Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Small aquarium fish species are favoured among fish enthusiasts for their adaptability to tanks of different sizes. However, with numerous options available, choosing the right species can be daunting, especially for beginners who might inadvertently select fish with specialized care needs or those who outgrow their tanks. Dr. Jessie Sanders says,
“In the silence of the aquarium, small fish glide gracefully, reminding us of the tranquillity found in simplicity.”Â
This guide presents the Small aquarium fish names, and best small aquarium fish species, tailored for smaller tanks, to simplify the decision-making process. Each species highlighted here is known for its ease of care, ensuring an enjoyable experience for fishkeepers of all levels.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced hobbyist, these small aquarium fish that look like sharks offer both beauty and convenience for your aquatic setup.
Small Aquarium Fish List
Here is the list of Small aquarium fish list and the best Small aquarium fish for beginners.
1: Otocinclus Aquarium Fish
The Otocinclus, also known as “dwarf suckers,” is a small catfish that’s perfect for small aquariums. These little fish are not only interesting to watch, but they also help keep the tank clean. Otocinclus spend most of their time eating algae.
They have big mouths that help them attach to surfaces, like the sides of the tank or driftwood. They’re so small that they can even cling to big plant leaves. Even though they mostly eat algae, Otocinclus need some extra food.
They’re plant eaters, so they won’t eat meat. But they like blanched vegetables and algae wafers. These fish are very calm and like to be in groups. When they’re not eating, they often hide in decorations that look like caves in the tank.
Size: 2 inches max
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
2: Harlequin Rasbora Aquarium Fish
The Harlequin Rasbora is a small aquarium fish that’s fun to watch. They come from Southeast Asia and are often found in dark water. People who have aquariums really like having them. These fish like to be in big groups. It’s best to have two fish for every gallon of water in your tank. But at least six fish should be together so they feel safe.
Harlequin Rasboras are small and have a cool look. Their bodies are pinkish orange with a big black triangle on the bottom half, kind of like a jester costume. Taking care of Harlequin Rasboras is pretty easy. Just keep the water at about 74 degrees and the pH at 6.5, and they should stay healthy.
Size: 2 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
3: Bumblebee Goby Aquarium Fish
The cute Bumblebee Goby is a special fish that looks cool. They’re called that because of the yellow and black stripes on their bodies. Even though they’re small, you can always see them because of their bright colours.
Bumblebee Gobies are calm fish that like to hang out at the bottom of the tank. They pick a spot and protect it, but usually, fights between them aren’t too serious. These fish live in water that’s a mix of fresh and salty, called brackish water. To keep them healthy, you need to add a little marine salt to their tank.
The salt should make the water a specific level, around 1.002 to 1.006. Some Bumblebee Gobies live in freshwater, but they’re not as common. When you get one, you have to make sure their tank is like the place they grew up in, so they stay healthy.
Size: 1.5 inches
Difficulty: Intermediate Expert
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
4: Least Killifish Aquarium Fish
The Least Killifish is a fish that’s easy for beginners to take care of. They’re originally from the southern United States, living in places like South Carolina and Louisiana. These fish are quite shy because they’re small and often get chased by bigger fish in aquariums. So, it’s best to keep them in a tank with just their kind.
The good thing is you can have lots of them together. They like living in small groups, and you’ll see them doing all sorts of interesting things during the day. At least Killifish like to stick together in groups.
Sometimes they’ll even swim together in the tank, which looks cool. Something cool about Least Killifish is that they have babies instead of laying eggs like other types of Killifish. It’s easy for them to have babies, and the adults can live with the babies without any problems.
Size: 1.5 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
5: Neon Tetra Aquarium Fish
Neon Tetras are those tiny, colourful fish you’ve probably seen before. They’re super famous all over the world and can live happily in big tanks or even those cool neon tanks.
The name “Neon Tetra” comes from their colours – they have bright blue and red stripes all over their bodies. The boy ones usually have more vibrant colours than the female ones, but all of them are pretty.
These little fish are playful and fun to watch. They like being around other Neon Tetras, so they do best when they’re in a big group. When they swim together, they make your tank look colourful and lively.
One reason why people love Neon Tetras so much is because they’re easy to take care of. They’re not picky eaters and they’re tough little guys. They like the water to be between 70 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit and not too acidic.
Size: 1.5 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 10 20 gallons
6: Scarlet Badis Aquarium Fish
Scarlet Badis fish are really popular among people who have small aquariums. When you see them, you’ll understand why – they’re so pretty! They usually have a bright orange or red colour with darker stripes running down their bodies. Their fins have a cool neon blue colour too!
These fish are usually calm and don’t cause trouble. But they’re also little hunters. They like to eat small bugs and other tiny creatures they can find. To keep them happy and healthy, it’s best to feed them a diet that’s high in protein. That means giving them live or frozen food that’s full of protein.
But here’s the thing – because they like to hunt, they might not be good roommates for shrimp in your aquarium. Even though they’re small, Scarlet Badis fish can still catch and eat shrimp, so it’s better to keep them apart.
Size: 0.8 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
7: Cardinal Tetra Aquarium Fish
Cardinal Tetras look a lot like Neon Tetras, but they’re a different kind of fish with their own special needs. They have the same cool blue and red colours, but if you look closely, you’ll notice some small differences in their shapes and patterns that help tell them apart.
Originally from South America, these little fish prefer to hang out in big groups. They’re like a team that moves together in the tank, although they do enjoy having some alone time now and then.
Cardinal Tetras like to live in tanks that feel natural, with lots of plants and hiding spots made from things like driftwood and rocks.
These fish like their water to be warm, between 73 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. They also prefer water that’s a bit acidic. Some people keep their tanks as low as 4.6 pH, but most try to keep them around 6.0 to keep their Cardinal Tetras happy and healthy.
Size: 2 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 15 20 gallons
8: Fancy Guppies Aquarium Fish
Fancy Guppies are small fish with beautiful, flowing tails that add a burst of colour to your tank. Like Betta fish, they come in lots of different colours and patterns, from solid colours to stripes and spots.
These guppies are peaceful and like to hang out near the top of the water. They’re not fighters, but their bright colours can attract bigger fish looking for a snack.
Breeding Fancy Guppies is easy – they often have babies without any help. As long as the water is right and they have a safe place to lay their eggs, they’ll do their thing! And when the babies are born, they’re already mini versions of the adults.
Size: 2 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 5 10 gallons
9: Betta Aquarium Fish
Betta fish sometimes get a bad rap because they can be feisty. They’re not just aggressive toward other fish, but they might even show off their colours and puff up their gills when people come around to look at them!
But don’t let that scare you away because Betta fish are stunning! They come in lots of different colours, and the ones you usually see in pet stores are males. Male Bettas have these long, flowing fins that look like they’re floating in the water. Females are pretty too, but they might not have such bright colors or fancy fins.
Betta fish are tough and can live in small spaces, which is why you often see them in small containers at stores. But even though they can handle small spaces, it’s important to keep their water clean and just right. Otherwise, they might get sick, like with something called fin rot. So, just like any other pet, Betta fish need a clean home to stay healthy and happy.
Size: 3 inches
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum Tank Size: 5 to 10 gallons
10: Chili Rasbora Aquarium Fish
Chili Rasboras, also known as Mosquito Rasboras, are vibrant little fish that can add a pop of colour to your small tank. They’re mostly pink and red with a cool black stripe that makes them stand out.
Even though they’re eye-catching, these fish can be shy at first. When they’re new to a tank, they like to hide. But don’t worry – once they feel comfortable, they’ll come out and explore.
The best way to help them feel at home is to keep them in a group. Chili Rasboras like being together and will swim around in a cool synchronized way, which looks awesome in your tank!
You can feed them regular dried fish food, but they also love protein snacks like brine shrimp and microworms. Giving them a mix of foods will keep them healthy and happy.
Size: 0.7 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 5 10 gallons
11; Rummy Nose Tetra Fish
Rummy Nose Tetras, originally from the Amazon River Basin, are a great choice for small tanks. They’re not just tiny; they’ve got some cool looks too!
These fish get their name from their bright red heads that stand out against their see-through bodies. Their tails are pretty unique too, with black and white stripes that give them a funky style!
Rummy Nose Tetras are peaceful and like being in groups. They mostly hang out in the middle of the tank, although they’ll swim up to the top to eat. They’re not picky eaters and will happily munch on anything they find, like leftover food or tiny bits of plants.
Size: 2.5 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
12: Peacock Gudgeon Aquarium Fish
The Peacock Gudgeon comes from waters in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Australia. Even though they look a bit like freshwater gobies, they’re a different type of fish altogether.
They have slim bodies with rounded heads and long fins that give them a unique shape. And when it comes to colour, they’re vibrant! Most of them have a shiny blue base with bright red stripes all over. Plus, they’ve got a big black spot on their tails that looks like a peacock feather.
These fish are peaceful and like hanging out with others of their kind. They’re not too hard to take care of, but they can be a bit fussy about their food. They prefer live or frozen snacks, especially ones with lots of protein like brine shrimp or bloodworms.
Size: 3 inches
Difficulty: Beginner Intermediate
Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
13: Asian Stone Catfish
Asian Stone Catfish are tiny catfish that are best fish for small tanks. They have a cool body that blends in with rocks and debris, which helps them hide from bigger fish.
These catfish don’t need much – just a normal tank setup with good oxygen levels. They’re nocturnal, so they hide during the day and come out at night to look for food. They like eating algae but do best with live or frozen food.
Size: 1.5 inches
Difficulty: Beginner Intermediate
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
14: Endler’s Livebearer Aquarium Fish
Endler’s Livebearers have long been considered a colour variation of the common Guppy, but they’re their unique species. While they share a similar look and bright colours with Guppies, Endler’s Livebearers have their distinct traits.
Their bodies are adorned with vibrant colours, often in fluorescent splotches. Males typically boast more vivid hues compared to females. As their name suggests, these fish give birth to live young, and they’re quite easy to breed. They often pair off and reproduce without any help from their owners.
Peaceful and social, Endler’s Livebearers prefer to hang out at the top of the tank. They thrive in groups and can happily coexist with other fish in community setups. Despite their similarities to Guppies, they are a unique and fascinating species in their own right.
Size: 1 2 inches
Difficulty: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
15: Apistogramma Aquarium Fish
Apistogrammas, also known as Dwarf Cichlids, are unique freshwater fish that stand out from the crowd. Despite being part of the Cichlid family, they’re not as feisty as their bigger relatives. These little guys are peaceful and usually get along well with other calm fish. They’re social creatures too, often hanging out in groups near the bottom of the tank.
Looks-wise, Apistogrammas are real showstoppers. They come in lots of different colours, like blue, yellow, and red. Some even have funky dorsal fins that stick up like mohawks!
Even though people often talk about Apistogrammas as one type of fish, there are more than 90 different varieties out there. And scientists are still finding new ones!
Size: 3 inches
Difficulty: Beginner Intermediate
Minimum Tank Size: 20 30 gallons
Aquarium Fish Price
When it comes to buying an aquarium, the price can vary quite a bit. A custom-made aquarium can cost anywhere from $200 to $6000, depending on how big and fancy you want it to be. If you want lots of extras or special customization, it’ll be on the pricier side.
In general, it’s usually cheaper to just buy a ready-made tank instead of getting one custom-made. But if you have specific needs or preferences, a custom build might be worth it because it’ll match exactly what you want.
Small Aquarium Fish That Look Like Sharks
Siamese algae eaters share similarities with sharks in their appearance. These small aquarium fish have bodies shaped akin to sharks, along with fins and eyes that mimic the shark’s features. Their distinct dark black stripe runs along their bodies, while their fins are translucent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Fish Is Best For a Small Aquarium?
Platies are often recommended as the best fish for small aquariums. They are hardy and colourful, and come in various types, making them a fantastic choice for smaller tanks. Their small size makes them well-suited for compact aquarium setups, and their lively behaviour adds vibrancy to the tank.
What Fish Can Go In A Tiny Tank?
For tanks less than 10 gallons, guppies, platies, and common mollies are suitable options. To prevent conflicts, it’s recommended to keep at least 3 of these fish together, ideally with 1 male and 2 3 females.
Which Fish Is Best For Small Aquarium?
The betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, is ideal for small aquariums due to their manageable size and low maintenance requirements. Their vibrant colors and unique personalities make them a popular choice for small tank enthusiasts.
What Is The Easiest Fish To Keep Alive In A Small Tank?
Neon tetras, cory catfish, goldfish, guppies, white cloud minnows, and cherry barbs.
Source
Small Freshwater Fish – 21 Popular Types
Small Fish for Your Freshwater Aquarium
Best Beginner Fish by Tank Size
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