We know that selecting the right fish for a small tank can be challenging. You want a fish that is beautiful, playful, and intriguing. However, it should be low maintenance and compatible with a small tank. But we’re here to solve that problem for you.
Let me ask: What do you think would be the best fish for a small tank? Remember for a happy fish it should thrive in the tank, not just survive.
In this article, we will discuss the top 9 aquarium fish for a 5 gallon tank. We will also go through their natural habitat and how they align with a small tank. Moreover, we will explore their appearance and behavior. All in all, we will go through the Top 9 fish that are best for your 5 gallon aquarium.
Dwarf Pea Puffer
The Dwarf Pea Puffer is native to the slow-moving waters in India. Due to its habitat, it is naturally accustomed to limited areas. In the wild, this fish thrives in small streams and ponds, so it’s pretty adapted to small spaces.
Dwarf Pea Puffers can grow up to 1 inch in length, so they are pretty small. Additionally, they have vibrant colors with beautiful markings. Generally, they have shades of green, yellow, and black spots that adorn their body. Despite their small size, they are a beautiful addition to any small fish tank.
Moreover, this fish has an interactive nature. It’s quite active so you might see it drifting across the tank. This makes them the perfect fish for a 5 gallon tank. However, they can be territorial, so it’s best to keep them alone, or with similar-sized tankmates.
Betta Fish
Betta fish is one of the best fish for a 5 gallon tank. Since its natural habitat includes small bodies of water, it’s well adapted to them. They do well in areas with shallow, stagnant water, like drainage ditches and rice paddies.
Betta fish are a terrific addition to a small tank because of their gorgeous colors and fins! Their bodies are colorful, but they only reach a maximum length of 2.5 to 3 inches. So, they will easily fit in a 5 gallon tank and still have plenty of room to swim, therefore their small size is a plus point. Here’s one of the most rare Betta fish for a 5 gallon tank.
The male bettas are often territorial and aggressive. However, they can flourish in a tank that resembles their native environment. Make sure there are lots of plants and caves. Hiding spots are comforting and promote Betta’s natural behavior.
Honey Gourami
Honey Gouramis inhabit shallow, slow-moving waters, such as ponds and rice paddies. These habitats have limited water and calm currents. So, this fish has naturally adapted to confined spaces.
Honey Gouramis are small fish as they only grow up to 2 inches in length. They have a bright honey-gold hue on their body that adds to the overall look. The males have a more striking appearance while the females have muted colors. During breeding, males change their color to a deep orange or red with a dark blue-black throat.
The Honey Gouramis are generally peaceful and non-aggressive. This makes them ideal for a community tank as well as a small tank. Thanks to the small body and honey-gold color, this is one of the best fish for a 5 gallon tank.
Celestial Pearl Danio
Celestial Pearl Danios inhabit small, shallow ponds in Southeast Asia. These ecosystems have limited space and slow water flow. Thus, this fish is naturally accustomed to small water spaces. Their adaptability to confined spaces makes them ideal for a 5 gallon tank
Pearl Danios have a small body size of only 1 inch in length. Their bodies have a unique blue color that contrasts with the red or orange fins. Moreover, their whole body is adorned with pearl-like spots that shimmer under light. Overall, their small size and beautiful body make them perfect for a small tank.
Celestial Pearl Danios are peaceful and social fish. They thrive in a group of at least six individuals. This fish is compatible with most tankmates. Additionally, they produce less waste so it’s easier to maintain tank cleanliness.
White Cloud Minnow
The White Cloud Minnow lives in small and chilly streams in China. These environments are naturally confined so the fish has adapted accordingly. Moreover, it is highly adaptable to varying water parameters, common in small tanks.
White Cloud Minnows have a silver body and contrasting red-orange fins. They have a slender build that only reaches up to 1.5 inches. This minimalist coloration and body add a unique touch to any tank. In essence, its size and looks make it one of the best fish for a 5 gallon tank.
White Cloud Minnows are well known for their peaceful and social nature. They thrive in groups of about 6 or more. Their calm temperament makes them an excellent choice for small tanks.
Guppies
Guppies are native to small streams and pools so they naturally adapt well to limited spaces. A 5 gallon tank is more than enough for a guppy as it mimics the guppy’s natural habitat.
Guppies are small and vibrant fish that only grow up to 1.5 to 2 inches in length. They have a variety of colors and many patterns that adore their body. Their small size and vibrant bodies make them the best fish for a 5 gallon tank. Here are the most popular guppy types to choose from.
Lastly, they have a peaceful and social nature. They coexist with most non-aggressive fish. Their active lifestyle also keeps the tank lively. However, they require proper care with regular filtration and water changes.
Chili Rasbora
Next on our list of best fish for a 5 gallon tank is the Chili Rasbora. This fish thrives in small, slow-moving streams and ponds in Indonesia. This makes them one of the best fish to keep in a small tank. Their adaptability with small water spaces makes them a good choice for nano tanks.
Chili Rasboras have a striking body with red and orange hues, just like a red chili. Moreover, they have tiny sizes, usually less than an inch. This vibrant body and small size make them stand out in a 5 gallon tank.
Additionally, the Chili Rasboras are peaceful and social in nature. They thrive in groups of 6 or more. Their gentle nature means that they don’t need huge territories to flourish. However, ensure a clean environment with regular water changes. This fish can stress out because of improper tank parameters.
Neon Tetra
Neon Tetras thrive in small and slow-moving water bodies like streams and tributaries. These natural habitats are exactly like a 5 gallon tank. So, this fish is naturally perfect for a small and confined space.
Neon Tetras have a captivating appearance. Their body boasts vibrant blue color and beautiful red stripes. Moreover, a bright blue stripe runs from the middle of their body to the tail fin.
Neon Tetras have an average body size of about 1.5 inches in length. This small size is a plus point as the fish can fit in a small tank and still have space to swim.
Neon Tetras are peaceful and social and thrive in groups of 6 or more. They have a calm nature but it’s best not to overcrowd them in a small tank. Moreover, you must add some plants and hiding spaces to reduce stress. All in all, this is the best fish for a 5 gallon tank, but you must maintain the water quality. improper tank conditions are dangerous for the Tetra fish.
Scarlet Badis
Scarlet Badis thrive in the shallow, slow-moving waters in India. It has adapted to small spaces because its natural habitat includes little ponds. The fish is an excellent option if you can for a small 5 gallon tank with good water quality.
Scarlet Badis have vivid bodies, with shades of blue and red. Intricate designs adorning their bodies further enhance their appearance. They also have a very small size, less than 1 inch. All in all, this fish is ideal fish for a 5 gallon tank, thanks to small its size and beautiful looks.
Scarlet Badis is incredibly peaceful and calm. It flourishes in quiet, lush tanks with lots of hiding places. Moreover, it is compatible with most non-aggressive tankmates because of its calm nature. Overall, this fish in one of the smallest fish for a 5 gallon tank.
FAQ’s
Why Choose A 5 gallon Tank?
You might assume that a 5 gallon tank is easier to maintain. However, it’s quite the opposite! Larger tanks are actually better as they provide a lot of space for the fish. Additionally, more water volume ensures that any waste material is diluted easily. The less the water, the more the ammonia and nitrite concentration. Moreover, a small tank gets overcrowded.
However, if you need a tank for a small space, in your office space, or on a desk. A small tank is perfect! But you should be able to maintain it as per requirement.
What fish go well in a 5 gallon tank?
Betta fish, Neon Tetras, White Cloud Minnows, and Cherry Shrimp are some good options for a small 5 gallon tank. These species usually inhabit small water bodies so they can easily adapt to a small tank.
Can I have 10 fish in a 5 gallon tank?
The number of fish you can add to a tank depends on the size of the fish and the tank. However, adding 10 fish to a 5 gallon tank will overcrowd it. It’s best to add only 3 to 5 small fish in a 5 gallon tank, like a Neon tetra. But if you have a bigger fish like a Betta, only 1 fish should be added to a 5 gallon tank.
How many fish can survive in a 5 gallon tank?
1 big fish like a betta or 3 to 5 small fish like a neon tetra will be able to survive in a small 5 gallon tank. Remember that overcrowding a tank is always a bad practice. Small fish for small tanks is a general rule of thumb.
Is a 5 gallon tank good for shrimp?
Yes! A 5 gallon tank is perfect for a shrimp. Cherry Shrimp or Ghost Shrimp are some good shrimpy options to add to a small tank. However, they do need a clean and well-planted tank.
Conclusion
In conclusion, today we have explored the 9 most popular fish for a 5 gallon tank. In addition, we have discussed their beautiful appearances and how they can add to your tank. We also talked about their natural habitats and nature that align with a small fish tank. All in all, we presented the top picks for a 5 gallon tank for you to choose from.
Before we end our article, you must be informed that a 5 gallon tank tends to get more dirtier than a bigger one. As this is one of the smallest fish tank, less water will mean more ammonia and nitrite concentration. So, you might have to change the water more frequently and keep the tank water filtered at all times. It’s best to use a water test Kit to maintain the water parameters.
So, let us know which fish would you choose for your 5 gallon tank? share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Pro Tip: Add live plants to your small tank. Live plants filter the water and add more oxygen to the tank, they also reduce toxin levels.