Betta centerpiece
- 1 × Betta
- 1 × Nerite Snail
41% stockedOpen in builder
Tank size guide
5Gallon Tank: Stocking Ideas, Heater & Filter Size
A nano tank. Great for a single betta, a shrimp colony or a small group of the tiniest fish.
- Dimensions
- 16" × 8" × 10"
- Volume
- 5 gal · 19 L
- Heater
- 15-25 W
- Filter flow
- 20-30 GPH
- Filled weight
- ~50 lb
- Gravel (2" bed)
- ~15 lb
- Weekly water change
- 1.3 gal (25%)
- Water weight
- 42 lb
5 gallon stocking ideas
Each plan passes the Tank Builder's compatibility check with no conflicts and room to spare. Open one to tweak it.
Cherry Shrimp colony
- 11 × Cherry Shrimp
66% stockedOpen in builder
Try it yourself
Build your own 5 gallon tank
Pick your tank size, add fish, and instantly see if they get along, how full the tank is, and the heater and filter you need.
Your fish will swim here
5 gal · 19 L
1. Tank size
gal
2. Add fish
Start with the fish you want most
Search above or tap the box for popular picks. Schooling fish come in at their minimum group size.
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Compatibility, stocking level, heater and filter sizes, and the water each fish likes all show up here as you build.
Fish that fit a 5 gallon tank
Popular freshwater species whose recommended minimum is 5 gallons or less. Check they get along in the builder before you buy.
- Betta2.8" · 5+ gal
- Crowntail Betta2.8" · 5+ gal
- Halfmoon Betta2.8" · 5+ gal
- Plakat Betta2.8" · 5+ gal
- Cherry Shrimp1.5" · 5+ gal · groups of 10+
- Nerite Snail1" · 5+ gal
- Mystery Snail2" · 5+ gal
- Blue Dream Shrimp1.5" · 5+ gal · groups of 10+
- Blue Velvet Shrimp1" · 5+ gal · groups of 6+
- Ghost Shrimp1.5" · 5+ gal · groups of 5+
- Least Killifish1.2" · 5+ gal · groups of 4+
- Malaysian Trumpet Snail1" · 5+ gal · groups of 2+
- Ramshorn Snail1" · 5+ gal
- Yellow Shrimp1.5" · 5+ gal · groups of 10+
Popular fish that need more than 5 gallons
5 gallon tank FAQ
How many fish can go in a 5 gallon tank?
It depends on the fish, not a fixed number. A good example for a 5 gallon is 1 Betta, 1 Nerite Snail, which comes to about 41% of a cautious stocking limit. Small, tidy fish like tetras and rasboras let you keep more; messy fish like goldfish and plecos fill a tank much faster.
What size heater do I need for a 5 gallon tank?
A 15 to 25 watt heater. Go toward 25 W if the room runs cool.
What size filter does a 5 gallon tank need?
Look for 20 to 30 gallons per hour of flow. For messy fish or a busy tank, go up to about 40 GPH.
What are the dimensions of a 5 gallon tank?
A standard 5 gallon is about 16" long, 8" wide and 10" tall. Brands vary slightly, so measure before buying a stand or lid.
How much does a 5 gallon tank weigh?
The water alone weighs about 42 lb. With glass, gravel and decor, plan on roughly 50 lb, so use a stand made for aquariums.