Small: 0-40L

Beautiful small aquariums for home and office spaces

Small aquariums refer to fish tanks that can hold from 0 to 40 litres. They are also called nano aquariums, and they come in handy for beginner aquarists looking to keep some small-sized fish or other aquatic animals. Given their size, nano aquariums can be made to fit in the most unlikely spaces and add a touch of beauty to your space, especially when you have the right selection of fish and aquatic plants.

Small aquariums are a beautiful addition to your office or home space, even if you have never kept an aquarium before. They come in different shapes, although the square and rectangular-shaped aquariums are most common. If you are not a big fish keeper and only want to keep a few fish, then there is no point getting large-sized aquariums that would require larger accessories. These aquariums can hold freshwater, or saltwater if you desire.

Small aquariums are very affordable and easy to maintain, leading to the conclusion that anyone can keep a small aquarium. However, there are things to consider before choosing one. Check the space you have for the aquarium before making the choice. While they can fit into little spaces, you need to be strategic and creative about where and how they will fit in without undue exposure to heat, electricity or any other harmful element.

One mistake you must avoid is overcrowding. Don’t aim to fill every space in the small aquarium, as this would increase the bioload. Each fish requires sufficient swimming space to move around. An additional tip for you is that you stick to one specie of fish, especially if you are a beginner aquarist. Play it safe until you understand which fish species can co-exist without displaying aggression to the others.

While it is possible to stock a lot of fish in a small aquarium if you have a strong filter, it is generally not advisable. It would also be a mistake for you to assume that small aquariums require no maintenance. They do, so, have a routine maintenance to monitor the water conditions and make changes as needed. Given the small volume of water, little problems quickly escalate into big issues.

Small aquariums are a beautiful addition to a work or office space, and the view of the fish moving in the aquarium could be just what you need to lift your mood on low days. For the most part, no-pet rules do not apply to fish, so you can give it a shot. Browse through our collections of small aquariums, all under 40 litres and find the right fit for your space.

FAQs On Small Aquariums

(1) What kind of fish can I keep in my small aquariums?

If you are a beginner aquarist, you can start with a male betta in your small fish tank. They do just fine in small tanks. But if you have a tank that is up to 40 litres, you can get more adventurous with your fish collections. Some type of fish you could try include the scarlet badis (Dario Dario), peacock gudgeon, dwarf chain loaches, Tanganyikan shellies, sparkling gourami, and the Endler livebearer. Be mindful of the number of fish in the water, as each fish requires sufficient space to swim around, and you also need a little space to attach a filter.

(2) Do I need a filter in my small aquarium?

Yes, you certainly do. Small aquariums are still aquariums, and the small fish living in them are still fish. You need an active filter suited to the aquarium to get rid of debris and purify the water, so that you do not end up with a smelly aquarium and sick fish.

(3) What is the best filter for a small aquarium?

The best is to go for one that is compact and does not take up much space. This may be a compact hang-on filter or a small sponge filter. Under-gravel filters are also come in highly recommended as they do not require any maintenance. They are cheap and also add to the beauty of your aquarium.

(4) Is it necessary to monitor a small aquarium every day?

With small aquariums, small problems can spread quickly. So, even if you have auto-feeders and other scheduled devices to take care of the routine, make some time to monitor the water condition and even test it to be sure all is fine.

(5) Do I need plants in my small aquarium?

You may choose whether you want to have plants in your small aquarium or not. It is however, important to have a good source of aeration for your fish. It could be air pumps, hang-on filters or plants that release good gas into the aquarium. That said, planted aquariums are pleasant to the eyes, so you can carefully select a couple of plants that co-exist well with your fish. You can also include two-inch snail shells in your aquarium which can serve as a toy for the fish, or a space for them to hide in after swimming around.

(6) How do I calculate how many fish to put in a small aquarium?

There is something known as the “one inch per gallon” rule, and this means that for every one gallon (about 4 litres) of water, you can put a one-inch fish. This means that a 20 litres aquarium will hold a 5-inch fish, or five 1-inch fish, or two 2-inch fish and one 1-inch fish. You can use this calculation to find out what fits into your tank.