Create a Pico Paradise - How To Stock A Tiny Tank
Photo Credit: Tigahboy.h2o on Instagram
What Is a Pico Reef Tank?
A pico reef tank is a small saltwater aquarium, typically under 5 gallons in volume. These compact setups are designed for simplicity, affordability, and small-space compatibility. Despite their size, pico tanks can support vibrant coral growth and unique livestock, offering a complete reef experience on a miniature scale.
Because there is so little water, even minor changes in temperature, salinity, or nutrients can have a big impact. That means pico tanks require consistency and attention to detail. However, they also allow reefers to focus on smaller, often overlooked animals and corals that might not stand out in a larger display.
Pico vs. Nano: What’s the Difference?
Pico-Sized Saltwater Aquarium
- Volume: Less than 5 gallons (about 19 liters).
- Overview: Pico tanks are the smallest saltwater aquariums you can set up, and they demand precision. With such a limited water volume, even small changes in temperature, salinity, or nutrient levels can have a big impact. Regular water changes and close monitoring are essential. But for reefers who enjoy the challenge, a pico setup offers a unique way to showcase small corals and tiny inverts that might be overlooked in larger tanks.
Nano-Sized Saltwater Aquarium
- Volume: Between 5 to 30 gallons (19 to 114 liters).
- Overview: Nano tanks provide more breathing room, but are by no means large. They’re a little more forgiving than pico tanks when it comes to parameter swings and can support a wider variety of livestock. From gobies and clownfish to LPS corals and shrimp, nano tanks strike a great balance between size, stability, and biodiversity.
Photo & Tank Credit: Hello Reef
Photo & Tank Credit: PNW CustomsWhy Should I Consider Setting Up a Pico Tank?
Pico aquariums are popular for good reason. They take up very little space, cost less to set up than full-size reef systems, and can be placed in bedrooms, offices, dorm rooms, on kitchen counters, or even bookshelves. They are a great option for reefers who want to try something different, start small, or add a second tank to their collection.
Maintenance is simple. Most water changes can be done with a household pitcher and a short piece of airline tubing. Their small footprint makes them easy to care for, as long as you stay consistent.
These tanks also give you the chance to highlight some of the more timid reef creatures that often go unnoticed in larger tanks. Without the presence of aggressive or dominant species, animals like clown gobies, sexy shrimp, or pom pom crabs tend to be more visible and active. Just a few coral frags can grow quickly and fill the aquascape, giving the tank the appearance of a fully developed reef in a short amount of time.
Of course, success in a pico tank depends on thoughtful planning. Missing even a single maintenance task can cause water quality to decline. Choosing livestock that can thrive in a small and stable environment is key, which is exactly what the rest of this article will help you do.
Photo & Tank Credit: PNW Customs
Our Top 5 Pico Livestock Picks
Choosing livestock for a pico can be challenging because 99% of the saltwater aquarium fish and other animals available are not suited for picos. So how do you make an impressive pico tank that captures the natural beauty of the ocean?
Choose a theme and stick with it.
Don't overstock the tank and choose animals that you find interesting and unique. Remember, the pico is for underdogs and allows you to spotlight things like snails, crabs, shrimp, and small timid fish. You won't be able to take a monthly trip to the local fish store to choose a new fish or coral but on the flip side, your pico tank will grow into an impressive display in no time and allow you to observe behavior that may not be possible in larger aquariums.
Photo Credit: "Prater" in Vienna by Andreas Hurni is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
1. A Match Made In Heaven
Pistol shrimp and yellow watchman gobies maintain a natural symbiotic relationship in which they share a burrow. The shrimp builds the burrow and provides a home for the goby while the goby helps protect the shrimp from predators. There really is nothing cooler than to see this mutualism inside your aquarium.
I would only suggest these guys in larger pico tanks, closer to the 5-gallon size because they do need a few inches of substrate to burrow. You can find them sold in pairs which gives you the best chance of the two animals pairing up inside your tank. Without aggression from other fish, you will be able to closely observe their unique dynamic. When these pals aren't jetting out of the burrow to eat, the shrimp spends its time carefully manicuring the burrow while the goby anxiously stands guard at the burrow entrance.
Photo & Tank Credit: PNW Customs
2. Gobies, Gobies, Gobies
Small gobies are one of the few fish that can thrive in a pico ranging in size from 3 - 5 gallons. Just be sure to choose one of the smaller species that won't grow beyond just a few inches and here are some of the most common:
- Clown Goby
- Two Spot Goby
- Starry Goby
- Neon Goby - You can probably stock 2-3 of these!
- Court Jester Goby
- Link's Goby
- Skilletfish
Sexy Shrimp
3. Alien-Inverts
One of the coolest pico themes is choosing to highlight some of the more unique-looking snails, crabs, and shrimp. In a large display tank, small invertebrates are often lost alongside the brilliance of tropical fish and corals. In a pico tank, you have a chance to shine a light on some of the most unique animals in the ocean. For the most part, these inverts can be housed alongside corals and even a small Neon or Clown Goby.
Pico Shrimp:
- Sexy Shrimp
- Peppermint Shrimp
- Anemone Shrimp
- Pistol Shrimp
Pico Crabs
- Emerald Crab
- Pom Pom Crab
- Porcelain Crab
- Decorator Crab
- Halloween Hermit Crab
- Scarlet Hermit Crab
Photo & Tank Credit: PNW Customs
4. Teeny Tiny Reef
Keeping coral in a pico tank is awesome. Just a few coral frags will grow and fill out the small space relatively fast, creating the look of a mature reef tank. Parameters can be maintained with large, frequent water changes. You can achieve sufficient PAR levels with almost any nano-size reef tank LED light and the output from your filtration will create sufficient water flow.
Choosing the right types of coral to fit this environment will be critical because you only have room for a few corals and they will be close together. If you choose something aggressive or fast-growing, it can quickly out-compete other corals. Your best choices will be soft corals and small LPS corals. SPS corals can pose a challenge because they are more sensitive to water chemistry and it's difficult to supply the high-flow environment they need in such a small aquarium. In order to maintain multiple types of coral long-term, your likely going to need to "prune" corals as they grow alongside each other.
Fast Growing Corals:
- Xenia
- Button Polyps
- Star Polyps
- Yellow Polyps
Photo Credits: Tigahboy.h2o on Instagram
5. A Salty Garden
Macroalgae display tanks have become quite popular in recent years. These marine algae are relatively easy to care for and when curated carefully, you can achieve quite a beautiful display with a myriad of colors, shapes, and textures.
Common Types f Macroalgae:
- Caulerpa
- Gracilaria
- Halymenia
- Ulva
- Ogo
Some types of macroalgae are far more prolific than others and just like corals, you will need to prune and keep macroalgae in check in order to maintain a variety. If left to their own devices, usually one or two species will eventually outcompete the others.
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With over 25 years of experience keeping aquariums of all kinds, Robert has a detailed understanding of advanced aquarium techniques and theory. Working as a professional content creator in the saltwater aquarium industry for over 18 years, his perspective, thoughtfulness for the hobbyist, and a general understanding of the hobby, and industry that surrounds it, allows Robert to write and create digestible content that makes reefing fun and easy.
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Adam has been reef keeping since 2010 and got his start on the Bulk Reef Supply Customer Service team. He believes the best tanks are built around what you enjoy, not what’s trending. Adam is especially interested in simplifying the hobby, exploring the latest gear, and helping others focus on long-term success over chasing perfection.
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