29-Gallon Tank Setup: What to Buy and What Fits
The 29-gallon has the footprint of a 20-gallon long with extra height. That height suits angelfish, and the volume allows a bristlenose pleco, a large school, or a pair of fancy goldfish.
- Dimensions
- 30 × 12 × 18 inlength × width × height
- Weight when full
- ~330 lbswater, substrate, gear
- Heater
- 150 wattsfor 77°F in a 68°F room
- Substrate
- 35 lbsfor a 1.5 inch layer
3 stocking ideas for a 29-gallon tank
Each one passes our checks for tank size, group size, temperature and temperament. Open one in the builder to adjust it.
Big school community
A tight school, catfish and an algae eater.
- 10 × Rummy-nose tetra
- 6 × Corydoras catfish
- 1 × Bristlenose pleco
Angelfish tank
One angelfish with tank mates too big to eat.
- 1 × Angelfish
- 6 × Cherry barb
- 6 × Corydoras catfish
Fancy goldfish pair
Two goldfish, no heater, strong filter.
- 2 × Fancy goldfish
Shopping list for a 29-gallon tank
Sized for the “Big school community” idea above. Change the fish in the builder and the list updates.
29-gallon tank
- These fit a 29-gallon tank and get along. Aim for about 77°F.
Equipment, sized for this tank
Starter supplies
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, TankStarter earns from qualifying purchases. Sizes are estimates from published care guidelines, not hands-on testing.
Fish that fit a 29-gallon tank
The most of each you could keep if it were the only species in the tank.
| Fish | Kept alone, up to | Group size | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betta | 1 | One per tank | 76–82°F |
| Neon tetra | 29 | 6 or more | 70–79°F |
| Cardinal tetra | 29 | 6 or more | 75–82°F |
| Ember tetra | 65 | 6 or more | 73–82°F |
| Rummy-nose tetra | 21 | 6 or more | 75–81°F |
| Black skirt tetra | 14 | 6 or more | 70–79°F |
| Guppy | 21 | 3 or more | 72–82°F |
| Endler's livebearer | 37 | 3 or more | 72–82°F |
| Platy | 14 | 3 or more | 70–80°F |
| Molly | 7 | 3 or more | 75–80°F |
| Swordtail | 6 | 3 or more | 72–79°F |
| Zebra danio | 21 | 6 or more | 64–77°F |
| White cloud minnow | 32 | 6 or more | 60–72°F |
| Harlequin rasbora | 23 | 6 or more | 73–82°F |
| Chili rasbora | 87 | 6 or more | 72–82°F |
| Cherry barb | 20 | 6 or more | 73–81°F |
| Tiger barb | 10 | 6 or more | 72–79°F |
| Corydoras catfish | 20 | 6 or more | 72–79°F |
| Pygmy corydoras | 52 | 6 or more | 72–79°F |
| Bristlenose pleco | 4 | One or more | 73–81°F |
| Otocinclus | 29 | 6 or more | 72–79°F |
| Kuhli loach | 21 | 5 or more | 75–82°F |
| Dwarf gourami | 1 | One per tank | 72–82°F |
| Honey gourami | 14 | One or more | 72–82°F |
| Pearl gourami | 5 | One or more | 75–82°F |
| Angelfish | 2 | One or more | 76–82°F |
| German blue ram | 10 | One or more | 78–85°F |
| Fancy goldfish | 2 | One or more | 60–74°F |
| Cherry shrimp | 116 | 5 or more | 65–80°F |
| Amano shrimp | 87 | 3 or more | 68–80°F |
| Nerite snail | 65 | One or more | 72–80°F |
| Mystery snail | 17 | One or more | 68–82°F |
29-gallon tank questions
How many fish can I put in a 29-gallon tank?
It depends on the fish. As examples, a 29-gallon tank comfortably holds 1 betta, or 29 neon tetras, or 21 guppies if kept alone. Mixed tanks hold fewer of each. The builder shows the stocking level for any combination.
What size heater does a 29-gallon tank need?
About 150 watts to hold 77°F in a 68°F room. A colder room or warmer target needs more.
What size filter does a 29-gallon tank need?
Look for a filter rated for at least 180 gallons per hour, which turns the tank over about 6 times an hour. Go higher for messy fish such as goldfish or plecos.
How much does a 29-gallon tank weigh?
About 330 pounds when filled with water, substrate and equipment. Standard dimensions are 30 × 12 × 18 inches.