Guide
Good setups for a 50 gallon tank
50 gallons (~190 litres) gives plenty of room for mixed communities, impressive centrepieces, or a cichlid project. Run your ideas through our stocking calculator first.
- 50 gallons suits mixed communities, centrepiece setups, or cichlid projects.
- Match species to water hardness; provide structure for territorial fish.
- Cycle first, stock gradually, maintain regularly.
Community setup
Multiple schools, a centrepiece, and a solid cleanup crew. Twelve to fifteen tetras (e.g. rummynose or cardinal), ten to twelve rasboras or cherry barbs, ten corydoras, and a pair of dwarf gouramis or a single angelfish. Or swap in rainbowfish if your water is hard — see water parameters. Canister or dual HOB filtration recommended. Log tests in App-aquatic to spot trends.
Centerpiece setup
Two or three angelfish, fifteen to twenty tetras (rummynose, cardinal, or black neon — avoid very small nippable species), ten corys, and a bristlenose pleco. Tall tanks suit angels. Alternatively: a pair of pearl gouramis with two schools and corys. Provide plants and vertical structure.
Cichlid setup
50 gallons works for medium cichlids. South American: a pair of Severums or keyhole cichlids with dithers (e.g. silver dollars or larger tetras) and a pleco. African: a small group of Malawi or Tanganyika mbuna — research species carefully; overstocking can reduce aggression in some setups. See types of cichlids. Match water hardness and pH to your chosen species.
General tips
Respect bioload and compatibility. Add fish in stages; cycle first. Weekly water changes and strong filtration keep things stable.
Keep learning
Stable aquariums come from consistent testing and patient stocking. Continue with our water parameters guide, how to cycle a tank, and combining fish safely. For logging and strip scans, see App-aquatic.
Log parameters, scan strips offline, and run stocking checks with App-aquatic.
Get the free appCommunity setup?
Multiple schools, a centrepiece, and a solid cleanup crew. Twelve to fifteen tetras (e.g. rummynose or cardinal), ten to twelve rasboras or cherry barbs, ten corydoras , and a pair of dwarf gouramis or a single angelfish. Or swap in rainbowfish if your water is hard — see water parameters . Canister or dual HOB filtration recommended. Log tests in App-aquatic to spot trends.
Centerpiece setup?
Two or three angelfish , fifteen to twenty tetras (rummynose, cardinal, or black neon — avoid very small nippable species), ten corys, and a bristlenose pleco. Tall tanks suit angels. Alternatively: a pair of pearl gouramis with two schools and corys. Provide plants and vertical structure.
Cichlid setup?
50 gallons works for medium cichlids. South American: a pair of Severums or keyhole cichlids with dithers (e.g. silver dollars or larger tetras) and a pleco. African: a small group of Malawi or Tanganyika mbuna — research species carefully; overstocking can reduce aggression in some setups. See types of cichlids . Match water hardness and pH to your chosen species.
General tips?
Respect bioload and compatibility . Add fish in stages; cycle first. Weekly water changes and strong filtration keep things stable.
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