Aquarium stocking guide

There is no universal inch-per-gallon stocking law. This surface-area model is an editorial comparison aid, not a validated carrying-capacity formula. Filtration, adult size, activity, temperament, swimming length, oxygen and water changes can each rule out a plan. Cycle the tank and test ammonia and nitrite; both should stay at zero before adding fish.

Worked example: 20 gallon long

The footprint is 30 × 12 = 360 in². For comparison only, dividing by 30, 45 or 60 in² per adult fish-inch gives the budgets below. Divide by a researched adult size to compare loads; do not treat the result as permission to buy that many fish.

Example plan: Start with one school of 8–10 small rasboras or small tetras suited to your water. In a mature tank with enough open sand, research a separate group of 6 pygmy corys before adding them. These are staged ideas, not a combined shopping list.

Choose a tank size

• 2.5 gallon12 × 6 × 8 in
• 5 gallon16 × 8 × 10 in
• 5.5 gallon16 × 8 × 10 in
• 10 gallon20 × 10 × 12 in
• 13 gallon widescreen24 × 8 × 19 in
• 15 gallon24 × 12 × 12 in
• 15 gallon column13.75 × 13.62 × 25 in
• 20 gallon high24 × 12 × 16 in
• 20 gallon long30 × 12 × 12 in
• 20 gallon extra high20 × 10 × 24 in
• 25 gallon24 × 12 × 20 in
• 29 gallon30 × 12 × 18 in
• 30 gallon36 × 12 × 16 in
• 33 gallon long48 × 13 × 13 in
• 37 gallon30 × 12 × 22 in
• 38 gallon36 × 12 × 20 in
• 40 gallon breeder36 × 18 × 16 in
• 40 gallon long48 × 12 × 16 in
• 45 gallon36 × 12 × 24 in
• 50 gallon36 × 18 × 19 in
• 55 gallon48 × 13 × 21 in
• 60 gallon breeder48 × 18 × 16 in
• 65 gallon36 × 18 × 24 in
• 75 gallon48 × 18 × 21 in
• 90 gallon48 × 18 × 24 in
• 110 gallon48 × 18 × 30 in
• 120 gallon48 × 24 × 24 in
• 125 gallon72 × 18 × 21 in