A lushly planted aquarium isn't just a feast for the eyes; it's also a playground and a hiding place for your fish. But which fish actually go well with plants? You don't want a goldfish that turns your scape into a bare lawn in a week. 😉 In this blog post, I'll show you examples of fish that do work, so your tank becomes a place where plants and fish complement each other.
For small tanks (20–40 liters), guppies, endlers, small tetras, danios, and pygmy corydoras are ideal. As a rule of thumb, your fish should be no larger than 1/10 of the tank's length. Avoid herbivores like goldfish or cichlids. And for balance? Add a few bottom-dwelling fish, such as Otocinclus, Corydoras, or Amano shrimp. 🌿🐟 Extra tip: There are ideal plants for guppies; see also the top 5 plants for guppies .
What are the best fish for a planted aquarium?
Plants do more than you think: they absorb nitrates from the water and provide hiding places. This means you can often keep slightly more fish in a planted tank than in a bare tank. But... be careful what you choose:
- Nano (20–40 liters): Endlers, guppies, ember tetras, pygmy corydoras. Combine with ground cover plants such as Monte Carlo or small mosses for a dense carpet.
- Medium (60–120 liters): Apistogramma, honey gouramis, rainbowfish, or a school of chub tetras. Use colorful plants like Alternanthera Rosanervig for added effect.
- Large (150 liters or more): Consider angelfish, discus (for the enthusiast), or a group of peaceful cichlids. Give them plenty of space and background plants like Vallisneria spiralis , combined with hardy species like Anubias barteri .
Note: Plant-destroying fish like goldfish or cichlids definitely don't belong in a planted tank. They'll eat your hard-working scape in no time. Do you still want to combine fish with plants? Read: plants with cichlids , plants that don't get eaten , or plants that go well with shrimp .
How to choose fish step by step?
Let's be honest: you just want a friendly community without everything getting out of balance. Here's how to do it:
- Determine your tank size. The more liters, the more freedom of choice. Small tank? Choose nano fish; you want minimal water pollution to keep your aquascape beautiful. Plants that are beginner-friendly? Check out this article or add species like Anubias nana .
- Use the 1/10 rule. A fish shouldn't be larger than 1/10 of your tank's length. Larger swimmers will otherwise rearrange your scape. Also read: How many fish fit in your aquarium?
- Choose species that complement each other. A school of tetras plus a group of corydoras is always a plus. Complete your scape with Cryptocoryne wendtii green or Hygrophila pinnatifida .
- Add helpers. Otocinclus, Corydoras, or Amano shrimp will keep things clean. Anubias bonsai and mosses are ideal for additional hiding places.
- Introduce slowly. Don't throw in 20 fish at once. Give your filter time to grow, so start slowly. In the meantime, you can fill in any empty spots with new aquarium plants or prune them with aquascape tools .
Common mistakes (and quick fixes)
- Choosing fish that are too big. That cute baby pleco will grow into a bulldozer. Start small. Tip: Also read: How many fish fit in your aquarium?
- Plant eaters in a planter. Goldfish belong in a pond or large aquarium, not in your expensive aquascape. Alternatives are hardy species like Anubias barteri or Anubias nana .
- Don't add algae eaters. Adding beneficial aquarium animals like snails, shrimp, and bottom-dwelling creatures is essentially your aquarium's cleaning crew!
Checklist
- Determine tank size
- Applying the rule of thumb (1/10 rule)
- Small species for nano tanks, larger ones for large aquariums
- Add algae eaters
- Avoiding plant destroyers
- Introduce fish gradually
Conclusion
A planted tank is all about balance: fish that respect your plants, and plants that provide shelter for your fish. This way, you create a mini-ecosystem that brings you joy every day. Not sure which fish is best suited to your tank? Feel free to send us a message 📲 , we're happy to help. Or visit our service page for personalized assistance.
