If you own a 3.5 gallon tank fish, then you are probably well aware of the limitations of using such a small amount of water to keep tropical fish. Compared to a larger tank, these nano tanks can be a challenge when it comes to keeping fish that will live happily and healthily in such a small space.
However, if you take the time to research and choose the right type of fish for your tank, you can certainly create a beautiful and thriving mini aquarium. In this article, fishtankenthusiast.com will provide some recommendations on the best fish species for 3 and 3.5 gallon tank fish, as well as some fish keeping tips to help you!
15 best fish 3.5 gallon tank fish
After discussing some general tips and guidelines for stocking fish, we’ll provide a list of our favorite fish species for smaller tanks, to help you get ideas for 3.5 gallon tank fish. gallons:
Puffer fish beans
We’ve covered mainly fish for beginners, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Pea puffer fish! These small fish get their name from their ability to inflate to appear larger than they actually are. They come in a striking neon green color and add an interesting element of movement to your aquarium.
Bean puffer fish should only be kept by aquarists with a little more experience in keeping fish as this is a difficult fish to care for. They are susceptible to poisoning from drugs and plants, so making sure your aquarium is completely free of any type of chemical residue is absolutely essential!
Guppies
Often considered one of the healthiest nano fish, guppies thrive extremely well when kept in tanks of 3 gallons or less. They are also very peaceful and fun to watch as they swim around the tank – plus their colorful bodies add a vibrant pop of color to your aquarium. Fancy guppies even come in a variety of colors and patterns, so you’re sure to find a few that you love.
Guppies are one of the best starter fish for beginners who want to start with something relatively easy to care for. They grow well in a variety of water conditions and can even tolerate slightly alkaline pH. It’s no surprise that these small, colorful creatures are some of the most popular freshwater fish in the hobby!
Charcoal Tetra Fish
Ember Tetra fish are another great choice for small aquariums. They are active and playful fish, making them a joy to watch. They are also hardier fish than most and can tolerate a variety of water conditions, making them a great choice for beginners.
Charcoal tetras come in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, blue, and green. Their bodies are transparent, allowing you to see their internal organs as they swim around the tank. Coal tetras are gentle fish and will live peacefully with other small species.
Endler’s spawning fish
Although Endler spawners are often confused with guppies, these little fish have a bit more power. They are still relatively peaceful fish that won’t cause any problems in your community tank, but they are also active swimmers that will take up the top half of your aquarium. Endler fish come in many different color variations including red/orange, green/yellow, blue/gray and black/white.
Endler spawners are one of the easiest fish to keep, making them a great choice for beginner fish keepers. Overcrowding can become a problem if you don’t have the right size tank to house them, so be sure to provide plenty of hiding places for pregnant/lactating females and semi-aquatic vegetation. for fish fry tanks.
Cherry shrimp
Although not technically fish, Cherry Shrimp are a great addition to any small aquarium. These tiny invertebrates are very gentle and will not harm your other fish. In fact, they often become a favorite of bettas and other shy fish due to their passive nature
Cherry shrimp are easy to care for and can even help with aquarium maintenance by eating algae and decaying plants. They come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. You can keep a small flock in a 3 or 3.5 gallon tank or just add a few for some color.
Rasboras fish in chili sauce
If you want the energy and fun of a larger tank, but still don’t have enough space for a full-sized community tank, look no further than chili rasboras. These friendly fish are brightly colored and are much more active than many other fish. The fact that they are also hardy fish makes them a popular choice among new aquarium hobbyists.
Chilli rasboras are schooling fish, so you’ll want to keep at least six in your tank. They grow best in planted tanks with plenty of hiding space and swimming areas. Try to maintain a steady temperature of around 75 degrees F to keep them healthy and active.
White cloud mountain grouper
Minnows are a fish that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but one of the most popular minnows for small tanks is the white cloud mountain minnow. These active fish are social fish that thrive in planted tanks with lots of artificial plants and plenty of space to play. They are gentle fish that get along with most other small fish.
The white cloud mountain ditchfish is a hardy fish that can withstand many different water conditions. They prefer water parameters between 64 and 76 degrees F and a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. Although they don’t require much maintenance, they will do best in a tank with regular water changes.
Zebra fish
One of the lowest maintenance nano fish for a 3 gallon aquarium is the zebrafish. These hardy little fish can withstand a variety of water conditions and are very active swimmers. True to their name, their bodies are striped in black and white, making them a colorful addition to any aquarium.
Zebrafish are group-living fish that thrive in planted tanks with lots of greenery and plenty of space to play. This is a gentle fish that gets along well with most other small fish. You can keep a school of fish in a 3-gallon tank without fear of overcrowding.
Ape ears
If you are looking to keep a single fish in your 3.5 gallon tank fish, look to otocinclus or “otocinclus catfish”. These little fish resemble a hybrid of a lamprey and a catfish due to their small size.
Otocinclus are primarily herbivorous fish that thrive best in tanks with lots of live plants. A diet of seaweed and boiled vegetables will keep them healthy and happy. They can tolerate a variety of water conditions, but prefer water temperatures between 68 and 78 degrees F and a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
Betta fish
Betta Splendens, also known as the Siamese fighting fish, is often thought of as a solitary fish due to its aggressive nature in the wild. However, domesticated Bettas can be kept in small groups without problems as long as there is enough space for each fish. Male bettas are often darker in color than females and are prized for their beautiful fins.
Betta splendens need a lot of swimming space, so a 3.5-gallon aquarium is usually the smallest size recommended. Many parents choose betta fish as their children’s first aquarium fish because they are very forgiving of beginners’ mistakes. Try adding one of these betta-friendly plants to your tank to make sure they’re content!
Neon tetra fish
The neon tetra is perhaps one of the most iconic fish in the hobby! These iconic fish are hardy, colorful and active swimmers that will brighten up any aquarium. They come in several different color variations, including blue neon tetras, red neon tetras, green neon tetras, and albino neon tetras.
Neon tetra fish are gentle fish that do not need too much swimming space. They are relatively hardy and a great choice for beginner fish keepers, but keep in mind that you will probably need a heater as their optimal temperature range is 74-82 degrees F.
Dwarf gouramis
Dwarf guppies are one of the most active freshwater fish, making them a popular choice for those looking to keep an active fish. This is a gentle fish and should not be kept with larger or aggressive fish. They grow well in aquariums and can even be wonderfully compatible with betta fish!
As their name suggests, these fish are quite small, 1-3 inches long. Like most fish in the perch family, they are bubble nest builders. A 3.5 gallon tank fish is the smallest recommended size.
Asian fighting catfish
Asian fighting catfish are another common fish in this sport. These bottom-dwelling fish are gentle species, suitable for tanks with many hiding places and aquatic plants. They are not active swimmers, so they are a great choice for those who want low-maintenance fish.
Asian rock catfish can grow up to 3 inches long, so a 3-gallon tank is the smallest recommended size. But be sure to leave lots of hiding spots for them; if they feel exposed, they will get anxious.
Cá Killifish ít nhất
Least Killifish or Heterandria Formosa is one of the smallest fish in the world. Due to their small size, they are often used as bait fish instead of kept in aquariums. However, they are a great choice for a 3-gallon tank because they thrive in small spaces.
These small fish belong to a family of fish called live birth fish, characterized by the fact that they give birth to live young rather than eggs. Unlike other members of this family, the smallest killifish species do not spawn every year and can live up to six years!
Bee goby
The bumblebee goby is one of the most unusual fish on this list of several fish possibilities. These fish get their name from their black and yellow stripes, which look like the stripes of a wasp. They are shy fish that do best when kept in small schools.
Because they can reach a maximum length of 2 inches, bumblebee gobies are a wonderful option for small aquariums. Remember to keep up with tank maintenance so you always have healthy, happy fish at your fingertips.
Fish species should be avoided in 3.5 gallon tank fish
By this point, you should have a clear understanding of the general rules you should follow when placing fish in a nano tank. Although we have discussed some fish selection tips, there are still some fish species that are often mistakenly placed in cages that are smaller than their needs. This leads to tragic situations where fish slowly die due to stress or lack of space.
Goldfish
Goldfish are beautiful and can be a great choice for beginners because they are easy to keep. But goldfish require more than just a 3-gallon tank or dish! To survive, they require a pond or at least a 20-gallon tank. To learn more about why you shouldn’t keep goldfish in bowls, check out this insightful article.
Tiger Fish
Tiger fish are popular fish in community tanks, but they are not suitable for small tanks. These active fish need a lot of space to swim and will become stressed in a confined environment.
Rainbow fish
Rainbow fish are a popular choice for those who want to keep colorful fish, but they also require a lot of space. These fish need to be kept in a tank with at least ten gallons of water because they can grow to be up to three inches long.
Guppies
Platies fish are gentle fish that do well in community tanks. However, they can grow up to 2 inches long and should be kept in a 10-gallon tank or larger. This will ensure they have enough space to swim and avoid any potential aggression from larger fish.
Cory catfish
Cory catfish are a popular choice for small tanks because they are small and docile. However, they should not be kept in an enclosure with less than 5 gallons of water because they are social fish and need to live with others.
Conclusion
Just because you have a 3.5 gallon tank fish doesn’t mean it needs to be dedicated as a permanent home for your aquarium fish. In some cases, it may make more sense to use these smaller tanks as breeding and fry tanks rather than as full-time homes for adult fish.
Additionally, these smaller aquariums are perfect quarantine tanks for new fish. You can also use them to house sick or injured fish until they are healthy enough to reintroduce into your main tank. When you quarantine new or sick fish in a separate tank, you can give them the treatment they need without worrying about chemicals contaminating the main tank’s water column.
