For some decent sized fish, a 36-gallon aquarium is a decent size. It’s not the biggest aquarium in the world, but it’s large enough to house some decent fish. They may or may not be schooling. You’ll find even more at the end of the article if you don’t like the first five! We will discuss the Best Fish for 36 Gallon Tank in this article.
Contents
9 Best Fish For 36 Gallon Tank – With Complete Requirements
I’m going to share with you the top 9 Best Fish For 36 Gallon Tank.
1. Cory Catfish
I am a huge fan of Cory Catfish. This is one of my all-time favourite freshwater aquarium fish. These bottom-dwelling catfish are one of the best community fish out there – they survive in a wide range of conditions, get along with (nearly) every species, and are active and entertaining to watch.
Since Cory Catfish are schooling fish, they should be kept in groups of at least 4-5. It should do well on a mixture of dry flakes and pellets. They aren’t picky eaters. Dried Bloodworms are also a great supplemental food that will keep your Cories happy and healthy.
Because of their docile nature, I recommend keeping Cories with other peaceful species such as Tetras, Mollies, Loaches, Plecos, and Danios.
Features
- Level of Care: Easy/Moderate
- Peaceful climate
- 20 gallons for groups of 5
2. Guppies
Guppies are one of the top freshwater aquarium fish out there – and for a good reason! They are hardy, come in bright colors, and are easy to maintain, even for first-time aquarists.
Because of their small size, Guppies do well in tanks no larger than 10 gallons. On the other hand, Guppies reproduce very quickly. It doesn’t take long for five fry to become fifty, so make sure you have a plan for them all.
Guppies are a fairly easy pet to care for. A healthy school of guppies should be easy to raise with a well-designed aquarium and a high-quality flake diet.
Features
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Tank Size: 10 gallons
3. Mollies
Mollies are hardy, easy-to-keep livebearers known for their wide range of colours. Mollies reproduce extremely quickly and thrive in most conditions, just like Guppies. However, they are a bit larger and require more space.
Mollies are omnivorous species, so that they will eat just about anything fed to them. Flakes, pellets, and frozen foods all work very well. The variety of Mollies is also endless, so every new aquarist should be able to find something that fits their tank well.
Features
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Tank Size: 10 gallons
4. Swordtails
Swordtails are known for their unique feature that makes them stand out from both Guppies and Mollies. Male Swordtails are equipped with an interesting “sword” protruding from their tails, giving them their name. As a result, they make great attention-grabbers in any aquarium.
Like most livebearers, Swordtails are easy to keep and thrive in a wide range of environments. If kept in groups, Swordtails will also reproduce very quickly. They should be kept with other community-friendly fish as a small and peaceful species.
Features
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Tank Size: 10 gallons
5. Kuhli Loach
A Kuhli Loach might be the perfect freshwater aquarium fish for you if you want something different. Despite looking like an eel, this species is not an eel.
Kuhli Loaches are most active at night, so don’t expect to see them too much during the day. That said, Kuhli Loaches are much more likely to be active during the day if they are kept in groups of 3-4.
Another reason that Kuhli Loaches make great beginner aquarium fish is that they stay small (especially when compared with other loach species). At 3-5″ max length, a group can be kept in a 20-gallon aquarium with no problems.
Features
- Care Level: Easy/Moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Tank Size: 20 gallons
6. Neon Tetra
Small, high-energy neon tetras are known for their vibrant colors and their unique schooling habits. If you’re looking to set up a lively, natural aquarium, Neon Tetras are a perfect choice.
Since Neons max out at around 1-1.5″, good-sized schools can be kept even in a small tank. I like to stock 1 Neon Tetra per gallon of water. That said, 10-gallon tanks should only house 5-7 Tetras since water parameters tend to swing around a little more.
Neon Tetras do pretty well in many water conditions and are considered pretty easy to keep. It shouldn’t be a problem to keep this species as long as the tank is stable and cycled properly.
Features
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Tank Size: 10 gallons
7. Goldfish
Goldfish are far and away from the most popular freshwater aquarium fish of all time. Beginners are often surprised to find that Goldfish come in tons of different varieties and colors (many of which are relatively easy to keep).
Goldfish cannot live in bowls just like Betta fish cannot. In reality, Goldfish tanks should be at least 20-30 gallons.
In addition to having a slightly larger minimum tank size, Goldfish are very easy to maintain in a variety of conditions, making them the perfect beginner fish. That said, they prefer a cooler environment than most tropical aquarium fish (68-75°F), so they tend to do best in goldfish-only tanks. A simple flake food diet works well for goldfish, so there is no need to feed them special food.
Features
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
8. Betta fish
Almost everyone has heard of Betta fish even if you have never owned an aquarium. These popular freshwater aquarium fish are famous for their bright colouration, versatility, and spunky personalities.
Despite the common belief that Betta fish can live in tiny bowls, you should never attempt to keep them in anything less than 5 gallons. Small bowls are not only cruel but can also cut a Betta’s lifespan significantly. This list of the best Betta tanks is a great resource for housing a Betta correctly.
Though Bettas usually prefer a tank to themselves, several other species can co-habitat with them well. A few suitable Betta tank mates include Cory Catfish, Plecos, and certain Tetras.
Features
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Aggressive
- Tank Size: 5 gallons
9. Zebra Danio
Beginner freshwater aquarium fish like Zebra Danios are a popular choice among hobbyists. They are prized for their instantly recognizable striped pattern, energetic antics, and ease of care.
Zebra Danios are most energetic when kept in small schools – a group of 7-8 Danios will provide all the entertainment you need from a freshwater tank. Because they tend to be so zippy and lively, a tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended.
Features
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Tank Size: 20 gallons
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Fish Can Live In 36 Gallon Tank?
For a 36 gallon bowfront, some good fish are African cichlids, South American cichlids, and large fancy Goldfish.
What Can I Put In A 36 Gallon Tank?
Mild varieties like Electric Yellows, Acai, Rusties, and Livingstone are examples of the best kinds because, for these kinds of fish, 36 gallons is still very small. Ultimately you would be looking at about 6 each as they grow up, but you want to start with extras, getting more females than males.
Can An Oscar Live In A 36 Gallon Tank?
Because Oscars typically grow about 10 inches long in captivity, the minimum tank size recommended for a single Oscar is about 55 gallons. Ideally, however, a 75-gallon tank is best if you plan to keep just one Oscar. For each aquarium, you will need at least 100 gallons in capacity.
How Often Should You Clean A 36 Gallon Fish Tank?
Once every six months, you should give all the equipment in and around your fish tank a thorough clean. In this way, you can monitor your equipment’s functioning, and if necessary, repair or replace it. It also allows you to clean everything properly.
Final Verdict: Best Fish For 36 Gallon Tank
Keeping freshwater aquarium fish can be an extremely rewarding and enjoyable hobby – but it comes with a good amount of work. Through this complete guide, you should choose a great beginner fish and set up your tank the correct way.
Good luck and happy fish-keeping!
