FishTankGifts for fish lovers: 30 ideas fishkeepers actually want
Buying for someone with a fish tank? Skip the plastic castle. These are the things fishkeepers really use, from stocking stuffers to the big upgrade they keep putting off. I've kept fish for over 10 years and look after 18 tanks, so this is the list I'd hand my own family.
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Not sure what they have? Ask one question
Find out the size of their tank (in gallons) and whether it's planted. That one answer tells you which heater, light or filter fits. If you can't ask, pick from the stocking stuffers and the "works with any tank" items below, which suit almost everyone.
Stocking stuffers
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- Glass cleanerMag-Float Mini magnetic cleanerCleans algae off the glass without getting your hands wet. Every fishkeeper's favorite small tool.
- ThermometerZacro digital thermometer (2 pack)A clear digital readout, with a spare for a second tank.
- FoodXtreme Krill FlakesA rich flake I feed in my own tanks. Fish go crazy for it.
- FoodNorthfin fish foodClean-ingredient pellets I use for my own fish.
- FoodFluval Bug Bites granulesInsect-based granules most community fish love.
- ToolsAquascaping tweezers and scissors setFor planting and trimming without stirring up the gravel.
- NetSoft fish net setEvery tank needs one, and they always go missing.
- LeavesIndian almond leavesBettas, shrimp and many tropical fish like the tea-colored water.
Useful upgrades they will use every week
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- Test kitAPI Freshwater Master Test KitThe gift that tells them their water is safe. Hundreds of tests in one box.
- Water conditionerSeachem Prime (500 ml)The water conditioner most keepers swear by. A big bottle lasts ages.
- Water changerPython No Spill Clean and Fill, 25 ftWater changes straight from the sink, no buckets. The best upgrade for anyone with a 20 gallon or bigger.
- Automatic feederEHEIM Everyday automatic feederFeeds the fish while they travel over the holidays.
- Light timerBN-LINK 24-hour outlet timer (2 pack)Turns the tank light on and off on a schedule, which helps cut algae.
- FilterAquarium Co-Op sponge filterThe sponge filter I run on many of my tanks. Cheap, quiet and safe for fry and shrimp.
- Air pumpTetra Whisper air pump, 10–30 gallonsPairs with a sponge filter, and adds oxygen to any tank.
- HatcheryBrine shrimp hatchery kitLive baby brine shrimp, the treat I feed my own fish and fry.
Big gifts
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- Lighthygger Advanced LED light with timer (18–24 in tanks)A bright LED with a built-in timer and sunrise and sunset. A huge upgrade from a stock lid light. Check their tank length first.
- Canister filterFluval 207 canister filter (up to 45 gal)A quiet canister filter for tanks up to about 45 gallons. I run Fluval filters on many of my own tanks.
- HeaterEHEIM Jager 100 W heaterA reliable heater for 20 to 30 gallon tanks. See the heater calculator for other sizes.
- Tank kitFluval Flex 2.0 aquarium kit, 15 gallonA stylish all-in-one 15 gallon tank with the filter and light built in, for someone ready for a bigger tank.
For someone just starting out
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- Tank kitFluval Flex 2.0 aquarium kit, 9 gallonA neat 9 gallon all-in-one kit, great for a betta or a small shrimp tank.
- Tank kitAqueon 10 gallon starter kit with LED lidA classic 10 gallon starter kit with a filter, heater and LED lid.
- Bottled bacteriaDr. Tim's Aquatics One & OnlyBottled bacteria to help the first cycle along.
- BookA beginner aquarium bookA good read for the first few months.
Gifts from my shop
Printable guides make an easy last-minute gift: they arrive by email right away and can be printed at home. The Complete Fishkeeper Kit ($25) bundles all four of my printables, which cost $37 on their own: Your First Aquarium, the Stocking Plans, the Breeding Planner and the Fish Disease & Emergency Kit. Or pick one: Your First Aquarium ($12) for someone setting up their first tank, or the Disease & Emergency Kit ($9) for any keeper. There's also a free printable tank log.
Fun gifts that aren't gear
- A gift card to their local fish store. They know exactly which fish or plant they want next.
- An Amazon gift card, if you don't know their setup at all.
- A fish-themed mug, shirt or sign. Search for aquarium gifts on Amazon.
- Your time. Offer to feed the fish while they're away, or to carry buckets on water change day.
What not to give
- Live fish as a surprise. Fish need a cycled tank first, and the keeper should pick fish that suit their tank. Use the compatibility checker together instead.
- A tiny bowl. Bowls without a filter or heater make fish sick. A 5 gallon tank with a filter is the smallest I'd give, even for a betta.
- Random medicines or chemicals. Most tanks don't need them, and the wrong one can harm shrimp and snails.
- A light or filter without checking the size. Lights must match the tank length, and filters the gallons.
Quick picks by budget
| If you want to spend | Good choices |
|---|---|
| A little | Mag-Float glass cleaner, thermometer, fish food, net, almond leaves, a printable guide |
| A bit more | Test kit, Seachem Prime, sponge filter and air pump, automatic feeder, brine shrimp hatchery |
| A real treat | Python No Spill water changer, LED light, canister filter, a new all-in-one tank |
Related: What you need to start a fish tank · Best aquarium starter kits · Best aquarium test kits · Best aquarium lights · My fish room