Best Nano Fish for Small Planted Tanks

Tiny, peaceful species that thrive — and look spectacular — in small, well-planted aquariums.

By The Aquarium DB Team • 91 species
Ember Tetra Ember Tetra Neon Green Rasbora Neon Green Rasbora Ramshorn Snail Ramshorn Snail Red Lip Nerite Snail Red Lip Nerite Snail Dawn Tetra Dawn Tetra Nerite Snail Nerite Snail Assassin Snail Assassin Snail Cherry Shrimp Cherry Shrimp Endler's Livebearer Endler's Livebearer Glowlight Danio Glowlight Danio Gold Ring Danio Gold Ring Danio Malaysian Trumpet Snail Malaysian Trumpet Snail Neon Tetra Neon Tetra Tail-spot Corydoras Tail-spot Corydoras Trinidad Guppy Trinidad Guppy Pygmy Corydoras Pygmy Corydoras Glowlight Rasbora Glowlight Rasbora Blue Danio Blue Danio Emperor Tetra Emperor Tetra Flame Tetra Flame Tetra Ghost Shrimp Ghost Shrimp Glowlight Tetra Glowlight Tetra Golden Dwarf Barb Golden Dwarf Barb Phoenix Tetra Phoenix Tetra Red Phantom Tetra Red Phantom Tetra Rosy Tetra Rosy Tetra Yellow Phantom Tetra Yellow Phantom Tetra Black Phantom Tetra Black Phantom Tetra Gold Tetra Gold Tetra Lemon Tetra Lemon Tetra X-ray Tetra X-ray Tetra Yellow Tetra Yellow Tetra Amano Shrimp Amano Shrimp Axelrod's Cory Axelrod's Cory Bandit Corydoras Bandit Corydoras Checkered Barb Checkered Barb Cherry Barb Cherry Barb Five-banded Barb Five-banded Barb Forktail Blue-eye Forktail Blue-eye Harlequin Rasbora Harlequin Rasbora Honey Gourami Honey Gourami Japanese Trapdoor Snail Japanese Trapdoor Snail Julii Corydoras Julii Corydoras Masked Corydoras Mystery Snail Mystery Snail Skunk Corydoras Skunk Corydoras Stoliczka's Barb Stoliczka's Barb Zebra Danio Zebra Danio Celestial Pearl Danio Celestial Pearl Danio Chili Rasbora Chili Rasbora Emerald Dwarf Danio Emerald Dwarf Danio Exclamation Point Rasbora Exclamation Point Rasbora Dwarf Spotted Rasbora Dwarf Spotted Rasbora Blackwing Hatchetfish Clown Killifish Clown Killifish Eyespot Rasbora Eyespot Rasbora African Dwarf Frog African Dwarf Frog Amapá Tetra Blue Emperor Tetra Blue Emperor Tetra Cardinal Tetra Cardinal Tetra Blue Turbo Snail Blue Turbo Snail Crystal Red Shrimp Crystal Red Shrimp Green Neon Tetra Green Neon Tetra Crimson Red Betta Chocolate Gourami Chocolate Gourami Ruby Tetra Ruby Tetra Strawberry Rasbora Strawberry Rasbora Neon Blue Rasbora Lambchop Rasbora Lambchop Rasbora Northern Glowlight Danio Tailspotted Oto Tailspotted Oto Jelly Bean Tetra Jelly Bean Tetra Marbled Hatchetfish Marbled Hatchetfish Otocinclus Otocinclus Tiger Otocinclus Tiger Otocinclus Cochu's Blue Tetra Cochu's Blue Tetra Horseman Cory Horseman Cory Hummingbird Tetra Fire Red Licorice Gourami Fire Red Licorice Gourami Purple Tetra Purple Tetra Rummy Nose Rasbora Rummy Nose Rasbora Sparkling Gourami Sparkling Gourami Strawberry Betta Strawberry Betta Threadfin Rainbowfish Threadfin Rainbowfish Firehead Tetra Firehead Tetra Half-striped Penguin Tetra Half-striped Penguin Tetra Panda Corydoras Panda Corydoras Rummy-nose Tetra Rummy-nose Tetra Tucano Tetra Tiger Shrimp Tiger Shrimp Xingu Black Neon Tetra Xingu Black Neon Tetra
Buyer's guide

How to choose a nano fish

Nano fish stay under about 5 cm, so a tightly planted tank feels like a world to them. Most are shoaling species that only show their best colour and behaviour in a group of six or more, so stock fewer species in bigger groups rather than one or two of many.

Small tanks are less forgiving of mistakes, so keep stocking light, plant heavily for cover, and stay on top of water changes. Gentle filtration matters too — these little fish are easily buffeted by strong flow.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How many nano fish can I keep in a 10-gallon (38 L) tank?

Roughly a single shoal of 8–12 nano fish, or a couple of very small species plus some shrimp. Understock and plant heavily — a small water volume swings fast when overstocked.

Do nano fish need a heater?

Most tropical nano fish do — small tanks lose and gain heat quickly, so a small, reliable heater keeps temperatures stable. A few species tolerate cooler rooms; check each profile.