Fish and Stocking
Work out how many fish your tank can hold, and look up the adult size, minimum tank and water needs of 80 popular species.
Care table: 81 popular aquarium species
Adult size, smallest suitable tank, group size and water range for every species in the stocking calculator. Sizes are for adults; tanks are for the species kept in a proper group.
| Species | Adult size | Smallest tank | Group | Temperature | pH | Temperament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African butterfly fishPantodon buchholzi | 4.7 in12 cm | 40 gal150 L | Any | 75–86 °F24–30 °C | 6–7.5 | Semi-aggressive |
| Amano shrimpCaridina multidentata | 2 in5 cm | 10 gal38 L | 3+ | 68–81 °F20–27 °C | 6.5–7.8 | Peaceful |
| AngelfishPterophyllum scalare | 5.9 in15 cm | 55 gal208 L | Any | 75–86 °F24–30 °C | 6–7.8 | Semi-aggressive |
| AxolotlAmbystoma mexicanum | 9.8 in25 cm | 30 gal114 L | Any | 57–68 °F14–20 °C | 6.5–8 | Semi-aggressive |
| Bala sharkBalantiocheilos melanopterus | 13.8 in35 cm | 151 gal570 L | 5+ | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 6–8 | Peaceful |
| Betta (Siamese fighting fish)Betta splendens | 2.6 in6.5 cm | 5 gal19 L | One | 75–82 °F24–28 °C | 6–7.8 | Semi-aggressive |
| Black neon tetraHyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi | 1.6 in4 cm | 15 gal57 L | 6+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Black skirt tetraGymnocorymbus ternetzi | 2.4 in6 cm | 20 gal76 L | 6+ | 70–81 °F21–27 °C | 6–7.5 | Semi-aggressive |
| Boeseman's rainbowfishMelanotaenia boesemani | 4.3 in11 cm | 55 gal208 L | 6+ | 75–82 °F24–28 °C | 7–8 | Peaceful |
| Bolivian ramMikrogeophagus altispinosus | 3.1 in8 cm | 30 gal114 L | 2+ | 73–81 °F23–27 °C | 6–7.8 | Peaceful |
| Bristlenose plecoAncistrus sp. | 5.1 in13 cm | 30 gal114 L | Any | 72–81 °F22–27 °C | 6–7.8 | Peaceful |
| Bronze corydorasCorydoras aeneus | 2.6 in6.5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 6+ | 70–81 °F21–27 °C | 6–8 | Peaceful |
| Bumblebee gobyBrachygobius doriae | 1.6 in4 cm | 10 gal38 L | 6+ | 72–84 °F22–29 °C | 7–8.5 | Semi-aggressive |
| Cardinal tetraParacheirodon axelrodi | 1.6 in4 cm | 15 gal57 L | 6+ | 75–84 °F24–29 °C | 4.5–7 | Peaceful |
| Celestial pearl danioDanio margaritatus | 1 in2.5 cm | 10 gal38 L | 6+ | 70–79 °F21–26 °C | 6.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Cherry barbPuntius titteya | 2 in5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 6+ | 73–81 °F23–27 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Cherry shrimpNeocaridina davidi | 1.2 in3 cm | 5 gal19 L | 6+ | 64–82 °F18–28 °C | 6.5–8 | Peaceful |
| Chili rasboraBoraras brigittae | 0.8 in2 cm | 5 gal20 L | 8+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 4.5–7 | Peaceful |
| Clown killifishEpiplatys annulatus | 1.4 in3.5 cm | 10 gal38 L | 6+ | 73–79 °F23–26 °C | 5.5–7 | Peaceful |
| Clown loachChromobotia macracanthus | 11.8 in30 cm | 151 gal570 L | 5+ | 77–86 °F25–30 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Clown plecoPanaqolus maccus | 3.5 in9 cm | 20 gal76 L | Any | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 6–7.8 | Peaceful |
| Cockatoo dwarf cichlidApistogramma cacatuoides | 3.1 in8 cm | 20 gal76 L | 2+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 6–7.8 | Semi-aggressive |
| Common / comet goldfishCarassius auratus | 11.8 in30 cm | 75 gal284 L | Any | 50–73 °F10–23 °C | 7–8.4 | Peaceful |
| Common plecoPterygoplichthys pardalis | 15.7 in40 cm | 151 gal570 L | Any | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 6–8 | Peaceful |
| Congo tetraPhenacogrammus interruptus | 3.1 in8 cm | 40 gal150 L | 6+ | 73–81 °F23–27 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Convict cichlidAmatitlania nigrofasciata | 4.7 in12 cm | 30 gal114 L | 2+ | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 6.5–8 | Aggressive |
| Crystal red shrimpCaridina cantonensis | 1.2 in3 cm | 5 gal19 L | 6+ | 68–75 °F20–24 °C | 5.8–6.8 | Peaceful |
| Denison barb (roseline shark)Sahyadria denisonii | 5.1 in13 cm | 74 gal280 L | 6+ | 64–77 °F18–25 °C | 6.5–7.8 | Peaceful |
| DiscusSymphysodon aequifasciatus | 6.3 in16 cm | 74 gal280 L | 5+ | 82–88 °F28–31 °C | 5.5–7 | Peaceful |
| Dwarf gouramiTrichogaster lalius | 3 in7.5 cm | 15 gal57 L | One | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 6–7.8 | Semi-aggressive |
| Dwarf neon rainbowfishMelanotaenia praecox | 2.4 in6 cm | 30 gal114 L | 6+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 6.5–8 | Peaceful |
| Electric blue acaraAndinoacara pulcher | 5.9 in15 cm | 40 gal150 L | Any | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 6.5–8 | Semi-aggressive |
| Ember tetraHyphessobrycon amandae | 0.8 in2 cm | 10 gal38 L | 8+ | 73–84 °F23–29 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Endler's livebearerPoecilia wingei | 1.2 in3 cm | 5 gal20 L | 3+ | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 7–8.2 | Peaceful |
| Fancy goldfishCarassius auratus | 5.9 in15 cm | 30 gal114 L | Any | 64–73 °F18–23 °C | 7–8.4 | Peaceful |
| Firemouth cichlidThorichthys meeki | 5.9 in15 cm | 40 gal150 L | 2+ | 73–81 °F23–27 °C | 6.5–8 | Semi-aggressive |
| German blue ramMikrogeophagus ramirezi | 2.4 in6 cm | 20 gal76 L | 2+ | 79–86 °F26–30 °C | 5–7 | Peaceful |
| Glass catfishKryptopterus vitreolus | 3.1 in8 cm | 30 gal114 L | 6+ | 73–81 °F23–27 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Glowlight tetraHemigrammus erythrozonus | 1.6 in4 cm | 15 gal57 L | 6+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| GuppyPoecilia reticulata | 2 in5 cm | 10 gal38 L | 3+ | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 7–8.2 | Peaceful |
| Harlequin rasboraTrigonostigma heteromorpha | 1.8 in4.5 cm | 15 gal57 L | 6+ | 72–81 °F22–27 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Hillstream loachSewellia lineolata | 2.4 in6 cm | 20 gal76 L | 3+ | 68–75 °F20–24 °C | 6.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Honey gouramiTrichogaster chuna | 2 in5 cm | 15 gal57 L | Any | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Jack DempseyRocio octofasciata | 7.9 in20 cm | 55 gal208 L | Any | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 6.5–8 | Aggressive |
| KribensisPelvicachromis pulcher | 3.9 in10 cm | 30 gal114 L | 2+ | 75–81 °F24–27 °C | 6–7.8 | Semi-aggressive |
| Kuhli loachPangio kuhlii | 3.9 in10 cm | 20 gal76 L | 5+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 5.5–7 | Peaceful |
| Lemon tetraHyphessobrycon pulchripinnis | 1.8 in4.5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 6+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Marbled hatchetfishCarnegiella strigata | 1.4 in3.5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 6+ | 75–82 °F24–28 °C | 5.5–7 | Peaceful |
| MollyPoecilia sphenops | 3.9 in10 cm | 30 gal114 L | 3+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 7.5–8.5 | Peaceful |
| Mystery snailPomacea bridgesii | 2 in5 cm | 10 gal38 L | Any | 68–82 °F20–28 °C | 7–8.4 | Peaceful |
| Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi | 1.4 in3.5 cm | 10 gal38 L | 6+ | 70–79 °F21–26 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Nerite snailNeritina natalensis | 1 in2.5 cm | 5 gal19 L | Any | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 7–8.5 | Peaceful |
| Odessa barbPethia padamya | 2.8 in7 cm | 30 gal114 L | 6+ | 68–79 °F20–26 °C | 6.5–7.8 | Peaceful |
| OscarAstronotus ocellatus | 11.8 in30 cm | 75 gal284 L | Any | 73–81 °F23–27 °C | 6–8 | Aggressive |
| OtocinclusOtocinclus vittatus | 1.6 in4 cm | 15 gal57 L | 4+ | 72–79 °F22–26 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Panda corydorasCorydoras panda | 2 in5 cm | 15 gal57 L | 6+ | 68–77 °F20–25 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Paradise fishMacropodus opercularis | 3.9 in10 cm | 20 gal76 L | One | 61–79 °F16–26 °C | 6–8 | Aggressive |
| Pea pufferCarinotetraodon travancoricus | 1 in2.5 cm | 10 gal38 L | Any | 75–82 °F24–28 °C | 6.8–8 | Aggressive |
| Pearl gouramiTrichopodus leerii | 4.7 in12 cm | 30 gal114 L | Any | 75–82 °F24–28 °C | 6–8 | Peaceful |
| Peppered corydorasCorydoras paleatus | 2.6 in6.5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 6+ | 64–77 °F18–25 °C | 6–8 | Peaceful |
| Pictus catfishPimelodus pictus | 4.7 in12 cm | 55 gal208 L | 3+ | 72–79 °F22–26 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| PlatyXiphophorus maculatus | 2.4 in6 cm | 15 gal57 L | 3+ | 68–79 °F20–26 °C | 7–8.2 | Peaceful |
| Pygmy corydorasCorydoras pygmaeus | 1 in2.5 cm | 10 gal38 L | 8+ | 72–79 °F22–26 °C | 6.2–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Rainbow sharkEpalzeorhynchos frenatum | 5.9 in15 cm | 55 gal208 L | One | 72–81 °F22–27 °C | 6.5–7.8 | Semi-aggressive |
| Red-tailed black sharkEpalzeorhynchos bicolor | 5.9 in15 cm | 55 gal208 L | One | 72–81 °F22–27 °C | 6.5–7.8 | Aggressive |
| Rosy barbPethia conchonius | 3.9 in10 cm | 30 gal114 L | 6+ | 64–75 °F18–24 °C | 6–8 | Peaceful |
| Rummy-nose tetraPetitella rhodostoma | 2 in5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 8+ | 75–84 °F24–29 °C | 5.5–7 | Peaceful |
| Serpae tetraHyphessobrycon eques | 1.8 in4.5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 8+ | 72–81 °F22–27 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Semi-aggressive |
| Shell dweller (multi)Neolamprologus multifasciatus | 1.8 in4.5 cm | 10 gal38 L | 4+ | 75–81 °F24–27 °C | 7.8–9 | Semi-aggressive |
| Siamese algae eaterCrossocheilus oblongus | 5.9 in15 cm | 55 gal208 L | 3+ | 75–81 °F24–27 °C | 6.5–7.8 | Peaceful |
| Sparkling gouramiTrichopsis pumila | 1.6 in4 cm | 10 gal38 L | 3+ | 75–82 °F24–28 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful |
| Sterba's corydorasCorydoras sterbai | 2.6 in6.5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 6+ | 75–82 °F24–28 °C | 6–7.6 | Peaceful |
| SwordtailXiphophorus hellerii | 4.7 in12 cm | 30 gal114 L | 3+ | 70–81 °F21–27 °C | 7–8.3 | Peaceful |
| Threadfin rainbowfishIriatherina werneri | 1.6 in4 cm | 15 gal57 L | 6+ | 73–84 °F23–29 °C | 6–7.8 | Peaceful |
| Three-spot (blue) gouramiTrichopodus trichopterus | 5.1 in13 cm | 35 gal132 L | Any | 72–82 °F22–28 °C | 6–8 | Semi-aggressive |
| Tiger barbPuntigrus tetrazona | 2.8 in7 cm | 30 gal114 L | 8+ | 70–81 °F21–27 °C | 6–7.5 | Semi-aggressive |
| Upside-down catfishSynodontis nigriventris | 3.5 in9 cm | 30 gal114 L | 3+ | 72–81 °F22–27 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful |
| White Cloud Mountain minnowTanichthys albonubes | 1.6 in4 cm | 10 gal38 L | 6+ | 61–73 °F16–23 °C | 6.5–8 | Peaceful |
| Yellow lab (electric yellow cichlid)Labidochromis caeruleus | 3.9 in10 cm | 40 gal150 L | 4+ | 75–82 °F24–28 °C | 7.6–8.6 | Semi-aggressive |
| Yoyo loachBotia almorhae | 5.5 in14 cm | 40 gal150 L | 5+ | 73–82 °F23–28 °C | 6.5–7.5 | Semi-aggressive |
| Zebra danioDanio rerio | 2 in5 cm | 20 gal76 L | 6+ | 64–77 °F18–25 °C | 6.5–8 | Peaceful |
Figures follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles, FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure.
Guides
- How to Set Up Your First Aquarium, Step by Step
Tank size, equipment, cycling and first fish, in order, with the numbers for each step.
- How Many Fish Can I Put in My Tank?
The rules that decide it, and checked example lists for five common tank sizes.
- The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle, Explained
What happens in the filter, the fishless method day by day, and how to read your tests.