A 10-gallon fish tank is the most common tank that beginners prefer as it is affordable and easy to maintain. But, due to less space in a 10-gallon tank, you must be conscientious about the fish species you are about to add to the tank.
So, how many fish can you add to your 10-gallon tank? Let us find out.
You can add 4-5 fish ranging from 2-2.5 inches in a 10-gallon fish tank. Consider using the one-inch per gallon rule to decide the number of fish you can place in the tank. Some freshwater species like guppies, bettas, and neon tetras are ideal options for a 10-gallon fish tank.
The article below discusses the number of fish you can add to your 10-gallon fish tank. In addition, we will also learn about the seven best freshwater fishes for your 10-gallon tank.
Contents
Stocking your 10-Gallon Tank
A 10-gallon tank is a small tank that only provides a little room for your fish to swim.
So, while planning a 10-gallon tank, you must be very careful about the fish species you are about to add to your tank.
Overstocking can pollute the tank’s water leading to a spike in the tank’s ammonia and nitrite level, causing severe health issues to your fish.
You can use the one-inch-one gallon rule to calculate the space your fish require to grow and develop properly.
The one-inch-one-gallon rule refers to one gallon of water per inch of fish.
In addition, there are also many stock calculators available online that can help you to decide the number of fish species you can place in your 10-gallon tank.
If you are planning to add schooling fishes like zebra danios to your 10-gallon tank, then you have to make it a species-only tank due to the small size of the tank.
Whereas, if you plan to make it a community tank, then some fish species are discussed below that you can place in your 10-Gallon tank.
Seven best freshwater fish species for your 10-Gallon Tank
Below are the seven best freshwater fish species you can add to your 10-gallon tank.
Celestial Pearl Danio
Celestial Pearl Danio is peaceful freshwater species that grow up to a maximum size of one inch making them an ideal choice for your 10-gallon aquarium.
They are schooling species that need to get paired in a school of five for their well-being and a longer lifespan.
The celestial pearl danio prefers planted aquarium with aquarium decors like cave and driftwood.
To make it a species-only tank, you can place two schools of celestial danios in a 10-gallon tank.
However, if you want to make it a community tank, we recommend adding one school of celestial pearl danios and five pygmy corydoras to your fish tank.
Guppies
Guppies are peaceful freshwater fishes and are easy to take care of, making them an ideal choice for your 10-gallon tank.
The male guppies can grow up to a maximum size of 1.4 inches, whereas the female guppies can grow up to a size of 2.4 inches.
We advise you to keep either male or female guppies in the tank; otherwise, they will breed, and the fry will overcrowd your fish tank.
You can keep 5-6 male guppies in your or three female guppies in your 10-gallon tank fish tank.
Guppies prefer aquatic plants in their tank as they require plant-based nutrition.
Adding aquatic plants in the tank also helps to replicate guppies’ natural habitat, providing a stress-free environment for your fish to thrive.
Here are some aquatic plants you can add to your guppies aquarium
- Java Fern
- Guppy Grass
- Watersprite
- Duckweed
Betta fish
Betta fish are freshwater aquarium fishes that come in many attractive and are very easy to take care of, making them an ideal option for your fish tank.
You can keep a single betta in your fish tank as you cannot pair them with other peaceful species like guppies due to their aggressive nature.
Neon Tetras
Neon Tetras are non-aggressive freshwater fish species that can grow to a maximum size of 1.25 inches. They are also effortless to take care of, making them an ideal choice for beginners.
Neon tetras prefer aquatic plants in their tank as they act as a hiding spot.
Adding aquatic plants to the tank also helps keep the tank well-oxygenated, providing a stress-free environment for your fish to thrive.
You can add 7-8 neon tetras to your 10-gallon tank. However, avoid overcrowding your fish tank as it can pollute the tank’s water and lead to several health issues in your fish.
Albino Corycodras
Albino corydoras are peaceful freshwater species that can grow up to a maximum size of 2.5 inches.
You can place four albino corydoras in your 10-gallon fish tank.
As albino corydoras are sensitive to water quality, you must ensure adequate water conditions in their tank to ensure good health and a longer lifespan.
A spike in the tank’s ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels can lead to significant health issues in your albino corydoras, eventually leading to their passing away.
You can ensure good water quality by performing a 30% water change weekly and adding a sound filtration system to your fish tank.
Goldfish
Goldfish are peaceful freshwater aquarium fishes that can grow up to a maximum size of 6 inches in captivity. In the wild and outdoor ponds, goldfish can grow up to 14 inches long.
You can add 1-2 small goldfish to your 10-gallon fish tank. However, avoid placing common and fancy goldfish in the same tank due to different personalities.
We recommend adding aquatic plants and hiding spots in your goldfish tank as it provides a stress-free environment for your fish to thrive.
| Types of Goldfish | Minimum Size | Maximum Size | In a 10-Gallon Tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Goldfish | 4 inches | 14 inches | 1-2 small Goldfish |
| Comet Goldfish | 2 inches | 12 inches | 1-2 small Goldfish |
| Fantail Goldfish | 6 inches | 8 inches | 1-2 small Goldfish |
| Shubunkin Goldfish | 9 inches | 18 inches | One small Goldfish |
Also, read: How Many Goldfish Can You Keep In A 10-Gallon Tank?
Golden Dwarf Barbs
Golden dwarf barbs are freshwater fishes that can grow up to a maximum size of 1.5 inches.
They are schooling fishes that need to get paired in at least a group of five for their well-being.
In addition, golden dwarfs prefer a well-planted tank with aquarium decors like driftwood.
To make a species-only tank, you can add ten golden dwarf barbs to your 10-gallon tank.
If you plan to make a community tank, add one school of golden dwarf barbs and four pygmy corydoras to your 10-gallon fish tank.
Some tips for maintaining a 10-Gallon tank
Below are some tips for maintaining a 10-Gallon fish tank
- Perform a 30% weekly water change to maintain the tank’s water quality.
- Add a sound filtration system in the fish tank as it helps to eliminate all the leftovers from the water column. A water filter also helps to maintain the tank’s oxygen level providing a healthy environment for your fish.
- Avoid overcrowding your fish tank as it can pollute the tank’s water rapidly, leading to a spike in the ammonia and nitrite levels, eventually causing significant health issues to your fish.
- Do not overfeed your fish as it can lead to leftovers in the tank that can contaminate the tank’s water quality leading to a drop in the oxygen level and making your fish gasp for air at the water surface.
- Keep checking the tank’s ammonia and nitrite levels to maintain a stress-free environment for your fish. You can check the tank’s ammonia levels with the help of an API ammonia test kit, as it provides accurate results. It is available on Amazon API TEST KIT.
Conclusion:
- While planning a 10-gallon tank, you must be very careful about the fish species you are about to add.
- Overstocking can contaminate the tank’s water elevating the tank’s ammonia and nitrite level, causing severe health issues to your fish.
- We advise using the one-inch-one gallon rule to calculate the space your fish require to grow and develop properly.
- Some freshwater fishes like celestial pearl danios, guppies, bettas, and goldfish are ideal options for your 10-gallon fish tank.
- Ensure performing a 30% water change weekly and add a sound filtration system to maintain your 10-gallon fish tank properly.
Reference: ResearchGate