Wall-mounted fish tanks are known by many other names, including hanging aquariums, wall aquariums, and portrait aquariums. This type of aquarium design is ideal for people who live in small spaces and value their floor and table-top space.
A wall-mounted tank not only saves floor space but also enhances the ambiance of the space with living aquatic plants and animals. If you are considering purchasing a wall-mounted aquarium, you should research the sorts of fish that can be kept in this tank.
Most wall-mounted fish tanks are very small and focus on decorative features rather than size. So, the surface size of your tank will also limit the number of fish you can keep.
We’ve hunted down the very best wall-mounted fish tanks on the market right and reviewed each and every one! Check out our list below to find the perfect aquarium for your home.
OUR TOP PICK
If you’re on the hunt for a small wall-mounted fish tank, suitable for one or two fish, then this wall-hanging bowl may just be perfect for you. The globe-shaped bowl is flat on one side, making it super easy to mount to your wall. This tank holds 1 gallon of water and measures 11.5 inches in diameter.
The “globe” section is fitted with a small opening at the top, this opening measures 6 x 3.5 inches, making it the ideal size for safely adding and removing fish and regularly cleaning the tank.
Many reviewers also reported that the opening was plenty big enough to fit their hands inside when cleaning and to maneuver cleaning tools around inside the tank.
The manufacturer boasts that this tank is made from high-quality and durable acrylic. They claim that it is light enough to mount onto the wall without any risk of falling, but it’s extremely sturdy and stays in place very well.
We love that this tank comes with everything you need to mount it to the wall, high up and out of reach of children or pets, who could harm marine life.
But this tank isn’t only great for practical reasons, it looks super stylish too! It makes for a fantastic feature in any home and doubles as an artistic statement.
This wall-mounted fish tank isn’t just suitable for marine life, it’s great for growing plants too! You can choose to keep it dry and use it as a terrarium for succulents and cacti, or alternatively, you could fill it with some aquatic plants and utilize the tank for both fish and plants.
We also love that this fish tank takes up absolutely no countertop space whatsoever. Forget having a bulky rectangular fish tank taking up lots of room on your desk, in your lounge, or your office.
Instead, consider opting for a wall-hanging globe tank such as this to maximize your space.
This wall-mounted tank is also super easy to attach to the wall with no further assistance. It requires just drilling one screw into the wall and then hanging it.
This tank is suitable for use both indoors and outdoors and works great in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, offices, beside a front door or hung up on a backyard wall.
It’s important to note that this tank does not come with a filter and heater. This means that it is not suitable for housing tropical fish. They require at least 5 gallons of water to swim around in and this sort of tank is not enough to keep them alive.
Pros:
- Super affordable compared to other similar tanks
- The modern “globe” shape creates a sleek and fashionable look
- Suitable for fish as well as some aquatic plants and dry succulents
- Wide opening allows for easy cleaning
- Easy setup - requires only one screw
- Great for keeping out of reach of children and other pets
Cons:
- As this tank only holds 1 gallon of water and doesn’t come with a heater or filter, it is not suitable for housing tropical fish.
EDITORS CHOICE
While many wall-mounted fish tanks opt for the false TV look, this model stands out as it’s made to look almost like a porthole, creating a surreal and eclectic feature in any room of the house.
It helps create the illusion that the tank is flush to the wall, suggesting a whole marine world to be explored behind the window.
It's quite simple to install, thanks in part to its small size of 22 inches wide and 4.5 inches deep. It also weighs only 17 pounds because the frame material is far lighter than stainless steel, yet it is also corrosion-resistant.
The aquarium's glass is formed using safe tempered glass, and the glass is 5 mm thick, so you don't have to worry about it not holding enough water for your fish or plants.
Furthermore, the tank's dimensions indicate that it will hold around 3.6 gallons of water in the aquarium. It's important to note that this tank isn't suitable for housing tropical fish, as it doesn't involve the use of a filter or a heater.
This tank comes with a backdrop that you simply slide into place. These are replaceable and you can get creative and slot in any sort of backdrop you like. It’s super lightweight and pretty affordable, making it the perfect wall-mounted fish tank to create full wall patterns and features using multiple tanks.
The wall-mounting feature also helps to keep it out of reach of children and pets, keeping you and your family safe. It can be hung up pretty much anywhere; indoors, outdoors, in the living room, or even in the office. It sure makes for a great conversation piece!
Pros:
- Interchangeable background allows you to get creative
- The unique and modern look makes it a great conversation piece
- Holds 3.6 gallons of water- plenty of room for fish and plants
- It’s lightweight and can easily be installed by one person
- Suitable for use anywhere; indoors or outdoors
Cons:
- Not suitable for tropical fish, as there are no pumps or filters
- Only enough room for small fish species
BEST VALUE
Next up is this LED tank from the brand AquaScene. It’s made to look like a picture frame, and blends in perfectly on any wall in any part of the home.
The backdrop is removable and interchangeable, so you can add your own family photos to give it a personal touch. It comes fitted with an energy-efficient LED lighting system complete with 7 different color options plus 4 different strobe and combination settings.
This keeps your tank backlit at all times and looks particularly attractive in the evening. Some of the color options include; amber, aqua, blue, green, purple, red, and daylight white.
The lights even come with a handy timer so you can set them to turn on at the same time every day.
The timer feature allows you to select light settings of 2 hours, 4 hours, or you can keep them on continuously. The LED light will remain on from the time you place the selector switch in the desired selection mode and turn the light on.
It will then turn off automatically depending on timer selection, repeating the same cycle daily. It is recommended to use the continuous setting sparingly in order to conserve battery power unless using an AP5150 Power Adapter or USB connector.
Thanks to the one-piece construction, this wall-mounted fish tank is super strong and durable. Unlike glass tanks held together with silicone, this break-resistant plastic tank eliminates any fears of leaks.
Offering a one-of-a-kind, stylish shape that only plastic can create, with crystal-clear clarity that fools most people into thinking it's made of glass.
This makes it an ideal choice for those with children and pets. Much like the previous tanks on this list, this isn’t suitable for housing tropical fish either. This is because it doesn’t come with any pumps or heaters.
However, some reviewers pointed out that submersible filters, pumps, and heaters can be bought separately.
Pros:
- A unique and funky piece that will stand out in any home
- Comes fitted with LED lights with multiple colors and strobe settings
- Built-in timer system allows you to control when the lights turn on and off
- Strong and durable made with crystal clear plastic- no risk of smashing!
- Made to look like a picture frame, which you can customize with your own photos
Cons:
- This tank isn’t suitable for housing tropical fish unless you purchase the correct extras such as a submersible pump and heater.
RUNNER UP
This wall-mounted fish tank from the brand Aussie Aquariums, and it’s by far the most luxurious model we’ve included in this list. Of course, with luxury comes cost. So, this model is pretty pricey.
However, it’s huge! And priced far lower than models of the same size you’d find in stores. It even comes with free shipping.
And you get a lot of bang for your buck. The design is incredibly appealing, beginning with the wide frame that draws everyone's attention to the tank inside. It has dimensions of 35.4" x 17.5" x 4.5" and weighs 34 pounds. It has a capacity of 5 gallons of water inside.
An excellent multi-purpose submersible water filter is also included, as well as a lighting fixture and a retractable cover. Both the lamp and the cover have been tailored to fit the size of the aquarium. That also applies to the brightly colored marine background.
When it comes time to clean the tank, you also get a siphon hose, a fishnet, and a set of grabber tongs.
However, it's once again important to note that the tank's proportions limit your fish possibilities.
We'll keep saying it because so many people are upset about it. That isn't really the manufacturer's fault. It's a design limitation that comes with most wall-mounted tanks.
You will have to do without the automated feeder, but that's what helps to keep the price of this tank so low.
But we recommend that you purchase one on your own as an additional extra, as this will give you the freedom to house a large variety of fish, including tropical fish.
Pros:
- Pretty affordable compared to other models of a similar size
- Super reliable and comes with a warranty for your peace of mind
- It’s very easy to maneuver and clean
- Looks very attractive and modern once installed
- Can be used in pretty much any room of the house
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with an automatic feeder or a pump and filter system, so if you want to house fish that require these to live, you’ll need to purchase them separately.
RUNNER UP
This wall-mounted fish tank made by the brand Yooyoo is an excellent choice because it comes with everything you need to get started. This tank holds around 1 gallon of water.
This kit includes a faux plant, colored aquarium gravel, ornamental stones, a small fish net, and installation instructions. This tank's hanging hole is large, making it simple to remove from the wall if necessary. The tank is composed of high-quality acrylic.
The tank itself is 9 inches long, 9 inches tall, and 4 inches wide at its widest point. This tank can hold a small air stone and comes with a protective backing that may be kept on for a frosted backdrop or removed for a clear background.
Because this tank is just about 1 gallon in size, it is insufficient for long-term fish housing. It may chip or crack as a result of hard handling or shipping. Because this tank has a narrower entrance than some other wall-mounted tanks, cleaning may be more challenging.
However, some reviewers pointed out that the instructions are difficult to read and understand. If you experience any problems with shipping or damage on arrival, the manufacturer offers a warranty for your peace of mind.
Once again, this wall-mounted fish tank is pretty small and doesn’t come fitted with a light, pump, filter, or heater, so it’s not suitable for housing fish for long periods of time, and it is not suitable for tropical fish.
Pros:
- Holds approximately 1 gallon of water
- High-clarity acrylic
- Includes accessories and removable frosted background
- Easy to install and includes all of the needed equipment
- Large enough for a small air stone
Cons:
- Too small for a long-term home for fish
- Smaller opening than some other options
Best Wall Mounted Fish Tanks Buying Guide
Picking out the right wall-mounted fish tank isn’t always easy, and there are a few key things you’ll need to consider before jumping straight in and making a hasty purchase. Check out our handy guide and FAQ section below:
Installation
Setting up an aquarium might be difficult, but a wall-mounted aquarium is a different scenario. Wall-mounted aquariums require careful installation; don't even think about mounting one yourself if you don't know what a stud finder is.
All jokes aside, the weight of a wall aquarium when full can range from 75 to 100 pounds, sometimes even more.
If you want to avoid the tank falling, crashing, and possibly harming your fish and plants, you'll need to make sure it's firmly secured to the wall.
If you are unsure about your abilities to mount the tank yourself, consider contacting an expert. Depending on where you buy your tank, you should also receive extensive instructions on how to properly install it.
Fish
Not only must you consider where you will place your wall-mounted tank and how you will install it, but you must also consider how you will stock it. What kind of fish would you like to keep in your tank?
A wall-mounted tank is not suitable for all fish because it provides restricted swimming space, particularly in terms of tank depth.
Aquarium experts will advise you that you should have a tank that is 1.2 to 1.6 times the length of the fish. So, for a 4-inch wide wall aquarium, keep fish that are no longer than 2.5 to 3.3 inches long. Given this information, you'll need to perform some thorough research to figure out what kinds of fish you can safely keep in your wall-mounted tank.
Here are some of the fish species that can work well in a wall-mounted tank:
- Betta (Siamese fighting fish)
- White Cloud Mountain Minnow
- Ghost Shrimp
- Small tetras
- Small rasboras and barbs
- Fancy guppies
- Mollies or swordtails
- Dwarf gouramis
- Small algae eaters
Accessories
Choosing the proper accessories for wall-mounted aquariums can also be pretty difficult. As with any aquarium, you must install a high-quality filtration and lighting system in your tank. When your fish feed, they emit waste, which accumulates and degrades in the tank.
Toxins such as ammonia are produced during the waste breakdown process and must be eliminated from the tank to prevent your fish from becoming ill. Routine water changes will help to maintain excellent water quality in your tank, but a filtration system is required for filtering out both solid and dissolved pollutants.
Lighting is also required to maintain your tank looking its best – and it is also required if you intend to keep live plants in your tank. The most difficult aspect of fitting your wall-mounted tank is locating equipment that is the correct size.
These tanks are typically much thinner than regular tanks, and you may not have enough wall space to house the apparatus.
You'll need small filters, air stones, and submersible heaters that will operate with an enclosed tank. A huge power filter protruding from the top of a wall-mounted aquarium will not look good.
Fortunately, if you buy a wall-mounted tank kit, it will come with all the equipment you need to create a clean and professional finish.
How do you clean a wall-mounted fish tank?
To maintain a clean tank, the same cleaning procedures that apply to traditional aquariums will need to be used when cleaning wall-mounted tanks. This means that you must still change the filter media, do regular water tests, and keep up with frequent water changes.
Your specific tank should come with unique care and maintenance instructions, we recommend reading these before installing your wall-mounted tank.
Can you turn a wall-mounted tank into a saltwater aquarium?
Wall-mounted tanks can often handle a saltwater system, although it does involve a significant amount of knowledge and experience in the field. Keeping a saltwater tank can be challenging in and of itself, but adding the tank's unusual size and form makes it even more difficult.
