10 Best Goldfish Tanks in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

When it comes to setting up a home for goldfish, the tank you choose is easily one of the most important parts of the process. You want to choose a tank that’s an appropriate size for your goldfish as well as the right shape. The old “x number of gallons per goldfish” rule isn’t really accurate based on current knowledge, but it is important to ensure your goldfish have enough space to happily swim, which includes having a tank that is longer than it is tall. These reviews of the 10 best goldfish tanks are meant to serve as a guide to help you sort through the different tanks on the market for goldfish by allowing you to start your research and planning with the best of the best.

A Glance at Our Winners in 2023

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Aqueon LED Aquarium Starter Kit	Includes everything needed to get started LED lighting Appropriate sizes for a couple of goldfish Low-profile hood contains	Check Price
Best Value		Aqua Culture 10-Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit with LED	Includes everything needed to get started LED lighting Appropriate size for a couple of goldfish Low-profile hood contains	Check Price
Premium Choice		SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set	Two sizes include everything needed to get started All options include LED lighting and background reflector Multiple shapes and sizes available	Check Price
		Marina LED Aquarium Kit	Comes with aquarium care guide Three size options Hood contains LED lighting	Check Price
		Tetra 55-Gallon Aquarium Kit	Appropriate size for multiple goldfish Large enough to last many goldfish their entire life Glass is scratch-resistant and lasts a long time	Check Price

The 10 Best Goldfish Tanks

The Aqueon LED Aquarium Starter Kit is a great goldfish tank for beginners because it includes everything you need to get started. This rectangular tank is available in 10-gallon and 20-gallon options and includes lighting built into the low-profile hood. This kit also comes with an Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO Power Filter, a sticker thermometer, fish net, samples of fish food and water conditioner, and a preset heater, which you are unlikely to need for goldfish. Both size options are acceptable tanks for a couple of goldfish, but multiple goldfish may outgrow the 10-gallon size quickly, so the 20-gallon size may save you time and money in the long run. This tank is made from clear plastic, so it’s lightweight and shatterproof. It is still able to crack if dropped or handled too roughly and plastic scratches easily.

The Aqua Culture 10-Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit with LED is a great option for the beginner on a budget. This kit includes a low-profile hood with built-in LED lighting. It also comes with a Tetra internal power filter and samples of fish food and water conditioner. This tank has built-in cutouts that allow the hood to stay low-profile when all the equipment is in use. The included filter is likely adequate for one goldfish, but goldfish produce a lot of waste and a more powerful filter would be needed for more than one goldfish. Multiple goldfish may outgrow this tank quickly as well, but it is inexpensive enough that it is a good short-term investment for many people. This tank is made from lightweight, shatterproof plastic but it does scratch easily.

If you’re in the market for a premium-priced product, the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set line is right up your alley. The 8-gallon and 10-gallon mini kits include a filter, but all other sizes and shapes do not. They all include a light fixture and reflector, which can be chosen from black, clear, or cobalt. These tanks are 17 times clearer than glass and are lightweight and shatterproof, but, like the lower quality plastics, are prone to scratches and can crack with rough handling. Since there are so many shapes and sizes to choose from, you can pick a tank based on the number of goldfish you’re intending to have and whether you intend to upgrade the tank. A 46-gallon tank can last a couple of goldfish a lifetime while an 8-gallon tank will likely be outgrown quickly.

• You may also like: 13 Best Goldfish Plants for Your Tank – Reviews & Top Picks

The Marina LED Aquarium Kit is another great option for beginners because it’s available in multiple sizes and has everything needed to get started. The included filter is the Marina Slim Clip-on Filter, which promises cartridge changes in 1 minute or less. This kit also includes LED lighting built into the included tank hood, a fish net, samples of fish food, water conditioner, and beneficial bacteria supplement, and an aquarium care guide to help you get things up and running, as well as providing you information on how to maintain your aquarium. Since this aquarium is glass, it isn’t shatterproof but it’s unlikely to scratch and should last multiple years before the silicone seal requires maintenance. Most goldfish will outgrow the 10-gallon tank quickly, but the 20-gallon should suffice for multiple goldfish for a long time. A 5-gallon tank is too small for most goldfish.

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• Related: Seaclear 46-Gallon Bowfront Fish Tank Review

For a tank that will last you a long time with multiple goldfish, the Tetra 55-Gallon Aquarium Kit is a great option. A 55-gallon tank is large enough for multiple goldfish for years, if not their entire life. This kit includes a sticker thermometer, heater, fish net, filter with cartridges, multiple faux plants, and samples of fish food, water conditioner, and beneficial bacteria supplement. It also includes two tank hoods that have removable LED light strips. Since this tank is made from glass, it’s extremely heavy and weighs almost 80 pounds on its own. You’ll need to ensure you have a surface that can safely hold 600 pounds or more once water, substrate, and décor are added. Depending on how you stock this tank, the filter may work well, or it may not provide enough filtration, especially in an overstocked tank.

The Tetra ColorFusion Aquarium Fish Tank Kit is a good option if you’re looking for something a little on the funky side. This kit includes a low-profile hood with built-in LED lighting that can be rotated through multiple colors including blue and orange. This kit also comes with a heater, filter, two faux plant packs, a white faux anemone, a fish net, and samples of fish food and water conditioner, as well as a getting started guide. This 20-gallon tank is an appropriate size for a couple of goldfish, but the filter may need to be replaced with larger fish or an overstocked tank. This kit weighs just over 30 pounds, so once filled with water it will need a secure stand.

For a simple starting point, the Landen 60P 25.4-Gallon Rimless Low-Iron Aquarium is a great pick because it comes with the tank and nothing else. You will need to purchase a leveling mat for this because it is a rimless, frameless aquarium, so any uneven surfaces can lead to leaks in the silicone. This tank gives you the opportunity to pick the filter and light that you want instead of purchasing a full kit. This tank is made from low-iron glass, which is almost as clear as acrylic and has less visual distortion than regular aquarium glass. It’s held together by clear silicone, giving it a seamless appearance. This tank is a very premium price, but the clarity and quality make it worth the price for many people.

The Tetra Connect Curved Aquarium Kit is a premium-priced pick if you’re looking for a bowfront tank kit. This kit includes a glass tank canopy, heater, samples of fish food and water conditioner, LED light with Wi-Fi control, filter, and automatic feeder with Wi-Fi control and manual option. The Tetra My Aquarium app makes controlling the tank’s features easy and includes recommendations and presets. The low-profile glass hood gives this tank a modern look, so it’ll fit right in inside any modern home. The bowfront design of this tank provides adequate swimming room without the long length of a large, rectangular tank. This tank is quite heavy at around 40 pounds, so make sure you have a solid surface to hold it.

• Related: Seaclear 29-Gallon Rectangular Show Aquarium Review

For a unique look, the BiOrb Classic LED Aquarium is a good option. It’s not an ideal pick for goldfish because it’s round, but it is well-suited to small spaces. This tank allows you to pick your stand and lid color from silver, black, and white. It includes BiOrb’s special filtration, aeration, and lighting systems. A big downside to this tank is that you are not able to customize the tank accessories since only BiOrb products will fit. This tank is sleek and modern, and the lid and base give it a seamless look that hides all equipment from view. This tank is 10 times stronger than glass, lacks the visual distortion that some glass causes, and is half the weight of glass. It includes ceramic filter media, which is reusable for a long time and allows for beneficial bacteria colonization.

The JBJ Rimless Desktop 10-Gallon Flat Panel Peninsula kit provides an ultra-modern look and includes everything you need to get your tank up and running. This kit includes a clear, low-profile lid, filter, light with adjustable settings, and an attractive pedestal base. The size of this tank means a couple of goldfish may outgrow it quickly. This tank kit is a premium price and replacement parts can be difficult to come by. This kit allows for very little customization since accessories must fit the long, narrow tank. The included filter tends to have a noisy return, which may make it distracting as a desktop tank. The filter may not be powerful enough for multiple goldfish.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Goldfish Tank

Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Goldfish Tank for Your Needs

Size

When it comes to picking the right goldfish tank for your needs, you’ll need to consider the size of the tank versus the number of goldfish you intend to have and the size of those fish. Goldfish grow rapidly the first two years of life, so they can quickly outgrow a 10-gallon tank. If your intention is to get multiple goldfish, then starting off with a larger tank will save you time and money within a year or two when the goldfish get large.

Shape

Shape isn’t just important for your space, but it’s also important for your goldfish. Goldfish like to have long, uninterrupted swimming space, which makes rectangular tanks ideal for them. Other tanks can work for goldfish but may take some tweaking with décor and plants. The shape you choose should also fit the space you have for a tank. If you have a long, narrow space available, then a rectangular tank will work well for you. However, if you only have a small space available, like an entryway or bedroom, then a bowfront or spherical tank may be better suited to the space.

Customization

How comfortable are you customizing the accessories for your goldfish tank? If you already have your sights set on a specific type or brand of filter or light, then that opens more options for what tank you choose. If you aren’t sure what you want or need, then a kit may be better suited to your needs right now. That way you know you’re getting the things you need to get a tank up and running and you’ll only be left with substrate and, in some cases, décor.

Material

Depending on your household, you may want a glass, plastic, or acrylic tank. Glass is sturdy and scratch-resistant, but also heavy and requires maintenance every few years. Plastic is lightweight and clear, but scratches easily and tends to be more flimsy than acrylic. Acrylic is lightweight and extremely clear, but scratches easily and can stain with chemical additives in the water. In homes with pets or small children, glass may be the best option since they won’t be able to scratch it up and it’s heavy enough to not easily be knocked down or picked up.

Things to Look for When Buying a Goldfish Tank

Conclusion

The top pick for goldfish tanks is the Aqueon LED Aquarium Starter Kit, which is available in multiple sizes and is extremely beginner-friendly. For a budget-friendly option, the Aqua Culture 10-Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit with LED is a good pick, especially if you need a setup to get you by for a short time. If you’re in the market for a premium product, the SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set is a great choice because it’s high quality and functional. Choosing a tank for your goldfish doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing! These reviews are a great starting point for you to begin developing an idea of what you want and what’s available on the market.

Featured Image Credit: Karl Muscat, Unsplash