12 Best Fish for a 10 Gallon Tank
A 10 gallon tank is perfect for beginners. Here are the best fish that thrive in small aquariums.
Quick Guide
The best fish for 10 gallon tanks are small (under 2 inches), peaceful, and have low bioload. Avoid goldfish, plecos, and any fish that grows over 3 inches.
10 Gallon Tank Stocking Rules
Before choosing fish, understand the basic stocking guidelines:
- The old rule: 1 inch of fish per gallon (outdated but useful starting point)
- Better approach: Consider fish activity level, waste production, and swimming needs
- Always: Use our stocking calculator for accurate recommendations
Pro tip: Understock your tank. A 10 gallon with fewer fish is easier to maintain and healthier for the fish.
Top 12 Fish for 10 Gallon Tanks
1. Betta Fish
Betta splendens | 2.5-3 inches
The classic 10 gallon fish. Bettas have gorgeous flowing fins and vibrant colors. Keep only one male betta per tank.
Stocking: 1 betta alone, or with peaceful tankmates like corydoras
2. Guppies
Poecilia reticulata | 1-2 inches
Colorful, active, and incredibly easy to keep. Guppies are livebearers and will reproduce quickly - consider all males to control population.
Stocking: 6-8 guppies in a 10 gallon
3. Neon Tetras
Paracheirodon innesi | 1.2 inches
Iconic aquarium fish with electric blue and red coloring. Must be kept in schools of at least 6. Peaceful and active.
Stocking: 8-10 neon tetras in a 10 gallon
4. Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus | 1 inch
Tiny bottom-dwelling catfish that scavenge leftover food. Adorable whiskers and armored bodies. Keep in groups of 6+.
Stocking: 6-8 pygmy cories in a 10 gallon
5. Endler's Livebearers
Poecilia wingei | 1 inch
Smaller and more colorful than guppies. Males display incredible neon patterns. Hardy and prolific breeders.
Stocking: 8-12 endlers in a 10 gallon
6. Sparkling Gourami
Trichopsis pumila | 1.5 inches
Tiny gouramis with iridescent spots. They actually make a clicking/croaking sound! Peaceful and interesting behavior.
Stocking: 3-4 sparkling gouramis in a 10 gallon
7. Chili Rasboras
Boraras brigittae | 0.7 inches
One of the smallest aquarium fish. Brilliant red coloring looks stunning in planted tanks. Keep in large schools.
Stocking: 15-20 chili rasboras in a 10 gallon
8. White Cloud Mountain Minnows
Tanichthys albonubes | 1.5 inches
Cold water fish that don't need a heater! Hardy, peaceful, and beautiful with red fins. Great for unheated tanks.
Stocking: 8-10 white clouds in a 10 gallon
9. Celestial Pearl Danios (Galaxy Rasbora)
Danio margaritatus | 1 inch
Stunning spotted pattern resembles a galaxy. One of the most beautiful nano fish. Shy at first but active in groups.
Stocking: 10-12 CPDs in a 10 gallon
10. Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus vestitus | 1.5 inches
Peaceful algae eaters that stay small. Unlike plecos, otos are perfect for small tanks. Keep in groups of 4+.
Stocking: 4-6 otos in a 10 gallon (established tanks only)
11. Scarlet Badis
Dario dario | 0.8 inches
Micro predator with brilliant red and blue striping. Males are territorial but tiny. Need live or frozen foods.
Stocking: 1 male + 2-3 females in a 10 gallon
12. Nerite Snails (Bonus!)
Neritina natalensis | 1 inch
The best algae-eating snails. Multiple patterns available. They won't reproduce in freshwater, so no population explosions.
Stocking: 2-3 nerites in a 10 gallon
Sample Stocking Combinations
Here are some proven combinations for 10 gallon tanks:
Betta Community
1 betta + 6 pygmy cories + 2 nerite snails
Nano School
12 chili rasboras + 6 pygmy cories + 3 amano shrimp
Colorful Community
6 guppies + 4 otocinclus + 2 nerites
Galaxy Tank
10 celestial pearl danios + 6 dwarf cories
Fish to AVOID in 10 Gallons
These fish are commonly sold for small tanks but should never be kept in a 10 gallon:
- Goldfish - Need 20+ gallons per fish, produce massive waste
- Common Plecos - Grow to 18+ inches
- Angelfish - Need 30+ gallon tall tanks
- Oscars - Grow to 12+ inches, need 75+ gallons
- Giant Danios - Active swimmers needing 30+ gallons
- Rainbowfish - Most species need 20+ gallons
- Chinese Algae Eaters - Grow large and become aggressive
Plan Your Tank
Use our free stocking calculator to check if your planned fish combination will work in a 10 gallon tank.
Open Stocking Calculator