A base color of silver is complemented by random patches of swirly black. Some will be more timid and shy. Commercial pellets and algae wagers work well, too. You get to choose from among the schoolers, the bottom-feeders, the top-dwellers, the clean up crew, etc. In this article, we’ll go through our personal favorite and top 5 centerpiece fish here at Aquarium Co-op. Cory catfish are plump fish with quirky looks. While peaceful, these fish are very timid. They have a specialized organ that allows them to breathe air from the surface. Contrary to its name, The Dwarf Gourami can reach a fairly decent size of above 3 inches. These fish are used to living in soft water filled with plants. However, the color is silvery blue that shimmers in the light. They cannot live with boisterous or aggressive fish. These pint-sized community fish feature bold stripes in colors of bluish-purple and silver. Many tetras are peaceful species that do quite well in community tanks when kept with other species of similar size and temperament. They are very peaceful and can be kept with a wide range of other community fish as long as they won’t be intimidated by their size (they can grow up to 8 inches). Playing next. It prefers temperatures between 72 and 80 degrees and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. But the body is rounder and taller. The largest category of fish is usually describes as being peaceful or “community” species – these fish have mild temperaments and can generally be kept with any other species of community fish. That’s why Elmer’s makes it easy. When it comes to freshwater aquarium fish, species are generally divided into categories based on their temperament. These fish are peaceful and like to group up with others as they explore the tank. It’s striking for its yellow and black striped body. This is a fun looking fish with a splash of different colors. Divers find large whale shark swimming peacefully surrounded by smaller fish. Rams and Severums are also very tolerant of tankmates, the former for smaller tanks, the latter for larger. Six-line wrasse fish are very peaceful despite their size, which can reach 18 cm (7.1 in). Besides, It would also need to be fine with being the only specimen of its species in the aquarium. These are an active and colourful addition to any community tank. As you might have guessed, otocinclus fish like to stick to the bottom of the tank or cling onto smooth surfaces. When most people hear “cichlid,” they think of aggression. They’re also considerably long. Overall, this species is peaceful and playful. There are several types of dwarf gouramis out there. The rest of the body is usually black, brown, or dark gray with subtle spots. You might end up looking for some large fish, or opting for a flurry of smaller ones instead. The pictus catfish spends most of its time scavenging for food on the substrate. What you may not realize is that they can quickly outgrow the community tank and turn into large, aggressive fish. But, their expansive fins provide a cool silhouette. Along with all the other considerations, you want species that prefer different water levels rather than ones that will all congregate at, for example, the top of the tank. Lots of colors and variants exist. Finally, the pectoral, anal, and adipose fins are all black and ray-like in shape. This Dwarf Cichlid will never fail to catch your eyes at the first glance with its striking neon coloration and intricate markings. True to their name, the glass catfish sports a translucent body that makes them quit unique. Next up, we have the cory catfish. Pair that with their penchant for zipping back and forth and you have a fish that’s a joy to observe. Being omnivores, they feed on almost anything from plants to worms, insects, brine, and shrimp. Minimum Tank Size. This fish is a peaceful species but can sometimes get nervous around larger individuals. Just because a fish looks pretty, doesn't make it is nice. Is Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish the new Neon Tetra? They are generally relatively peaceful, if they live in the right conditions – a large enough tank with a peaceful community. The honey gourami is a peaceful species that offers a nice pop of color to community tanks. The fins are mainly transparent. Even in times of stress, they’d much rather hide than cause any trouble. Fish & Aquariums. These fish are truly a joy to own, and are very fun to observe as well! When it comes to choosing fish for a community tank, you need to think as much about the size of your tank as the fish you plan to keep in it. But outside of the breeding season, they’re a delight to have. The shape of this gourami is slender. These fish are small and don’t require a ton of room. Whilst they are omnivorous, they do require much more herbivorous food, than meats. 2 inches. Like any other fish, they require a balanced diet filled with protein and nutrients. Although, Contrary to popular belief, Even a male can fare well as long it’s provided with enough space for himself. Docile and playful, you can usually find them darting around open swimming space with other like-minded species. Peaceful by nature, these fish are enticed by flowing fins. Available at pet stores and fish shops around the world, they are very affordable and easy to come by. Chose peaceful fish . The bala shark is a peaceful fish. These guys are peaceful and hardy, perfect for a community tank with other peaceful fish. Forktail Rainbowfish (Iriatherinawerneri) These fish … You’ll notice stripes of black, pops of red, and subtle hints of iridescent shimmer throughout. They may swim in groups from time to time. Tentacle-like in appearance, they burst from the snout to give the fish its signature look. They’re notorious fin-nippers, so keep these fish away from slow-moving species with flowy fins. I'm just starting up my own aquarium for the 1st time. Although small, platies are very active and love being in groups. Therefore, you should consider it as a big centerpiece fish for your freshwater aquarium. This fish can be kept in a large school – it tends to inhabit the top and middle levels of the water column. They’re quite active and playful. 1 to 1.5 inches and can live up to 10 years. It’s a stocky fish with large rayed fins. However, they are fantastic choices for community tanks, too. White Cloud Mountain minnows are small shoaling fish that need to be in the presence of others. These fish are very peaceful and will get along with pretty much any other fish that isn’t aggressive. Care Level: Advanced; Tank Size: 50 gallons; Temperament: Peaceful; Size: 8 inches; 5. Speaking of which, zebra danios are not aggressive. If you have a big tank feel free to add a large groups of 30 or more of them, they can live together without any issues. The ideal fish you’re looking for are peaceful and adequately sized for your planned tank. Meanwhile, the semi-transparent fins are blue and feature spots of black and red edging. With stripes of red and iridescent blue, they are quite eye-catching. Tank mates have to be docile and relatively mellow. There are many different types of aquarium catfish out there. To make this process easier, we’ve put together a list of the best community fish (with some handy info about each). Learn about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process. Also, these fish normally grow a bit larger than other community fish. They are generally peaceful, but two males can be aggressive to one another. These fish have several colorful accents. The diamond tetra is a stockier fish. They’re also a favorite for those caring for a community tank. A wide range of colors is available, allowing you to build an eye-catching collection of fish! Contrary to popular belief, celestial pearl danios aren’t true shoaling fish. Adult Size. Threadfin rainbowfish are pretty peaceful and don’t cause any trouble. It stands tall, giving the fish its shark-like appearance. Another cichlid that is recommended is the rainbow cichlid, Herotilapia multispinossa. The Dwarf Gourami is a very popular choice for planted aquariums and is known to be generally very peaceful and docile. These are not schooling fish, and will get along with most of the other popular species on our list. But, these fish stay out of the way. Fish Compatibility: How to Build a Peaceful Community Fish Tank ... We often think of predatory fish as large, aggressive creatures, typically in the Family Cichlidae. The body features silvery scales with an iridescent finish that shines a spectrum of colors in the right lighting. They are a great community fish, they’re very peaceful and get along well with guppies and mollies. These fish aren’t known fin-nippers and are more likely to become the target of aggression rather than causing trouble to others. Pearl gouramis aren’t as difficult to care for as many think. While not as common as some other types of tetra species, the diamond tetra makes for an excellent community fish. Despite their size, they can do a lot to keep the aquarium clean. While peaceful, they can mistake smaller fish for food if they’re unlucky enough to venture to the bottom of the tank. Peacock gudgeons are long and slender. They are playful and thrive when they live in tanks filled with vegetation. The blue is usually found towards the belly while the orange highlights the top. They have a quite a different look when compared to most of the other species on our list. In fact, they’re one of the most popular…, Ever since we got into the aquarium scene we’ve been on the lookout for different kinds of colorful…, The 15 Best Types Of Freshwater Aquarium Catfish, The 27 Most Colorful Freshwater Fish For Your Aquarium, Malaysian Trumpet Snail 101: Detailed Info & Care Tips, Bucktooth Tetra 101: Care, Feeding, Aggression, & More, Glowlight Tetra 101: Care, Tank Mates, Breeding & More, Lemon Tetra Care: Diet, Tank Mates, Size, Behavior…. Learn more. Cardinal tetras are often mistaken for their more popular cousins, neon tetras. They are on the smaller side and feature beautiful coloration. Please ensure you buy fish suitable for your tank conditions and tank mates. Shirlie Sharpe. Bigger groups are even better! These fish are very mellow. You have to be very careful about the species you add into one aquarium, as not all can coexist. Neon tetras don’t mind other tank makes. They do best with active fish of a similar size. This peaceful community fish is best to be kept in a small school of 3 to 6 members. Newsflare . The only visible part is a splash of red at the base.