If you\u2019re thinking about getting into fish keeping, then the 10-gallon aquarium is the perfect size to dip your toes into the hobby. Not only is it large enough to allow you to keep a wide variety of fish, but it\u2019s still small enough that any maintenance is quick and easy.<\/p>\n
But that doesn\u2019t mean that 10-gallon aquariums are only for novices, as many experienced hobbyists use these tanks to create stunning aquascapes with carefully cultivated plants and schools of colorful fish.<\/p>\n
Listed below are some of the best fish you can choose for a 10-gallon aquarium. Some have stunning colorations, while others exhibit interesting behavior. But just remember that most fish need to be kept in groups to be happy, so you\u2019ll likely only be able to keep a single species in an aquarium of this size.<\/p>\n
Neon Tetra<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aquariumtidings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cardinal_tetra__neon_tetra.jpg?resize=1024%2C674&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nEven though neon tetras are one of the oldest fish in the hobby, there are still few fish than can rival their impressive colors. And when kept in a planted tank with muted lighting, these fish truly shine.<\/p>\n
If you want to keep neon tetras, it\u2019s important to understand that they\u2019re a schooling fish. They need to be kept in groups of at least six, and if they\u2019re not, they may become stressed and ill over time. And while it\u2019s important to avoid putting stress on any fish, it\u2019s especially dangerous with neon tetras. They tend to be more fragile than other fish\u2014mainly due to inbreeding\u2014and once they become stressed, they are very susceptible to disease.<\/p>\n
But if you keep your neon tetras happy and healthy, there are few fish as rewarding as these. Any tank with a school of tetras will become the centerpiece of any room it\u2019s located in.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Neon Tetras.<\/a><\/p>\nGuppy<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aquariumtidings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Depositphotos_74359695_XL.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nNo list of fish for a 10-gallon aquarium would be complete without guppies. Not only are these fish one of the most attractive in the hobby, but they\u2019re also incredibly easy to keep and breed.<\/p>\n
In fact, their speedy reproduction almost disqualifies them from the list. While most fish are egg-layers, guppies are live-bearers, which means their babies are born fully formed and swimming. That results in a much higher survival rate for their fry, and their babies can overrun a small aquarium in a matter of months.<\/p>\n
Another problem that relates to breeding is that guppy males will constantly try to mate with the females. That means you need to keep at least 2-3 females for every male, otherwise the females will become stressed from all the mating attempts. You can avoid this problem by keeping only males\u2014something that many people prefer since the males are the ones with attractive tails, while the females have smaller tails with more muted colors.<\/p>\n
However, once you\u2019ve dealt with these minor problems, guppies are incredibly easy to keep in a 10-gallon aquarium and probably the best option on this list for a beginner.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Guppies<\/a><\/p>\nCorydoras Catfish<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aquariumtidings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Depositphotos_77936484_original.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCorydoras catfish are an incredibly underrated fish and a perfect addition to any 10-gallon aquarium. While numerous species of corydoras catfish are available, the best ones for anyone new to the hobby are bronze corydoras, corydoras julii, and peppered corydoras.<\/p>\n
Like neon tetras, corydoras catfish are a schooling fish and need to be kept in groups of at least six to prevent them from becoming stressed or spending most of their time in hiding. Also, as they primarily dwell on the bottom of the aquarium, they should be fed a sinking food.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Bronze Corydoras Catfish<\/a><\/p>\nLearn more about Corydoras Julli<\/a><\/p>\nLearn more about Peppered Corydoras<\/a><\/p>\nZebra Danio<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aquariumtidings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Depositphotos_350770812_XL.jpg?resize=1024%2C855&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAnother favorite among beginners, zebra danios are an excellent choice for a 10-gallon aquarium. Not only is their hardiness legendary\u2014people used to use them to cycle new aquariums\u2014but they\u2019re also an interesting fish with a complex social hierarchy you can view.<\/p>\n
Zebra danios are a shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. If they are kept in smaller numbers, they will often become aggressive towards other fish and are known to nip fins.<\/p>\n
Another benefit to keeping zebra danios is that they\u2019re probably rank among the least picky eaters in the aquarium hobby. They\u2019ll accept any frozen or prepared foods you offer them, which is nice when many other fish tend to difficult to feed.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Zebra Danios<\/a><\/p>\nPlaty<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aquariumtidings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/shutterstock_399436204.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPlaties are another popular choice for small aquariums, and they\u2019re an attractive fish that comes in a wide array of colors. Like guppies, they\u2019re livebearers, which means they\u2019re easy to breed\u2014a trait that many new aquarists seek out. And their fry tend to have a lower survival rate than guppies, so they don\u2019t overrun an aquarium as quickly, which is another positive.<\/p>\n
But because they\u2019re livebearers, it\u2019s important to keep at least two females for every male, as the males will constantly harass the females. If there aren\u2019t enough females to spread out the attention, they will quickly become stressed and may become ill over time.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Platies<\/a><\/p>\nHarlequin Rasbora<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aquariumtidings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/02.Trigonostigma_heteromorpha.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHarlequin Rasboras are a tiny and hardy fish that are perfect for small aquariums. It\u2019s really hard to screw up with harlequins and they can adapt to a wide variety of water types and temperatures (though they\u2019re still a tropical fish and need a heater).<\/p>\n
They are a shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six, which not only keeps them healthy but also is also an impressive sight when the active fish are moving in sync together.<\/p>\n
And feeding harlequin rasboras is no problem, as they\u2019ll happily accept any food you offer them. Along with guppies, these might be the best choice for anyone new to the hobby, as you have to try really hard to fail with harlequin rasboras.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Harlequin Rasboras<\/a><\/p>\nDwarf Pufferfish<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aquariumtidings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Depositphotos_311056286_XL.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWhile dwarf pufferfish (also known as pea puffers) are probably the most interesting fish on this list, they\u2019re also the most difficult by a wide margin. Not only are they incredibly aggressive to other fish\u2014they\u2019ll take chunks out of fins with their beaks\u2014but they\u2019re also incredibly picky eaters.<\/p>\n
Still, if you\u2019re willing to feed them a steady diet of small snails, frozen food, and live food, you\u2019ll be rewarded with a truly unique and fascinating fish. And unlike most of the other fish on this list, they must be kept in a species only aquarium. Any other fish kept with dwarf puffer fish will <\/em>be attacked.<\/p>\nLearn more about Dwarf Pufferfish<\/a><\/p>\nBetta<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aquariumtidings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cardinal_tetra__neon_tetra.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nEven though neon tetras are one of the oldest fish in the hobby, there are still few fish than can rival their impressive colors. And when kept in a planted tank with muted lighting, these fish truly shine.<\/p>\n
If you want to keep neon tetras, it\u2019s important to understand that they\u2019re a schooling fish. They need to be kept in groups of at least six, and if they\u2019re not, they may become stressed and ill over time. And while it\u2019s important to avoid putting stress on any fish, it\u2019s especially dangerous with neon tetras. They tend to be more fragile than other fish\u2014mainly due to inbreeding\u2014and once they become stressed, they are very susceptible to disease.<\/p>\n
But if you keep your neon tetras happy and healthy, there are few fish as rewarding as these. Any tank with a school of tetras will become the centerpiece of any room it\u2019s located in.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Neon Tetras.<\/a><\/p>\n No list of fish for a 10-gallon aquarium would be complete without guppies. Not only are these fish one of the most attractive in the hobby, but they\u2019re also incredibly easy to keep and breed.<\/p>\n In fact, their speedy reproduction almost disqualifies them from the list. While most fish are egg-layers, guppies are live-bearers, which means their babies are born fully formed and swimming. That results in a much higher survival rate for their fry, and their babies can overrun a small aquarium in a matter of months.<\/p>\n Another problem that relates to breeding is that guppy males will constantly try to mate with the females. That means you need to keep at least 2-3 females for every male, otherwise the females will become stressed from all the mating attempts. You can avoid this problem by keeping only males\u2014something that many people prefer since the males are the ones with attractive tails, while the females have smaller tails with more muted colors.<\/p>\n However, once you\u2019ve dealt with these minor problems, guppies are incredibly easy to keep in a 10-gallon aquarium and probably the best option on this list for a beginner.<\/p>\n Learn more about Guppies<\/a><\/p>\n Corydoras catfish are an incredibly underrated fish and a perfect addition to any 10-gallon aquarium. While numerous species of corydoras catfish are available, the best ones for anyone new to the hobby are bronze corydoras, corydoras julii, and peppered corydoras.<\/p>\n Like neon tetras, corydoras catfish are a schooling fish and need to be kept in groups of at least six to prevent them from becoming stressed or spending most of their time in hiding. Also, as they primarily dwell on the bottom of the aquarium, they should be fed a sinking food.<\/p>\n Learn more about Bronze Corydoras Catfish<\/a><\/p>\n Learn more about Corydoras Julli<\/a><\/p>\n Learn more about Peppered Corydoras<\/a><\/p>\n Another favorite among beginners, zebra danios are an excellent choice for a 10-gallon aquarium. Not only is their hardiness legendary\u2014people used to use them to cycle new aquariums\u2014but they\u2019re also an interesting fish with a complex social hierarchy you can view.<\/p>\n Zebra danios are a shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. If they are kept in smaller numbers, they will often become aggressive towards other fish and are known to nip fins.<\/p>\n Another benefit to keeping zebra danios is that they\u2019re probably rank among the least picky eaters in the aquarium hobby. They\u2019ll accept any frozen or prepared foods you offer them, which is nice when many other fish tend to difficult to feed.<\/p>\n Learn more about Zebra Danios<\/a><\/p>\n Platies are another popular choice for small aquariums, and they\u2019re an attractive fish that comes in a wide array of colors. Like guppies, they\u2019re livebearers, which means they\u2019re easy to breed\u2014a trait that many new aquarists seek out. And their fry tend to have a lower survival rate than guppies, so they don\u2019t overrun an aquarium as quickly, which is another positive.<\/p>\n But because they\u2019re livebearers, it\u2019s important to keep at least two females for every male, as the males will constantly harass the females. If there aren\u2019t enough females to spread out the attention, they will quickly become stressed and may become ill over time.<\/p>\n Learn more about Platies<\/a><\/p>\n Harlequin Rasboras are a tiny and hardy fish that are perfect for small aquariums. It\u2019s really hard to screw up with harlequins and they can adapt to a wide variety of water types and temperatures (though they\u2019re still a tropical fish and need a heater).<\/p>\n They are a shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six, which not only keeps them healthy but also is also an impressive sight when the active fish are moving in sync together.<\/p>\n And feeding harlequin rasboras is no problem, as they\u2019ll happily accept any food you offer them. Along with guppies, these might be the best choice for anyone new to the hobby, as you have to try really hard to fail with harlequin rasboras.<\/p>\n Learn more about Harlequin Rasboras<\/a><\/p>\n While dwarf pufferfish (also known as pea puffers) are probably the most interesting fish on this list, they\u2019re also the most difficult by a wide margin. Not only are they incredibly aggressive to other fish\u2014they\u2019ll take chunks out of fins with their beaks\u2014but they\u2019re also incredibly picky eaters.<\/p>\n Still, if you\u2019re willing to feed them a steady diet of small snails, frozen food, and live food, you\u2019ll be rewarded with a truly unique and fascinating fish. And unlike most of the other fish on this list, they must be kept in a species only aquarium. Any other fish kept with dwarf puffer fish will <\/em>be attacked.<\/p>\n Learn more about Dwarf Pufferfish<\/a><\/p>\nGuppy<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCorydoras Catfish<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nZebra Danio<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPlaty<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHarlequin Rasbora<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDwarf Pufferfish<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nBetta<\/h2>\n