Plan your fish list by adult size so you never overstock
Tank Name / Location:
Tank Size (gal):
Water Type (FW / SW / Brackish):
Date Started:
Filter / Turnover (gph):
Heater (watts):
Planned Stock List
List every fish you plan to keep at its full adult size, then keep a running gallon total so you do not overstock.
Stocking guidance (rules of thumb, not gospel)
Stock to REAL water volume, roughly 90% of the tank label after substrate and rocks.
Bigger tanks are more stable and more forgiving, especially for beginners.
Goldfish and common plecos get large and need big tanks, plan for adult size, not store size.
Schooling fish need groups (6+); aggressive species need space and cover.
Add stock slowly so your beneficial bacteria can keep up with the rising bioload.
Species
Qty
Adult Size
Min Tank (gal)
Bioload (L/M/H)
Running Total (gal)
Planned total
Tank capacity:
Notes
Compatibility concerns, plant or invert plans, target order of additions.
Stocking guidelines are starting points. Research temperament, water parameters, and adult size for every species, and use the calculators at FishTankCalculator.com to sanity-check your bioload.