Freshwater Fish That are Perfect for Small Tanks

So, you’re setting up a tank and you want to bring in the fish? Then don’t worry yourself with the details, because this is the easy part. The difficult part would be choosing which freshwater fish to add to your new tank. You should bear in mind the size of the tank along with the size of the fish and how many you’re going to add in there. This is important for the health of your fish. 

So, if you’re confused as to which type of fish you should choose for your tank, here are a few suggestions that might appeal to you.

Betta Splendens

If you’re not familiar with Betta fish, these are gorgeous little creatures that will make your tank stand out with their vibrant colors and flowing tails. They’re also known for their feisty attitude, as they can fight if they’re in the same tank. In addition to that, they have a pretty long history and if you want to know more, this complete guide describes in detail how the story of Bettas started in Thailand and how people caught them and put them together to see which fish was stronger. You’ll even learn about how they were exported to Europe and the rest of the world, which was around the time people started to keep them for their beauty.

As for their food, a varied diet will work best for this type of fish. Although it can be challenging to know which staple food can work best for your fish, you can find the following info useful. Bettas prefer floating food since they go searching for it in the upper levels of water. It should be small, high on protein, and low on fillers. Since they are carnivorous and prefer protein, plant-based fillers may not be the best option. If you want to change their diet a little bit, give them live food! It is what bettas used to eat in the wild after all.

Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Gourami can be the best option for your small tank because, as the name suggests, they are very small. In addition to this, they are anabantids, which means that they can breathe the air above the surface of the water. You should keep in mind that this type of fish is semi-aggressive, so having more than one in a small tank might not be the best idea. Because they come in various unique colors, they surely will make your tank stand out. Dwarf Gouramis have a narrow body that is slightly rounded and have round fins. As for the most popular types of these fascinating species, the blue, flame, and neon Dwarf Gourami are all quite common.

This type of fish prefers quiet waters with dense plants, so you will find them in ponds, rivers, and canals. So, if you can create this same environment in the tank, then your fish will surely thrive. You can do this by having large sand or dark gravel, a dim lamp, and a medium-powered filter. You can also add floating plants like hornwort, which will recreate the environment they live in. Don’t forget to add hiding places for your new fish; you can either use wood or ceramics for that purpose.

Neon Tetras

This is one of the most well-known aquarium fish and they’re also suitable for small tanks. Their eye-catching coloration, bright blue with a red streak on the side, makes them appealing to many fish enthusiasts and they might be the type that is suitable to you. Tetras like to be among their kind, so if you want to get Neon Tetras, consider getting a school of 5 or more, but don’t get other tank mates. 

For this type, clean water is extremely important. If you don’t know when you should clean the water, you can get a freshwater test kit. These little fishes can get affected by the bad water very quickly, unless you do something about it, of course. Newly cycled tanks will not be good for your tetras, as they are very sensitive to the changes in water chemistry. It might even kill them. Instead, you can add them to an established tank. Make sure that the tank temperature ranges between 70°F and 81°F. As for the lighting, a dim fluorescent light will work best for them.

Guppies

If you’re a beginner fish owner, then this type will be the best for you. They are low-maintenance, and they mostly don’t need any assistance in the breeding process; however, because they can breed so easily, you need to make sure that you’re getting either males or females, because if you don’t, your tank will suddenly boom with guppies, and given that you’re using a small one, the environment will not be suitable for that number of fish.

Guppies usually like to have a lot of hiding places in their tank, so use Java Moss and Java Fern to make them happy. When you choose their food, consider getting high-quality guppy flakes and supplement fish flakes. Like Bettas, they can enjoy live food and maybe freeze-dried food as well. Keep in mind that your little fishes like vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, and peas, so make sure to change their diet a little bit with green food. 

Cherry Barbs

These fiery red fishes take a longer time to adjust to a new environment; however, they can endure changes to water parameters. Along with being small and low maintenance, Cherry Barbs are very friendly. They are one of the most popular types in the fishkeeping community due to their vivid red colors and their active behaviors. They are also one of the most endangered species, so if you get your hands on one of these beauties, cherish it as much as you can. Cherry Barbs like to stay in schools, so it’s better to keep them in a group of six or maybe even more. As for their food, Cherry Barbs can practically eat any type of fish food. The only thing that might be keeping them from eating is their shyness.

Now that you have decided which type of fish to add to your small tank, you can make the necessary changes and get the appropriate food for your new friends. Remember that a smaller tank means more water maintenance. However, devoting time for your small friends will certainly be worth it.