Asia
Asian Stone Catfish
Hara jerdoni
Temp18–24°C
pH5.6–7.6
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Asian Stone Catfish
Hara jerdoni
Starting Small? Find the perfect fish for your nano tank.
Showing fish with recommended minimum tank size up to 20 gallon.
Nano-safe
Nano-safe
Asia
Malabar pufferfish
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Temp22–28°C
pH6.8–8
Size2.5 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyExpert
Malabar pufferfish
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Nano-safe
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue
Nano-safe
Asia
Galaxy betta
Betta splendens var.
Temp24–30°C
pH6–8
Size6.5 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Galaxy betta
Betta splendens var.
Nano-safe
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Yellow Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. yellow
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Yellow Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. yellow
Nano-safe
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. rili
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. rili
Nano-safe
Taiwan (selectively bred from wild Neocaridina davidi)
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Nano-safe
East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique)
Zebra Nerite
Vittina natalensis
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8.5
Size3 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Zebra Nerite
Vittina natalensis
Nano-safe
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines)
Onion Snail
Vittina olivacea
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8.5
Size3 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Onion Snail
Vittina olivacea
Nano-safe
Asia
Least rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7
Size2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Least rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
Nano-safe
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia)
Assassin Snail
Anentome helena
Temp20–28°C
pH7.2–8.5
Size3 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Assassin Snail
Anentome helena
Nano-safe
Asia
Alien betta
Betta splendens hybrid
Temp24–30°C
pH6–7.5
Size6.5 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Alien betta
Betta splendens hybrid
Nano-safe
Asia
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Temp20–24°C
pH7–8
Size2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Nano-safe
Asia
Neon Blue Rasbora
Sundadanio axelrodi
Temp23–26°C
pH4–6.5
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyHard
Neon Blue Rasbora
Sundadanio axelrodi
Nano-safe
Asia
Black Towuti goby
Mugilogobius hitam
Temp24–28°C
pH7–8
Size4.3 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyExpert
Black Towuti goby
Mugilogobius hitam
Nano-safe
West Africa
Banded panchax
Epiplatys annulatus
Temp23–26°C
pH5.5–7
Size3.5 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Banded panchax
Epiplatys annulatus
Nano-safe
Asia
White cloud mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Temp14–22°C
pH6–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
White cloud mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Nano-safe
Asia
Microdevario
Microdevario microphthalma
Temp20–26°C
pH6.8–7.5
Size2.6 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Microdevario
Microdevario microphthalma
Nano-safe
Central America
Southern platyfish
Xiphophorus maculatus
Temp20–26°C
pH7–8.2
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Southern platyfish
Xiphophorus maculatus
Nano-safe
Asia
Dwarf rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Temp20–28°C
pH5–6.5
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Dwarf rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Nano-safe
Oceania
Honey blue eye
Pseudomugil mellis
Temp20–28°C
pH6–7.5
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Honey blue eye
Pseudomugil mellis
Nano-safe
South America
Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7
Size2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Nano-safe
Lake Tanganyika
Multies
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Temp24–27°C
pH7.5–9
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Multies
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Nano-safe
Oceania
Spotted blue-eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Temp21–28°C
pH4.5–7.5
Size3.8 cm
DietPlanktivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Spotted blue-eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Nano-safe
South America
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Temp17–28°C
pH7–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Nano-safe
Asia
Panda Loach
Yaoshania pachychilus
Temp20–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Panda Loach
Yaoshania pachychilus
Nano-safe
Japan, Taiwan, Korea
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Nano-safe
Oceania
Desert goby
Chlamydogobius eremius
Temp20–28°C
pH7–8.5
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Desert goby
Chlamydogobius eremius
Nano-safe
South America
Zebra Oto
Otocinclus cocama
Temp21–25°C
pH6–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Zebra Oto
Otocinclus cocama
Nano-safe
Asia
Daisy's Rice Fish
Oryzias woworae
Temp23–27°C
pH6–7.5
Size2.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Daisy's Rice Fish
Oryzias woworae
Nano-safe
Southeastern United States
Ghost shrimp
Palaemon paludosus
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Ghost shrimp
Palaemon paludosus
Nano-safe
South America
Eppley's otocinclus
Parotocinclus eppleyi
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7
Size3 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Eppley's otocinclus
Parotocinclus eppleyi
Nano-safe
South America
Endlers guppy
Poecilia wingei
Temp24–30°C
pH7–8.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Endlers guppy
Poecilia wingei
Nano-safe
Africa
Gold Shell Dweller
Lamprologus ocellatus
Temp23–27°C
pH7.5–9
Size5.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Gold Shell Dweller
Lamprologus ocellatus
Nano-safe
Asia
Pygmy gourami
Trichopsis pumila
Temp22–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Pygmy gourami
Trichopsis pumila
Nano-safe
Asia
Javanese ricefish
Oryzias javanicus
Temp24–29°C
pH7–9
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Javanese ricefish
Oryzias javanicus
Nano-safe
Asia
Red Cherry Rasbora
Rasbora lacrimula
Temp22–26°C
pH4–7.5
Size3.1 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Red Cherry Rasbora
Rasbora lacrimula
Nano-safe
Asia
Japanese rice fish
Oryzias latipes
Temp16–22°C
pH6.5–8.5
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Japanese rice fish
Oryzias latipes
Nano-safe
Asia
Galaxy rasbora
Danio margaritatus
Temp20–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size2.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Galaxy rasbora
Danio margaritatus
Nano-safe
Asia
Scarlet badis
Dario dario
Temp18–26°C
pH6.5–8.5
Size2 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Scarlet badis
Dario dario
Nano-safe
Southern Thailand (Tapi river drainage)
Strawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7
Size2 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Strawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus
Nano-safe
Asia
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
Temp20–28°C
pH4–7
Size2 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
Nano-safe
Asia
White Seam Betta
Betta albimarginata
Temp23–28°C
pH4–6.5
Size2.8 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
White Seam Betta
Betta albimarginata
Nano-safe
Asia
Crescent betta
Betta imbellis
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size5.5 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Crescent betta
Betta imbellis
Nano-safe
Asia
Snakehead Betta
Betta channoides
Temp23–30°C
pH4–6.5
Size4 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Snakehead Betta
Betta channoides
Nano-safe
Asia
Siamese fighting fish
Betta splendens
Temp22–30°C
pH6–8
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Siamese fighting fish
Betta splendens
Nano-safe
Asia
Gold Ring Danio
Brachydanio tinwini
Temp18–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Gold Ring Danio
Brachydanio tinwini
Nano-safe
Upper Amazon, Peru
Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Temp22–25°C
pH6–7.4
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Nano-safe
South America
Pygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Temp22–26°C
pH6.4–7.4
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Pygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Nano-safe
Asia
Cherry barb
Puntius titteya
Temp20–27°C
pH6–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Cherry barb
Puntius titteya
Nano-safe
Ganges/Brahmaputra basins, northern India, Bangladesh, Nepal
Honey gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Temp22–27°C
pH6–7.5
Size5.5 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Honey gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Nano-safe
Myanmar (Lake Inlé)
Sawbwa barb
Sawbwa resplendens
Temp18–22°C
pH6–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Sawbwa barb
Sawbwa resplendens
Nano-safe
Asia
Dwarf danio
Danio nigrofasciatus
Temp18–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3.7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Dwarf danio
Danio nigrofasciatus
Nano-safe
Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo
Borneo Loach
Pangio shelfordii
Temp21–26°C
pH4–7
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Borneo Loach
Pangio shelfordii
Nano-safe
Asia
Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Temp22–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Nano-safe
Palau, Micronesia; possibly the Mariana Islands and Pohnpei
Pelew Stiphodon
Stiphodon pelewensis
Temp22–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size4.1 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyHard
Pelew Stiphodon
Stiphodon pelewensis
Nano-safe
Asia
Chocolate gourami
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
Temp26–31°C
pH4–6.5
Size5 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Chocolate gourami
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
Nano-safe
Leyte, Philippines; also Okinawa and Yakushima, Japan
Surrufus Stiphodon
Stiphodon surrufus
Temp22–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size2.1 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyHard
Surrufus Stiphodon
Stiphodon surrufus
Nano-safe
South America
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Temp23–29°C
pH3.5–7.5
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Nano-safe
Asia
Red Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Red Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
Nano-safe
Oceania
Forktail rainbowfish
Pseudomugil furcatus
Temp24–28°C
pH7–8
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Forktail rainbowfish
Pseudomugil furcatus
Nano-safe
Oceania
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Temp22–30°C
pH5–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Nano-safe
Asia
Zhou's goby
Rhinogobius zhoui
Temp19–24°C
pH7–7.8
Size3.6 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyHard
Zhou's goby
Rhinogobius zhoui
Nano-safe
Asia
Harlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Temp21–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Harlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Nano-safe
South America
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Temp21–25°C
pH4–7.5
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Nano-safe
South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh)
Dwarf gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Temp22–27°C
pH6–7.5
Size8.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Dwarf gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Nano-safe
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Cardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
Temp26–30°C
pH7.5–8.5
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyExpert
Cardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
Nano-safe
Central America
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
Temp24–28°C
pH7.5–8.2
Size7.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
Nano-safe
South America
Common otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
Temp20–25°C
pH6–7.5
Size3.3 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Common otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
Nano-safe
South America
Electric blue ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var.
Temp26–30°C
pH5–6
Size4.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Electric blue ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var.
Nano-safe
South America
Umbrella cichlid
Apistogramma borellii
Temp20–26°C
pH6–8
Size3.9 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Umbrella cichlid
Apistogramma borellii
Nano-safe
South America
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma agassizii
Temp22–29°C
pH5–7
Size4.4 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma agassizii
Nano-safe
South America
Twosaddle corydoras
Corydoras weitzmani
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.2
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Twosaddle corydoras
Corydoras weitzmani
Nano-safe
Asia
Hillstream loach
Gastromyzon punctulatus
Temp23–25°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Hillstream loach
Gastromyzon punctulatus
Nano-safe
South America
Oxyropsis
Oxyropsis carinata
Temp26–29°C
pH6–7.5
Size7.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Oxyropsis
Oxyropsis carinata
Nano-safe
South America
Ram cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Temp27–30°C
pH4–7
Size4.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Ram cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Nano-safe
South America
Cockatoo cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
Temp22–29°C
pH6–8
Size5 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Cockatoo cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
Nano-safe
Asia
Reticulated hillstream loach
Sewellia lineolata
Temp18–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5.7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Reticulated hillstream loach
Sewellia lineolata
Nano-safe
Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo
Coolie loach
Pangio semicincta
Temp21–26°C
pH5.5–6.5
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Coolie loach
Pangio semicincta
Nano-safe
Africa
Blue lyretail
Fundulopanchax gardneri
Temp20–26°C
pH6–7.5
Size5.5 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blue lyretail
Fundulopanchax gardneri
Nano-safe
Asia
Beaufortia
Beaufortia pingi
Temp18–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size7.4 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Beaufortia
Beaufortia pingi
Nano-safe
Asia
Checkered barb
Oliotius oligolepis
Temp18–25°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Checkered barb
Oliotius oligolepis
Nano-safe
Africa
Leleupi Cichlid
Neolamprologus leleupi
Temp23–27°C
pH7.5–9
Size10 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Leleupi Cichlid
Neolamprologus leleupi
Nano-safe
Asia
Blackline rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blackline rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
Nano-safe
Asia
Celebes rainbowfish
Marosatherina ladigesi
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Celebes rainbowfish
Marosatherina ladigesi
Nano-safe
South America
Silvertip tetra
Hasemania nana
Temp23–28°C
pH6–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Silvertip tetra
Hasemania nana
Nano-safe
South America
Diamond tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
Temp24–28°C
pH5.5–7
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Diamond tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
Nano-safe
South America
Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Temp24–28°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Nano-safe
South America
Rosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Temp23.9–27.8°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Rosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Nano-safe
South America
Glowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Temp24–28°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Glowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Nano-safe
Asia
Eyespot pufferfish
Tetraodon biocellatus
Temp22.2–26.1°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Eyespot pufferfish
Tetraodon biocellatus
Nano-safe
South America
Blackline penguinfish
Thayeria boehlkei
Temp22–28°C
pH5.5–8
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blackline penguinfish
Thayeria boehlkei
Nano-safe
South America
Black widow tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Temp20–26°C
pH6–7
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Black widow tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Nano-safe
South America
Chessboard cichlid
Dicrossus filamentosus
Temp27–30°C
pH4.5–7
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Chessboard cichlid
Dicrossus filamentosus
Nano-safe
South America
Schwartz's catfish
Corydoras schwartzi
Temp22–24°C
pH6–7.5
Size7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Schwartz's catfish
Corydoras schwartzi
Nano-safe
Asia
Sumatra barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Temp20–26°C
pH5–8
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Sumatra barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Nano-safe
South America
Black neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size3.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Black neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Nano-safe
South America
Medusa Pleco
Ancistrus ranunculus
Temp25–30°C
pH6–7
Size13 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Medusa Pleco
Ancistrus ranunculus
Nano-safe
South America
Jewel tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Jewel tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Nano-safe
Asia
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Temp16–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Nano-safe
South America
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size3.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Nano-safe
Asia
Fiveband barb
Desmopuntius pentazona
Temp21–26°C
pH4–7
Size5.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Fiveband barb
Desmopuntius pentazona
Nano-safe
Asia
Chameleon fish
Badis badis
Temp15–25°C
pH6–7.5
Size6 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Chameleon fish
Badis badis
Nano-safe
South America
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
Temp20–28°C
pH4.5–7.5
Size3.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
Nano-safe
Upper Rio Madeira basin (Bolivia/Brazil), Pantanal
Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Nano-safe
South America
Bronze corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size7.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Bronze corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Nano-safe
Asia
Blue danio
Brachydanio kerri
Temp18–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Blue danio
Brachydanio kerri
Nano-safe
North America
Rainbow shiner
Notropis chrosomus
Temp10–22°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Rainbow shiner
Notropis chrosomus
Nano-safe
Asia
Chen Hillstream Loach
Pseudogastromyzon cheni
Temp20–25°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyHard
Chen Hillstream Loach
Pseudogastromyzon cheni
Best Fish for Nano Tanks
Small aquariums are less forgiving, so prioritize peaceful species with low bioload and stable group behavior.
Match fish to realistic tank volume after substrate and hardscape displacement, not label volume alone.
Keep stocking conservative and maintain consistent water-change routines for long-term stability.