Quick Answers
Some good options for small community tanks include:
- Guppies
- Endler’s livebearers
- Ember tetras
- Neon tetras
- Corydoras catfish
- Otocinclus catfish
- Dwarf gouramis
- Betta fish (either alone or with compatible tankmates)
Setting up a thriving 10-gallon aquarium with compatible fish can be very rewarding. A 10-gallon tank provides ample room for small schooling fish, interesting betta setups, and nano community options. With some planning and research, you can create a balanced ecosystem that brings color and activity to your home or office.
When stocking a 10-gallon tank, the key considerations are the behavior, adult sizes, water parameter needs, and temperament of each species. You’ll want a mix of fish that occupy different areas of the tank, have overlapping water preferences, and won’t harass or fight with each other. This article will go over the best fish for 10-gallon tanks and how to combine them for compatibility.
Ideal Inhabitants for a 10-Gallon Aquarium
Guppies
Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater fish for small tanks. Males grow to about 1.5 inches and females can reach 2.5 inches. They prefer water temperatures from 74-82°F and a pH of 7.0-8.0. Guppies are peaceful community fish that do well in planted tanks with lots of hiding spots.
A trio of male guppies makes a colorful display with their ornate tails. You could also keep 4-6 females or a breeding colony with a 2:1 female to male ratio. Take care not to overstock though, as guppies have a big bioload for their size.
Endler’s Livebearers
Endler’s livebearers are close cousins of the guppy but stay under 1.5 inches long. They thrive in the same conditions as guppies but aren’t quite as active. A 10-gallon tank can easily house 6-10 Endlers.
Mixing males and females creates a busy tank as they breed frequently. An all-male group shows off splashes of color without quite as much chasing.
Ember Tetras
At just over an inch long, ember tetras comfortably fit in groups of 8-10 in a 10-gallon tank. They’re very peaceful and mix well with other community fish.
Ember tetras prefer soft, acidic water with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Planted tanks with lots of vegetation help them feel secure. Keep the temperature around 73-82°F.
Neon Tetras
The classic neon tetra grows to 1.5 inches and likes to be kept in schools of at least 6 fish. Their blue and red stripes brightly stand out when kept in a heavily planted tank.
Neons need stable water conditions with a temperature of 70-82°F and a pH between 6.0-7.0. They’re very sensitive to poor water quality.
A 10-gallon tank can hold 8 small tetras with adequate filtration and maintenance. Go with ember tetras for a slightly hardier option.
Corydoras Catfish
Several Corydoras catfish species stay under 2 inches, making them ideal for small tanks. Pygmy corys and panda corys are two popular options. Keep 6 or more to see their social behaviors.
Corys spend most of their time scavenging along the bottom. They thrive in planted tanks with soft sand substrate. Most species do well in a pH between 6.0-7.5 and temperatures of 72-79°F.
Their peaceful nature and activity during the day make cories a nice contrast to schooling fish in the middle and top levels.
Otocinclus Catfish
At around 2 inches fully grown, otocinclus algae eaters are great clean up crew members for planted nano tanks. Their small size and shy nature mean they should be kept in groups of 5-6.
Otos thrive in well-oxygenated tanks with dense plant growth. They like water in the mid 70s F and can tolerate a wide pH range of 6.5-8.0. Make sure to supplement their diet with algae wafers since they need more than just the naturally growing algae in the tank.
Dwarf Gouramis
Dwarf gouramis have the charming personality and elaborate feelers of larger gourami species but in a petite package. Sparkling and honey dwarf gouramis reach just 1.5-2 inches in length.
These labyrinth fish can breathe oxygen directly from the air, so they appreciate planted tanks with open space at the surface. A 10-gallon tank can house a male-female pair or a single male. Gouramis like water temperatures of 75-82°F with a pH between 6.0-8.0.
Care should be taken when selecting dwarf gouramis these days, as they tend to be susceptible to health issues from overbreeding. Pick active individuals showing full coloration and no signs of disease.
Betta Fish
Bettas are a popular centerpiece fish for 10-gallon community tanks. Their long flowing fins and bright colors stand out. Males in particular flare out their gill covers and fins when displaying to other males or females.
While male bettas fight with each other, they can make peace with community fish like tetras, rasboras, cory cats, and dwarf gouramis. Avoid slow-moving fish with prominent fins that may look like rivals. Female bettas are less territorial and can be kept in groups of 3-5.
Bettas prefer water in the 75-80°F range with a pH of 6.5-7.5. They need areas of open water but also appreciate plants and hiding spots. With proper tank mates, a single male or female betta makes an interesting focal point.
Best Tankmate Combinations
Here are some compatible fish mixes perfect for a thriving 10-gallon community tank:
Ember Tetras and Pygmy Corydoras
A school of 8-10 ember tetras with a bottom crew of 6 pygmy corys makes an active community in a planted 10-gallon tank. The tetras provide movement up top while the corys sift through the substrate below. Both species stay small and have minimal aggression.
Endler’s Livebearers and Otocinclus
Keep 6-8 male Endler’s livebearers with a cleanup crew of 3-4 otocinclus catfish. The Endlers display brightly colored fins as they scoot around the tank. The otos help control algae growth and appreciate planted tanks.
Dwarf Gourami and Harlequin Rasboras
A single male dwarf gourami makes a striking centerpiece fish. Add activity with 6-8 harlequin rasboras. They school together in the upper levels, leaving the gourami space to cruise alone. Rasboras grow no larger than 2 inches.
Betta and Corydoras
Many corydoras species mix well with bettas, including pandas, pygmies, and sterbai. Keep a group of 5-6 corys with a male or female betta. Make sure to provide the betta with plant cover and quiet spaces.
Planted Betta Tank
A single male betta can thrive as the sole showcase fish in a heavily planted 10-gallon tank. Water sprite, java fern, java moss, and anubias provide resting spots near the surface. Driftwood, rocks, and root structures create hideaways and divide open areas.
| Tank Size | Fish Options | Groups |
|---|---|---|
| 10 gallons | Ember tetras | 8-10 |
| 10 gallons | Neon tetras | 6-8 |
| 10 gallons | Rasboras | 8-10 |
| 10 gallons | Guppies | 3-6 |
| 10 gallons | Endler’s livebearers | 6-10 |
| 10 gallons | Corydoras catfish | 5-6 |
| 10 gallons | Otocinclus | 5-6 |
| 10 gallons | Dwarf gourami | 1-2 |
| 10 gallons | Betta fish | 1 |
Tank Setup Considerations
Filters
Filters suitable for 10-gallon tanks include internal power filters, sponge filters, and hang-on-back (HOB) filters rated for 5-15 gallons. Look for models with an adjustable flow rate to customize the water circulation.
Planted tanks may benefit from a filter tailored to that purpose, like a low-flow canister filter or specialized HOB plant filter. Whichever filtration you use, aim for mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration to remove debris, treat the water, and host beneficial bacteria.
Heaters
Most fish species kept in 10-gallon tanks require tropical water temperatures from 72-82°F. An adjustable submersible heater between 50 and 100 watts can easily maintain a stable temperature range.
Place the heater horizontally near the filter outlet to promote water circulation. Monitor temperatures daily for the first few weeks to make sure the heater is calibrated properly.
Lighting
Standard fluorescent or LED aquarium lighting around 6500-7000K works well for basic community tanks. Planted nano tanks thrive with stronger LED or compact fluorescent light fixtures.
Aim for a light cycle around 10 hours per day. Make sure lighting is controlled by an automatic timer to prevent unpredictable light durations that can stress fish and plants.
Plants
Live plants enrich water quality, provide fish with security, and show off small fish nicely. Suitable beginner plants include anubias, Amazon swords, java fern, hornwort, Anacharis, crypts, and mosses.
Use aquarium-safe fertilizers and root tabs for the substrate to help plants thrive. Floating plants like duckweed, frogbit, and water lettuce prevent too much light from reaching the tank bottom.
Substrate
Sand or fine gravel substrates under 1/8 inch diameter work well in small community tanks. Bare bottom tanks are an option for species that like open swimming space. Soil substrates capped with sand promote plant growth.
Avoid painted gravel, crushed coral, and other coarse substrates unsuitable for the fish species. Rinse the substrate well before adding it to the tank to prevent clouding.
Decorations
Driftwood, rocks, cave formations, and aquatic plants help differentiate territory and provide visual barriers. Place decor so fish have both open swimming space and hiding places.
Check that rocks and decorations won’t alter water chemistry. Boil or bleach-clean items from outdoor water bodies first to prevent transferring pathogens.
Maintenance
The smaller water volume of a 10-gallon tank requires diligent maintenance to keep conditions stable. Follow these practices:
- Perform 20-30% partial water changes weekly
- Rinse filter media monthly in old tank water to remove gunk
- Test water parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates weekly
- Adjust temperature and photoperiod with the seasons
- Skip feedings 1-2 days per week and remove uneaten food
- Clean glass with algae scrapers and wipe down tank walls
- Trim plants to keep them healthy and prevent overgrowth
- Check for signs of disease and treat promptly
Following this schedule helps replenish minerals and prevent waste accumulation. The smaller tank size leaves less margin for error if pollutants start to build up.
Conclusion
From ember tetras darting through plants to Corydoras catfish scavenging below, a 10-gallon freshwater tank allows you to create a dynamic community. Stick with nano fish and invertebrates no more than 2 inches long and research compatible species before buying. Perform regular maintenance to maintain clean, healthy water.
A 10-gallon tank offers the enjoyment of an aquarium even if your space is limited. Pay special attention to filtration, wise stocking, and plant choices to help your mini ecosystem thrive.
