5 Best Fish Tank Ideas for a 29-Gallon Aquarium

Most people start with smaller aquariums to keep nano fish like guppies and bettas. But have you ever thought of moving up to the next weight class? These aquariums, which are 29- to 30-gallon (110 to 114 liters), allow you access to medium-sized species. You can also create elaborate aquascapes with these tanks. Find out our top 5 fish stocking tips that fit into this category.

1. The South American Aquarium

Amazon rainforest is home many amazing species. So why not create an environment that showcases this biodiversity? In this setup, aim for softer water with low GH, pH from 6.8-7.4, and warmer temperatures around 80-82degF (27-28degC). You can choose your favorite Apistogramma dwarf Cichlids or apistos species for the bottom tank. This will allow you to breed a male and female pair. They can be shy so you might want to add aquarium plants to cover them, catappa leaves to color the water, and apisto caves to allow for egg laying.

To help the apistos feel more at ease and ready to spawn, a school of cardinal Tetras can be used as dither fish. These stunning tetras are brightly colored with red and blue stripes and can swim in the middle of your tank. A tight-fitting lid is necessary to stop the fish jumping. Finally, a school hatchetfish can be added to the top of your aquarium. This triple-layered arrangement is great for taller aquariums. For example, a 29-gallon tank standing 18 inches (46cm tall) can use this triple-layered arrangement.

Left to right: cockatoo dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides), cardinal tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi), and common hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla)

2. The Angelfish Breeding Project

It is exciting to breed fish in the aquarium hobby. A tank of 29 gallons can offer many possibilities. Angelfish can be bred easily, so make sure to get a good-looking male or female for this species-only arrangement. They prefer to lay their eggs vertically, such as on a piece of slate against the wall or the filter pipe. It may take the angelfish a few tries to figure out that they should not eat their own eggs, but over time, they usually learn to raise up their own offspring. Watching the parents carefully corral a cloud of babies can be a very rewarding experience for you and your family to enjoy. You can feed the fry various foods such as Hikari First Bite and baby brine shrimp. Be prepared to purchase additional aquariums for the growing family. For more details on angelfish, read our full care guide.

Gold anglingfish (Pterophyllum Scalare) protecting a nest of eggs

3. The Unheated Aquatic Aquarium

Cold water fish are cooler because they can survive in lower temperatures. One of our favorite barbs is the longfin pink barb. They can be peaceful for a barb, and will even eat any algae in your aquarium. The males tend to be reddish in color, while the females have a golden sheen. They are an active species that can grow to approximately 3.5-4 inches (9-10cm) in length. For the bottom of the tank, try a group of salt and pepper cory catfish, which is a Corydoras species that can live in cooler waters. You can make this a show-stopping piece of art by filling the tank with live aquatic plants. Check out our top 10 list for more information on coldwater species.

Longfin rosy barb (Pethia conchonius) and salt and pepper cory catfish (Corydoras paleatus)

4. The GloFish Tank

GloFish are a staple in pet shops due to their bright neon colors that glow under the blue light. If you want a kaleidoscope of activity, pick either GloFish tetras (black skirt tetras) or GloFish barbs (tiger barbs) as your schooling fish. They grow to about 2.5-3 inches (6-8cm) so it is a good idea to start with 6-10 fish of the same species. One GloFish shark (rainbow shark), can be added to a 30-gallon aquarium. It has a 3-foot (91cm) longer footprint. If GloFish don’t appeal to you, there are always the regular-colored versions. These fish are often semi-aggressive so make sure to add tall decorations to hide the line of sight and protect weaker ones. The full article explains GloFish and the source of their fluorescent hues.

GloFish Tetra (Gymnocorymbus Ternetzi) and GloFish Barb (Puntius Tetrazona).

5. The Fancy Goldfish Aquarium

Many beginners are shocked to learn that their pet fish can grow to up to 6-8inches (15-20 cm) in length. They should therefore upgrade from a small glass bowl to a 30-gallon aquarium. We recommend that you only get one fancy goldfish to use this aquarium because of their larger size. Because of their large bodies and long tails, they are slow swimmers. So we recommend using gentle filtering like sponge filters. Water quality issues can also arise from their large waste loads. Therefore, it is a good idea to not add too many tank buddies unless you intend to upgrade to a 40- or 55-gallon tank. These hungry hippos are notorious for nibbling on or uprooting aquatic plants, so look for goldfish-safe plants to help purify the water and beautify your aquarium. Keep the water temperature at 50-70degF (10-21 degC) to ensure optimal health. You can find more information about their care in our care guide.

Fancy goldfish (Carassius autus)

Find more ideas and inspiration for fish stocking in our article on 7 Most Popular Fish to Stock in a 20 Gallon Aquarium.