Popular Freshwater Fish Species for Community Tanks
Building a community aquarium requires careful fish selection. Not all fish coexist peacefully, and compatibility matters. Here are the best species for peaceful, thriving community tanks.
The Peaceful Community Formula
For a stable community tank: - Maintain proper water parameters consistently - Match fish with similar temperature preferences - Choose peaceful species that don't compete aggressively - Provide adequate space (1 inch of fish per gallon minimum) - Include hiding spots for nervous fish
Best Community Fish
Tetras
Tetras are small, colorful fish that school together beautifully. Popular species include: - Neon Tetras: Brilliant red and blue stripe; thrive at 72-76°F - Cardinal Tetras: Similar to neon tetras but larger and showier - Serpae Tetras: Deep red coloring; can be slightly aggressive but work in groups of 6+ - Black Skirt Tetras: Black and white pattern; hardier for beginners
Keep tetras in groups of 6-10 for natural schooling behavior.
Corydoras Catfish
These bottom-dwelling scavengers are essential for any community tank. They: - Eat leftover food and debris - Stir substrate, preventing anaerobic pockets - Remain peaceful and don't bother other fish - Come in many attractive varieties (peppered, bronze, albino)
Corydoras are social—keep 3-5 together. They prefer sandy substrate where they can safely scavenge.
Peaceful Danios
- Zebra Danios: Energetic striped fish; need larger tanks (30+ gallons) due to activity level
- Pearl Danios: Similar activity level; beautiful spots and coloring
- Celestial Pearl Danios: Tiny and peaceful; suitable for smaller tanks
Danios create movement and visual interest in your tank.
Rasboras
Rasboras are small, peaceful fish that school beautifully: - Harlequin Rasboras: Black and orange stripe; classic community choice - Lambchop Rasboras: Red coloring; extremely peaceful - Dwarf Rasboras: Tiny but colorful; perfect for nano tanks
Keep in groups of 8-12 for optimal behavior.
Livebearers
Livebearers give birth to live young rather than laying eggs: - Guppies: Incredibly colorful males; peaceful and prolific - Platies: Wider body shape; come in endless color varieties - Mollies: Larger livebearers; prefer slightly brackish water - Swordtails: Males have sword-like tail extensions; can be territorial
Livebearers are hardy and easy to care for, though they reproduce quickly if not managed.
Plecos (Smaller Species)
While common plecos grow enormous, smaller species work in community tanks: - Bristlenose Plecos: 4-6 inches; excellent algae eaters - Clown Plecos: Colorful and smaller than bristlenose - Oto Catfish: Tiny but effective at controlling algae
Avoid common plecos—they grow to 12+ inches and produce excessive waste.
Hatchetfish
These unusual fish live in the upper water column and resemble small hatchets. They're peaceful but nervous, so provide plenty of plants. Their jumping ability means a secure lid is essential.
Compatibility Chart
Always peaceful together: - Tetras + Corydoras - Rasboras + Guppies - Danios + Plecos
Use caution: - Aggressive tetras (serpae, piranha tetras) might chase guppies - Livebearers may breed constantly in community tanks - Danios can outcompete slower fish for food
Never mix: - Bettas + anything (unless in a divided tank) - Goldfish + tropical fish (different temperature/waste needs) - Cichlids + most community fish (too aggressive)
Tank Size Recommendations
For a peaceful 20-gallon community: - 10 tetras - 4 corydoras catfish - 6 rasboras - 1 small pleco
Adjust this based on your specific fish choices and tank dimensions.
Feeding Community Fish
Different species eat at different levels: - Upper feeders (tetras, rasboras): Feed flake food - Mid-level (guppies, platies): Feed all sinking foods - Bottom feeders (corydoras, plecos): Sinking pellets and algae wafers
Feed small amounts twice daily. Uneaten food degrades water quality.
Watching for Aggression
Even "peaceful" fish can exhibit territorial behavior. Watch for: - Constant chasing or nipping - Fish hiding at the top or bottom - Fin damage or missing scales - Refusal to eat
If aggression develops, remove the aggressive fish or provide more hiding spots and space.
Conclusion
A well-planned community tank brings the joy of observing diverse species coexisting peacefully. Start with hardy species, maintain consistent water parameters, and enjoy watching your underwater community thrive!