Otocinclus fish are very docile creatures. When she's not writing about fish you can find her hiking, swimming, and doing yoga. Females are more subdued, taking on a silver hue with some slight iridescent shimmer. It features bold stripes of vibrant blue and red throughout its body. These nano fish are named after their striking appearance. They are considered annual fish because they appear during the rainy season. Like other small fish species. However, they are predatory fish and may prey on smaller micro fish in your saltwater tank, so do keep this in mind if you want to keep other nano fish in the same tank. This is a stark contrast to true Killifish, which lay eggs. In fact, Fancy Guppies are known to breed without any intervention. White Cloud Mountain Minnows are excellent fish for beginners. Tailspot Blenny – Ecsenius stigmatura. Typically, Zebra Danios will stay in the middle of the water column. The pH balance should be relatively neutral as well. Though they do not have special feeding requirements, live rock is highly … They enjoy bloodworms, insect larvae, and brine shrimp. Guppies are another small fish with a visually striking appearance. Here’s another fish for small tanks that you’ve probably seen before. This type of gourami fish is even rarer than the sparkling gourami. Speaking of feeding, Rummy Nose Tetras are omnivores that will eat anything they can find. Nano Fish Ideal for small aquariums of 8 gallons or more, many of these species develop small territories within their new home. Now that you about each of the best freshwater fish for small tanks, you should pick your favorites. Their body is covered in a stunning pattern. Exact color patterns can vary dramatically, but you can often see splotches of fluorescent color covering their bodies. The scarlet gem is a timid fish and very peaceful with other fish of similar size and temperament. White Cloud Mountain Minnows are endemic to mountainous regions of China and Vietnam. How Long Does Water Need To Sit to Dechlorinate? They have been known to live relatively short lives when kept alone. Licorice Gourami. Aquarium Source is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. There are even newly discovered Apistogramma fish that are still being evaluated by the scientific community. They can snack on algae, but they do best with live or frozen food. These are brackish water fish. Like many popular tetra species, the Rummy Nose is a passive creature that does best in groups. Some in the aquarist community still view them as part of the Guppy family. In the wild, these fish live in shallow rivers and ponds that are filled with plants. Females are beautiful, too. When it comes to color, the Peacock Gudgeon is very vibrant. Because of their small size, they are often the target of aquarium predators. Since these fish were discovered, they have been a popular commodity within the aquarist community. These are small peaceful fish that get along with most non-aggressive species. Most wild specimen will complete their lifecycle in only a year. Sparkling Gouramis are very peaceful by nature. When you’re purchasing one of these fish, you need to make sure that you’re replicating the environment they were raised in to ensure that the fish stays healthy. Similar in appearance to Neon Tetras, the Cardinal Tetra is a separate species with its own care requirements. They are sold by big-name pet stores and small shops alike! Least Killifish are very shy creatures. Contrary to popular belief, these fish are not like traditional algae eaters. Originating from the Amazon River Basin, Rummy Nose Tetras are a good choice for nano tanks. You can find solid-colored specimens in bright colors like red, blue, or orange. They prefer to stay in groups in and will often hide out in cave-like tank decorations whenever they’re not feeding. The good news is that you can keep several fish together. Take one look at them and it’s not hard to see why. You might see some fish covered in shades of blue, yellow, and red. Otherwise, the fish may experience disease like fin rot. As a result, they’re often misidentified. Some fish will exert dominance on others to maintain the pecking order. That’s why you see them being sold in small containers! This behavior doesn’t just apply to other fish but also humans. The body is covered in a pinkish-orange hue. Also known as a Rachovi Killifish, these fish are vibrant and full of life. Though, this behavior subsides as they get comfortable. From an appearance standpoint, these are fish are absolute stunners. The adorable Bumblebee Goby is a unique fish with some distinct looks. The fish are known to shoal. Typically, a lighter shape is complemented by vertical stripes of a darker one. Scarlet Badis fish are some of the most popular freshwater fish for nano tanks. Next up, we have the Bluefin Notho. Most of the body is transparent, allowing you to see individual bones. Pygmy Corydoras are a funny-looking fish that gets along with most tank mates. They’re not particularly demanding. Bluefin Nothos are peaceful creatures that live life fast! Fortunately, this guide solves that problem! In fact, they’re one of the most popular…, Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. Most times, these fish will stay towards the bottom of the tank. However, these fish are covered in relatively neutral tones compared to other species. When they are born they come out as fully-formed baby fish. That said, they have been known to get hyperactive and take up the entire tank if kept in very large groups. These are nocturnal fish that will spend most of the day in hiding. Their caudal fins fan out quite a bit, creating a flash of color in your tank. Despite their penchant for algae, these fish do require some supplemental feeding. Apistogrammas are fish that break away from the conventions that most aquarists follow. Generally, these nano fish occupy the middle of the water column. Zebra Danios need to be in large groups. As their name would suggest, Zebra Danios are covered in black and white stripes. They also like water that’s on the acidic side. They thrive in small colonies. These are annual fish that are found in marshes throughout Africa. There’s no doubt that you’ve seen Neon Tetras before. These fish prefer warmer waters that are between 73 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they are micro predators. The fry grows inside the female. Bettas will often show their colors and flair their gills at any onlookers enjoying their beauty! Cardinal Tetras do best in natural environments filled with organic hiding places. This beginner-friendly fish is endemic to the southern United States. However, they usually lack the vibrant colors and silk-like tales. These pint-sized fish are immensely popular around the world and can be seen living happily in large tanks and neon tanks alike. That said, they do require some specific water parameters to stay healthy. If you are searching for a freshwater fish species that really does well in nano tanks then look no further than the Norman’s Lampeye Killifish. These are beautiful fish! These are shoaling fish that prefer to stay in large groups. 2.5 inches or 6.3 cm. … The scarlet badis is a stunning nano fish that has a body shape strikingly similar to that of dwarf cichlids, although there is no relation. They’re unfussy and quite hardy compared to other species. Some definitions will state aquariums defined as ‘Nano reefs’ a … By Rickard Zerpe. The body of the Asian Stone Catfish is very unique. They feature a similar profile to Guppies and take on the same bright coloration. This tiny, 30 Most Colorful Freshwater Fish Perfect For Aquariums. Otocinclus fish spend most of their time scavenging for algae. Not only are they small, but they have some standout looks, too. These fish do look strikingly similar to Neon Tetras. Not only is this small catfish an interesting specimen to watch, but it will also play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem! They do just fine in standard home aquarium conditions. Typically, the base color is complemented by a contrasting black stripe. This is complemented by a series of bright blue dots that take on an iridescent shimmer. They prefer live or frozen food. They often bury eggs in substate to keep them protected as they mature. Playful by nature, Neon Tetras are a joy to watch. There are so many types of small nano fish to keep in your freshwater aquarium that it can be hard to decide which is right for you. Like other suckerfish, they have expansive mouths that help them latch onto surfaces. While they are not true shoaling fish, Celestial Pearl Danios do like to be kept in groups. The Betta fish has a bit of a sordid reputation. Luckily, most squabbles don’t result in any serious injuries. You may also see some red coloration around the fins and belly. Peacock Gudgeons are peaceful fish that are happiest in a group. A specific gravity level of approximately 1.002 to 1.006 is needed. Celestial Pearl Danios are another fish that’s easy to care for. One big reason why these fish are so popular is that they are easy to care for. However, rather than swimming and exploring, a lot of that group time is spent scavenging for food!