Stocking a 10 gallon aquarium

The data behind this page

The Fishkeeping Network

Stocking guidelines: which species fit a tank, the group sizes they need, and the warnings that come with them.

The Aquarium Wiki (theaquariumwiki.com)

Water chemistry requirements: the pH, hardness and temperature each species is kept in.

Used under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Your water (optional)

°C
dGH

Your plan

Add fish with the “+ Add” buttons below to see if they will work together in your tank.

10 Gallon / 38 Liter

23 groups fit

Assumes the standard 50 × 25 cm footprint. Dimensions matter more than volume, so if your tank is shorter, enter its dimensions above.

Fish

Badis

2 species
  • Scarlet(Dario dario)COMMON19 L · 40 cm
    Solitary male

    22–26°C · 5–15 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

  • Blue(Badis badis)38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary male

    23–26°C · 5–19 dGH · pH 6–8

  • Group in a 20 gallon tank or larger
  • Initially require live food

Barbs

1 species
  • Dwarf Ember(Barboides gracilis)38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    21–26°C · 0–6 dGH · pH 6–7

Betta

14 species
  • Longfin Splendens(Betta splendens)COMMON19 L · 40 cm
    Solitary

    24–28°C · 4–10 dGH · pH 6–7.8

    Longfin (and Shortfin) splendens genetics are severely damaged

  • Albimarginata(Betta albimarginata)38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary

    21–28°C · 4–10 dGH · pH 5.5–7

  • Anabatoides(Betta anabatoides)38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary

    27–30°C · 1–5 dGH · pH 4.5–7.5

  • Coccina(Betta coccina)38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary

    24–28°C · 0–6 dGH · pH 4–6

  • Dimidiata(Betta dimidiata)38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary

    ~24–28°C · ~2–10 dGH · ~pH 5.5–7

  • Edithae(Betta edithae)38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary

    ~24–28°C · ~2–10 dGH · ~pH 5.5–7

  • Potentially community compatible in larger tanks
  • Rubra & Dennisyongi Solitary or Group
  • Compatible with Snails & Clams, Potentially Compatible with Shrimp, incompatible with fish

Catfish

1 species
  • Dwarf Anchor/Asian Stone(Hara jerdoni)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    20–24°C · 8–12 dGH · pH 6.7–7.2

Corydoras

7 species
  • Cochui(Corydoras cochui)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~22–26°C · ~2–12 dGH · ~pH 6–7.2

  • Gracilis38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~22–26°C · ~2–12 dGH · ~pH 6–7.2

  • Polystictus(Corydoras polystictus)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    20–25°C · 2–18 dGH · pH 6–7.6

  • Pygmy(Corydoras pygmaeus)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    22–26°C · 6–16 dGH · pH 6–8

  • Salt & Pepper/Habrosus(Corydoras habrosus)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    22–26°C · 8–15 dGH · pH 6.2–7.2

  • Sixray(Aspidoras pauciradiatus)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    22–25°C · 3–12 dGH · pH 6–7.2

  • Heavily prefer sand

Danios

2 species
  • Ethereal(Danionella cerebrum)19 L · 40 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~20–25°C · ~5–12 dGH · ~pH 6.5–7.5

  • Celestial Pearl(Danio margaritatus)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    20–26°C · 8–12 dGH · pH 5.7–8

Gobies

6 species
  • Annie's(Stiphodon annieae)38 L · 50 cm
    Harem

    ~23–28°C · ~5–12 dGH · ~pH 6.5–8

  • Lumbantobing(Pseudogobiopsis lumbantobing)38 L · 50 cm
    Group 3+

    ~22–26°C · ~6–14 dGH · ~pH 6.5–7.5

  • Red Spotted(Rhinogobius rubromaculatus)38 L · 50 cm
    Pair

    ~15–25°C · ~6–16 dGH · ~pH 7.5–8

  • Rhino Horn(Redigobius balteatus)38 L · 50 cm
    Group 3+

    ~22–26°C · ~6–14 dGH · ~pH 7–8

  • Tiger Dwarf(Mugilogobius tigrinus)BRACKISH38 L · 50 cm
    Group 3+

    ~22–26°C · ~6–14 dGH · ~pH 7.2–8.2

  • True Freshwater Bumblebee(Brachygobius xanthomelas)38 L · 50 cm
    Group 3+

    ~22–29°C · ~8–12 dGH · ~pH 8–8.2

Gourami

3 species
  • Dwarf/Powder Blue(Trichogaster lalius)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary or Harem

    22–28°C · 4–13 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

    Very susceptible to iridovirus

    Common strains have extremely compromised genetics due to inbreeding, so they aren't advisable unless sourced with extreme discretion

  • Honey(Colisa chuna)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary Honey Gourami or Red Robin Gourami can fit in Fluval Flex 15

    22–26°C · 6–10 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

    Often confused with Thick Lipped

    Common strains have extremely compromised genetics due to inbreeding, so they aren't advisable unless sourced with extreme discretion

  • Red Robin(Trichogaster chuna)38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary Honey Gourami or Red Robin Gourami can fit in Fluval Flex 15

    22–26°C · 6–10 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

    Often confused with Thick Lipped

Indostomus

1 species
  • Paradox Fish/Armored Stickleback/Toothpick Fish(Indostomus paradoxus)19 L · 40 cm
    Trio

    24–28°C · 6–10 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

  • Require live food
  • Require a very heavily planted tank

Killifish

10 species
  • Bluefin Notho(Nothobranchius rachovii)NothobranchiusCOMMON19 L · 40 cm
    Least Shoaling (6+)

    20–24°C · 3–10 dGH · pH 6–7

  • Egger's(Nothobranchius eggersi)Nothobranchius19 L · 40 cm
    Least Shoaling (6+)

    24–28°C · 10–25 dGH · pH 7–8.2

  • Foerschi(Nothobranchius foerschi)Nothobranchius19 L · 40 cm
    Least Shoaling (6+)

    22–26°C · 10–25 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

  • Gunther's(Nothobranchius guentheri)Nothobranchius19 L · 40 cm
    Least Shoaling (6+)

    22–25°C · 5–20 dGH · pH 7–8

  • KisakiNothobranchius19 L · 40 cm
    Least Shoaling (6+)

    ~22–27°C · ~10–25 dGH · ~pH 6.75–7.75

  • Korthausae(Nothobranchius korthausae)Nothobranchius19 L · 40 cm
    Least Shoaling (6+)

    ~22–27°C · ~10–25 dGH · ~pH 6.75–7.75

  • Nothobranchius Pairs (Trio or Small Harem in a 10 gallon tank or larger, Large Harem in a 20 long tank)

Livebearers

16 species
  • Least Killifish(Heterandria formosa)COMMON19 L · 40 cm
    Shoal 6+

    16–24°C · 5–20 dGH · pH 7–8

    Not killifish, they are livebearers

  • Tiger Teddy(Neoheterandria elegans)19 L · 40 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~23–28°C · ~pH 7–8

  • Bifurca Guppy(Micropoecilia bifurca)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~23–28°C · ~pH 7–8

  • Blackstripe Porthole(Poeciliopsis prolifica)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~23–28°C · ~pH 7–8

  • Branneri Guppy(Micropoecilia branneri)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~23–28°C · ~pH 6.3–7.3

  • Dusky Millions(Phalloceros caudimaculatus)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    25–28°C · 9–19 dGH · pH 7–8

  • Guppies Males Only

Otocinclus

5 species
  • Bumblebee38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~21–26°C · ~8–20 dGH · ~pH 6–8

  • Common(Otocinclus vittatus)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    21–26°C · 6–10 dGH · pH 5.5–7.5

  • Haroldoi/Dwarf Pleco38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~21–26°C · ~8–20 dGH · ~pH 6–8

    Not Plecostomus, they are a species of Otocinclus

  • Robocop38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~21–26°C · ~8–20 dGH · ~pH 6–8

  • Tiger(Otocinclus cocama)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    21–24°C · 8–12 dGH · pH 6–7.5

  • Most Otocinclus are purchased with dead gut bacteria.
  • Require a mature tank (1 Year +) OR 24/7 powdered food access + BacterAE

Pencilfish

1 species
  • Miniature(Nannostomus anduzei)38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    ~24–28°C · ~4–8 dGH · ~pH 5.5–7

Pygmy Sunfish

7 species
  • Alabamae(Elassoma alabamae)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary

    ~10–25°C · ~6–16 dGH · ~pH 6–7.5

  • Boehlkei(Elassoma boehlkei)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary

    10–25°C · 6–16 dGH · pH 5.5–7.2

  • Evergladei(Elassoma evergladei)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary

    10–30°C · 3–15 dGH · pH 6–8

  • Gilberti(Elassoma gilberti)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary

    15–24°C · 5–12 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

  • Okatie(Elassoma okatie)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary

    10–23°C · 6–16 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

  • Okefenokee(Elassoma okefenokee)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary

    4–30°C · 6–20 dGH · pH 6–8

  • Colonies permissible in extremely dense tanks
  • Require Live Food
  • Require a very heavily planted tank

Rasboras

8 species
  • Chili(Boraras brigittae)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    25–28°C · 8–10 dGH · pH 6.5–7

  • Galaxy(Danio margaritatus)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    20–26°C · 8–12 dGH · pH 5.7–8

  • Neon Blue(Sundadanio axelrodi)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    23–26°C · 2–10 dGH · pH 6–6.5

  • Neon Green(Microdevario kubotai)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    20–27°C · 8–10 dGH · pH 6–7

  • Neon Red(Sundadanio rubellus)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    ~23–26°C · ~6–12 dGH · ~pH 5–6

  • Phoenix(Boraras merah)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    25–28°C · 8–10 dGH · pH 6.5–7

Ricefish

4 species
  • Daisy's(Oryzias woworae)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    24–27°C · 5–12 dGH · pH 6.5–7.5

  • Indian Blue(Oryzias dancena)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~23–26°C · ~7–14 dGH · ~pH 7–7.75

  • Javanese(Oryzias javanicus)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~23–26°C · ~7–14 dGH · ~pH 7–7.75

  • Pectoral Spot(Oryzias pectoralis)38 L · 50 cm
    Shoal 6+

    ~23–26°C · ~7–14 dGH · ~pH 7–7.75

Tetras

9 species
  • Adonis(Lepidarchus adonis)38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    22–26°C · 4–8 dGH · pH 5.8–6.5

  • Dwarf Blue(Tyttocharax cochui)38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    ~23–27°C · ~5–12 dGH · ~pH 6–7

  • Ember(Hyphessobrycon amandae)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    24–28°C · 6–10 dGH · pH 6.5–7

  • Gold Neon(Paracheirodon innesi)38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    22–26°C · 4–10 dGH · pH 4.6–7.6

  • Green Neon(Paracheirodon simulans)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    23–27°C · 4–6 dGH · pH 5.5–6

  • Hummingbird(Characidium rachovii)38 L · 50 cm
    School 8+

    20–24°C · 10–25 dGH · pH 5.6–7.5

Invertebrates

Clams/Mussels

1 species
  • Clams/Mussels(Anodonta anatina)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    22–28°C · 8–10 dGH · pH 6.5–8

Crabs

4 species
  • Pom Pom(Ptychognathus barbatus)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    ~22–27°C · ~8–12 dGH · ~pH 6.5–7.5

    Very difficult to keep

  • Thai Micro(Limnopilos naiyanetri)COMMON11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    22–26°C · 8–12 dGH · pH 7.2–8

  • Blue Legged Hermit(Clibanarius tricolor)COMMONBRACKISH19 L · 40 cm
    Solitary; Groups

    22–26°C · 8–12 dGH · pH 8.1–8.4

  • Ghost Dwarf19 L · 40 cm
    Solitary; Groups

    ~22–27°C · ~8–12 dGH · ~pH 7–8

Crayfish

3 species
  • Amano(Caridina multidentata)ShrimpCOMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Group

    18–27°C · 6–10 dGH · pH 6–7.5

    Need brackish to breed

  • Cambarellus(Cambarellus patzcuarensis)38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary, Pair

    22–24°C · 12–14 dGH · pH 7.5–8

  • Dwarf Orange/Mexican(Cambarellus patzcuarensis)COMMON38 L · 50 cm
    Solitary, Pair

    22–24°C · 12–14 dGH · pH 7.5–8

  • Group in a 15g/20h tank
  • Crayfish aggression is based on individual personality
  • Crayfish illegal in UK

Scuds

1 species
  • Scuds(Hyalella azteca)11 L · 22 cm
    Group

    10–26°C · 8–18 dGH · pH 6.5–8.5

  • Can be kept in smaller tanks

Shrimp

7 species
  • Amazon Zebra(Euryrhynchus amazoniensis)11 L · 22 cm
    Group

    ~3–10 dGH · ~pH 5–6

  • Caridina(Caridina multidentata)COMMON11 L · 22 cm
    Group

    18–27°C · 6–10 dGH · pH 6–7.5

  • Fairy11 L · 22 cm
    Group

    ~3–10 dGH · ~pH 7–8

    Fairy Shrimp can be kept in Smaller Tanks

  • Ghost(Palaemonetes paludosus)COMMON11 L · 22 cm
    Group

    20–29°C · 3–10 dGH · pH 7–8

  • Halocaridina/Opae Ula(Halocaridina rubra)BRACKISH11 L · 22 cm
    Group

    22–28°C · 2–15 dGH · pH 7.5–8

  • Neocaridina/Cherry(Neocaridina heteropoda)COMMON11 L · 22 cm
    Group

    22–28°C · 8–12 dGH · pH 6.4–8.4

Snails

19 species
  • Assassin(Anentome helena)COMMON11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    23–27°C · 8–15 dGH · pH 7.2–8

    Actively eat other snails, eggs, and recently molted invertebrates

  • Bladder(Physa acuta)COMMON11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    18–25°C · 6–12 dGH · pH 7.2–8.5

  • Hairy(Thiara cancellata)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    22–26°C · 8–15 dGH · ~pH 7–8

  • Limpet Nerite(Septaria porcellana)11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    23–28°C · 8–15 dGH · ~pH 7–8

  • Malaysian Trumpet(Melanoides tuberculata)COMMON11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    18–30°C · 6–15 dGH · pH 7–8

  • Mud11 L · 22 cm
    Solitary or Groups

    ~8–15 dGH · ~pH 7–8

  • All except Assassin, Limpet Nerite, & Hairy Reproduce Asexually

The stocking planner tells you if your tank plan can work, but it cannot say how hard it will be to maintain.

To figure out what it will actually take to keep your tank healthy long term given your specific tank setup, water type, environment, etc. you can run your tank through the simulator.