Best Fish for a 5-Gallon Tank
Edited by Ivan F.
Very few fish truly suit a tank this small. These are the ones whose sourced minimums allow it.
How we pick: Species whose minimum tank size is within 10% of 5 US gallons or smaller. Group size still counts: always check how many fish a species needs.
Caution: Pea Puffers hunt snails and shrimp. Do not keep a Pea Puffer with any of the shrimp or snails on this page. Assassin Snails hunt other snails, so do not keep one with the other snails on this page.
1 fish qualifies for a 5-gallon tank.
Fitting the same tank size does not mean these species can live together. Check each species' tank mates before you buy.
Shrimp and snails that also fit
Assassin Snail
Clea helena
- Min tank
- 5 US gal
- Group
- Single
- pH
- 7.2–8
- Temperature
- 70–80 °F
Hardness not published
SnailEasy
Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Melanoides tuberculata
- Min tank
- 5 US gal
- Group
- Single
- pH
- 7–7.5
- Temperature
- 70–80 °F
Hardness not published
SnailAbsolute Beginner
Nerite Snail
Neritina natalensis
- Min tank
- 5 US gal
- Group
- Single
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Temperature
- 72–82 °F
SnailEasy
Ramshorn Snail
Planorbella duryi
- Min tank
- 5 US gal
- Group
- Single
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Temperature
- 72–82 °F
Hardness not published
SnailAbsolute Beginner
Red Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
- Min tank
- 5 US gal
- Group
- 6+
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Temperature
- 59–86 °F
ShrimpEasy