Keeping a fish at home has now become a common hobby a day but people do prefer to keep the size of the tank small which is why they have reduced the size of the tank to 3 gallons. This is because the small size tank is easy to clean, can be manageable, and requires less effort. Due to the small size, which fishes are considered best to keep in the 3-gallon tank – let’s find out!
How Many Fish Can I Put In A 3-Gallon Tank?
To choose the best pet for a tank the size of the fish matters a lot because the number of fish in a 3-gallon tank depends upon the type of fish you want in your tank. For a 3-gallon tank, 3 fishes of approximately 1 inch are suitable. Along with them, you can also keep vertebrates like Betta as tank mates.
Caution – Don’t overpopulate the tank.
What Factors Affect The Fish In A 3-Gallon Tank?
One of the most dominant factors which affect the survival of fish is the small of the tank because the space is very important for the fish to swim freely. Aquatic plants, lighting, water filters, and decorative material also matter. Due to the small size of the tank, the fishes face suffocation because they have high oxygen exchange rate and need a large water area to survive.
How Can A 3-Gallon Tank Be Effectively Managed?
To manage a 3-gallon tank, one should:
- Change the water of a tank by at least 25 %, twice a week.
- Remove the harmful chemicals and fish water.
- Clean the filter to prevent clogging.
- Clean the decorative material as well.
Which Fish Is Best For A 3-Gallon Tank?
The following species are considered best for a 3-gallon tank, depending upon their size:
| Fishes | Size |
|---|---|
| Betta fish | 2 to 2.25 inches |
| Guppies | 1.2 to 1.5 inches |
| Neon Tetras | 1.2 inches |
| Least Killifish | 1.2 inches |
| Chili Rasbora | 0.7 inches |
| Zebra Danios | 2 inches |
| Scarlet Gem fish | 1. inches |
| Harlequin Rasboras | 2 inches |
| White Cloud Mountain Minnows | 1 ½ inches |
| Celestial Pearl Danios | 1 inch |
Which Fish is Not Suitable For 3-Gallon Tank?
The following fish are not suitable for a 3-gallon tank:
- Active schooling fish such as pygmy cory catfish, platies, and barbs.
- Aggressive nano fish such as Dwarf pufferfish.
- Incompatible tank mates
- Juveniles of large-bodied fish species
What Other Species Do We Kept In the 3-Gallon Tank?
Along with fish, the following creatures are considered best mates:
- Endler’s Livebearers
- Cherry Shrimp
- Nerite Snails
- Ghost shrimp
Final Verdict
A 3-gallon tank is the smallest among all the fish tanks to keep in a home. Due to the smaller size of the tank, only small species of fish with a size of 1 to 3 inches are suitable to keep. You can also keep other vertebrates as tank mates. Clean the tank at least twice a week to maintain the hyenic water condition for fish to live healthy and happily.
