It comes as no surprise that the colorful GloFish has caught your eye.
Many new hobbyists are drawn to the fish as it might very well be the perfect addition for your aquarium.
Not only is the fish bright and colorful but also low-maintenance, w
hich makes it perfect for beginner aquarists.
In this article, we’ll help you figure out exactly how many GloFish can fit in your 20 gallon tank. You’ll also learn about a few of the most popular GloFish species as well as some care tips.
So let’s get into it!
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Some Equipment That Will Make Your GloFish Glow!
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![]() | GloFish Fluorescent Plant, Blue Medium, Aquarium Décor, Fluoresces Under Blue LEDs | PrimeEligible | Buy On Amazon |
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![]() | 1.59-Ounce, Colorful 4 Flake Blend Food for Fishes | PrimeEligible | Buy On Amazon |
What Size Tank Do You Need for GloFish?
Ideally, GloFish will require a 20-gallon Aquarium because they are schooling fish.
If you are just starting a fish tank, 20 gallons is perfect for your first tank. Smaller aquariums are actually more work than larger ones due to the limited amount of water they can hold.
20 gallons would be a better starting size so you get the hang of maintenance work and upkeep before you go smaller.
Keep in mind that for GloFish to thrive and live a long life, you’ll need to provide the ideal living conditions. To do so, you’ll need to add a few essentials like an Aquarium Filter, replacement kit, aquarium test kit to check for water toxicity before you introduce fish to the tank. You will need to add aquarium gravel. It should be dark enough to contrast your GloFish, allow nitrifying bacteria to grow and coarse enough to allow water flow.
For regular cleaning, you will need an aquarium vacuum, fishnet, and an aquarium glass scrubber. Your aquarium is only attractive as long as it is clean.
How Many GloFish per gallon
An inch per gallon is probably the most popular stocking rule. It states that for each inch of the fish, you need a gallon of water for it to survive. While true, it does not make for the ideal living condition in a tank. An Aquarium looks good when the fish inside it look happy and not as if they are contemplating suicide.
GloFish, in particular, is a particularly active schooling fish. It has many different types, out of which Danios requires explicitly ample space to dart around the aquarium as that gives it the exercise it needs.
Because they are schooling fish, they need to move in social groups to survive. One gallon of water is not enough for any type of GloFish to survive much less thrive.
How many GloFish in a 20 Gallon Tank
If GloFish is your choice, then the number of fish you can accommodate will depend on the type you select. Depending upon the size of the fish, 20 gallons can fit either 5 or a maximum of ten GloFish.
Keep in mind that these conditions can improve by adding things like live plants and decorations with more than enough space for them to move about.
How Many GloFish Danios in a 20 Gallon Tank
GloFish Danios make for the most adorable addition to your aquarium. They are incredibly social and playful, so they need not only friends but also space. You will see them darting from one end of the aquarium to another chasing after each other. Something is soothing and enjoyable in their movements.
GloFish Danios grows up to a maximum of 2.5 inches, so you should be able to accommodate 5-10 of these in a 20 gallon fish tank. However, ten may be pushing it even by the inch per gallon rule, which is not ideal, to begin with, also though they are incredibly low-maintenance.
64 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit water makes for the ideal temperature for GloFish, so you don’t need to install a water heater. They can even tolerate substantially substandard water conditions, so keeping up with cleaning requirements isn’t an issue either.
If you are a new aquarist still unfamiliar with the water recycling procedure, three to four Danios may be the right choice of fish for you. Make sure that you keep GloFish with other non-aggressive fish as they are extremely friendly and social.
How many GloFish Tetras in a 20 Gallon Tank
Like Danios, GloFish Tetras also grow up to about 2.5 inches, which means around 10 in a small tank are more than enough. They are even schooling fish. However, they are not as social as Danios. They are quite shy, so make sure to add in some plantation in the aquarium to provide them ample places for retreat.
Tetras prefer water temperatures ranging from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it a must for you to invest in a water heater. However, they are also quite low-maintenance and can survive poor water conditions. Besides being shy, they are also peaceful and get along well with all non-aggressive fish.
Tetras are beautiful tropical fish. They have strong survival mechanisms, which makes them ideal for beginner fish keepers. They are also quite peaceful and laidback, so they don’t need much space. You may even be able to accommodate five fish in one small tank. As long as you provide them ample greenery to hide in, you can keep them happy with minimal care.
How many GloFish Tiger Barbs in a 20 Gallon Tank
Tiger barbs are semi-aggressive schooling fish and only really get along well with their kind or those that intimidate them. If they are cohabitating with someone, they can bully and will nip others in the fin if their size allows it.
They grow up to a maximum of three inches, so you can only accommodate around 6 maximum 8 of these in 20 gallons. Barbs also have slightly more specific requirements. They thrive well in water with pH value marginally lower than 7, and their ideal temperature is about 74 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
With Tiger Barbs, you’ll need a heater but also a testing kit to ensure the water is just the right amount of acidic. You will also have to invest a lot of time and effort in aquarium decorations.
GloFish Tiger Barbs are incredibly active, so they need lots of swimming space, but they also require substantial hiding spots for them to relax.
How many GloFish Rainbow Sharks in a 20 Gallon Tank
Rainbow sharks are not as small as the other types of GloFish. They can grow up to 6 inches long, so you can only accommodate a maximum of two of these. However, realistically speaking, a 20 gallon tank is barely enough for one GloFish rainbow shark, much less two.
They are also semi-aggressive. However, their aggressive tendencies are a lot more pronounced than those of Tiger Barbs. You cannot keep a rainbow shark with other sharks, especially in a confined space. That is a recipe for disaster.
To balance out their nature, they need to cohabitate with others who exhibit similar behavioral patterns as their own and are larger in size. If they feel the other is easily intimidated, they will go at them, which can make survival in a tank difficult for both.
GloFish Rainbow Shark is a bottom dweller and remains near the bed of the aquarium where it searches for food and lazes about. In a 20 gallon tank, it is bound to get a little restless, which is why they are not particularly suited for small spaces.
If a GloFish shark is what you want, then opt for 55-gallon tank for ideal living conditions.
For a very detailed answer check out our new article How Many Fish Can Live In A 20 Gallon Tank Comfortably
Tips for Keeping GloFish
There isn’t one right answer for how many fish in a tank or what are the ideal conditions for GloFish purely because their requirements vary depending upon their type and size. They are social by nature and cannot survive alone, so the larger the tank is, the better.
Space makes it easier for you to create the perfect habitat for GloFish. Newer Aquarists should stick to GloFish Danios and GloFish Tetras, especially if a 20 gallon tank is what you are opting for. They are smaller in size and can withstand substantial neglect. You only need to provide a water heater for GloFish Tetra, and Danios does not even require that.
For Danios, you must provide them ample moving space. GloFishTetras, on the other hand, need ample hiding spaces, so lots of greenery and rockery become a must. If you want to create a combination of the two, then set up tall plants near the ends of the tank while leaving most of the space open and covered with some rocks at the bottom.
GloFish Tiger Barbs and Sharks need their space, and that’s all. Just make sure you don’t have them cohabitate with smaller ones, and you should be fine. If you want to get the most out of GloFish visually, then equip your tank with blue LED lights.
The blue light makes the fish pop fro added aesthetics. If you want the perfect overall tank for GloFish with the ideal air and water filter, then look into the GloFish 20 gallon tank. Not only does the tank come with a filter but also with water heater, gravel as well as water conditioner making it ideal for beginner Aquarists to handle.
Learn More About GloFish:
- How Many GloFish In A 20 Gallon Tank
- How Many GloFish In A 5 Gallon Tank
- How Long Do Glofish Tetras Live

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