6 Best Small Fish Tanks in 2023 (Nano Tanks) – Reviews & Top Picks

Nano fish tanks are rapidly growing in popularity because they make aquarium keeping accessible to many people, especially those with minimal space for an aquarium. It’s important to select the right small aquarium for your needs, though. Different types of fish, invertebrates, and plants have specific needs, so it’s necessary to understand those needs before you pick an aquarium. This will help you pick the perfect aquarium for your space and desires.

To help you pick the best aquarium for your home, we’ve put together these reviews of the best small fish tanks on the market.

A Quick Comparison of Our 2023 Winners

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Lifegard Crystal Aquarium with Back Filter	High clarity glass Precision-cut edges with invisible glue Hidden back filter	Check Price
Best Value		Koller Products Tropical 180 View Aquarium	Sturdy plastic 180 degrees of viewing LED light has seven color settings and an adjustable timer	Check Price
Premium Choice		biOrb Classic LED Fish Aquarium	Lightweight and high clarity acrylic Air stone for improved water aeration Includes a full filtration system with filter media	Check Price
		Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit	Includes a hidden filtration system with filter media Rounded tank corners enhance visibility LED light with two color options	Check Price
		Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit	Stylish and functional etched glass with aluminum trim Hidden filtration system includes multiple types of filter media Includes a high-power LED light	Check Price

The 8 Best Small Fish Tanks

1. Lifegard Crystal Aquarium with Back Filter – Best Overall

The best overall small fish tank is the Lifegard Crystal Aquarium with Back Filter. This aquarium is made from high-clarity glass and has precision-cut edges with invisible glue joints for maximum visibility of your tank from three sides. The fourth side consists of a hidden back filter, and it includes a filtration system with filter media, and it features an adjustable directional flow so you can set this tank up however is needed to meet your tank’s needs.

This tank doesn’t have a lid or hood, and some users do report a large amount of evaporation due to this. It’s important to monitor your water levels and top them off as needed.

2. Koller Products Tropical 180 View Aquarium – Best Value

The best small fish tank for the money is the Koller Products Tropical 180 View Aquarium. This small tank is made from sturdy plastic and offers 180 degrees of viewing. The included LED light has seven color options and an adjustable timer, and the included internal filter helps keep water clean and flowing. It comes with the first filter cartridge that you’ll need to get your tank up and running.

The LED light operates via three AAA batteries or a 5V power adapter, but neither of these items are included in the kit, so you’ll need to purchase them separately.

3. biOrb Classic LED Fish Aquarium – Premium Choice

The biOrb Classic LED Fish Aquarium is a high-quality small tank option that retails for a premium price. This round tank is made of high clarity acrylic, which is lighter and clearer than glass, as well as providing better insulation than glass. It also includes a full filtration system with filter media and an air stone. It has a seamless appearance, and the base and lid are available in multiple colors. Like most biOrb products, the products and separately purchased décor are interchangeable with most other biOrb products, making it easy to come by parts and filter media replacements when needed.

4. Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit

The Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit is a glass aquarium that features a hidden filtration system with included filter media. The included LED light has two color options, and the rounded tank corners enhance visibility. The sliding glass canopy allows for easy tank access for cleaning, maintenance, and feeding. The attached pedestal base gives this tank an attractive and eye-catching appearance.

Some people have reported the filter pump with this tank making a buzzing sound, especially when it’s turned down, so it may be necessary to run the filter pump at full strength to prevent this noise from occurring.

5. Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit

The Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit includes an etched glass aquarium with aluminum trim for a stylish and functional design. The included LED light has an arched design, and a full hidden filtration system is also included with this kit. It even includes multiple types of filter media to get your tank up and running. It’s designed to maintain high water quality, and the high clarity glass ensures you’ll always have a great view of your tank.

Some people report it being difficult to access the hidden filtration compartment. Also, the included LED light is quite powerful, which is good for plant growth, but can also lead to overgrowth of algae.

6. Radius Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit

The Radius Curved Corner Glass Aquarium Kit includes a glass aquarium with curved corners, maximizing visibility within the tank. The frameless, seamless design allows you to view your tank from all four sides, and the clear plastic lid also allows for visibility from above. The lid uses a hinge for easy use, and the internal filter ensures your water quality will stay high. The included LED light also maximizes the visibility within the tank.

The LED light lacks an on/off switch, so you must use the wall plug to turn the light on and off. The lid does leave some open space, so this tank may not be suitable for fish and invertebrates that are prone to escaping.

7. Frisco Regular Aquarium

The Frisco Regular Aquarium is a basic aquarium option that doesn’t include bells and whistles, allowing you to customize it to your needs. The diamond-polished edges are free of sharp edges, and the glass is high-clarity for great visibility. This tank has a plastic rim, which means that it has greater stability than rimless tanks. It also allows you to use a variety of filter types, lids, and hoods on this tank.

The black silicone sealant gives this tank a professional look, although it may slightly detract from visibility. There is a lid available for this tank, but it’s sold separately.

8. Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Aquarium Kit

The Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Aquarium Kit is a great desktop small aquarium that is lightweight, thanks to its acrylic design. This kit includes the aquarium, as well as a full filtration system, a hood with built-in LED lighting, and samples of fish food and water conditioner. The filter uses SmartClean technology that allows you to perform water changes in less than 2 minutes. The aquarium sits on a pedestal base, giving it a high-quality look, and it’s available with a white or black lid and base.

This is a very small tank, so it won’t be functional for most fish. The bow front of this tank may give a slight distortion of things within the tank.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Small Fish Tank For Your Needs

Very few fish can tolerate living in a small tank, so it’s important to have a set idea of what type of tank you’re interested in keeping. Some tanks aren’t built to withstand or support saltwater setups, while others will work well as a small reef tank.

You should also choose a tank that has a filtration system that you’re comfortable with. Back filters are similar to sump systems and may be confusing or difficult for some people to use. Internal filters are a good option for many types of fish and invertebrates, while hang-on back filters may be too strong for fish fry and small invertebrates.

Make sure to select a tank that can not only fit in the space you have available but that won’t weigh too much for the surface you intend to put the tank on. A gallon of water weighs around 8 pounds, and even a small tank can get quite heavy once you add water, décor, and substrate into it.

Conclusion

The best overall small tank that we reviewed is the Lifegard Crystal Aquarium with Back Filter, which is made from high-clarity glass and features a convenient back filter with all the things you need to get it running. The most budget-friendly small tank is the Koller Products Tropical 180 View Aquarium, which offers 180 degrees of tank viewing through high clarity, lightweight plastic. For a more premium small aquarium, we love the biOrb Classic LED Fish Aquarium, which features a seamless appearance, high clarity, and everything you need to get your tank started and functioning properly.

Featured Image Credit: Penfer, Unsplash