How many fish in a 5 gallon tank?
A 5 US gal (19 L) tank is usually 16 in (41 cm) long. By size, 2 of the 53 species in this reference fit it. The table shows how many of each the tank can carry if kept on their own, at under 80% of its bioload.
A mix shares the same capacity, so three species at a third each is the limit, not three full rows. Check a mix with the planner; it also weighs water and temperament.
Species that fit a 5 gallon tank
| Species | Adult size | Up to, kept alone | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mystery snail | 2 in (5 cm) | 4 | |
| Nerite snail | 1.5 in (3.8 cm) | 6 |
Too big for a 5 gallon tank
- Black neon tetraNeeds 72 L (19 US gal), at least 80 cm (31 in) long.
- Black skirt tetraNeeds 68 L (18 US gal), at least 75 cm (30 in) long.
- Cardinal tetraNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- Congo tetraNeeds 108 L (29 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long.
- Ember tetraNeeds 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- Glowlight tetraNeeds 68 L (18 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- Lemon tetraNeeds 72 L (19 US gal), at least 80 cm (31 in) long.
- Neon tetraNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- Rummy-nose tetraNeeds at least 90 cm (35 in) long.
- Serpae tetraNeeds 72 L (19 US gal), at least 80 cm (31 in) long.
- Endler's livebearerNeeds 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- GuppyNeeds 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- MollyNeeds 81 L (21 US gal), at least 90 cm (35 in) long.
- PlatyNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- SwordtailNeeds 108 L (29 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long, and grows to 14 cm (5.5 in).
- Celestial pearl danioNeeds 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- Chili rasboraNeeds 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- Harlequin rasboraNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- White cloud mountain minnowNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- Zebra danioNeeds 81 L (21 US gal), at least 90 cm (35 in) long.
- Cherry barbNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- Rosy barbNeeds 90 L (24 US gal), at least 100 cm (39 in) long, and grows to 14 cm (5.5 in).
- Tiger barbNeeds 72 L (19 US gal), at least 80 cm (31 in) long.
- Bristlenose plecoNeeds 110 L (29 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long, and grows to 15 cm (6 in).
- Bronze corydorasNeeds 114 L (30 US gal), at least 80 cm (31 in) long.
- Common plecoNeeds 284 L (75 US gal), and grows to 58 cm (23 in).
- Glass catfishNeeds 81 L (21 US gal), at least 90 cm (35 in) long.
- OtocinclusNeeds 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- Panda corydorasNeeds 114 L (30 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- Peppered corydorasNeeds 114 L (30 US gal), at least 61 cm (24 in) long.
- Pygmy corydorasNeeds 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- Clown loachNeeds 648 L (171 US gal), at least 180 cm (71 in) long, and grows to 40 cm (16 in).
- Kuhli loachNeeds 76 L (20 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long, and grows to 12 cm (4.7 in).
- Yoyo loachNeeds 243 L (64 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long, and grows to 16 cm (6.3 in).
- BettaNeeds 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
- Dwarf gouramiNeeds 56 L (15 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- Honey gouramiNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long, and grows to 14 cm (5.4 in).
- Paradise fishNeeds 72 L (19 US gal), at least 80 cm (31 in) long.
- Pearl gouramiNeeds 81 L (21 US gal), at least 90 cm (35 in) long, and grows to 12 cm (4.7 in).
- AngelfishNeeds 208 L (55 US gal), at least 100 cm (39 in) long, and grows to 15 cm (5.9 in).
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlidNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- Convict cichlidNeeds at least 90 cm (35 in) long, and grows to 15 cm (5.9 in).
- DiscusNeeds 255 L (67 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long, and grows to 14 cm (5.5 in).
- German blue ramNeeds 54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long.
- KribensisNeeds 71 L (19 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long, and grows to 11 cm (4.3 in).
- OscarNeeds 540 L (143 US gal), at least 150 cm (59 in) long, and grows to 46 cm (18 in).
- Boeseman's rainbowfishNeeds 108 L (29 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long, and grows to 11 cm (4.3 in).
- GoldfishNeeds 76 L (20 US gal), and grows to 48 cm (19 in).
- Red tail sharkNeeds 243 L (64 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long, and grows to 13 cm (5.1 in).
- Siamese algae eaterNeeds 208 L (55 US gal), and grows to 16 cm (6.3 in).
- Cherry shrimpNeeds 38 L (10 US gal).
A guide, not a guarantee. Tank sizes: 10 gal, 20 gal, 29 gal, 40 gal, 55 gal, 75 gal, 125 gal.