Setting up a small aquarium doesn’t mean you have to compromise on beauty, personality, or variety. Plenty of stunning, low-maintenance fish species can thrive in smaller tanks while adding vibrant colors, dynamic movement, and endless fascination to your aquatic setup!
From shimmering schools of tetras to solitary showstoppers like the Betta, these fish can transform even a modest-sized aquarium into a breathtaking underwater world!
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner dipping your toes into the aquarium hobby or a seasoned aquarist seeking new tank mates, choosing the right species can make all the difference.
Compact tanks give us an intimate view of aquatic life, and the right fish can bring energy and life to your space without overwhelming it. In this list, I’ve compiled some of the best fish species that are perfectly suited for small aquariums!
They do a fantastic job at balancing beauty, ease of care, and compatibility with other tank mates. Get ready to discover fish that will keep your aquarium lively, captivating, and full of personality!
1. Betta Fish
The Betta, or Siamese fighting fish, is practically the supermodel of the fish world, with its long, flowing fins and a rainbow of dazzling colors ranging from deep reds and purples to electric blues.
Originally from the rice paddies of Southeast Asia, these beautiful fish are built for small, calm waters, making them perfect for compact aquariums! They have a unique ability to breathe air directly from the surface, thanks to a specialized labyrinth organ, allowing them to thrive in low-oxygen environments!
But these feisty fish have a reputation for aggression, especially the males, who can become territorial to the point of needing their own space. Ideal for solitary setups, they make a captivating centerpiece in a well-planted tank.
With proper care, a Betta can live for up to five years, making it a rewarding choice for dedicated fishkeepers.
2. Guppy
Guppies are the life of the party in the aquarium world! These tiny, colorful fish are practically the confetti of the tank, with hues ranging from vibrant oranges to shimmering blues and greens!
Native to South America, guppies are perfect for beginners because of their hardy nature and minimal care requirements. They are prolific breeders, so if you’re not careful, a small group can quickly turn into a guppy empire!
Their constant activity brings movement and energy to any tank, making them endlessly entertaining to watch. Plus, they are peaceful and coexist well with other non-aggressive species, making them ideal for community tanks.
Keep them in groups for a stunning display of synchronized swimming that turns your aquarium into a miniature masterpiece!
3. Neon Tetra
Neon Tetras are the epitome of elegance in the fishkeeping world, with their brilliant electric-blue bodies and glowing red tails. These small, peaceful schooling fish originate from the clear waters of South America, where they naturally stick together for safety.
That’s why it’s best to keep them in groups of six or more for both their comfort and visual impact. Watching a school of Neon Tetras glide through the water in perfect harmony is like watching a living light show!
Not only are they stunning to look at, but they’re also relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal care as long as water conditions remain stable. Their calm demeanor makes them ideal tank mates for other peaceful fish, and they can bring a touch of shimmering beauty to even the smallest aquariums!
4. Cherry Shrimp
Though not technically fish, Cherry Shrimp are tiny, colorful crustaceans that make excellent additions to small tanks! Their vibrant red hue adds a splash of color to any aquarium, and their active foraging behavior can be mesmerizing to watch.
Cherry Shrimp are quite functional tank members, tirelessly grazing on algae, biofilm, and leftover food, which is pretty useful for the tank itself, since it’s kind of like a cleanup crew!
These peaceful invertebrates thrive in planted tanks where they can explore and hide among foliage. Easy to care for and breed, Cherry Shrimp make an ideal choice for beginners wanting to add diversity to their aquarium!
5. Pygmy Corydoras
These miniature catfish, also known as Pygmy Corys, are delightful bottom dwellers perfectly suited for small aquariums.
Their gentle personalities and playful nature make them a joy to watch as they explore the substrate in search of food. Pygmy Corydoras thrive in groups of six or more, which brings out their social behavior and helps them feel secure!
Not only do they add charm to the tank with their small size and shimmering scales, but they also serve a practical purpose by helping keep the tank clean, scavenging for food scraps, and reducing waste buildup.
6. Endler’s Livebearer
Endler’s Livebearers are like guppies’ more vibrant cousins, boasting radiant colors and dynamic patterns despite their small size.
These tiny fish are a fantastic choice for nano tanks, as their bright colors make them stand out even in smaller spaces. Endlers are peaceful, easy to care for, and prolific breeders, making them a favorite among beginner aquarists.
They do best in small schools, creating a lively, constantly moving display. Their low-maintenance requirements and hardiness further solidify their reputation as perfect fish for compact aquariums.
7. Zebra Danio
Zebra Danios are lively entertainers, with their horizontal stripes and playful energy that make them stand out in any aquarium. These small fish are known for their constant activity, often darting around the tank in a blur of silver and blue!
Native to South Asia, they thrive in groups, and keeping at least six together ensures they feel safe and display their natural schooling behavior. Not only are they visually captivating, but Zebra Danios are also incredibly hardy!
They are able to adapt to a variety of water conditions, making them perfect for beginners and small tank setups alike. They’re peaceful by nature, coexisting well with other non-aggressive species.
8. Dwarf Gourami
Dwarf Gouramis are like underwater jewels, shimmering with iridescent hues of blue, red, and orange. Their peaceful temperament makes them a perfect fit for small aquariums, where they can be admired up close.
Growing to just around two inches, these stunning fish are ideal for nano tanks. They are labyrinth fish, meaning they can breathe air directly from the surface, which allows them to thrive even in low-oxygen environments.
To keep them happy, provide a calm, planted tank with plenty of hiding spots and a gentle filter flow. Males can be territorial, so it’s best to house them either alone or with non-aggressive tank mates.
9. Celestial Pearl Danio
The Celestial Pearl Danio, also known as the Galaxy Rasbora, is a tiny gem of the aquarium world. With its starry, galaxy-like pattern of white spots over a dark blue body and bright orange fins, this fish looks like it was painted by an artist!
Measuring under an inch, they’re perfect for small tanks but thrive best in groups where their shy nature feels more secure. Despite their small size, they display fascinating social behaviors, often forming tight schools that weave through plants in synchronized patterns.
These peaceful fish prefer cooler, well-planted tanks and make an excellent choice for aquarists wanting a burst of color and serenity in a compact space.
10. White Cloud Mountain Minnow
White Cloud Mountain Minnows are a beginner’s dream fish, with their shimmering scales that reflect light beautifully in shades of silver, pink, and gold.
Originating from the cool streams of China, they are highly adaptable to various water conditions and can tolerate lower temperatures, making them perfect for unheated aquariums!
These peaceful, active swimmers enjoy schooling in groups of six or more and provide a graceful, flowing movement to the tank. They’re low-maintenance, hardy, and coexist well with other non-aggressive species, making them a top choice for small aquariums.
11. Scarlet Badis
Scarlet Badis are a tiny, vibrant species that bring a splash of color to any small aquarium. Males, in particular, display stunning red hues with iridescent blue stripes, making them visually captivating additions.
Despite their vivid beauty, they can be quite shy, preferring to stay close to plants and hiding spots. Providing a heavily planted tank with plenty of cover allows them to feel secure and helps reduce stress.
Scarlet Badis are micropredators, meaning they prefer live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and microworms over flake food. Their peaceful nature makes them suitable for small tanks, though they should be paired with similarly calm, non-aggressive species.
Watching a male Scarlet Badis flare his fins during courtship or exploring his environment with curiosity is a delight for any aquarist!
12. Ember Tetra
Ember Tetras are like tiny flickering flames in your aquarium, thanks to their fiery-orange bodies and translucent fins. Native to South American waters, these schooling fish are perfect for small tanks where their constant, synchronized movement creates a mesmerizing effect.
To bring out their best colors and behavior, keep them in groups of six or more. They thrive in well-planted setups with soft, slightly acidic water, mimicking their natural habitat.
Ember Tetras are peaceful and get along exceptionally well with other small, non-aggressive fish, making them perfect for a community nano tank.
13. Pea Puffer
The Pea Puffer, also known as the Dwarf Pufferfish, is a tiny yet incredibly fascinating fish packed with personality. Despite their small size, these fish are known for their curious and sometimes territorial nature.
They have a round, puffy body and expressive eyes that seem to follow you around the tank. However, Pea Puffers require a bit more specialized care than your average nano fish.
They thrive best in species-only tanks, as they can become aggressive toward tank mates. They also need a varied diet of live or frozen foods like snails and bloodworms, as they are natural hunters.
Providing a variety of plants and hiding locations keeps them stimulated and decreases hostility. Watching a Pea Puffer investigate its surroundings with interest and hunt down its prey is one of the most satisfying experiences!
14. Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus Catfish, affectionately called “Otos,” are among the most efficient algae eaters you can add to a small aquarium. These gentle, social fish are perfect for keeping your tank pristine by tirelessly grazing on algae along glass surfaces, plants, and decorations.
They remain small, typically growing no more than two inches in length, making them ideal for nano tanks and community aquariums alike. Otos are schooling fish and thrive best when kept in groups of at least six, where they display natural social behaviors.
Aside from their algae-eating powers, their calm nature makes them friendly with a broad range of tank mates. Keep them healthy by maintaining a well-established tank with enough of natural biofilm and supplementing their food with algae wafers or blanched veggies!
Their endearing whisker-like mouths are also quite wonderful!
15. Kuhli Loach
Kuhli Loaches are among the most fascinating and unique fish you can add to a small aquarium. Their long, slender, eel-like bodies with striking bands of black and yellow give them an exotic, mysterious appearance.
Native to Southeast Asia, these nocturnal bottom dwellers are known for their peaceful nature and shy temperament. They love burrowing and hiding in soft substrates and appreciate a tank with plenty of hiding spots like driftwood, caves, and plants.
Despite their shy tendencies, Kuhli Loaches thrive best in groups of five or more, which helps them feel secure. Watching them slither gracefully through the substrate and explore their environment during the evening hours can be mesmerizing.
They’re also helpful scavengers, cleaning up uneaten food, though they still require a balanced diet with sinking pellets and occasional live or frozen foods.