Have you ever looked into a vibrant aquarium and wished your own tank could look just like that? A 29-gallon tank is a fantastic size—it offers enough space for a beautiful community, but it’s not so huge that it overwhelms a beginner. However, that sweet spot in size also presents a big problem: what fish actually thrive in a 29-gallon setup?
Choosing the wrong inhabitants can lead to stressed fish, cloudy water, or worse, constant tank reshuffles. Many new aquarists worry about overcrowding or picking species that fight. You want happy, healthy fish, but the sheer volume of conflicting advice online can make selecting the perfect residents feel like a guessing game.
Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the noise. We will explore the best, most compatible fish options specifically suited for your 29-gallon home. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which centerpiece fish, schooling groups, and bottom dwellers will create a balanced and stunning aquatic display.
Top Fish For 29 Gallon Aquarium Recommendations
- GLASS AQUARIUM KIT: Glass aquarium with low-profile hinged hood houses energy efficient white LEDs to create a natural underwater shimmer effect
- EASY TO SET UP: Complete kit includes everything you need to get started
- FILTER INCLUDED: Comes with the Tetra Whisper PF 30 Power Filter with Tetra Large Bio-Bag Filter Cartridge
- WITH HEATER: Includes a 200-watt heater and thermometer, along with a fish net, Tetra AquaSafe water conditioner sample, TetraMin food sample and setup guide
- 29 GALLON TANK: Measures 30 inches wide by 12 inches deep by 18 inches high
- GLASS AQUARIUM: Rectangular glass aquarium makes an ideal home for your fish.
- ADD ON ACCESSORIES: Mix and match with your favorite Tetra filtration, lighting and water care products (sold separately).
- EASY CUSTOMIZATION: Use assorted Tetra accessories (sold separately) to make your aquarium your own.
- 29 GALLON TANK: Measures 30 inches wide by 12 inches deep by 18 inches high.
- TETRA BRAND: Dedicated to helping seasoned hobbyists and beginners alike enjoy a successful, lifelong aquatic experience.
- 【High Definition】This freshwater fish tank is made of high transparency glass, suitable for fish enthusiasts at all stages
- 【Multi functional】The aquarium equipped lid,easily switch from a fish tank to a climbing pet feeding box, creating your ideal tropical rainforest or desert landscape
- 【29 Gallon Horizontal Rectangle】Aquarium size is 27.5 inch(L) x 13.7 inch (W) x 15.7 inch (H) (70x35x40cm),fish tank glass adopts mirror polishing technology to better restore the landscape
- 【8mm Thickness Glass】 The glass thickness increased to 8mm. The non adhesive edge treatment process is more sturdy and safe
- 【Environmentally Friendly Adhesive】Imported from Germany, eco-friendly professional grade aquarium glue, zero pollution to water and organisms after curing,your safe choice for landscape beautification
- QUIETFLOW LED PRO POWER FILTER, filter cartridge, water conditioner and mesh fish net keep your aquarium water crystal-clear and your pet fish safe.
- PRESET HEATER, SUCTION CUP and thermometer keep aquarium water at the 78° F setting to maintain the perfect water temperature.
- TROPICAL FISH FLAKES contain premium ingredients carefully selected to provide complete daily nutrition for healthy, vibrant fish.
- AVAILABLE IN THREE SIZES for your convenience. Choose from our 10-gallon, 20-gallon and 29-gallon options.
- DEVELOPED BY AQUATIC HOBBYISTS, Aqueon provides a broad array of aquarium solutions to help maintain healthy aquatic environments.
- Let the LED light transform your aquarium with each color change. Pause the cycle on any color to fully customize your aquarium
- The anemones sway with your filter current and give your fish a place to hide and relax
- Tetra plants come to life under the glow of Color Fusion LED
- The Tetra ColorFusion Kit includes: one 20 Glass gallon Aquarium, one aquarium hood, one UL Heater, one Tetra Whisper 20 Filter, one Color Fusion Universal Color Changing LED, two Wonderland Plant Multipacks, one Blooming White Anemone
- Aquarium Dimensions:24.2" L x 12.4" W x 16.7" H
- Wide Fish Tank Stand: Fish tank stand is suitable for 20-29 gallon fish tanks, including 20-gallon long tanks, with a desktop size of 30.7 inches * 16.5 inches, which can accommodate most standard size fish tanks. However, to ensure a perfect match, we recommend measuring the dimensions of your fish tank before purchasing.
- 2 in 1 Space Design: Stand is designed with two levels for fish tank placement, the desktop can accommodate differently shaped 20-29 gallon fish tanks, and the bottom can also hold small 5-10 gallon fish tanks. This structure raises the height of the fish tank to a more comfortable viewing height while maximizing the use of limited space. It keeps your fish tank storage neat and tidy.
- Sturdy and Stable: Stability is crucial for a fish tank. Therefore, our stand is made of thick steel with powder coating and sturdy MDF board, ensuring a weight capacity of 330 pounds for the desktop and 110 pounds for the bottom, to ensure durability, moisture resistance, and prevent shaking or instability like other products on the market.
- Convenient Storage: Stand features a spacious storage cabinet in the middle, making it easy to store fish food, nets, gravel cleaning agents, and more. The storage cabinet keeps your fish tank area clean and tidy and allows you to access the items you need easily.
- Modern Appearance: Aquarium stand features a modern black design that matches various home decor styles. This design is not only practical but also beautiful, making it the perfect decoration for your home. Tanks not included. Support dimensions: 30.7" x 16.5" x 31.88".
- Wide Fish Tank Stand: Fish tank stand is suitable for 20-29 gallon fish tanks, including 20-gallon long tanks, with a desktop size of 30.7 inches * 16.5 inches, which can accommodate most standard size fish tanks. However, to ensure a perfect match, we recommend measuring the dimensions of your fish tank before purchasing.
- 2 in 1 Space Design: Stand is designed with two levels for fish tank placement, the desktop can accommodate differently shaped 20-29 gallon fish tanks, and the bottom can also hold small 5-10 gallon fish tanks. This structure raises the height of the fish tank to a more comfortable viewing height while maximizing the use of limited space. It keeps your fish tank storage neat and tidy.
- Sturdy and Stable: Stability is crucial for a fish tank. Therefore, our stand is made of thick steel with powder coating and sturdy MDF board, ensuring a weight capacity of 330 pounds for the desktop and 110 pounds for the bottom, to ensure durability, moisture resistance, and prevent shaking or instability like other products on the market.
- Convenient Storage: Stand features a spacious storage cabinet in the middle, making it easy to store fish food, nets, gravel cleaning agents, and more. The storage cabinet keeps your fish tank area clean and tidy and allows you to access the items you need easily.
- Modern Appearance: Aquarium stand features a modern Grey design that matches various home decor styles. This design is not only practical but also beautiful, making it the perfect decoration for your home. Tanks not included. Support dimensions: 30.7" x 16.5" x 31.88".
- Comes with one Day White LED lamp, with slot for an additional LED lamp: Day White, Colormax, Beauty Max or Max Blue
- Changing LED lamps are easy to snap in and out to customize the look of your aquarium
- Moon glow accent light for nighttime illumination
- Designed to tightly fit inside aquarium rim
- Full length feeding door
Choosing the Best Fish for Your 29-Gallon Aquarium: A Buyer’s Guide
A 29-gallon aquarium is a fantastic size. It offers enough space for a small community of fish without taking up too much room. Finding the right inhabitants makes all the difference. This guide helps you select healthy, happy fish for your new tank.
Key Features to Look For in Aquarium Fish
When you shop for fish, look for specific signs of health. Healthy fish make a better tank.
- **Vibrant Coloration:** Bright colors usually mean the fish is healthy and well-fed. Dull or faded colors can signal stress or illness.
- **Active Swimming:** Fish should swim normally. Watch out for fish that hide constantly or swim strangely (like listing sideways).
- **Clear Eyes and Fins:** Eyes should be clear, not cloudy. Fins must be whole, without rips or frayed edges.
- **Good Appetite (If Possible):** If you see the fish eating at the store, that is a great sign.
Important Materials and Compatibility
The “materials” for fish aren’t things you buy, but the environment they need. The tank size dictates what fish you can keep. A 29-gallon tank works best for smaller community fish. Large fish or aggressive fish will quickly outgrow or stress the tank.
You must consider water parameters. Most tropical community fish need stable temperatures between 74°F and 80°F. Research the pH needs of any fish you plan to mix. Mixing fish with very different water needs causes stress.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good care improves your fish’s quality of life. Poor conditions reduce it quickly.
Factors that Improve Quality:
- **Proper Stocking Level:** Do not overcrowd the tank. A 29-gallon tank handles a small group of centerpiece fish and a few bottom dwellers well.
- **Quarantine:** Always quarantine new fish in a separate tank for two weeks. This stops diseases from spreading to your established fish.
- **Good Filtration:** A strong filter keeps the water clean and oxygenated.
Factors that Reduce Quality:
- **Aggression:** Some fish are territorial. Placing aggressive fish together causes fighting and injury.
- **Incompatible Temperatures:** Mixing cold-water fish with tropical fish kills one or the other.
- **Overfeeding:** Uneaten food rots, polluting the water and stressing the fish.
User Experience and Use Cases
Your experience depends on your goals. Do you want a calm, peaceful tank? Or do you want bright colors and constant action?
Use Case 1: The Peaceful Community Tank. This is great for beginners. You can keep small schooling fish like Neon Tetras or Guppies. Add a centerpiece like a Dwarf Gourami. This setup usually requires minimal conflict management.
Use Case 2: The Cichlid Starter Tank. A 29-gallon tank can sometimes house one or two smaller, less aggressive cichlids, like a single Apistogramma. This requires more specific water testing and careful monitoring of tank mates.
User Tip: Always add fish slowly! Introduce only a few fish every few weeks. This lets your biological filter adjust to the new waste load.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Stocking a 29-Gallon Aquarium
Q: How many fish can I put in a 29-gallon tank?
A: A good rule is one inch of adult fish per gallon, but this is just a starting point. For a 29-gallon tank, aim for about 15-20 small community fish (like tetras) or fewer medium-sized fish.
Q: What are the best beginner fish for a 29-gallon tank?
A: Great beginner choices include Zebra Danios, Platies, Swordtails, and small schooling Tetras (like Black Skirt Tetras).
Q: Can I keep a Betta fish in a 29-gallon tank?
A: Yes! A 29-gallon tank is excellent for a single Betta. You can add small, peaceful, non-nippy bottom dwellers or snails as tank mates.
Q: Are there any fish I should absolutely avoid in a 29-gallon tank?
A: Avoid large fish like Goldfish (they produce too much waste), full-grown Angelfish, large Plecos (like Common Plecos), and aggressive Cichlids.
Q: Should I get all my fish at once?
A: No. Introduce fish slowly over several weeks. This prevents overwhelming your filter system with sudden waste buildup.
Q: What is the ideal temperature range for most 29-gallon fish?
A: Most tropical community fish thrive between 75°F and 78°F. Make sure your heater keeps this steady.
Q: Can I mix livebearers (like Guppies) with Tetras?
A: Yes, usually. Guppies and Tetras often share similar water requirements, making them good community partners.
Q: What kind of cleaner fish work well in a 29-gallon?
A: Corydoras Catfish are excellent bottom cleaners. You should keep at least three or four of them, as they are schooling fish.
Q: Do I need an air stone or just a filter?
A: A good filter usually provides enough surface agitation for oxygen exchange. An air stone is helpful if the tank is heavily stocked or the filter flow is low.
Q: How often should I change the water?
A: Perform a 25% water change every week. This removes nitrates and keeps the water fresh for your fish.