Fish Stocking Calculator

Enter your tank size and pick your fish. Get a safe stocking recommendation based on biomass, school size, and filtration.

water

Step 1 — Your tank

gal
Filtration
Water change frequency
pets

Step 2 — Your fish

search

No fish added yet. Search above to start building your stocking plan.

Stocking plan

20 gal · 75.7 L

Biomass density 0.0 g/L
00.71.21.8+
Pick at least one fish to see your stocking status.

Species we cover (40)

Every fish in the calculator links to its care guide. Don't see yours? It's freshwater-only for now.

phishing Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

Schooling · 1.5" adult

phishing Cardinal Tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Schooling · 2" adult

phishing Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus erythrozonus

Schooling · 1.5" adult

phishing Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon amandae

Schooling · 0.8" adult

phishing Rummy Nose Tetra

Hemigrammus bleheri

Schooling · 2" adult

phishing Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Schooling · 2.5" adult

phishing Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Schooling · 1.75" adult

phishing Celestial Pearl Danio (Galaxy Rasbora)

Danio margaritatus

Schooling · 1" adult

phishing Zebra Danio

Danio rerio

Schooling · 2" adult

phishing White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Tanichthys albonubes

Schooling · 1.5" adult

phishing Cherry Barb

Puntius titteya

Schooling · 2" adult

phishing Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras aeneus

Schooling · 2.5" adult

phishing Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus vittatus

Schooling · 2" adult

phishing Kuhli Loach

Pangio kuhlii

Schooling · 4" adult

phishing Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia boesemani

Schooling · 4" adult

phishing Freshwater Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Cichlid · 6" adult

phishing German Blue Ram

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

Cichlid · 2.5" adult

phishing Bolivian Ram

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

Cichlid · 3" adult

phishing Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Cichlid · 4" adult

phishing Fancy Guppy

Poecilia reticulata

Livebearer · 2" adult

phishing Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus

Livebearer · 2.5" adult

phishing Molly

Poecilia sphenops

Livebearer · 4" adult

phishing Swordtail

Xiphophorus hellerii

Livebearer · 5" adult

phishing Endler's Livebearer

Poecilia wingei

Livebearer · 1.2" adult

phishing Oranda Goldfish

Carassius auratus

High Bioload · 10" adult

phishing Fancy Goldfish (Ryukin/Fantail)

Carassius auratus

High Bioload · 8" adult

phishing Common Pleco

Hypostomus plecostomus

High Bioload · 20" adult

phishing Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus cirrhosus

High Bioload · 5" adult

phishing Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

High Bioload · 3.5" adult

phishing Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish)

Betta splendens

Centerpiece · 3" adult

phishing Dwarf Gourami

Trichogaster lalius

Centerpiece · 3.5" adult

phishing Honey Gourami

Trichogaster chuna

Centerpiece · 2.5" adult

phishing Pearl Gourami

Trichopodus leerii

Centerpiece · 4.5" adult

phishing Rainbow Shark

Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

Centerpiece · 6" adult

phishing Bala Shark

Balantiocheilos melanopterus

Centerpiece · 14" adult

phishing Hillstream Loach (Reticulated)

Sewellia lineolata

Schooling · 2.5" adult

phishing Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina)

Neocaridina davidi

Invertebrate · 1.5" adult

phishing Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Invertebrate · 2" adult

phishing Nerite Snail

Neritina natalensis

Invertebrate · 1" adult

phishing Mystery Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Invertebrate · 2" adult

How this works

We estimate each fish's adult biomass (grams) and weight it by a bioload factor — high-waste fish like goldfish count for more, low-metabolism fish like bettas for less. The total is divided by your tank's liters to get grams per liter (g/L). Planted tanks, heavy filtration, and frequent water changes each buy you a little more capacity.

Read the full methodology arrow_forward

Important

This is a planning guide, not a guarantee. Adult size and waste output vary by individual, diet, and temperature. Always research each species, add fish gradually, and test your water. For sensitive or valuable stock, consult an experienced aquarist or aquatic veterinarian.