One of the best ways to enter the fish-keeping hobby is starting a 10-gallon aquarium. This tank is small enough to manage easily, yet still big enough to keep a small, peaceful community. But the most important thing in a beginner’s tank is the choice of fish. Some fish are beautiful but not for beginners at all. They may need large tanks, strong filtration, or very stable water conditions. Picking the wrong fish will make your first experience stressful.
This guide will help you understand which fish are truly safe, peaceful, and easy to take care of in a 10-gallon setup. All the options listed here are beginner-friendly and perfect for small homes, student rooms, or first-time aquariums.
1. Neon Tetras
Neon tetras are one of the most popular small fish in the world. They’re generally peaceful, playful, and look great in planted tanks.
Why they are good for beginners:
Small size
Peaceful
Easy to feed
Do well in groups.
Keep 6–8 neon tetras in a 10-gallon tank. They prefer soft lighting and having plants around them, which makes them secure.
2. Guppies
Guppies are colorful, active fish and perfect for small aquariums. They are available in hundreds of color varieties and tail shapes, making them add brightness and liveliness to the tank.
Why beginners love them:
Highly hardy
Eat almost anything
Breed easily
Colorful and attractive.
You can keep 3-4 male guppies in a 10-gallon tank. Avoid keeping males and females unless you want babies.
3. Ember Tetras
These little orange fish are stunning in planted tanks and remain very calm. They are super gentle and ideal for peaceful communities.
Best features:
Very small (under 2 cm)
Calm nature
Looks amazing in low-light aquariums
You can comfortably keep 8–10 ember tetras in a 10-gallon setup.
4.Endler’s Livebearers
Endlers are mini-guppies that are strongly colored, active swimmers. They remain smaller in size than the standard guppies, thus making them more fit in small aquariums.
Why they are suitable:
Very hardy
Beginner-friendly
Bright colors
Small size
A group of 4–5 males works great in a 10-gallon tank.
5. Pygmy Corydoras
5. Pygmy Corydoras
If you want a small, bottom-dwelling fish, pygmy corys are perfect. They stay tiny and do not make a mess.
Good points:
Peaceful
Schooling fish
Clean up leftover food
Active and cute
Stock 6 pygmy corydoras along with small tetras or guppies.
6. Honey Gourami
Honey gouramis are among the most peaceful types of gouramis. They remain small and have a very peaceful nature.
Why they fit a 10-gallon tank:
Only grows up to 2 inches
Peaceful
Great centerpiece fish
Easy to care for
Keep one honey gourami as the main fish, adding small schooling fish around it.
7. Chili Rasboras
Small and peaceful, these fish are ideal for nano tanks. They are a bright red color that presents very well in planted aquariums.
What makes them easy:
Very small size
Peaceful
Do well in groups
A school of 10–12 chili rasboras looks amazing in a 10-gallon tank.
8. White Cloud Mountain Minnows
These fish are super hardy and can handle different temperatures. They are often called the “beginner’s best friend.”
Why they are ideal:
Very hardy fish
Active and playful
Don’t need a heater in mild climates
Keep a school of 6 white cloud minnows.
9. Nerite Snails (Bonus Addition)
Nerite snails are ideal if you want an easy clean-up helper.
Benefits:
Eat algae
Very peaceful
Do not breed in freshwater
Keep glass clean
You may keep 1–2 nerite snails with any of the fish mentioned above.
Fish You Should Avoid in a 10-Gallon Tank
Fish You Should Avoid in a 10-Gallon Tank Many beginners accidentally choose the wrong fish. Avoid these in small tanks:
❌ Goldfish (they grow too big) Angelfish – require tall tanks
❌ Tiger barbs (fin nippers)
❌ Mollies need more space.
❌ Plecos – Most grow very large
❌ Betta with fin-nippers (risk of fights) Choosing the right species makes aquarium care much easier.