A 10 gallon tank is a good tank for beginner fish keepers to start of with, it is small enough that you don’t need expensive equipment to run it and they are easy to maintain. In this guide on the 7 best beginner fish for 10 gallon tanks we will show you how to pick the best fish for your 10 gallon aquarium and what to look for in a healthy fish.
What to know before stocking your 10 gallon fish tank.
There are some things you need to know you start stocking your 10 gallon tank for the first time. For example you want to decide how many fish you want to keep in your tank. Do you prefer one species or multiple species, and is your tank going to be planted?
How many fish can you put in a 10 gallon tank?
A lot of experts are going to tell you that you should only have one inch of fish per a gallon of water but I can tell you that is not true. One 10″ fish is going to die in your tank and you should not have 20 small fish less than half a inch unless you are prepared to have lots of filtration and do a lot of water changes. On average if you can have up to 10 small fish in your tank if you have adequate filtration and a way to control the bio load.
Will fish stay healthy in a 10 gallon tank?
Fish will stay healthy in a 10 gallon tank as long as you monitor the water parameters. The ammonia and nitrites should stay at 0ppm and the nitrates should be between 0-10ppm. If you keep your fish tank water parameters at these levels you fish will stay healthy and active in a 10 gallon tank
Can you put different species in a 10 gallon tank?
You can put different species in a 10 gallon tank and in my opinion you should. In my experience the 10 gallon tanks I had with multiple species stayed the healthiest and I had less over water issues with the tank. As long as you do not overstock the tank, and pick fish that prefer different levels of the tank you will find that a 10 gallon tank can be just as colorful and diverse as a much larger tank.
7 Best beginner fish for a 10 gallon tank
I have had experience with each of these fish and at one time or another have raised them in a 10 gallon tank. These best beginner fish for a 10 gallon tank are not listed in any particular order but all are suitable for 10 gallon fish tank. When choosing your the fish for your 10 gallon tank make sure you pay attention to the water parameters and tank mates that each fish prefers. All fish are different and prefer different food and water parameters.
1. Betta Fish (Siamese
The Betta fish, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish or simply Betta (its genus), is a popular and elegant tropical freshwater fish that is often kept in home aquariums. In their natural habitat, these fish inhabit areas in countries like Cambodia and Thailand, such as rice paddies and still water canals. Wild Betta fish have shorter fins and dull green or brown coloration, which is different from the ones found in pet stores, which come in various sizes and colors. Betta fish are a great first pet for teaching children responsibility, as they are inexpensive to buy and take care of. Male and female Bettas look very different, with males having longer and more beautiful fins, while females are smaller and have shorter fins. With proper care, Betta fish can live for 2 to 4 years; some owners have even reported lifespans that extend into the teens!
Betta fish will do best if you only have one betta male and one female betta fish per a tank or you will find that they may harass and harm each other. Beta fish are a only species tank there are not very many success stories of experienced fish keepers being able to keep betta fish a small tank with other fish species.
Size of the Fish: 2-3 Inches as an adult
Difficulty Score: 4
Minimum Tank Size: 5 to 10 gallon fish tank
Best Compatible Tank Mates: None
2. Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)
The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is sometimes called millionfish or rainbow fish. It’s very popular in freshwater aquariums and is found in many places around the world. It’s part of the Poeciliidae family, which means it gives birth to live babies. Guppies come from northeast South America and can live in many different environments. Males are smaller and have fancy fins. In the wild, they eat algae and bug larvae.
Guppies are easily one of the most popular aquarium fish due to their availability to buy and how easy they are to care for. Guppies can grow up to 2 inches long and they are very easy to breed. If you have a male and female guppy in the same tank you are almost guaranteed to have some guppy babies at some point. Keeping the babies for being eaten can be harder but with the proper cover and you raise fry very easily.
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Average size of adult fish | 2 inches |
| Fish Temperament | peaceful |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallon |
| Best Compatible Tank Mates | tetras, cory catfish, plecos, |
| Water Temperature | 68F to 78F |
| Preferred Diet | Omnivore |
| Breeding | Live bearer |
| Difficulty Score | Easy To care for |
Cardinal Tetra
Cardinal tetras are an active and social schooling fish that are popular in community aquariums. They have a brilliant neon blue stripe running from the nose to the tail and a red stripe that extends the entire length of their body. These tetras favor slow-moving or standing waters that are very clear and have soft, water. They should be kept in large schools of at least half a dozen fish and should not be kept with any fish that have a big enough mouth to swallow them. Suitable tankmates for cardinal tetras include other tetra species, danios, rasboras, dwarf gouramis, and small members of the catfish family.
Cardinal tetra
Neon Tetra
The neon tetra is a small, brightly colored fish that is commonly found in freshwater aquariums. These fish are native to South America, specifically the Amazon River basin. They are known for their vibrant colors, which include a bright blue and red. The neon tetra is a popular choice for home aquariums due to its small size, peaceful nature, and ease of care. They are best kept in groups of six or more, and they prefer water that is slightly acidic and warm.
In addition to their attractive colors, neon tetras are also known for their hardy nature, making them a great choice for beginner fish keepers. They can be kept with other peaceful fish, such as guppies, mollies, and platies. They are also a great option for a community tank as they are active swimmers and can add a lot of movement to the tank. Feeding neon tetras is easy, as they will eat most types of fish food, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen food.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that neon tetras can be sensitive to water quality. They require a clean and well-maintained tank, so regular water changes and testing are necessary. Additionally, it’s important to keep the water temperature within the proper range and to make sure that the pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Overall, the neon tetra is a beautiful and hardy fish that is a great addition to any freshwater aquarium. With proper care, they can live up to five years and bring a lot of color and activity to your tank.
Harlequin Rasbora
The Harlequin Rasbora is a small, brightly colored fish that is native to Southeast Asia. They are known for their vibrant colors, which include a bright orange and black, which resemble a harlequin’s costume. They are a popular choice for home aquariums due to their small size, peaceful nature, and ease of care. They are best kept in groups of six or more, and they prefer water that is slightly acidic and warm. They are very active swimmers and like to be in a group of their own kind and can be kept with other peaceful species like neon tetra, guppies, and mollies. They are a great option for a community tank as they are active swimmers and can add a lot of movement to the tank. Feeding Harlequin Rasbora is easy, as they will eat most types of fish food, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen food.
Cory Catfish
Corydoras is a type of fish that is popular among people who keep fish in tanks at home. These fish are pretty and good to have in a community tank because they get along well with other types of fish and aren’t aggressive. They are peaceful fish and it’s best to keep them in groups of 4-6 or more. These fish mostly eat food that sinks to the bottom of the tank like sinking pellets, live or frozen food. Sometimes faster fish will eat all the food before the corydoras can get to it, so you have to be careful.
Corydoras like water that is soft and a little bit acidic. They can survive in different types of water but don’t do well in water with high levels of nitrate. High nitrate can make their barbels (whiskers) infected and they won’t work well. Sharp rocks or gravel can also hurt their barbels. But these fish can be kept in tanks with gravel as long as the edges are not sharp. They also like to have a spot on the bottom of the tank with no rocks or gravel where they can find food easily. Some people think that you can’t use salt to treat sick corydoras, but it’s not true. Salt can help get rid of a sickness called ich. These fish are easy to take care of and are peaceful, strong, active, and fun to watch. Sometimes they swim to the top of the tank to take a quick breath of air, but it’s normal and nothing to worry about. But if they do it a lot, it might mean the water is not good.Regenerate response
