55-Gallon Tank Setup: What to Buy and What Fits
At four feet long, a 55-gallon gives schooling fish a real run and angelfish enough height. It weighs more than 600 pounds filled, so it needs a proper aquarium stand.
- Dimensions
- 48 × 13 × 21 inlength × width × height
- Weight when full
- ~625 lbswater, substrate, gear
- Heater
- 200 wattsfor 78°F in a 68°F room
- Substrate
- 55 lbsfor a 1.5 inch layer
3 stocking ideas for a 55-gallon tank
Each one passes our checks for tank size, group size, temperature and temperament. Open one in the builder to adjust it.
Angelfish community
A pair of angelfish over a large school.
- 2 × Angelfish
- 12 × Rummy-nose tetra
- 8 × Corydoras catfish
- 1 × Bristlenose pleco
Livebearer tank
Colourful, hardy, and always something happening.
Shopping list for a 55-gallon tank
Sized for the “Angelfish community” idea above. Change the fish in the builder and the list updates.
55-gallon tank
- These fit a 55-gallon tank and get along. Aim for about 78°F.
Equipment, sized for this tank
Starter supplies
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Fish that fit a 55-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 | 55 | 6 or more | 70–79°F |
| Cardinal tetra | 55 | 6 or more | 75–82°F |
| Ember tetra | 123 | 6 or more | 73–82°F |
| Rummy-nose tetra | 41 | 6 or more | 75–81°F |
| Black skirt tetra | 27 | 6 or more | 70–79°F |
| Guppy | 41 | 3 or more | 72–82°F |
| Endler's livebearer | 70 | 3 or more | 72–82°F |
| Platy | 27 | 3 or more | 70–80°F |
| Molly | 14 | 3 or more | 75–80°F |
| Swordtail | 12 | 3 or more | 72–79°F |
| Zebra danio | 41 | 6 or more | 64–77°F |
| White cloud minnow | 61 | 6 or more | 60–72°F |
| Harlequin rasbora | 44 | 6 or more | 73–82°F |
| Chili rasbora | 165 | 6 or more | 72–82°F |
| Cherry barb | 38 | 6 or more | 73–81°F |
| Tiger barb | 20 | 6 or more | 72–79°F |
| Corydoras catfish | 38 | 6 or more | 72–79°F |
| Pygmy corydoras | 99 | 6 or more | 72–79°F |
| Bristlenose pleco | 8 | One or more | 73–81°F |
| Otocinclus | 55 | 6 or more | 72–79°F |
| Kuhli loach | 41 | 5 or more | 75–82°F |
| Dwarf gourami | 1 | One per tank | 72–82°F |
| Honey gourami | 27 | One or more | 72–82°F |
| Pearl gourami | 11 | One or more | 75–82°F |
| Angelfish | 5 | One or more | 76–82°F |
| German blue ram | 19 | One or more | 78–85°F |
| Fancy goldfish | 3 | One or more | 60–74°F |
| Cherry shrimp | 220 | 5 or more | 65–80°F |
| Amano shrimp | 165 | 3 or more | 68–80°F |
| Nerite snail | 123 | One or more | 72–80°F |
| Mystery snail | 33 | One or more | 68–82°F |
55-gallon tank questions
How many fish can I put in a 55-gallon tank?
It depends on the fish. As examples, a 55-gallon tank comfortably holds 1 betta, or 55 neon tetras, or 41 guppies if kept alone. Mixed tanks hold fewer of each. The builder shows the stocking level for any combination.
What size heater does a 55-gallon tank need?
About 200 watts to hold 78°F in a 68°F room. A colder room or warmer target needs more.
What size filter does a 55-gallon tank need?
Look for a filter rated for at least 330 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 55-gallon tank weigh?
About 625 pounds when filled with water, substrate and equipment. Standard dimensions are 48 × 13 × 21 inches.