occupy a 60 liter aquarium: Again and again is the questions after that correct stocking and the socialization from ornamental fish ubiquitous and especially the beginner finds it difficult to choose the right stocking and also the right stocking density. The small pools in particular make a selection all the more difficult. That's why we want to go into more detail in this guide on the problem of 54 and 60 liter tanks. It's going to be particularly difficult here, on the one hand fish, shrimp and also snails to socialize and on the other hand to keep the right number of fish. We want to give selected cast examples. Of course, it must be mentioned at the outset that these are only reference values and can depend on many factors.
Factors that are important for socialization
Here we only want to list the most important criteria in note form. More information is available in our general guide to socialization.
In addition, we also want to point out that the stocking density should be precisely determined. There is also a detailed guide that you should read carefully. Usually you have a lot of time when the aquarium is moving in.
Nevertheless, here is a brief summary of what you should pay attention to in general.
- Appropriate temperature ranges of the fish
- Dietary requirements should be the same or similar
- The behavior of the fish should match
- Different water regions should be inhabited
- The same or similar demands on the water parameters
- Tank size must be considered in the adult animals
- Regions of origin should match
Of course, in our example it will not be possible to use fish that are growing large, because here it is particularly important that these ornamental fish remain small. It is not possible to keep large fish in a 54 or 60 liter aquarium. Here we need to focus on small breeds.
It is also important to distinguish between the trimmings, whether you have a pure species tank or a community tank want to occupy. Also you can have an aquarium after the origin of the fish assemble. This can then, for example, South America Aquarium or a Southeast Asia Aquarium be. So the first thing to decide is:
Stock 54 / 60 liter aquarium
Example 1: swarm tank / species tank stocked with tetras
We would like to start with a species tank. Here it lends itself to a tetra species like that red neon to use. Here you can put around 12 - 15 fish in a 60 liter tank. The red from Rio is also very suitable here as a good schooling fish.
In addition, one could also for the floor area Corydoras dwarf armored catfish be used. Here you should make sure that it is a group with at least 6 fish. Rather, we would not use:
- Red neon (Paracheirodon axelrodi) or
- Red of Rio (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) and
- Bottom-dwelling dwarf armored catfish Corydoras
Example 2: Shoal tank / species tank Stocked with barbel
Another combination that we find quite attractive is the use or stocking of one species of barbel. The particularly small species of harlequin barbs is particularly suitable here. This is a real eye-catcher in aquaristics. Harlequin rasbora should also be kept in a group of 12 animals. In addition, one could either use the dwarf armored catfish again in the bottom area or two animals of the Delta winged pygmy catfish. In addition, animals such as the Otocinclus could also be used for the bottom area. These animals also come in different genera. This species would also do well in a 60 liter tank.
- Delta-winged dwarf catfish (Hara jerdoni) or
- Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) or
- otocinclus
Example 3: Shoal tank / species tank with barbel
In the third example we also want to look at the stocking of barbel, because in addition to the harlequin rasbora there are also other species such as the longitudinal band dwarf rasbora. However, swarms of 8-12 animals should also be used here. You shouldn't go below 60 liters here either. Nevertheless, these mini fish seem to make quite a nice picture in the aquarium. The small glow-eyed rasbora is also one of the smaller fish and can be used in a group of 8 to 12 animals. For the residents in the ground area, you can use the above instructions.
- Glowing eyed rasbora (Dorsiocellata macrophthalma) or
- Longitudinal band of dwarf rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides)
Example 4: shoal tank / species tank with tetras
Let's come to a next example, which is again stocked with tetras. We also think that the spark tetra is a very beautiful shoal fish. This can also be found very often in the nano aquariums, which are mainly stocked with shrimp. The animals are just 2 cm tall, so that it is also possible to use groups of up to 15 animals. The Loreta tetras also make a nice picture if you keep a group of them. However, this species is a bit larger and you should use a maximum of 8 here.
- Loreta Tetra (Hyphessobrycon loretoensis) or
- Sparkling Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
Example 5: swarm tank / species tank with rasbora
And another example of what we think are very beautiful animals is the stocking of a 60 liter tank are the mosquito rasbora. This schooling fish should also not be kept in groups of less than 10 animals. The fish grows to around 2 cm in size and therefore fits well in a 54 or 60 liter tank. In addition, Espes rasbora can also be used as an alternative. We also really liked the guinea fowl rasbora. These fish can be used from an edge length of 40 cm and you can even use them in the nano aquarium. But of course the water values should also fit here accordingly.
An example of another way of occupying the bottom area of the aquarium correctly is the use of different shrimp. Here you should of course make sure that you don't use large fan shrimp or animals that can get very large. Tiger shrimp, Red Fire, Blue Fire or even Amano shrimp are quite suitable to find their place in a species tank on the floor.
- Mosquito danios (Boraras brigittae) or
- Aspes rasbora (Rasbora espei) or
- Guinea fowl rasbora (Danio margaritatus)
- Bottom Shrimp – Red Fire, Blue Fire, Blue Pearl, Amano Shrimp
Example 6: Community tank with Endler's Guppy
Now we come to the possibilities to use different fish. Here are mainly those guppies very popular, especially with beginners. These animals can also be used in 60 cm, but you should use Endler's guppies, because they don't get that big. In addition, one should pay attention or remember that guppies can multiply quickly. We would therefore only rely on bottom fish as further stocking.
- 3 males and 6 females Endler Guppy and
- Bottom-dwelling fish such as dwarf armored catfish Corydoras
Alternatively, you can only use 2 males and 4 females and a small group of a maximum of 10 fish, the red from the Rio or the red neon.
Example 7: Community tank with Endler's Platy
In addition to the guppies are also the platy quite an interesting species when it comes to the first beginner's pool. Especially in the small tank you shouldn't put too many fish here either, because Platy also belong to the group of livebearers and as is well known, they reproduce quite quickly. Oh here we would consider a similar composition as above. It doesn't matter whether it's an albino platy, black platy, parrot platy, coral platy or the classic red platy.
- Platy 2 males and 4 females and
- Bears and tetras from the upper area possible and
- bottom dwellers
But you should reduce the group of danios and tetras a bit. Here you should then use a maximum of 6 - 8 animals.
Example 8: Community tank with cichlids / perch
Again and again we are asked whether it is already possible to keep perch in such a small aquarium. We have a proposal here that allows this to happen. However, it must be said straight away that the butterfly cichlids also feel more comfortable in a tank with an edge length of 80 cm or more. Nevertheless, you can use a nice couple in the 60 liter tank. However, it is also said here that the further stocking will be reduced. Of course, you could also use small tetras or danios here. It comes into its own with a swarm of blue neons.
- A pair of butterfly cichlids (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) and
- Swarm of Blue Neons (Paracheirodon simulans) and
- bottom dwellers
Of course, stocking the butterfly cichlids is a real highlight in the aquarium.
Example 9: Community tank stocked with dwarf gouramis / dwarf gourami
Also a special fish is the dwarf gourami or the dwarf gourd. Both genera should only be kept as a pair. Even in larger tanks, gouramis are usually kept in pairs. In a 60 liter tank, if only the small species should be kept anyway. The dwarf gouramis and also the dwarf gouramis are predestined here. They still feel quite comfortable in aquaria up to 60 cm.
- 1 pair of dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) or
- 1 pair of dwarf gourami ( Trichopsis pumila) and
- Blackfish like the various danios, which we have already presented above and
- Bottom fish such as Otocinclus or very small catfish species
As you can see in our examples, there are many ways to stock a relatively small aquarium in a species-appropriate manner. One should only inform oneself accordingly and also the Profiles of the individual fish study carefully.
Finally, a word about snails because they have not found a place in our examples, but these residents can always move into a 60 liter aquarium. This is mostly independent of the actual stocking. We didn't give any specific advice on the number of shrimp either. 30 animals can be used here quickly. This does not pose any problems as far as the further stocking is concerned.