aquariums. It’s the smaller version of the EVO 13, the budget option choice of my best nano tank post. This tank has everything you need to successful make a pico reef tank (reef tanks 5 gallons and under).

    The three stage filtration chambers gives you space to put whatever you want and need for your setup and can fit an aquarium heater in the return chamber. The reef light is adequate for basic soft corals like zoas and mushrooms. I actually prefer the way this is designed over the 13 because I like the more open look on top. It gives a clean rimless like look that shows well on a desk.

    If you are looking for a small pico reef tank, this is the aquarium to buy. It’s perfectly designed for it. The price isn’t that bad from a saltwater reef tank perspective.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • 3 stage filter
    • Designed for Saltwater
    • Good start coral light
    Cons
    • Will only support basic soft corals
    • May need flow upgrade

    5. Hagen Fluval Chi

    Fluval Chi Aquarium
    Fluval Chi Aquarium

    A great looking aquarium. Accents well in the home. Great for desktops and a great size for a single Betta Fish

    Buy On Amazon Buy On Chewy

    The Fluval Chi is easily the best looking aquarium kit on this list. This elegant design starts with its clean horizontal shape and water flow, which are inspired by Feng Shui!

    The water flow is made with a specially designed filtration unit. It filters from the bottom of your aquarium and then makes its way to you in an elegant fountain like stream, creating calm for all those who need it most! The water flow is so calm that it requires no modification for fish that need calmer waters, like Betta Fish.

    So why isnโ€™t this aquarium at the top of my list? It sounds amazing so far. Well, there are a few things that put me off including the LED lightning and how the filter is connected to it. The light is basic and will not work even for beginner plants.

    The filtration system is built into the light which means if either it or your filter fail you have to buy an entire unit. The price to replace the light/filter combo is nearly as much as an entire aquarium kit! It’s a great looking aquarium thought. As long as you are aware of that risk, it shows very well in a home.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Great looking aquarium
    • Therapeutic
    Cons
    • Failure risk
    • Tank dimensions

    6. biOrb Classic

    Budget Option
    biOrb Classic Aquarium
    biOrb Classic Aquarium

    Budget Option

    A purely self run fish tank that has a classic bowl look. Great price and easy to care for

    Buy On Chewy Buy On Amazon

    Want to get a fish bowl, but not deal with the guilt of having one? If so, biOrb is the aquarium to buy. It looks like a fish bowl, but has a filter built in just like all the aquariums on this list. This filter is based with simplicity in mind. It runs off undergravel filtration principles with a few extra touches to work as a 3 stage filter.

    You get an aquarium, filter, and light with this setup. The aquarium is designed by OASE, which makes the recommended Canister Filter and Internal Power Filter in my reviews.

    The aquarium is only 4 gallons, thought you can upgrade to an 8 gallon. The price is on the high end, putting it in competition with the Spec V. If the Spec V wasn’t such a great tank, this would make it higher on the list.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Great looking aquarium
    • Therapeutic
    Cons
    • Failure risk
    • Tank dimensions

    7. biOrb Flow

    biOrb Flow
    biOrb Flow

    A step up in size and funtionality to the biOrb Classic. Lightweight with its acrylic construction

    Buy On Petco Buy On Amazon

    Like the barb Classic but want something fancier? The biOrb Flow offers a step up to the classic with a peninsula style setup. It is made of durable acrylic, making it the lighter than all of the other aquariums on this list. It’s a nice statement piece for a desktop.

    The lights are good enough for beginner aquarium plants, but will require modification if you want to bit more difficult plants. The price point is near the Fluval Spec V. If you want something different, check this one out.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Great looking aquarium
    • Therapeutic
    Cons
    • Failure risk
    • Tank dimensions

    Our Criteria

    I searched and reviewed a ton of aquariums at the 5 gallon fish tank range. There are dozens of fish tanks available to purchase online. How did we decide what was best? It came down to the following criteria.

    Tank Layout

    For fish tanks that are only 5 gallons, the layout of the aquarium is going to be very important. Since many of these aquariums are going to be placed on desktops or tables, presentation is very important. One of the best ways to view a desktop aquarium is from 3 sides. This makes the peninsula style the look of choice for a 5 gallon fish tank. I’ll be looking for this style in the review.

    Filtration

    I want a complete aquarium kit. An aquarium kit should come with a filtration system. Ideally, 3 stage filtration system is included with a bay in the filtration unit to place an aquarium heater. The filtration system should have an easy setup, be clean, and easy to maintain.

    Lighting

    I would like to find an aquarium kit with lights that are suitable for low light aquarium plants. Having plants make things more comfortable for our future fish residents, but also more stable as plants can help control our nitrogen cycle. I’m going to look for LED lights and if it is part of the lid, even better as that saves me from evaporation issues.

    If I’m looking at a pico reef tank (a reef tank that is 5 gallons or less), then I want an aquarium with a light strong enough to support simple low light corals like zoas or mushroom corals.

    Price

    I want this 5 gallon tank to be affordable and provide great equipment. The best value on my list will definitely have an appealing price without being too expensive or providing junky goods, so that you can enjoy yourself with your purchase!

    What To Look For

    If you are shopping around outside of this guide, here are a few things to look for when shopping for that 5 gallon tank.

    Filtration

    A good 5 gallon aquarium will have a 3 stage filtration system, preferably in an all in one aquarium. The filtration until should be large enough to place a heater inside of it. I feel these is important as the footprint of a aquarium this size is very limited. Putting a heater no matter what the size will hinder the presentation of these small aquariums. You don’t want an ugly heater sitting around with your tropical fish swimming around.

    Lights

    Ideally, you want the aquarium you are purchasing to include a light, as this can be one of the more expensive pieces of equipment to buy. It is preferable to have a light included that can actually support low light and beginner aquarium plants. Most of these lights will be full spectrum or input enough PAR where these plants can grow.

    Some aquariums will have specialty lights, such as aquarium kits designed for glow fish. Others are simply fish only lights, which have their purposes for people who desire a simple setup. You will have better stability if you can add plants in your 5 gallon tank. I feel it’s best to have this option. The worse you will need to do is tune down the light if it ends up being fish only.

    Design

    The aesthetics of an aquarium this size are huge. These mini aquariums are typically placed on desktops, nightstands, corner tables, or countertops. The way they look accent the look of the room. A standard looking aquarium with a plastic rim and cheap hood isn’t going to do. This is because the way the aquarium is designed is going to have a big impact. In a larger aquarium, the inhabitants and inside of the tank will present will even in a standard looking aquarium.

    You also want to view the aquarium at many angle, where in larger aquariums you will usually view it from the front due to its size.

    Fish Choices

    So you figured out what 5 gallon aquarium you are going to get, now it’s time to figure what fish to put in. There are a surprising amount of fish you can put in a 5 gallon tank. I’ll give you a few options below

    Betta Fish (The preferred choice)

    WYSIWYG Available!
    Betta Fish
    Betta Fish

    Use Coupon Code ASDFISH at Checkout

    Betta Fish are one of the most beautiful varieties of freshwater fish available in the hobby. Easy to care for with plenty of varieties!

    Buy Premium Varieties Buy On Petco Online

    A betta fish tank is ideal aquarium a this gallon size. A single male betta fish can fit comfortably in this tank. You can enhance his environment by building out a low light planted tank environment and housing shrimp together with them. The only other tank mate you can consider at this size with a Betta would be snails. Note that Betta fish like warm weather and do best with an aquarium heater.

    Other options

    Here are a few other options. If you want to learn more about fish for a 5 gallon tank, check out my related post.

    Setting Up

    Setting up your 5 gallon aquarium is easier than you think. I’m going to walk you through a simple planted tank setup, which I feel is the best way to have success with these tanks. The people at Fluval Aquatics provide a new overview. I’ll provide some commentary to below below.

    Substrate

    For these types of tanks, I prefer not to go with a planted tank substrate. The reason why is because the majority of these plants will not be rooted and the ammonia leaching when setting these up in a small tank can be really deadly. I prefer to use aesthetics sand or basic gravel that works with the plants you are going to. They also work great with shrimp and bottom feeders.

    Great For Bottom Feeders
    Fine Natural Sand
    Fine Natural Sand

    Natural sand is excellent for bottom feeder fish to forage around in.

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    Rocks and/or Driftwood

    Aquarium rocks or driftwood are great for tanks these size. A center piece driftwood works really well for these setups. You can attach live plants to it to provide a natural looking setting while making the aquascaping process very simple for you.

    When it comes to aquarium driftwood, the best one to use is either going to be Manzanita or Tigerwood. Both are low in tannis, quickly water log, and are affordable.

    Editor’s Choice
    Manzanita Driftwood
    Manzanita Driftwood

    Editor’s Choice

    Manzanita offers it all. Great shape, low tannins, quick to water log and reasonably priced. It’s the ultimate driftwood!

    Click For Best Price Click For Branch Pieces

    Live Plants

    For live plants, you will want to stick with low light beginner plants. These plants are hardy, easy to grow, and will not require a CO2 system to thrive. Below are a list of plants that will work well in a 5 gallon tank. Most of them can be attached to driftwood, feed off the aquarium water column, and exhibit plant growth in low light environments.

    FAQS

    How many fish can I have in this tank?

    You can have 2-5 fish in a 5 gallon aquarium depending on the type of fish that you plan on housing. Some fish like Betta fish are better alone, while others like Zebra danios do well in groups and are light on the bioload.

    What are the dimensions for this size aquarium?

    A standard 5 gallon aquarium is 16″ x 8″x 10″ and weights 7 lbs when empty. Many all in one aquariums at this size do not have these standard dimensions, choosing to have unique presentations or peninsula style setups.

    What fish can live without a heater?

    The best fish to place in a 5 gallon aquarium without a heater would be White Cloud Minnows. Endler’s livebearers and Danios are also good alternatives.

    Are bowl tanks bad for fish?

    In general bowl tanks are bad for fish. This is due to a lack of filtration and lack of oxygen input. Most fish bowls are also undersized for fish. You want to work with at least 3 gallons when it comes to housing fish. You can purchase a fish bowl with a filter like the biOrb Classics or supplement oxygen in the tank with easy to care for plants, but in general a fish bowl without a filter tends to be a bad fit for fish.

    Is this size big enough for 2 fish?

    Yes, a 5 gallon tank is big enough for 2 fish if the the fish species is small. Some examples would be White Cloud Minnows, Danios, and small Tetra types.

    Closing Thoughts

    You can create beautiful 5 gallon fish tanks with any of the aquariums on this list. All these tanks are suitable for small fish and will get you going on your fishkeeping journey. I hoped I helped alleviate your buyer’s anxiety with this roundup today. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and let’s start a conversation! Thanks for reading!

    ๐Ÿ”ง Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

  • 7 Best 75 Gallon Aquariums โ€“ Reviews From a 25-Year Hobbyist

    7 Best 75 Gallon Aquariums โ€“ Reviews From a 25-Year Hobbyist

    A 75 gallon is where aquarium keeping starts to feel truly impressive โ€” it’s large enough for cichlids, big community fish, or a serious planted display, and it sits at a size where the tank becomes a true centerpiece. I’ve been in the hobby 25 years and have worked with tanks of all sizes, and I can tell you the 75 gallon hits a sweet spot: big enough for impact, still manageable for most people without a dedicated fishroom. The main considerations at this size are stand weight capacity, canister filtration, and whether to go with a standard or rimless build โ€” all of which I cover here.

    What To Look For

    A 75 gallon tank is a significant investment that requires a lot of consideration before purchasing. Several manufacturers have emerged at this tank size. All are not created equal. Before I start our list, let’s look at the criteria for determining the best of the best. For these aquariums I looked at the following:

    • Quality
    • Features and Accessories
    • Brand Name
    • Price

    The Candidates

    Now that we know what the criteria is, it’s time to look at the list. I selected from a variety of manufacturers and several budget levels. Some of these aquariums are specially designed for certain types of setups like reef tanks. There is something for everyone on this list.

    In a hurry? I recommend the Red Sea Reefer 350!

    PictureNameFeaturesLink
    Editor’s Choice!
    Red Sea Reefer 350     		Red Sea Reefer 350
    • Reef Tanks
    • Rimless
    • Sump System
    		Click For Best Price
    Best Value
    JB Flat Panel     		JB Flat Panel
    • All In One System
    • Rimless
    • Freshwater or Saltwater
    		Click For Best Price
    Aqueon 75 Gallon Aquairum Aqueon 75 Gallon Aquairum
    • Rimmed
    • Standard Size
    • Freshwater or Saltwater
    		Click For Best Price
    Current USA Serene Current USA Serene
    • Complete Package
    • Rimless
    • Freshwater
    		Click For Best PriceBuy On SWA
    Innovative INT 75 Innovative INT 75
    • All In One System
    • Rimless
    		Buy On Amazon
    SC Rimless Cube SC Rimless Cube
    • Rimless
    • Cube
    		Buy On Amazon
    Clear-For-Life Aquarium Clear-For-Life Aquarium
    • Acrylic
    • All In One System 
    		Buy On Amazon

    The Best 75 Aquariums- 7 Best for 2023

    Let’s take a look at each aquarium and see why they made the cut!

    1. Red Sea Reefer 350

    Editor’s Choice
    Red Sea Reefer 350
    Red Sea Reefer 350

    The Red Sea Reefer 350 is a top of the line quality system. Great for saltwater reef tanks

    Click For Best Price

    The Red Sea Reefer 350 is the premium 75 gallon aquarium that you can purchase today. The 350 is for liters and the total volume when you include the aquarium sump is actually over 90 gallons. However, this 4 foot fish tank has all the features you will want.

    The Reefer is a Rimless Aquarium that is expertly crafted and made at Red’s Sea’s manufacturing headquarters. Check out how they make their aquariums below.

    Another great feature is the sump and the ATO reservoir design. The reservoir is designed to be placed on top of the sump instead of the side. This give you more room in your cabinet to store equipment and to layout your controllers and modules in an organized fashion.

    The overflow system is a bean animal style, the best overflow drain configuration available today. The system comes with it’s own plumbing kit and gate value so you can control the flow into the overflow box. You end up getting very quiet overflows as a result. You won’t get that annoying gurgling noise that you get with standard reef ready aquariums.

    This is the top choice if you are looking for a high end setup. It’s expensive and designed for marine and reef tanks in mind. You can use it for freshwater tanks, but the black background will clash with many planted tank setups.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Complete Sump System
    • 4 foot long tank
    • Rimless
    Cons
    • Expensive

    2. JBJ Flat Panel

    Best Value
    JBJ Flat Panel
    JBJ Flat Panel

    The JBJ Flat Panel is an excellent all in one rimless tank. Well built with a quality stand. It’s one of the best medium size starter tanks you can purchase!

    Click For Best Price

    I really love the JBJ Flat Panel as a first time fish tank. It is actually 65 gallons not 75 gallons, but I felt it was close enough to add to this list. It is an all-in-one rimless aquarium that comes with a high quality stand.

    The all in one aquarium setup allow for easy filtration and accessory installs like auto top off systems. For marine fish tanks, you can fit a protein skimmer on the back, as long as the skimmer is slim designed.

    The dual overflow system on both ends will ensure you get the surface skimmed properly. The stand is high gloss style, which gives a modern look in a home setting.

    It is still on the pricy side for an aquarium, but I feel the all-in-one configuration is attractive. Having this as a 3 feet tank can be seen as a downfall, but you will also save money on lights and wavemakers as you won’t need as much for a 3 feet versus a 4 foot long tank

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • All In One System
    • Rimless
    • Easy To Setup
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • 3 Feet Long

    3. Aqueon 75 Gallon

    Budget Option
    Aqueon 75 Gallon Aquarium
    Aqueon 75 Gallon Aquarium

    Your standard 75 gallon aquarium. 4 foot dimensions and fits most stands available at fish stores

    Click For Best Price

    If you are looking for a budget system, the Aqueon 75 gallon aquarium is a great choice. This aquarium is regularly available at most local chain pet stores and at your local fish store. It is your standard rimmed aquarium. While it may not have the sleek look like a rimless aquarium, it doesn’t have the price tag of one.

    These tanks are very versatile, as you can convert them into a reef ready or sump system but drilling the back. The 4 foot dimensions give you the length for housing larger fish. Overall, it’s the best budget fish tank you can purchase at this size.

    Pros And Cons

    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Standard Dimensions
    • Readily Available
    Cons
    • Rimmed

    4. Serene 65 Rimless

    Current USA Serene 65
    Current USA Serene 65

    Current’s Serene line offers a unique opportunity for Freshwater Aquarists. Comes with a filter, stand, light. You can even pick an aquascaping package!

    Click For Best Price Buy On SWA

    Current USA’s Serene line is a new player on the market, and it is a concept I’m really loving. Current’s line focuses on all-in-one freshwater and tropical fish setups with quality equipment to get you started on the right foot.

    This systems comes fully equipped with a 48″ Rimless aquarium and a Reclaimed wood laminate cabinet. An OASE canister filter is provided, which is our top reviewed canister filter. You get Current’s Serene’s lighting system to start you if with low to medium light plants.

    This is also the only aquarium on the light that provides a frosted background, which is the background you want when you are created a freshwater aquascaping. Did I mention the background is also lit? You get a showstopping lit background and all the key pieces to get you going. This is the best value for a high end freshwater system you can find.

    What’s the downfall here? The aquarium is on the expensive side, on par with the Red Seas and Waterboxes of the world. However, both those systems are designed for saltwater reef tanks. This is designed for freshwater setups. You also get a nice discount using my promo code :). Give them a shot. You won’t be disappointed!

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Rimless
    • Complete Equipment
    • Frosted Background
    Cons
    • Expensive

    5. Innovative INT 75

    Innovative INT 75
    Innovative INT 75

    An all in one 75 gallon rimless aquarium with an aluminum frame stand. Built to last. Overflow box is internal, but leaves a clean footprint in the aquarium.

    Click For Best Price

    The innovative 75 INT takes the traditional reef ready systems and puts in a clean bean animal style overflow system. Because the plumbing goes into the bottom of the tank, you can place the aquarium closer to the wall then if it had an external overflow system.

    The cabinet construction is the best of the list here. Able to hold over 750 lbs, this is a well engineer cabinet that will last for many years. This rimless aquariums look clean in your living room, family room, or basement. You can also purchase the Innovative accessories like rim nets as all their products are designed to work with their tanks.

    I wish this was a 4 foot aquarium versus a 3 foot. Lot of fish tanks you will find online will usually cap at 3 feet due to the shipping costs. Keep this in mind if you are looking for a 4 foot long tank.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Rimless
    • All In One System
    Cons
    • Expensive

    6. SC Rimless Cube

    SC Rimless Cube
    SC Rimless Cube

    This rimless cube tank by SC Aquarium has great dimensions for scaping. Comes with sump piping for a full reef ready tank or a high end freshwater aquarium

    Buy On Amazon

    I’m a big fan of SC Aquariums when it comes to budget reefs where you still don’t want to compromise. SC provides this excellent 3 foot long cube aquarium that measures 32 x 24 x 24 inches. These are great dimensions if you are looking for a cube aquarium at the 75 gallon tank size. It’s compact, yet large and spacious enough to house larger fish and corals.

    SC Aquariums function off a durso style overflow. It’s a old school overflow, but that’s also the reason why you get a cheaper price. If you are looking for reef ready rimless cube, check out this tank. They offer a 4 foot long tank, but it is a 120 gallon not a 75 gallon. The dimensions of the tank are amazing though.

    7. Clear For Life 75R

    Made In The USA
    Clear-For-Life Acrylic Aquairum
    Clear-For-Life Acrylic Aquairum

    This acrylic aquarium has your standard 75 gallon dimensions with a built in filtration system. Made in the USA.

    Buy On Amazon

    Acrylic tanks have their place when it comes to a large tank beyond 70 gallons. This clear for life aquarium is a standard 4 foot long fish tank with a blue background. The tank has a built in filtration unit that runs off an old school wet/dry filtration system.

    I used to see these aquariums a long when I first started owning tanks in the late 90s. They are for the most part unchanged from their original designs. The acrylic construction makes them very light and clear to view.

    These days with low iron tanks, the advantages of acrylic are less pronounced as before. The selling point here is the built in filtration at this size. With a blue background, it is a better fish only saltwater or freshwater system.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • All In One System
    • Acrylic
    Cons
    • Limited Options

    75-Gallon Stocking Ideas

    Freshwater Aquascape

    An Aquascape aquarium at this size is considered competition size. 4 foot long tanks are where many competition tanks are designed from. They can be complete show stoppers and the size is going to be one of the most stable aquascapes you can run.

    This will be one of the most expensive types of aquariums to run, and also one of the most impressive aquariums that your guests will see

    Fancy Goldfish

    Goldfish are large fish that require a lot of space. A 75 gallon fish tank is a great size to house multiple fancy goldfish. They are simple to run and the goldfish are forgiving. They also do not require an aquarium heater.

    While they generate a lot of waste, you can support their bioload by investing in higher end equipment. This will be one of the cheaper fish tanks to setup.

    African Cichlid

    African cichlids are typically need at least a 55 gallon aquarium to build a community tank around. A 75 gallon aquarium provides additional space for territory and bioload. You start getting aquariums with all in one systems, which work great for African cichlids.

    African Cichlids also look great in dark backgrounds. Some of the premium level offerings have black backgrounds. Black doesn’t work well with most freshwater setups, but look great with the colors of African cichlids

    Discus or Angelfish

    Most Discus Fish hobbyist prefer a 75 gallon aquarium over a 55 gallon fish tank for the stability, dimensions. You can build an amazing tank for Discus. You can house 5 to 6 fish with this size and have enough stability with great equipment to not be a slave to water changes.

    An angelfish tank makes for a great setup. You can place about 6-10 in a 75 gallon fish tank if you can manage the aggression

    Saltwater Reef

    A 75 gallon reef tank is considered the best size for a first time reef tank. It has the second best dimensions for a 4 foot long tank and enough size to be stable. With a sump setup, you can keep all the advanced equipment to house any coral and most fish. There are only a few large marine species that won’t do well in a 4 foot long tank.

    75-Gallon Setup (Buying Guide)

    Filtration

    Depending on what you are planning to keep, your filtration needs will change for a 75 gallon tank. For a freshwater tank, you should consider at least a canister filter. Equipment gets very noticeable and loud at this size. Using canister filters over other filtration types will hide most of your equipment and keep the aquarium quiet.

    For a saltwater tank. You should either use an aquarium with an all-in-one setup like the JBJ or an aquarium sump. Both will give you access to had high quality equipment like protein skimmers and auto top off systems.

    Heater

    Unless you are going to run coldwater tanks like a goldfish aquarium, you will need to invest in an aquarium heater. For a 75 gallon fish tank, you will want to have at least 225 watts of heater equipment to keep your water warm.

    My recommendation would be to get two heaters and an aquarium heater controller to prevent heater failure and a tank crash. Eheims and Cobalt heaters get my nod.

    Protects Against Heater Failure!
    Inkbird Heater Controller
    Inkbird Heater Controller

    Protect your investment with this heater controller. An excellent choice for small tanks. WiFi models now available!

    Buy On Amazon Click For Best Price

    Lighting Systems

    Lighting for an aquarium is going to depend on what you decide to setup. For freshwater, I prefer to use the Current USA Serene lights. They have lights for both planted tanks and fish only systems.

    Best Value
    Serene RGB Pro LED
    Serene RGB Pro LED

    Current USA’s offering into aquascaping is an incredible value. Spectrum, spread, easy to program and great PAR output.

    Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

    For reef tanks, the 4 foot dimensions of a 75 gallon reef tank makes it easier to get proper coverage. This is because most light fixtures are designed to work in 24 x 24 space. All you need to do is get two lights of most LED lighting fixtures you will find on the market. For brands, I would recommend Current USA if you are looking for a value option or Neptune/EcoTech if you are looking for top quality.

    Stands

    If you do not purchase an aquarium that comes with a stand, you can always purchase one of those standard fish tank stands you can find at a fish store. 75 gallons is usual the max size where you will find readily available stands for sale. The link below will take you the one you can find online. You can find others if you go to a local store.

    Made In The USA
    75 Gallon Stand
    75 Gallon Stand

    This standard aquarium stand will do the job with most freshwater setups. Not recommended for saltwater tanks.

    Buy On Amazon

    Tank lid or hood

    The fish get larger and more expensive when you start getting into 4 foot long tanks. Some of these fish are prone to jumping. Protect your investment by purchasing a mesh screen or a glass lid. I prefer mesh screens to have better gas exchange. Keep in mind that you will have more evaporation if do not have a lid or mesh screen on your aquarium.

    Great For Rimless Tanks
    DIY Mesh Screen
    DIY Mesh Screen

    This mesh screen kit allows you to create your own custom mesh screen. Protect your fish from jumping with this screen. Does not affect your lighting and spread.

    Buy On Amazon

    FAQS

    How Much Does This Size Tank Weigh?

    Standard 75 gallon glass aquariums (48 x 18 x 24 inches) will weigh around 140 pounds. When filled with water, the aquarium can weight at least 850 pounds. You will want to factor in a sump, decor, and equipment if go for more advanced setups

    How long is this size aquarium?

    A standard 75 gallon aquarium is 4 feet long in length. There are some variants that are 3 feet long like cubes and reef ready setups.

    How many fish can you put in this size tank?

    Depending on the fish you want to house, you can generally house around 25-30 fish in a freshwater fish aquarium. You can use AdAdvisor for guidelines on freshwater tank stocking.

    For a saltwater tank, the number will be a lot less depending on the size and aggression of the fish. Generally 6-8 fish is the limit for a 75 gallon saltwater tank assuming the fish are under 5 inches in length

    Is this size tank big enough?

    A 75 gallon tank is going to be big enough for most fish. However, some larger fish like predators or large saltwater angelfish will still need a larger tank to thrive.

    How much does this size acrylic aquarium weigh?

    A 75 gallon acrylic aquarium weighs 65 pound when empty. This is 75 pounds lighter than a gallon aquarium, which weighs 140 pounds when empty.

    Closing Thoughts

    If youโ€™re looking for a large aquarium to buy, we hope this article was helpful. We want to know what your thoughts are about all of these options or if there is anything else that should be added! Have any favorites? Let us know in the comments below and feel free to start a conversation with other readers who may have different opinions on which 75 gallon tanks deserve more attention.

    ๐Ÿ”ง Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.

  • Reef Triggerfish – 8 Best For Aquariums (And 2 to Avoid!)

    Reef Triggerfish – 8 Best For Aquariums (And 2 to Avoid!)

    Looking for a Triggerfish for your saltwater aquarium? Reef Triggerfish are some of the most entertaining and rewarding fish to own. I’ve personally had a great experience with a blue throat triggerfish in a mixed reef tank. Next to a scribbled rabbitfish that I had, it was my favorite fish I’ve ever owned.

    I want to share this experience with you as I feel these are special fish, when you can house them in the right environment. I’ll walk you through the 8 best reef triggerfish for aquariums, most that will work in reef tanks and 2 to avoid. So let’s get started!

    Introduction To Triggerfish

    Triggerfish are some of the most interesting fish in the marine aquarium hobby due to their decorated appearances and incredibly bold personalities. Though these fish are full of character and can have beautiful colors, many triggerfish are not reef-safe, which prevents a lot of aquarists from attempting to keep them.

    What Are They?

    What Is A Triggerfish

    Triggerfish belong to the Balistidae family which only contains about 40 different species of triggerfish, already limiting the short supply of these fish that are available in the aquarium hobby.

    Like many other marine fishes, most reef triggerfish originate from the lush coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific. Unlike other species, most triggerfish do not cohabitate with other reef-inhabitants and usually depend on invertebrates and corals for food rather than shelter.

    These reef triggerfish are mean, hungry, fast, and strong. Hobbyists typically only keep them in predatory setups or species-only displays where there is no risk to other fish or reef invertebrates. Over the years, though, aquarists have experimented with keeping triggerfish in the reef setting to some surprising success.

    Before we get into the best reef safe triggerfish for the aquarium, we need to first understand what makes the better majority of these fish not safe for the reef.

    Behavior

    Most species of reef triggerfish grow to a large size. This, in addition to their muscular beaked mouths and strong bodies, makes them a formidable predator for their natural prey of various invertebrates.

    Interestingly, these fish are named after one of the behaviors. Though a predator, triggerfish can easily scare. When this happens, they take refuge in the rocks and use their first and second dorsal spines as a way to secure themselves. At this point, they can only be removed if that large dorsal spine is forcibly relaxed or the threat diminishes. This action resembles the pulling of a gun trigger, giving them their name.

    This behavior is also observed while the fish is resting. Attempting to remove the triggerfish from its position during this time can cause injury to the fish. Because of this, transferring a triggerfish from one tank to another can take a lot of time and patience. Hobbyists usually end up having to transfer some rock along with the fish as well.

    Do They Bite?

    Triggerfish Teeth

    With such an intimidating mouth full of teeth, how much damage can a triggerfish’s teeth actually do?

    Yes, triggerfish can and will bite, even when unprovoked. Many scuba divers have the stories and scars of being chased and bitten by triggerfish on the reef, sometimes resulting in serious injury.

    In the reef aquarium, the chances of being attacked are certainly less but never completely gone. Triggerfish will greedily splash, spit, and chomp at the surface of the water during feeding times, making the difference between a finger and the food almost indistinguishable; this behavior is known as hydraulic jetting and is usually used for uncovering and overturning prey. For these reasons, it is recommended to keep all hands out of the tank and to use tongs when feeding.

    More importantly, hobbyists need to be aware of triggerfish biting at aquarium heaters and other equipment in the tank, including electrical cords. If these fish can bite through fingers, they can certainly bite through plastic!

    To prevent this, it’s strongly recommended to keep as much equipment as possible in a sump or other external filtration. If this is not possible, equipment will need to be safeguarded with egg crate or other hard plastic. A titanium heater will also be able to withstand the powerful jaws of your fish!

    Acrylic vs Glass Reef Aquariums

    Something you need to think about before you even consider getting a reef triggerfish is the material that your aquarium is made from.

    Many larger aquariums are made from acrylic because it tends to be a stronger material than glass. Acrylic also gives a noticeably sharper and clearer look into the tank, allowing you to fully appreciate the colors of your fish and corals.

    However, acrylic scratches very easily. If you happen to get a triggerfish that likes biting the glass or begging for food at the surface, there is a small chance that it could end up scratching the acrylic. This isn’t a huge concern for most hobbyists, but the possibility is there and should be considered.

    Diet

    Apart from their aggression, triggerfish are extremely hardy and can adapt to most aquarium conditions. They will need to be fed a varied diet of hard, often live, foods that help keep their beaks trimmed.

    Triggerfish need to be fed often. They are highly active and need to restore those nutrients through small feedings throughout the day; most hobbyists aim for at least 5 small portions every day.

    Because of this, many triggerfish keepers set up a snail culture. This allows them to have a near-constant supply of food that also helps keep beaks trimmed. This is even better than buying from the store in terms of expense and having control over the health of the snail population. Other hard-shelled invertebrates, like clams and shrimp, may also be supplemented.

    In addition to these hard foods, triggerfish will accept most frozen foods. As omnivores, they will also accept marine algae snacks.

    Reef-Safe vs Not Reef-Safe Triggerfish

    There are some differences between reef-safe and not reef-safe triggerfish. Remember, there is always the possibility that a triggerfish that is labeled as reef-safe may not prove to be so in your own aquarium.

    When talking about reef-safe and not reef-safe triggerfish, there are a few levels of compatibility. In general, most triggerfish will leave corals alone; if you find that a triggerfish has taken a bite of coral, it is more likely that there was an invertebrate on the coral than it is for the fish to intentionally go after the coral for food. However, there are some species that are more likely to intentionally or mistakingly eat corals than others.

    Then, there are reef triggerfish that don’t eat corals or invertebrates. In the wild, these fish often rely on various types of zooplankton, like copepods, as their main source of nutrition. Not only is there a difference between food preferences with reef-safe versus not reef-safe triggers, but there are also behavioral differences.

    Reef-safe species are anatomically different. They have smaller mouths that are higher up on the head to help them capture food in the water column. Because they depend on the water column for food, they are more likely to be in the open ocean than among the rocks.

    Reef-safe species are also less likely to destroy your rockwork. Reef Triggers that rely on invertebrates and corals for food can be very determined. They will be spitting sand and will even pick up and move rocks in order to reach their food. In return, this can injure corals and make a mess in the aquarium.

    In general, reef-safe species are also much less aggressive, though this varies from fish to fish. As always, not every reef-safe triggerfish will be completely safe for a reef aquarium, but there are certainly some species that do better than others.

    Different Types

    Though there are not many species of reef triggerfish, there are actually quite a few different genera:

    • Melichthys
    • Odonus
    • Xanthichthys
    • Rhinecanthus
    • Bailstes
    • Balistoides
    • Pseudobalistes
    • Sufflamen

    From this list, Melichthys, Odonus, and Xanthichthys tend to be considered the most reef-safe, with Xanthichthys being the most confirmed success.

    Each species from these genera will vary in needs, so it is always important to do plenty of research before you go out and buy a triggerfish! Especially since some of these species can be very, very expensive and grow to impressive sizes.

    8 Best For Aquariums

    Here are the top types of triggerfish that are likely to be reef-safe. Remember, this means that they are the species most likely to leave both corals and invertebrates alone. This can always change from fish to fish so don’t take the chance if you’re not willing to lose anything in your tank!

    Due to spawning behavior in the wild, not many of these have been successfully bred in captivity. This can cause some prices to be higher and limit the availability of certain species.

    1. Sargassum (Xanthichthys ringens)

    Sargassum Triggerfish
    • Species Type: Xanthichthys
    • Scientific Name: Xanthichthys ringens
    • Size: 10 inches
    • Origin: Caribbean Ocean
    • Tank Size: 125 gallons
    • Available As Tank Bred: Not Available

    The Sargassum triggerfish is also commonly known as the red tail triggerfish. These fish are named after the point in their juvenile stage where they hide among floating vessels of Sargassum algae until they are ready to survive open waters. Their second common name comes from their identifiable orangey-red tail at the end of their speckled bluish-grey body.

    Sargassum triggerfish are very common to spot in groups among relatively shallow reef ecosystems throughout the Caribbean. There, they feed on crabs and sea urchins. In the reef, they won’t typically touch corals but might take a bite at any present invertebrates.

    2. Bluethroat (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)

    Blue Throat Triggerfish in Fish Tank
    • Species Type: Xanthichthys
    • Scientific Name: Xanthichthys auromarginatus
    • Size: 9 inches
    • Origin: Indo-Pacific Ocean
    • Tank Size: 125 gallons
    • Available As Tank Bred: Not Available

    The bluethroat triggerfish, also known as the gilded triggerfish and bluechin triggerfish, is an expensive yet eye-catching aquarium fish. These reef triggerfish have a very obvious blue patch around their throat with a lighter dappled grey body and yellow margins on their fins.

    The bluethroat triggerfish tends to be found on the perimeter of the reef in loose groups. They heavily rely on copepods as a source of food, which will translate into their aquarium diet.

    3. Niger (Odonus niger)

    Niger Triggerfish in Reef Tank
    • Species Type: Odonus
    • Scientific Name: Odonus niger
    • Size: 12 inches
    • Origin: Indo-Pacific Ocean
    • Tank Size: 180 gallons
    • Available As Tank Bred: Not Available

    The Niger triggerfish, also known as the red-toothed triggerfish, is probably the most commonly available type of reef triggerfish in the aquarium hobby. They have a silky blue body with hints of yellow on their throat; as their second name suggests, they may have maroon-colored teeth.

    Though named after an African country, these fish have a large range throughout the warm waters of the Indo Pacific region. They live in very strong currents where they group together and feed on copepods and sea sponges.

    Hobbyists have had some success keeping this aquarium fish in a reef tank. They tend to be safer to keep when small but can become quite aggressive to invertebrates and other fish as they age.

    4. Crosshatch (Xanthichthys mento)

    Crosshatch Triggerfish in Aquarium
    • Species Type: Xanthichthys
    • Scientific Name: Xanthichthys mento
    • Size: 11 inches
    • Origin: Pacific Ocean
    • Tank Size: 180 gallons
    • Available As Tank Bred: Available

    The crosshatch triggerfish shares the same secondary common name, red tail trigger, with the Sargassum triggerfish. In comparison, the crosshatch triggerfish is much more expensive and desirable due to its distinctive color pattern of black and yellow; the males have a red tail fin while the females have a yellow one.

    These beautiful reef triggerfish can be found off the coasts of oceanic islands, including Japan, the Hawaiian islands, and Easter Island. There, they hunt copepods in schools.

    This aquarium fish is one of the friendliest species of triggers and will leave most corals and invertebrates alone.

    5. Pinktail (Melichthys vidua)

    Pinktail Triggerfish Swimming in Reef
    • Species Type: Melichthys
    • Scientific Name: Melichthys vidua
    • Size: 14 inches
    • Origin: Indo-Pacific Ocean
    • Tank Size: 180 gallons
    • Available As Tank Bred: Not Available

    The pinktail triggerfish has a very obvious broom like tail that is pastel pink, though the rest of their greenish-yellow body make them less desirable but more affordable. Unlike the other reef triggerfish on this list, these fish actually prefer marine algae and various detritus as their main diet. However, they will also eat smaller fish and invertebrates if given the opportunity.

    That being said, many hobbyists have kept these fish in a full reef aquarium without too many problems. Of course, there is a chance that they will eat any present invertebrates but chances can be improved with more regular feedings.

    6. Indian (Melichthys niger)

    Indian Triggerfish in Ocean
    • Species Type: Melichthys
    • Scientific Name: Melichthys niger
    • Size: 14 inches
    • Origin: Widespread
    • Tank Size: 125 gallons
    • Available As Tank Bred: Not Available

    The Indian triggerfish, also known as the black triggerfish, is another common type of trigger. These fish have a near black body and matching fins, though the bases of the fins are outlined in light blue; in good lighting, these reef triggerfish have dark blue patterning all along their body, but this is difficult to see.

    The exact native range of the Indian triggerfish is unknown. They are believed to be widespread, with increased concentrations around oceanic islands, like Hawaii. These fish mainly feed on various algae and zooplankton. They have an interesting relationship with spinner dolphins where they both congregate together while the fish feed on the dolphin’s feces and vomit.

    These fish aren’t usually kept in reef tank setups, though they seem to be very similar to pinktail triggers in behavior and demeanor.

    7. Picasso (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)

    Picasso Triggerfish in Reef Tank
    • Species Type: Rhinecanthus
    • Scientific Name: Rhinecanthus aculeatus
    • Size: 10 inches
    • Origin: Indo-Pacific Ocean
    • Tank Size: 180 gallons
    • Available As Tank Bred: Not Available

    Picasso triggerfish, also known as Humuhumu triggerfish (the official state fish of Hawaii), are very popular and often become the star of the tank. These fish are light tans and whites with paint splashes of yellow, blue, black, and brown.

    Unfortunately, Picasso triggerfish can be very aggressive towards fish and invertebrates. Though they likely won’t touch any corals in the tank, they will gladly eat larger crabs, sea urchins, and shrimp. Some hobbyists have had luck with keeping them in full reef setups as juveniles, but their aggression often grows with them.

    In their natural shallow reef ecosystems, Picasso triggers are territorial and enjoy the open water.

    8. Clown (Balistoides conspicillum)

    Clown Triggerfish in Reef
    • Species Type: Balistoides
    • Scientific Name: Balistoides conspicillum
    • Size: 20 inches
    • Origin: Indo-Pacific Ocean
    • Tank Size: 300 gallons
    • Available As Tank Bred: Available

    The clown triggerfish is the fish that everybody wants. This is one of the most colorful and interesting fish to look at in the aquarium hobby, period.

    Many beginner hobbyists would love to get their hands on one of these black and white polka-dotted fish. However, they can grow to extreme sizes and need extreme setups. For most, it’s simply unrealistic to keep a clown triggerfish in the typical saltwater reef tank. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop many from trying to do so.

    In the wild, clown triggerfish live on their own and are very rare to come across. They feed on a variety of different benthic invertebrates, making them safe for corals but a predator for crabs, shrimp, and other cleanup crew members. This is one of the few triggerfish species that are available as tank bred.

    Species To Avoid

    While reef triggerfish are beautiful, there are a few species that common hobbyists want to avoid. This includes:

    Undulate (Balistapus undulatus).

    Also known as the orangelined triggerfish, this fish is super aggressive. They will definitely eat invertebrates and likely go after other fish in the aquarium as well. Because of this, they should only be kept with bigger reef fishes or ones that are able to defend themselves through poison, venom, or other body armor. They have tough teeth and can damage rocks, acrylic, and fingers. Buyer beware.

    Queen (Balistes vetula).

    These triggerfish need to be treated like nothing less than royalty. Queen triggerfish can grow to an impressive two feet and can become incredibly aggressive to fish and reef invertebrates alike. This makes them almost impossible to keep in the home aquarium, but something to admire on public display or appreciated from diver videos (like the one above by Rumble Viral).

    Where To Buy

    Triggerfish are typically available at local fish stores and several online fish stores. However, you will usually find large or common reef triggerfish when looking to purchase locally. If you are looking for smaller, tank raised, or even the more exotic types like crosshatches, consider purchasing from an online fish store.

    These fish tend to do well when shipped and imported, however, do not purchase from an online retailer unless there is a guarantee on the fish or the fish is a what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) fish.

    For retailers, I would consider salwaterfish for budgets, liveaquaria’s driver’s den for middle price, and TSM corals for the most exotic varieties. Triggers can be expensive. If you are going to spend, make sure your retail backs their fish with guarantees or a quarantine process.

    My Pick!
    Saltwaterfish.com
    Saltwaterfish.com

    Saltwaterfish.com has been serving hobbyists since 1999. They offer a 15 day guarantee on live fish orders and free shipping for orders over $99

    Shop Now

    Final Thoughts

    Triggerfish catch the attention of many hobbyists due to their impressive sizes, bright colors, and fearsome sharp teeth. Though most reef triggerfish species are incredibly hardy, not many hobbyists can actually keep them in their home aquariums due to their potential size and behavior.

    Triggerfish are predatory fish. While there are some species that are considered reef-safe, there is always the chance that they take a liking to your reef invertebrates or corals.

    Got any experience in keeping triggers? Leave a comment below.

    ๐Ÿ“˜ Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Saltwater Fish & Reef Guide โ€” your ultimate resource for marine fish, coral care, reef setup, and more.