If you’re thinking about starting with a beginner fish tank, 5 gallons might not be the best size to start with. But if you have your heart set and just looking for some fish then guppies are great fish to learn the ropes with.
But the most important question to ask before you get started is how many guppies fit in a 5 gallon tank?
Guppies are considered low maintenance fish and are therefore enjoyed by many hobbyists, novice and professional alike.
However, just because they’re small doesn’t mean you can cram a bunch of them into one tank.
Guppies are schooling fish, so they do like to swim and hang out in groups. That means you should start with at least five.
Further Reading: Best freshwater aquarium fish
But different requirements may determine how many more you can have.
Keep reading for an in-depth guide to keeping guppies in a 5 gallon tank.
Some Equipment For Your 5 Gallon Guppy Tank
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How Many Guppies Fit in a 5 Gallon Tank?
“How many fish can a 5 gallon tank hold?” is one of the most popular searches online for new fish keepers. And, the reality is that it depends on which type of fish you intend to keep.
For guppies, you should have no more than 3-5, but that also depends on a couple of essential factors.
Gender
If you plan to keep all male guppies, you should have no problems housing 3-5 of them. Males are smaller than females. With that said, if you plan to have all females at an average of 2 inches each, you should only keep maybe 3 guppies.
If you want both males and females in your 5 gallon tank, I would recommend getting a bigger tank. It is recommended to have them at a ratio of 1:2, males to females and they are very likely to breed and your small tank won’t be big enough for the family.
Male guppies are more colorful, especially when they are trying to attract females. Because they are smaller, you should be able to fit at least four males and two females in your ten-gallon tank.
Size
Pay close attention to their size, both when you buy the guppies and their full-grown size, as noted at the pet store. A five gallon tank can comfortably house fish load totaling up to 3-5 inches.
What If They Have Babies?
If you do keep males and females, there is a high chance you will end up with baby guppies.
You will not be able to keep the baby guppies in the same aquarium, so you should plan to either sell them, donate them to the pet store, or buy another aquarium. I like that last option, who doesn’t need another aquarium, Right!
Try separating the males and females into separate tanks to avoid more babies in the future.
Tank Maintenance Requirements
A 5 gallon guppy tank could be a challenge. The smaller the tank the more work it actually requires. If you are looking for something a little easier try a ten or twenty-gallon tank which is pretty easy to take care of as long as you don’t have too many fish.
Make sure to keep the temperature between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and feed your guppies with a balanced diet.
Before you go, take a look at this post that talks about guppy care in more detail. Have fun!
Filtration
Your filtration system is one of the most critical components in your routine fish care. A 5 gallon tank can require just as much filtration as a 30-gallon tank depending on the type of fish and environment you are trying to keep.
A good filter will include at least a 3-stage filtration system which consists of the following:
1. Biological Function
The waste produced by your fish, uneaten food, decaying plants will create ammonia. To sustain life in your aquarium, you must remove ammonia and your filters biological filtration provides a place for beneficial bacteria to grow, which in turn will turn your ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate as part of the nitrogen cycle.
2. Mechanical Function
Your filter floss or sponge is used to remove large particles and debris from your water. This helps to keep the water clean and clear.
3. Chemical Function
Water that you get from your tap, which most of us use for our aquariums will contain minerals, chemicals, and hard metals that can be bad for fish. Your chemical filtration, like carbon, will help remove some of these contaminants. Carbon can also help remove discoloration and odor from your tank.
Adding Live Plants to Your Aquarium
Guppies love grass and plant life to hide and play in. Besides that, plants add vibrancy and life to your otherwise dull aquarium. Too, plants can help improve your water quality by removing toxins produced by the fish, which also helps the plants to grow.
Look for flowing plants like duckweed, Amazon frogbit, and water lettuce. The following are some guppy favorites:
- American waterweed
- Guppy grass
- Amazon sword
- Java ferns
- Wisteria
- Hornworts
- Watersprite
Substrate
If you want happy fish for a 5 gallon tank, you should be sure to get them some substrate and even decorations.
The decorations for the tank do more than entertain you; they are private areas for the fish to hide, sleep, and claim their domains.
You can find various forms of substrates like gravel or sand. Gravel is the most common but more challenging to keep clean. You’ll need a siphon hose or water vacuum to use at least once per month.
How Many Guppies Can You Fit In A 3 Gallon Tank?
It always depends on your skill level and the species of fish you intend to keep. For example, you might be able to keep a 1 or even two Endler guppies in a 3-gallon tank but I wouldn’t go with much more than that.
How Many Guppies Can You Fit In A 2 Gallon Tank?
Look – this is just getting far to small for anything other than some snails and shrimp. I wouldn’t keep 0 (zero) guppies in a 2 gallon tank.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how many guppies fit in a 5 gallon tank, you can go ahead and get your aquarium ready.
Just keep these tips in mind for happy, healthy fish. Remember, don’t feed them too much, or you will end up with dirty, cloudy water.
We hope you found this guide useful and informative.
Learn More About Guppies:
- Guppy Fish Care Guide: Everything You Need to Know
- Awesome Guppy Tank Mates
- How Many Guppies in a 10-Gallon Tank?
- How Many Guppies in a 20 Gallon Tank?
