South America
Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7
Size2 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyEasy
Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
fish
Very small fish (about 5 cm adult length or less)
Species with adult length at or below 5 cm where measured — confirm group needs and filtration for small bodies of water.
77 species
- Southern Thailand (Tapi river drainage)
Strawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus
Temp20–28°CpH5–7Size2 cmDietInsectivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateStrawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus
- Asia
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Temp20–24°CpH7–8Size2 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyEmerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
- Asia
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
Temp20–28°CpH4–7Size2 cmDietInsectivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateChili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
- Asia
Scarlet badis
Dario dario
Temp18–26°CpH6.5–8.5Size2 cmDietCarnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateScarlet badis
Dario dario
- Asia
Least rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
Temp24–28°CpH6–7Size2 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyLeast rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
- Leyte, Philippines; also Okinawa and Yakushima, Japan
Surrufus Stiphodon
Stiphodon surrufus
Temp22–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size2.1 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardSurrufus Stiphodon
Stiphodon surrufus
- Asia
Galaxy rasbora
Danio margaritatus
Temp20–26°CpH6.5–7.5Size2.1 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyGalaxy rasbora
Danio margaritatus
- Asia
Neon Blue Rasbora
Sundadanio axelrodi
Temp23–26°CpH4–6.5Size2.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyHardNeon Blue Rasbora
Sundadanio axelrodi
- Asia
Malabar pufferfish
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Temp22–28°CpH6.8–8Size2.5 cmDietCarnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyExpertMalabar pufferfish
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
- Sulawesi, Indonesia
Cardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
Temp26–30°CpH7.5–8.5Size2.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyExpertCardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
- Asia
Dwarf rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Temp20–28°CpH5–6.5Size2.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateDwarf rasbora
Boraras maculatus
- Asia
Daisy's Rice Fish
Oryzias woworae
Temp23–27°CpH6–7.5Size2.8 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateDaisy's Rice Fish
Oryzias woworae
- Asia
White Seam Betta
Betta albimarginata
Temp23–28°CpH4–6.5Size3 cmDietInsectivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateWhite Seam Betta
Betta albimarginata
- South America
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Temp21–25°CpH4–7.5Size3 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyNeon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
- Asia
Asian Stone Catfish
Hara jerdoni
Temp18–24°CpH5.6–7.6Size3 cmDietOmnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAsian Stone Catfish
Hara jerdoni
- South America
Pygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Temp22–26°CpH6.4–7.4Size3 cmDietOmnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyEasyPygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
- Myanmar (Lake Inlé)
Sawbwa barb
Sawbwa resplendens
Temp18–22°CpH6–8Size3 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateSawbwa barb
Sawbwa resplendens
- Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia)
Assassin Snail
Anentome helena
Temp20–28°CpH7.2–8.5Size3 cmDietCarnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyEasyAssassin Snail
Anentome helena
- Taiwan (selectively bred from wild Neocaridina davidi)
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Temp18–28°CpH6.5–8Size3 cmDietOmnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyEasyCherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
- East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique)
Zebra Nerite
Vittina natalensis
Temp22–28°CpH7–8.5Size3 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateZebra Nerite
Vittina natalensis
- Asia
Gold Ring Danio
Brachydanio tinwini
Temp18–26°CpH6.5–7.5Size3 cmDietOmnivoreSwimTopDifficultyModerateGold Ring Danio
Brachydanio tinwini
- Asia
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Temp16–26°CpH6.5–7.5Size3.1 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateGlowlight Danio
Danio choprae
- Asia
Red Cherry Rasbora
Rasbora lacrimula
Temp22.2–25.6°CpH4–7.5Size3.1 cmDietInsectivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyRed Cherry Rasbora
Rasbora lacrimula
- South America
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
Temp20–28°CpH4.5–7.5Size3.2 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateRed phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
- South America
Common otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
Temp20–25°CpH6–7.5Size3.3 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyEasyCommon otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
- South America
Nannoptopoma
Nannoptopoma sternoptychum
Temp—pH—Size3.3 cmDietOmnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateNannoptopoma
Nannoptopoma sternoptychum
- West Africa
Banded panchax
Epiplatys annulatus
Temp23–26°CpH5.5–7Size3.5 cmDietInsectivoreSwimTopDifficultyModerateBanded panchax
Epiplatys annulatus
- Asia
Javanese ricefish
Oryzias javanicus
Temp24–29°CpH7–9Size3.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateJavanese ricefish
Oryzias javanicus
- Oceania
Honey blue eye
Pseudomugil mellis
Temp20–28°CpH6–7.5Size3.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateHoney blue eye
Pseudomugil mellis
- South America
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Temp23–29°CpH3.5–7.5Size3.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateCardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
- South America
Black neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Temp20–28°CpH5–7.5Size3.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyBlack neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
- Asia
Blue Belly Goby
Stiphodon percnopterygionus
Temp22–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size3.5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateBlue Belly Goby
Stiphodon percnopterygionus
- South America
Blackline penguinfish
Thayeria boehlkei
Temp22–28°CpH5.5–8Size3.6 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateBlackline penguinfish
Thayeria boehlkei
- Asia
Japanese rice fish
Oryzias latipes
Temp16–22°CpH6.5–8.5Size3.6 cmDietOmnivoreSwimAll levelsDifficultyModerateJapanese rice fish
Oryzias latipes
- Asia
Zhou's goby
Rhinogobius zhoui
Temp19–24°CpH7–7.8Size3.6 cmDietInsectivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardZhou's goby
Rhinogobius zhoui
- Upper Rio Madeira basin (Bolivia/Brazil), Pantanal
Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Temp20–28°CpH5–7Size3.6 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyBlack phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
- Asia
Dwarf danio
Danio nigrofasciatus
Temp18–26°CpH6.5–7.5Size3.7 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyDwarf danio
Danio nigrofasciatus
- South America
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Temp20–28°CpH5–7.5Size3.8 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateLemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
- Oceania
Spotted blue-eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Temp21–28°CpH4.5–7.5Size3.8 cmDietPlanktivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateSpotted blue-eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
- South America
Umbrella cichlid
Apistogramma borellii
Temp20–26°CpH6–8Size3.9 cmDietCarnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateUmbrella cichlid
Apistogramma borellii
- Southeastern United States
Ghost shrimp
Palaemon paludosus
Temp18–28°CpH6.5–8Size4 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyGhost shrimp
Palaemon paludosus
- Asia
Snakehead Betta
Betta channoides
Temp23–30°CpH4–6.5Size4 cmDietCarnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateSnakehead Betta
Betta channoides
- Asia
Pygmy gourami
Trichopsis pumila
Temp22–28°CpH5–7.5Size4 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModeratePygmy gourami
Trichopsis pumila
- Oceania
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Temp22–30°CpH5–8Size4 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateThreadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
- Asia
White cloud mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Temp14–22°CpH6–8Size4 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyWhite cloud mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
- South America
Jewel tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Temp20–28°CpH5–7.5Size4 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateJewel tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
- South America
Rosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Temp23.9–27.8°CpH5.5–7.5Size4 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateRosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
- South America
Glowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Temp24–28°CpH5.5–7.5Size4 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyGlowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
- Palau, Micronesia; possibly the Mariana Islands and Pohnpei
Pelew Stiphodon
Stiphodon pelewensis
Temp22–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size4.1 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardPelew Stiphodon
Stiphodon pelewensis
- South America
Ram cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Temp27–30°CpH4–7Size4.2 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateRam cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
- South America
Electric blue ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var.
Temp26–30°CpH5–6Size4.2 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateElectric blue ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var.
- South America
Ornate tetra
Hyphessobrycon bentosi
Temp20–28°CpH5–7.5Size4.3 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateOrnate tetra
Hyphessobrycon bentosi
- Africa
Temporaris Shell Dweller
Telmatochromis temporalis
Temp24–27°CpH8–9Size4.4 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateTemporaris Shell Dweller
Telmatochromis temporalis
- South America
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma agassizii
Temp22–29°CpH5–7Size4.4 cmDietCarnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAgassiz's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma agassizii
- South America
Endlers guppy
Poecilia wingei
Temp24–30°CpH7–8.5Size4.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyEndlers guppy
Poecilia wingei
- South America
Zebra Oto
Otocinclus cocama
Temp21–25°CpH6–7.5Size4.5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateZebra Oto
Otocinclus cocama
- Asia
Orange Fin Danio
Danio kyathit
Temp16–26°CpH6.5–7.5Size4.5 cmDietCarnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyOrange Fin Danio
Danio kyathit
- South America
Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Temp24–28°CpH5.5–7.5Size4.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateHead-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
- Asia
Checkered barb
Oliotius oligolepis
Temp18–25°CpH5.5–7.5Size4.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyCheckered barb
Oliotius oligolepis
- Asia
Blue danio
Brachydanio kerri
Temp18–26°CpH6.5–7.5Size4.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyBlue danio
Brachydanio kerri
- Asia
Harlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Temp21–28°CpH5–7.5Size4.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyHarlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
- Lake Tanganyika
Multies
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Temp24–27°CpH7.5–9Size4.5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateMulties
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
- Asia
Ruby barb
Pethia padamya
Temp20–25°CpH6.5–7.5Size4.6 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateRuby barb
Pethia padamya
- Asia
Chen Hillstream Loach
Pseudogastromyzon cheni
Temp20–25°CpH6.5–7.5Size5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardChen Hillstream Loach
Pseudogastromyzon cheni
- Asia
Chocolate gourami
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
Temp26–31°CpH4–6.5Size5 cmDietCarnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateChocolate gourami
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
- Asia
Cherry barb
Puntius titteya
Temp20–27°CpH6–8Size5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateCherry barb
Puntius titteya
- Asia
Zebra danio
Danio rerio
Temp18–25°CpH6–8Size5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimAll levelsDifficultyEasyZebra danio
Danio rerio
- South America
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Temp17–28°CpH7–8Size5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimTopDifficultyEasyGuppy
Poecilia reticulata
- Upper Amazon, Peru
Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Temp22–25°CpH6–7.4Size5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyEasyPanda corydoras
Corydoras panda
- Asia
Red Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
Temp22–26°CpH6.5–7.5Size5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateRed Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
- Asia
Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Temp22–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateCobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
- South America
Silvertip tetra
Hasemania nana
Temp23–28°CpH6–8Size5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateSilvertip tetra
Hasemania nana
- Japan, Taiwan, Korea
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Temp18–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimAll levelsDifficultyEasyAmano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
- South America
Cockatoo cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
Temp22–29°CpH6–8Size5 cmDietCarnivoreSwimBottomDifficultyEasyCockatoo cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
- South America
Rummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Temp24–27°CpH5.5–7Size5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyEasyRummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
- Asia
Blackline rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
Temp22–26°CpH6–7.5Size5 cmDietOmnivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateBlackline rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
