Are they looking to maintain points pleasant as well as tranquil in your area fish tank? Some fish varieties are extra assertive than others, with particular kinds being downright harmful to their tankmates.
20 Peaceful Community Fish: Our Top Picks
Below are our 20 favored tranquil neighborhood fish for freshwater fish tanks.
Cory Catfish (Corydoras category)
A variety of corydoras, a type of little catfish, are available in the fish tank hobby. Cory catfish are frequently regarded as one of the best beginner fish species because they are not only simple to maintain but also simple to mix with different fish.
It all depends on what you’re looking for as to which precise Cory catfish range will work best in your fish tank. If you have a small container, choose the Corydoras pygmaeus bit; if you’re looking for something lovely, choose the Corydoras panda; and if you want something really unusual, choose the all-white albino Corydoras aeneus.
When it comes to fish tank decoration, cory catfish don’t have many requirements, although they do value some shelter, such as plants and skins. Make sure you don’t keep them on a surface like jagged crushed rock that could damage their delicate barbels. Sand is appropriate since it allows fish to forage and dive normally.
Oto Catfish (Otocinclus category)
Otocinclus, a different subspecies of rather little catfish, is as calm as it gets. You won’t ever witness this variety bother its tankmates, and young dwarf shrimp are thought to have risk-free lives. The Oto catfish’s food, which consists almost entirely of algae and biofilm, is the main explanation for its smooth perspective.
Otocinclus demand careful attention to grow, so keep that in mind if you intend to keep them in your fish tank. You’ll need to regularly make slow water adjustments as well as keep an eye on your water values at all times.
Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi)
For new fishkeepers, the conventional neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a better option. People without their own fish tanks find this kind to be one of the most appealing. However, it appears like a different story when it comes to aquarists who are considerably more knowledgeable. Since neons are so common, many people eventually move away from them, which is unfortunate because they are such hospitable and beautiful creatures!
As long as you don’t keep larger fish that could view their smaller tankmates as a tasty treat, neon tetras are easy to care for and will thrive in your community aquarium. Maintain a college of at the very least six, but preferably ten or more, samples so the fish feel secure and you can best understand their movements and tones.
Plant the fish tank to supply cover and potentially also think about discoloring the water utilizing ground cover to mimic the neon tetra’s all-natural environment.
Blackskirt Tetras (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)
Rather the eye-catcher if you keep it in a small group (ideally eight fish or even more)! Choose a fish tank that is at least 20 gallons long to give the team plenty space to move around.
Black skirt tetras get along well with most other tropical fish that lack long, flowing fins. Many of the fish on this list are good choices, and the different species are regularly used as companion species for larger cichlids. The presence of a tiny dither fish helps cichlids feel safe since it is a sign that the waters are stable.
Plant the fish tank with lots of tall vegetation, and you might also want to consider using drifting plants or changing the color of the water to block part of the sun. Make sure to still provide plenty of room for swimming because this variety is quite active.
Bristlenose Plecos (Ancistrus category)
Reevaluate if retaining a sailfin or a standard Pleco is more appealing to you. These catfish are a fun addition to any aquarium. Many of the fish sold in your local fish store that are categorized as “Pleco” will likely overrun your fish tank before you know it. Consider the tiny Ancistrus category instead, which typically won’t surpass 6″ as is and is hence far more practical.
Keep bristlenose Plecos in a fish tank with a minimum capacity of 30 gallons. These catfish don’t grow very large. If you put them in a smaller storage tank, they will still produce a lot of waste, and the quality of the water will rapidly decline. Tankmates aren’t a big concern because the species can conceal themselves well and are generally hardy.
Ancistrus are omnivores even though they are frequently referred to as algae eaters. Give your bristle nose Pleco(s) a variety of bottom fish tablets, frozen food, and fresh vegetables to keep them healthy and balanced.
Marbled Hatchetfish (Carnegiella strigata)
One type that won’t hurt a fly is the reluctant marbled hatchet fish (Carnegiella strigata). This oddly shaped fish will spend the majority of its life at the water’s surface, where it will typically catch small vermin while disguising itself as a drifting fallen leaf. Both fascinating to see and a lovely option for your tranquil space.
Because marbled hatchet fish are generally shy, you’ll need to find tankmates that won’t bother it. Keep the hatchets full with different species to make the fish feel safe; they’ll enjoy having at least ten other hatchet fish around and will behave in more interesting ways as a result.
If you want to keep a marbled hatchet fish, your aquarium needs to be at least 20 gallons long. Caretakers of hatchetfish frequently describe seeing their fish dried out on the floor if their fish tank lacks a hood.
Zebra Danios (Danio rerio)
The highly active Zebra Danio (Danio rerio) has been a mainstay in the fish tank hobby for as long as most people can remember. This sort of fish, which has colorful candy stripes and is durable, is ideal for beginners and anyone searching for a low-maintenance fish.
Zebra Danios love having lots of space to move around, therefore it’s preferable to keep them in a fish tank of at least 20 gallons (long). Choose a college with at least six fish. To provide shelter, try growing the container’s sides. But be sure to leave enough of room so the fish may swim around as they normally would.
Harlequin Rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
The buffoon rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha, also known as Rasbora heteromorpha in some situations) is a peaceful favorite of both amateur and expert aquarists. These straightforward designs are available at almost all fish tank stores. It is a great option for peaceful neighborhood storage tanks that are surrounded by other lovely types, such as several of the ones included on our list. Please avoid any fish that might be large enough to eat a rasbora as they are rather little.
A 15 gallons (long) container and also up need to suffice to house a decently sized team of about ten people, but our preference always heads out to anything bigger: a group of 20 or even more samples of any type of tropical fish in a large storage tank is fantastic to witness.
You can copy this in your fish tank by utilizing lots of high greenery and positioning a layer of fallen leave clutter on the base of the fish tank. Do not fret about not being able to see the fish correctly.
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)
Due to the behavior of the tiger barb (Puntius tetrazole), a popular aquarium fish because of its candy-striped pattern and also toughness but also a well-known fin nipper when kept in groups or small fish tanks, barbs in general have gained a little bit of a bad reputation. A few varieties of fish form the ideal neighborhood fish.
Cherry barbs can be combined with almost any other relaxing type because they can handle a variety of water values as long as the water is clean and the fish tank is cycled. They are shoaling fish, so keep a team of at least six people around to keep them happy.
The cherry barb, like the majority of the species on this list, prefers areas with dense vegetation and, occasionally, ground cover that gives the water a darker hue. These habitats might have mild to moderately strong water circulation.
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)
The shy dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lilies), if you’re looking for a calm addition to the top water layer of a quiet region fish tank, may be a great alternative. Aquarists who believe these bright fish are aggressively territorial in some circumstances try to keep them away. However, if tankmates are carefully chosen, they do rather well in neighborhoods.
Boisterous as well as vivid fish are not a great selection. Instead, go for tiny education types like the buffoon rasbora or lower feeders like kuhli loaches (both varieties are discussed in this post).
Dwarf Pencilfish (Nannostomus marginatus)
The dwarf pencil fish (Nannostomus marginatus), which is typically found in South America, is not one of the most popular tropical fish. It’s unfortunate that pencilfish aren’t kept as frequently as other educational fish like livebearers or tetras because they would be a wonderful addition to community fish aquariums.
With a maximum size of just 1″, dwarf pencil fish live up to their name, so you won’t need a huge aquarium to keep a group of these candy-striped fish: a 15-gallon long tank ought to be adequate to support 8– 12 samples. Choose peaceful tankmates who don’t mind small fish, as this variety does not, like being bordered by assertive or active neighbors.
The all-natural environment of the dwarf pencil fish frequently includes:
- Tranquil and shallow waters with reduced acidity/hardness.
- Great deals of ground cover.
- Reduced circulation price.
This proves that this fish will not thrive in bare containers or hillstream-style setups. Instead, you should aim to make the aquarium as lush and peaceful as you can, ideally with a thick layer of leaves on the substrate to tame the water and drifting plants to block out extra light.
Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)
The ever-popular guppy has also finally gained awareness among most non-aquarists (Poecilia reticulata). The majority of the characteristics of this livebearer are prized in leisure time: lovely and distinctive coloration, flowing and long fins, straightforward care, and also less intricate reproduction. To top it all off, these fish are peaceful and also sociable proof.
Guppies are best kept in a fish tank of 15 gallons (long) or up. The type is not as well required for water worths; it is ideal when the water is on the stern and alkaline side.
If you’re setting up a fish tank containing guppies, keep in mind what we said about how easy reproduction is. This type is incredibly prolific and can produce enough delicious fry to fill your container very quickly. If you don’t have the means to house this many guppies, think about getting only men to avoid this problem.
Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)
The glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a small, calm, and colorful species of tetra, similar to the previously mentioned neon tetra. It makes a great selection for beginners because it doesn’t take too much water and can easily be incorporated with many diverse other kinds of relaxed fish tank fish.
Choose a long fish tank with a minimum capacity of 20 gallons so the tetras have space to swim. Tankmates are often not an issue, but you should keep in mind that this species is a bit too little to get along with larger cichlids, such as discus fish.
Typically, glowlight tetras occur in a single river with acidic, dark water. It will perform best in conditions similar to those in a fish tank and won’t show its best colors in stark or bright settings. This type would thrive in a South American biotope setting, where you might observe its true colors and behaviors.
Platies (Xiphophorus category)
Similar to guppies, platies from the Xiphophorus category are livebearers that have had their coloring exactly replicated. They are larger than their guppy relatives. You’ll find that they are reasonably equivalent to one another in every other respects. This kind is peaceful, abundant, undemanding, and highly valued for its look.
Keep platies in a fish tank that is at least 15 gallons in size, preferably 20 or more. Choose tankmates who appreciate comparable issues and keep the water on the more demanding and alkaline side. If you want as many fry as possible to survive, add a bunch of drifting stem plants to the pot to serve as both coverings and feeding grounds.
Enjoy platies? You can also possess the swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri), which got its name from the man’s base tail fin’s greater prominence. A stunning fish that may be combined with other livebearers to create a vibrant and active aquarium.
Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)
The slightly shimmering gourami is among the list’s most interesting species (in our humble opinion). Simply 10 gallons should be plenty to house a set or slender harem of shimmering gourami because, unlike several other gouramis, this fish does not increase at roughly 1.7″, making it a true nano fish that can be kept in smaller fish tanks.
If you plan to have a shimmering gourami in your aquarium, be sure to give everything enough of room to develop and cover. The fact that gouramis are labyrinth fish shows that they have evolved to take a breath of air.
Keep your shimmering gourami in soft, acidic water with other little, peaceful species like bug rasbora or kuhli loaches (both gone over listed below). This small gourami can become alarmed by larger and more active fish.
Mosquito Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)
It doesn’t get much smaller than this; the tiny rasbora (Boraras Brigitte) insect rarely exceeds an inch in size. Despite this, these rasboras are undoubtedly eye-catching in your aquarium and also kinds to think about if you’re setting up a calm environment, particularly with the other Indonesian types. They are enjoyable to watch due to their red coloring and intriguing territorial spats.
Insect rasboras can be kept in long fish tanks of 10 gallons and up, though we aim for at least 15 so we can keep larger groups and provide some tankmates. These rasboras are vulnerable and also so small that you should be sure to avoid anything that could be able to consume them, so your options for fish to keep with them aren’t unlimited. They get along well with different small education fish, Corydoras, or timid maze fish like the dazzling gourami that was previously mentioned.
Go for something comparable in the fish tank if you desire to maintain this variety healthily and balanced as well as satisfied. You’ll enjoy seeing these little fish quest!
Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus)
Glass (or ghost) catfish, which are several species of catfish from the Kryptopterus genus, are widely accessible in the fish tank trade. Kryptopterus vitreous, a smaller-sized species that thrives in quiet surroundings, is our recommendation for individuals looking to add calm and relaxation to their fish tank.
It’s not a good idea to keep a glass catfish in a little fish tank because it needs to be kept in groups of at the very least six or more people and also can still grow to a size of 2.6″ inch and even a little bit more. Instead, choose a container of at the very least 30 gallons to make sure the fish have enough space to move.
This suggests that it won’t value the fish tank’s lights or constant circulation. To keep glass catfish successfully, the fish tank should also be cycled, and you should make it a point to keep up with your water changes.
Mollies (Poecilia sphenops)
Not unusual considering that many types make calm, noticeable, and long-lasting additions to the fish aquarium. In addition to the standard black Molly, your local fish store may also carry white, dalmatian, orange, and “sunburst” Mollies (which have an orange dashboard).
Mollies get along well with virtually any type of fish, including the other livebearers on this list and those that thrive in more difficult and basic conditions. Keep in mind that they can grow out to be a little bigger than platies and guppies (up to a maximum size of around 4.5″), so you’ll need to house them in a long fish tank with at least 30 gallons to provide them the swimming space they demand.
Mollies, like with guppies, swordtails, and platies, are particularly salt-resistant due to the fact that they frequently live in habitats with varying salinity levels. This means they are a great choice if you’re searching for a calm addition to a salty neighborhood fish tank. They can be kept in salinities all the way up to aquatic!
Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii)
Infant shrimp may not be completely risk-free with them. As long as it doesn’t consume a lot of meat, kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii) can be used with just about anything else. This calm type is a bottom feeder loach that spends the majority of its life scavenging for leftovers and tucked between pieces of furniture in the least expensive water layer.
Kuhli loaches require clean water to thrive, but they aren’t as demanding when it comes to fish tank setup. A sandy substrate was used in your container, allowing the loaches to tunnel and provide conceals in the shape of tunnels and coconut caverns.
These fish are renowned for their propensity to hide from view for extended periods of time. If you notice these fish not moving around, try installing a moonlight that comes on for a bit after the regular container lights go out.
Threadfin Rainbowfish (Iriatherina werneri)
Fish with vivid colors and ornamental fish are all included in this list. Perhaps best of all is the happy threadfin rainbowfish (Iriatherina werneri). The males of this type are wonderfully colored and have amazing finnage that they use to entice women at generating time.
The threadfin can be housed in fish tanks that are 15 gallons and larger, despite being significantly smaller than many rainbowfish. To demonstrate that you chose a long storage tank rather than a tall one to supply the swimming area with the necessary fish education. Choose placid tankmates like the previously mentioned marbled hatchetfish that aren’t active and won’t nibble at the men’s bright fins.
This variety must be grown largely in the fish tank if you want to see it at its best. Try to mimic this as closely as you can in the fish tank because it is often found in serene settings with a ton of foliage. The water’s acidity and stiffness aren’t major issues, but the container must be cleaned and cycled frequently.
