Nano aquariums have a special place in our hearts, small high tech planted tanks, or small cubes make a great addition to a bedroom, office, kitchen counter top etc.
Here’s a list of the best fish for a nano aquarium!
As much as we love nano aquariums, we somehow fail at stocking it properly leading to some unwanted mishaps. This list of would help to find a suitable fish for your nano aquarium.
#1 Endler’s livebearer (Poecilia wingei)
Endler’s livebearers are small versions of your regular guppies. Hardy fish that are brightly colored and quite active. They are bold and make a great addition to a nano planted tank. Flashy colors and bold character make them ideal.
Endler’s livebearer Profile:
- Temperature: 75 – 86°F (24 – 30°C)
- pH: 7.0 – 8.5
- Hardness: 15 – 35°H
- Max-Size: Male 1″ (2.5cm). Female 1.8″ (4.5cm).
Its best to have just a bunch of males, 5-6 to be precise, as adding females would lead to harassment.
#2 Green Rasbora (Microdevario kubotai)
Green Rasbora (Microdevario kubotai) The green rasbora, also sometimes called the green neon rasbora is an excellent fish from southeast Asia. Found in waters that were densely packed with plants, these fish make quite a statement with the bright green/yellow color depending on the lighting. The fish are great in schools and you will instantly love them. Quite hardy and make a good addition to a planted nano aquarium.
Green Rasbora’s Profile:
- Temp: 21°C to 25°C
- PH: 7,2 to 7,4
- Hardness: 10 dGh to 25 dGh
- Max size: 2 – 2.5cm (about 3/4″)
Would recommend keeping around 6-7 of these.
#3 Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus)
Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) are miniature catfish and will amaze you. Found in South American rivers, their habitat consists of lots of wood, roots and aquatic plants. They’re often present in large groups on the river bed. Although they prefer dim lighting, they do well in planted tanks, with some floating plants and driftwood. These fish are very active and will brighten your aquarium.
Pygmy Corydoras’s Profile
- Temperature: 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C)
- pH: 6.4 to 7.4
- Hardness: 2 to 15°H
- Max Size: Around 1.2″ (3cm)
Can have a decent sized group of around 10 of these in your nano aquarium
#4 Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)
Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) or also commonly known as the mosquito rasbora is a miniature fish with magnificent colors native to the swamps of Borneo in Indonesia.
This peaceful fish will add stunning color to your planted tanks and if you decide on keeping a biotope like a setup, a blackwater tank will be brought to life with these fish. Keeping them in groups of 6 or more is the best and providing floating plants will keep them active and engaged.
Chili Rasbora’s Profile
- Temperature: 20 – 28 °C
- pH: 4.0 – 7.0
- Hardness: 18 – 179 ppm
- Max Size: 15 – 20 mm
Recommended 6 or more.
#5 Scarlet badis (Dario dario)
Last but not least is a bright and colorful fish from the waters of India, the scarlet badis. The scarlet basis is an increasingly popular fish in the aquarium hobby and its wonderful colors make it a striking addition to your setup. Males can get territorial towards other males, hence make sure you have plenty of hiding spaces and decor/plants to break direct line of sight.
You must note that this fish will only mostly take live food and will not accept dried foods.
- Temperature: 18 – 26 °C
- pH: 6.5 – 8.5
- Hardness: 18 – 268 ppm
- Max-Size: 15 – 20 mm
Recommend a group of 2-5 with fewer males to females.
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