How Many Fish Fit in 60 Litres? | Stocking Guide

A 60-litre aquarium is a sweet spot for many beginners. It is big enough to create a peaceful community and stable water conditions, but small enough to fit in a living room or bedroom. Still, the big question remains: how many fish fit in 60 litres? The honest answer is “it depends.” Fish size, shape, behaviour, filtration, plants, and your maintenance routine all change the number. This guide will show you how to plan a safe and beautiful stock list for 60 litres, with clear examples and simple rules you can trust.

Understanding What 60 Litres Really Means

Sixty litres is roughly 15 to 16 US gallons. Many 60-litre tanks are around 60 cm long, 30 cm deep, and 35–40 cm tall. After adding substrate, decor, and equipment, the real water volume may drop to about 48–55 litres. That “usable” water matters because it affects how much waste the tank can handle and how much oxygen is available for fish.

Length is more important than height for active fish. A tank with a 60 cm length gives small shoaling fish space to swim. Tall tanks with smaller footprint look elegant but hold fewer fish comfortably because surface area (oxygen exchange) is smaller.

Why Simple Rules Can Mislead You

You might hear rules like “1 cm of fish per litre” or “1 inch per gallon.” These are rough ideas for small, slender species only, and they ignore body shape, behaviour, and filtration. They are not safe for goldfish, cichlids, or bulky fish. Use them only as a gentle starting point, then adjust based on the real fish you choose and the way you maintain the tank.

The Safer Way to Think About Stocking

In a 60-litre tank with good filtration, stable water, and weekly water changes, you can usually keep around 8–20 small fish, depending on species size and shape. For tiny nano species (adult size about 2 cm), you might keep 15–20 in a planted tank. For small tetras and rasboras (3–4 cm adults), 10–14 is a sensible range. For deeper-bodied fish (like platies, 5–7 cm adults), consider 6–8. Always leave a 20–30% “safety buffer” and add fish slowly.

The Big Factors That Decide Your Final Number

Bioload: More Than Just Length

Bioload is the overall waste your fish produce. It depends on body mass, activity level, and diet. Slender, calm fish like ember tetras create less waste than bulky, messy fish like livebearers or constant grazers. Cooler-water fish often need more oxygen. Bottom-dwellers may produce less visible mess but still add to the bioload. Always plan for the adult size of the fish, not the size in the store.

Filtration and Oxygen

A filter does two jobs: it removes debris and hosts beneficial bacteria that turn toxic ammonia into safer nitrate. For 60 litres, aim for a turnover of at least 6 times the tank volume per hour, and up to 8–10 times for active schools. That means a filter rated for at least 360–600 litres per hour. Ensure gentle flow for species like bettas and gouramis, and stronger flow with surface movement for cooler water fish. If you keep cool, active fish like white cloud mountain minnows, make sure the surface ripples so oxygen gets in.

Live Plants Help a Lot

Live plants take in ammonia and nitrate, compete with algae, and create hiding spots. Fast growers like hornwort, water sprite, and stem plants support heavier fish loads. Slow growers like anubias and java fern add structure. A well-planted 60-litre tank handles moderate stocking better and makes fish feel safe, which reduces stress and aggression.

Maintenance and Water Changes

For a 60-litre tank with a moderate fish load, change 30–40% of the water every week. If your nitrates climb fast or you feed heavily, go up to 50% weekly. In a lightly stocked, heavily planted tank, you might do 20–30% weekly. Always monitor water with a liquid test kit. Ammonia and nitrite should be 0 ppm. Nitrate is best kept under 20–40 ppm. Stable pH and temperature matter just as much as the actual number of fish.

The Tank Must Be Fully Cycled First

Cycling means building up beneficial bacteria that process ammonia from fish waste. Never stock a new 60-litre tank all at once. Add a small group, test water, wait, then add the next group. If you can, seed the filter with media from a mature tank. This one step prevents most beginner problems.

Safe, Simple Steps to Build Your Stock List

Step 1: Pick a Theme

Choose either tropical or temperate (cooler water), soft water or hard water, a single species or a peaceful community. Matching species by temperature and water chemistry makes care easier and reduces stress for the fish.

Step 2: Choose a Centerpiece or Focus

Decide what you most want to see: a colourful school of nano fish, a single betta, or a group of guppies. This choice guides all other picks. Each theme has different space and behaviour needs.

Step 3: Add a Schooling Group

Most small fish need groups of at least six, and often 8–12 is better. A 60-litre tank looks fantastic with one main school and one bottom group. Two medium schools can work if each is small, but avoid too many species. Fewer types with proper numbers look and feel more natural.

Step 4: Consider the Bottom

Pygmy corydoras or other tiny, peaceful bottom fish help clean up leftover food and create activity at the substrate level. For most 60-litre tanks, choose one bottom species and give it a proper group size.

Step 5: Check Adult Size and Behaviour

Look up the adult size and temperament of every species. Some fish are peaceful when small but become nippy or territorial with age. Some are fast swimmers that need more length than a typical 60-litre tank provides. Always plan for the future, not just for the first month.

Step 6: Leave a Buffer

Do not fill a 60-litre tank to the absolute limit. Leave 20–30% stocking room so the tank stays stable during small mistakes, vacations, or busy weeks. A slightly understocked tank is almost always more enjoyable and healthier.

Step 7: Add Slowly and Test

Add your first fish, then test ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. If numbers stay safe after a week or two, add the next small group. Rushing stocking is the fastest way to lose fish in a new aquarium.

What Fish Work Well in 60 Litres

Great Nano and Small Community Choices

Ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) stays tiny and calm, making it perfect for 60 litres. Chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is another gem for heavily planted tanks. Neon tetra and glowlight tetra can work if you keep a proper school and provide soft, stable water. Harlequin rasbora are slightly larger but still a good match when kept in a group.

For the bottom, pygmy corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus or hastatus) are ideal and stay small. Otocinclus are gentle algae grazers but need a mature tank with biofilm and should be kept in a group. For hard water setups, male Endler’s livebearers or male guppies make colour pops without overbreeding if you avoid females.

Peaceful Centerpieces

Honey gourami are gentle and small enough for 60 litres. A single male or one carefully chosen pair can be a lovely focal point in a planted tank. A male betta can be kept alone in 60 litres and will be healthier and more active than in tiny bowls. If you want tankmates with a betta, choose carefully, and have a backup plan in case your betta dislikes them.

Cooler Water Options

White cloud mountain minnows are a great choice for unheated rooms that stay between roughly 18–22°C. They are hardy, active, and look best in a group. They need oxygen, so make sure the surface moves and the filter is strong enough.

Species to Avoid in 60 Litres

Goldfish grow large and are very messy. Common plecos also get huge and are not suited for 60 litres. Angelfish, rainbow sharks, and most medium cichlids are poor fits. Large danios and barbs need more length and can harass quieter fish. If a fish grows over 8–10 cm or is known to be territorial, research carefully before considering it for 60 litres.

How Many Fish Fit in 60 Litres? Practical Ranges

For Tiny Nano Fish (2–2.5 cm adults)

In a planted, well-filtered 60-litre tank, a single-species display of 18–24 nano fish like chili rasboras can work with careful maintenance. For mixed setups, aim for around 12–16 nano fish plus a small bottom group. Keep feeding moderate and change water weekly.

For Small Tetras and Rasboras (3–4 cm adults)

Plan for a main school of 10–14 individuals. If you also want bottom fish, choose a smaller main school (8–12) and a group of 6–10 pygmy corydoras. This creates a balanced, attractive tank with activity at all levels without overloading the system.

For Deeper-Bodied Small Fish (5–7 cm adults)

Livebearers like guppies or platies put out more waste. A group of 6–8 males is reasonable for a 60-litre tank. Avoid mixing males and females unless you have a plan for fry, because populations can explode quickly. Heavier feeding for livebearers may require larger water changes.

Sample Stocking Plans for a 60-Litre Tank

Plan 1: Peaceful Nano Community

Choose a planted setup with gentle filtration. Keep around 12 ember tetras as the main school. Add 8–10 pygmy corydoras for the bottom. This combination is colourful, calm, and ideal for new aquarists who want movement without chaos.

Plan 2: Single-Species Show Tank

Create a dense aquascape with fine-leaf plants and floating cover, then keep 18–22 chili rasboras. The tight school and rich colours make a stunning display. The simple stocking makes maintenance easier and water parameters very stable.

Plan 3: Softwater Community with Algae Helpers

Keep 10 neon tetras as the main school. Add 6 pygmy corydoras for the bottom and 5–6 otocinclus when the tank is at least two to three months old with visible biofilm. Feed lightly and keep up with water changes because otocinclus need clean, oxygen-rich water.

Plan 4: Livebearer Colour Tank

Use harder, alkaline water if your tap supports it. Keep 8–10 male Endler’s livebearers for brilliant colours without fry. Add a few hardy plants like java fern and anubias. This setup is active and forgiving, but still avoid overfeeding to control waste.

Plan 5: Honey Gourami Focus

Keep one honey gourami male as the centrepiece. Add 10 harlequin rasboras or lambchop rasboras in a tight school. If you want a bottom group, choose 6–8 pygmy corydoras and slightly reduce the rasbora count. Provide calm areas with floating plants for the gourami.

Plan 6: White Cloud Mountain Minnow Group

For cooler rooms, keep 12–16 white cloud mountain minnows with strong surface agitation and a secure lid. Decorate with rocks and hardy plants like vallisneria. This tank is lively and works well without a heater if your home stays within their range.

Plan 7: Betta With Clean-Up Crew

Keep one male betta as the star with dense planting and gentle flow. Add one nerite snail as an algae grazer. If you try small tankmates like 8 ember tetras or 6 pygmy corydoras, watch carefully for aggression and be ready to rehome if needed. Many bettas prefer solitude.

Plan 8: Shrimp-First Planted Tank

Build a heavily planted layout with moss and fine-leaf stems. Keep 30–50 neocaridina shrimp as the main inhabitants. You can optionally add a very small group of nano fish like 8 chili rasboras, knowing they may eat some shrimp babies. For maximum breeding, keep shrimp only.

Key Compatibility and Behavior Tips

Schooling Needs

Most small tetras and rasboras need at least 6, but look and behave best at 8–12. Pygmy corydoras should be in groups of 8–10 whenever possible. Otocinclus should be in groups of at least 4–6 and only in mature tanks with stable water.

Activity and Territory

Fast, boisterous fish stress slow species in smaller tanks. Avoid mixing very active fish with delicate, slow ones. If a species guards a territory, give it clear boundaries with plants and hardscape. A 60-litre tank cannot handle multiple territorial fish at once.

Feeding and Waste

Overfeeding ruins water quality faster than almost anything else. Feed small amounts the fish will finish in under two minutes, once or twice a day. For otocinclus or shrimp, promote natural biofilm with live plants and avoid aggressive algae scraping in all areas at once.

Filtration, Flow, and Plants for Stability

Filter Choice and Flow

Hang-on-back filters, internal power filters, or sponge filters all work for 60 litres. Choose a model rated near 360–600 L/h. Use a prefilter sponge to protect shrimp and fry and to preserve beneficial bacteria. Aim the outlet for a slight surface ripple. For bettas and gouramis, reduce flow and create calm zones with plants and decor.

Planting Strategy

Combine fast growers (water sprite, hornwort, Hygrophila) with slow, hardy anchors (java fern, anubias). Floating plants like frogbit can help reduce stress for surface-oriented fish but may need thinning to keep oxygen exchange strong. A planted tank reduces algae and lets you keep slightly more fish safely.

Water Parameters and Testing

Targets for a Healthy 60-Litre Tank

Ammonia: 0 ppm. Nitrite: 0 ppm. Nitrate: ideally under 20–40 ppm. pH: stable within the range your fish prefer, rather than chasing perfect numbers. Temperature: keep steady; avoid swings over 1–2°C in a day. Test weekly at first, then at least twice a month when the tank is mature.

Water Changes and Cleaning

Change 30–40% weekly for moderate stocking. Vacuum lightly around open substrate areas but avoid deep cleaning into plant roots every time. Rinse filter media in removed tank water, not under the tap, to protect beneficial bacteria. Replace media only when it falls apart.

Adding Fish: A Safe Timeline

Week 0–2: Cycle and Prepare

Set up the tank, run the filter, and add plants and hardscape. If possible, add a bacterial starter or a piece of mature filter media. Begin testing water. When ammonia and nitrite read zero after a small dose of fish food or pure ammonia, you are cycled.

Week 3–4: Add the First Group

Add your main school or half of it. Feed lightly, test water, and watch for stress. Keep up with regular water changes. If parameters stay stable, add the next group after one to two weeks.

Week 5–8: Complete the Stock List

Add your bottom fish or centerpiece species. Continue slow additions and testing. Stop adding if ammonia or nitrite ever appear. Stability now will pay off for years.

How to Tell If You Overstocked

Warning Signs

If fish gasp at the surface, if ammonia or nitrite show above 0 ppm, or if nitrates rise above 40 ppm in under a week, you might be overstocked or overfeeding. Excess algae, cloudy water, and constant chasing or nipping are also red flags. Reduce feeding, increase water changes, and consider moving some fish to another tank.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Can I keep goldfish in 60 litres?

No. Goldfish grow large and produce a lot of waste. They need far more water volume and filtration than a 60-litre tank provides.

Is a pleco okay for algae?

Most plecos grow too large. Bristlenose plecos can reach 12–15 cm and are borderline for 60 litres. A nerite snail or a small group of otocinclus in a mature tank is safer for this size.

How many zebra danios?

Zebra danios are fast, boisterous swimmers that prefer longer tanks. A standard 60 cm tank is the bare minimum length, and they are more comfortable in larger setups. They can stress slow or delicate fish in 60 litres, so they are not ideal here.

Can I have two centerpiece species?

In 60 litres, it is best to choose one centerpiece species. Mixing two centerpieces often leads to stress or territorial disputes. Keep it simple and peaceful.

A Simple Stocking Formula You Can Use

Start Modest, Then Adjust

For nano species at 2–2.5 cm, aim for 12–16 as a starting point. For small tetras or rasboras at 3–4 cm, aim for 10–12. For deeper-bodied 5–7 cm fish, stay around 6–8. Add one bottom group like 6–10 pygmy cories only if your main school is on the lower end of these ranges. Keep a 20–30% buffer and increase only if tests and fish behaviour remain excellent over several weeks.

Conclusion: The Best Number Is the One Your Tank Can Support

There is no single magic number for how many fish fit in 60 litres. With good filtration, live plants, and steady weekly maintenance, most 60-litre tanks comfortably hold a main school of 10–14 small fish plus a bottom group, or a larger single-species school of tiny nano fish. If you prefer livebearers or a centerpiece like a honey gourami or betta, keep the overall count lower and watch water quality closely.

Plan for adult size, pick compatible species, and add fish slowly. Test water often, change water every week, and keep feeding moderate. If you do these simple things, your 60-litre aquarium will be stable, colourful, and peaceful—and you will enjoy it more because the fish will thrive. In time, you will learn to read your tank and find the right balance for your unique setup, but starting slightly understocked is the smartest path to success.