AquariumStocking ideas · checked against sources
What fish can go in a 5 gallon tank?
A standard 5 gallon tank is 16 × 8 × 10 inches. Of the 106 species in our database, 4 fit comfortably and 0 are a tight fit, based on each species' sourced minimum tank size and group size.
Stocking combinations that pass every check
Each set was run through the tank builder's rules: tank size, temperature, pH, hardness, predation, fin-nipping, temperament and stocking level. Treat them as starting points, not prescriptions.
Fish that fit a 5 gallon tank
Shrimp & snails (3)
Others (1)
Popular fish that outgrow it
- Neon TetraNeeds 24 in long / 14 gal
- Cardinal TetraNeeds 24 in long / 14 gal
- Harlequin RasboraNeeds 24 in long / 14 gal
- Ember TetraNeeds 18 in long / 11 gal
- Chili RasboraNeeds 18 in long / 10 gal
- Celestial Pearl DanioNeeds 18 in long / 11 gal
- Cherry BarbNeeds 24 in long / 14 gal
- Rummy-nose TetraNeeds 35 in long
- Black Neon TetraNeeds 31 in long / 19 gal
- Glowlight TetraNeeds 24 in long / 18 gal
- Lemon TetraNeeds 31 in long / 20 gal
- GuppyNeeds 18 in long / 11 gal
Gear sized for 5 gallon
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Common questions
How many fish can go in a 5 gallon tank?
It depends on adult size and waste output, not inches per gallon. The combinations on this page stay under about 80% of a sensible load for 5 gallons in our estimate.
What fish outgrow a 5 gallon tank?
Popular examples include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Ember Tetra, Chili Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio.
What heater size does a 5 gallon tank need?
About 25 W, using roughly 5 watts per gallon.