Tag: Freshwater

Rasboras are one of those fish families I keep coming back to after 25 years in this hobby. They’re diverse, peaceful, and ideally suited to the planted nano tanks that have become so popular. The harlequin rasbora is the most iconic. a lot of hobbyists’ first schooling fish. but the family includes chili rasboras, lambchop rasboras, galaxy rasboras (celestial pearl danios), and more, each bringing something distinct to a planted setup. One thing I always mention to people getting started with rasboras: most prefer softer, slightly acidic water. Many will adapt to neutral conditions, but they genuinely thrive when the parameters reflect their natural blackwater habitat. This guide covers 11 of the best species worth considering.

What Are Rasboras?

Rasboras are freshwater fish from the Cyprinidae family. That family might sound familiar because it is the same group that includes other well-known aquarium fish like barbs, goldfish, and koi.

Many of the tiny species were originally placed in the Rasbora genus, butscientists have since split them up into a few different groups. Most of the species in the aquarium trade are from South and Southeast Asia where they live in streams, ponds, and lakes.

Rasboras are some of the smallest fish species known, and most aquarium species grow to just an inch or two in length. These fish are awesome in nano aquariums, and their peaceful temperaments and great colors have made them firm favorites among fishkeepers all over the world!

11 Best Types Of Rasboras For Aquariums

Now that you know a little bit more about rasboras, it’s time to meet 11 great species that you can keep! Below is a video from our YouTube channel. We go into more detail in the blog post below. If you enjoy our content, please make sure to subscribe!

I’ve included the most important information to help you choose the best species for your tank. Take note of the following stats for each species:

• Scientific Name
• Difficulty Level
• Temperament
• Adult Size
• Minimum Tank Size
• Diet
• Origin
• Temperature
• pH
• Difficulty to breed
• Planted tank suitability

So let’s get started!

1. Harlequin Rasbora

• Scientific Name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Temperament: Very peaceful
• Adult Size: 1.5-1.75 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (20 gallons recommended)
• Diet: Carnivorous, provide micropellets/flakes, live and frozen food
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Temperature: 70-82°F
• pH: 5.5-7.5
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The Harlequin rasbora is an amazing schooling fish for community fish tanks. These fish have awesome black triangular markings on their sides, which contrasts with their golden orange color.

Harlequin rasboras are one of the most popular aquarium species sold today because they are so peaceful and easy to care for. Keep a group of 8 or more to see the natural schooling behavior of these neat little fish.

2. Dwarf Emerald

• Scientific Name: Celestichthys erythromicron
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 1 inch
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Diet: Omnivorous, feed micro pellets, and live/frozen food
• Origin: Myanmar
• Temperature: 68-75°F
• pH: 7.5-8
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The dwarf emerald rasbora (video source) is an awesome nano fish for cool water aquariums. They look very similar to galaxy rasboras/ celestial pearl danios and are actually pretty closely related. These tiny fish are really peaceful and don’t get much over an inch in size.

They are can be shy by nature but will be most comfortable and active in a well-planted aquarium. A group of 6 or more dwarf emerald rasboras would be great in a species-only nano tank, but they can also be kept with other peaceful fish of a similar size.

3. Chili Rasbora/ Mosquito

• Scientific Name: Boraras brigittae
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 0.75 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Diet: Carnivorous, provide micropellets/flakes, live and frozen food
• Origin: Borneo
• Temperature: 68-82°F
• pH: 4-7
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

Chili rasboras (video source) are one of the smallest fish species in the fishkeeping hobby and are also known as the mosquito rasbora. For such a small species, these little guys are really adaptable to different conditions, but they do need excellent water quality to thrive.

Chili rasbora fish do best when kept on their own but they can be kept with other small species that won’t out-compete them for food.

4. Blue Axelrodi

• Scientific Name: Sundadanio axelrodi
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 0.75 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
• Diet: Carnivorous, feed live/frozen food
• Origin: Indonesia, Borneo, Sumatra
• Temperature: 73-79°F
• pH: 4-6.5
• Difficulty to breed: advanced
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The blue variety of the axelrodi rasbora (video source) is true schooling fish that should be kept in large groups of 20 or more to really shine.

These tiny fish don’t always accept prepared foods, so be sure to keep a supply of live or frozen foods like daphnia or grindal worms to keep them well-fed.

5. Spotted/ Dwarf

• Scientific Name: Boraras maculatus
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 0.75-1 inch
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Diet: Carnivorous, provide micropellets/flakes, live and frozen food
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Temperature: 68-82°F
• pH: 4-6.5
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The spotted, or dwarf rasbora (video source) is another tiny species that is just perfect for a planted nano tank. This colorful fish has a bright red gill cover and three black spots on its orange body.

The ideal tank mates for dwarf rasboras are shrimp, snails, and other peaceful nano fish. Keep at least ten of these social schooling fish to keep them confident and active.

6. Merah

• Scientific Name: Boraras merah
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 0.75 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Diet: Carnivorous, provide micropellets/flakes, live and frozen food
• Origin: Borneo
• Temperature: 68-82°F
• pH: 4-6.5
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The merah rasbora (video source) is another diminutive species for all the nano fish lovers out there! They are also known as the phoenix rasbora.

This species is very similar to the chili rasbora but is generally less colorful. Like other rasboras, these fish do best in groups because they prefer to school together.

7. Black Harlequin

• Scientific Name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Temperament: Very peaceful
• Adult Size: 1.5-1.75 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Diet: Carnivorous, provide micropellets/flakes, live and frozen food
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Temperature: 70-82°F
• pH: 5.5-7.5
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The black harlequin rasbora is a dark variant of the standard harlequin rasbora. This popular species has been a favorite amongst aquarists for over a century, and it’s easy to see why!

Black harlequin rasboras have the same care needs as the regular species.

8. Green Kubotai

• Scientific Name: Microdevario kubotai
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 0.75 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Diet: Omnivorous, feed micro pellets, flakes, and live/frozen food
• Origin: Thailand, Myanmar
• Temperature: 68-80°F
• pH: 6-7
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The green kubotsai rasbora (video source) has an amazing neon green body color. These tiny shoaling fish are a perfect choice for a planted aquarium.

They can be kept in a species-only tank in groups of 8 or more, or as part of a peaceful nano community.

9. Exclamation Point

• Scientific Name: Boraras urophthalmoides
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 0.5-0.7 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
• Diet: Carnivorous, provide micropellets/flakes, live and frozen food
• Origin: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand
• Temperature: 68-82°F
• pH: 6-7
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The exclamation point rasbora (video source) is another incredible nano fish from the Boraras genus. If the word Boraras sounds strangely familiar, that’s because this name is an anagram of the word rasbora.

The exclamation point is one of the smaller rasbora species that you would come across at just half an inch or so in length. It gets its name from the combination of a line and a dot on the fish’s body, which make a perfect exclamation point!

10. Emerald Eye

• Scientific Name: Brevibora dorsiocellata
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 1.5 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Diet: Carnivorous, provide micropellets/flakes, live and frozen food
• Origin: Thailand, Sumatra, Malaysia,
• Temperature: 68-77°F
• pH: 5-7.5
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The emerald eye rasbora is a great-looking schooling fish. These fish have beautiful iridescent green markings from their eyes right down to their tails.

These small rasboras are very peaceful and stay small, making them an ideal choice for a soft water community setup.

11. Scissortail

Scissortail Rasbora in Planted Tank” class=”wp-image-552942″/>

• Scientific Name: Rasbora trilineata
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Adult Size: 6 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
• Diet: Carnivorous, provide micropellets/flakes, live and frozen food
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Temperature: 73-77°F
• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Difficulty to breed: Moderate
• Planted tank suitability: Yes

The scissortail rasbora grows to a size of 6 inches, making it a giant of the rasbora world! Scissortail rasboras get their name from the interesting way they twitch their caudal fin.

Like the other rasboras, these schooling fish do best in groups. Scissortail rasboras are a large and active species, so naturally, they need a fairly large tank to have enough room.

Other Species

Just in case 11 species wasn’t enough, here are a few more bonus rasboras that you can look out for!

• Galaxy rasbora/ Celestial pearl danio –Danio margaritatus
• Blackline rasbora-Rasbora borapetensis
• Clown rasbora-Rasbora kalochroma
• Brilliant rasbora- Rasbora einthovenii

Tank Setup

Rasboras make great nano fish for small aquariums. Even though they may be tiny, they tend to be very active fish, so a minimum tank size of about 10 gallons is recommended for most of the smaller species.

Substrate & Decor

Sand or gravel makes a fine substrate for most rasboras, although a complete aqua soil is often a better choice for planted tanks because rasboras do best in aquariums with abundant aquatic plant growth.

Adding some driftwood and plenty of live plants will help these fish feel more at home in the aquarium. Plants like Java ferns, cryptocorynes, and amazon swords are great choices because they are easy to grow and don’t need powerful lighting.

Lighting & Filtration

Specialized lighting is not necessary for your rasbora aquarium. While bright light is great for a planted tank, it’s not necessarily the best choice for these fish.

Most rasboras prefer fairly dim lighting in the aquarium. Growing some red root floaters or other species of floating plants is a good idea because it helps maintain the dim light these fish prefer.

Rasboras are small fish that prefer still or slow-flowing water. A simple sponge filter will provide adequate filtration for most species.

For a more compact and aesthetic option, a hang-on back or internal power filter can also be used. Just be sure to set up a prefilter sponge over the intake to prevent any tiny fish from getting sucked in.

Whichever filter you prefer, make sure it is capable of excellent mechanical and biological filtration, especially if you are keeping your rasboras in a nano aquarium.

Care

Now that you know how to set up a great home for your fish, it’s time to learn how to keep them healthy. Rasboras are pretty easy to care for if you can maintain good water quality and feed them a quality diet. Choosing the right tankmates is also very important since these fish are so small.

Read on to learn about all of these things and more!

Aquarium maintenance

Most rasboras require great water quality, and that’s why regular aquarium maintenance is so important. This might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but it’s really not such a bad deal.

Get into the habit of performing a partial water change every week, especially if you keep a nano aquarium. You can use your test kit to monitor the nitrate levels- that way you’ll know if you’re changing enough water.

Use a gravel vacuum to suck out any solid waste particles from the substrate and give your aquarium glass a good clean with your algae scraper. Once you’re done, you can sit back and admire a beautiful tank with happy rasboras for the rest of the week!

Behavior & Feeding

Most species of rasboras available in the aquarium trade are considered micro predators. In their natural freshwater habitats, they feed on tiny crustaceans and other invertebrates.

In the home aquarium, these fish prefer to feed on frozen and live foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Most species will feed on dried foods like fish flakes and tropical granules, however. A good food to try is Xtreme Aquatic Foods Nano formula.

Breeding

Breeding rasboras is not very difficult. In fact, healthy adult fish will breed freely in many home aquariums. These fish produce eggs on a regular basis, so don’t be too surprised if you see some tiny fry in your tank!

Rasboras aren’t that big on eating eggs, but there are no guarantees that the eggs will be left to hatch. Fortunately, the eggs hatch after just a day or so, and the fry begin swimming 2 or 3 days after that. They will have the best chance of survival if your tank is heavily planted, and contains only rasboras.

Setting up a small breeding tank will give you a much higher success rate. A small tank with a sponge filter, some floating plants, and some broadleaved plants is ideal for this purpose. Place a conditioned pair into the tank and, with some luck, the female will lay some eggs on the underside of a leaf.

After the pair have finished breeding, they should be moved back to their regular display tank. The fry grow very fast but must be fed on tiny food like infusoria until they are able to progress to baby brine shrimp.

Tankmates

Rasboras make great fish for community tanks because they are so peaceful. Most rasbora species will get along perfectly with similarly sized community nano fish, as long as they all enjoy the same water parameters.

Let’s take a look at some ideal tank mates:

• Smaller species of corydoras catfish
• Kuhli loaches and other small peaceful loaches
• Dwarf gouramis
• Cardinal tetras

The smallest species from the Boraras genus tend to do best in a species-only tank. They can, however, be kept with inverts like:

• Adults of most species of dwarf freshwater shrimp
• Aquarium snails

Where to Buy

Some of the different rasbora species are very common in the aquarium trade. Your local fish store probably sells a few popular species, and it’s always worth asking if they can track down something they don’t have in stock.

These days the greatest selection of species can be found online. Quality retailers like Flipaquatics.com are worth checking out because they stock a wide range of great nano fish.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Rasboras are probably the best nano schooling fish in the aquarium hobby. These fish are small, peaceful, colorful, and pretty easy to care for. If you’re looking for a fish to put into a planted nano tank, look no further!

Which is your favorite rasbora species? Let me know in the comments below!

---

📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide. your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.

Table of Contents

• What Most Care Guides Get Wrong About 20 Great Coldwater Aquarium Fish (No Heater Required)
• What Is A Coldwater Aquarium Fish?
• 15 Best Tanks
• Coldwater Tank Setup
• Setting Up A Coldwater Community Tank
• Where To Buy
• FAQs
• What About Koi?
• Is the 20 Great Coldwater Aquarium Fish (No Heater Required) Right for You?
• How the 20 Great Coldwater Aquarium Fish (No Heater Required) Compares to Similar Species
• Final Thoughts

Most beginners assume every aquarium needs a heater. but some of the best fish in the hobby actually prefer cool water, and a few will suffer if kept too warm. After 25 years in this hobby, I’ve seen countless coldwater fish kept in heated tropical tanks because it’s “convenient.” Short-term they look fine. Long-term they’re stressed, their immune systems are compromised, and they live a fraction of their potential lifespan. In this guide I’m covering 20 coldwater aquarium fish I’d genuinely recommend, with honest notes on the temperature range each species actually needs to thrive. not just survive.

What Most Care Guides Get Wrong About 20 Great Coldwater Aquarium Fish (No Heater Required)

The most common mistake I see with 20 great coldwater aquarium fish (no heater required)s is keeping too few. Guides will say “minimum 6” and leave it at that. In reality, these fish behave completely differently in a proper group of 8 to 10 or more. Keeping just 3 or 4 often leads to stress, hiding, and fin nipping that wouldn’t happen in a larger school. Another thing most guides miss is how much lighting and decor affect this species. 20 Great Coldwater Aquarium Fish (No Heater Required)s look washed out under bright white LEDs on a light substrate. Dim the lights, add some tannins, use a dark background, and you’ll see colors you didn’t know they had. I’ve also noticed that many care sheets recommend overly broad water parameters. Yes, 20 great coldwater aquarium fish (no heater required)s are adaptable. But “adaptable” doesn’t mean they’ll thrive in just anything.

What Is A Coldwater Aquarium Fish?

Cold water aquarium fish can survive in temperatures of 70°F or lower. They are species that come from the subtropical and temperate parts of the world where the water isn’t always warm.

Unlike most tropical fish, cold-water fish do not need a heater to survive in the home aquarium. These fish are at home in the same temperatures that most people are, so the natural room temperature of your home is usually fine for them.

The Advantages

Keeping coldwater fish can have some real benefits for aquarists and the fish themselves. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might choose to keep cold-water fish over tropical species.

You Don’t Need A Heater

Not needing a heater to keep the water temperature in the comfortable range has a few benefits that you might not realize.

Firstly, you don’t need to buy an aquarium heater or pay for the energy they use. In this hobby, every cent counts right? You can also think of this as a more eco-friendly option.

Heaters can be unsightly too, so you’re also able to create a more natural-looking aquarium, and reduce the amount of hardware and electrical cords you need to hide.

It Can Be Safer

Power interruptions are a fact of life for many people. With an unheated tank, you don’t need to panic when the power goes out.

Even when the lights stay on, aquarium heaters can still malfunction. This is another thing you don’t have to worry about with an unheated tank.

Less Cleaning

Algae thrive in warm water, and this can be a real challenge in planted tropical fish tanks. Coldwater can be a real blessing in heavily planted aquariums and aquascapes because the plants and glass are less likely to be covered.

15 Best Tanks

Now that you know what a cold-water fish is, it’s time to get to know some of the best species for your aquarium. I’ll be listing some important stats for each species, so you can make sure you’re making the right choice. These are:

• The fish’s scientific name
• Its size when fully grown
• How easy it is to care for
• The minimum suitable tank size
• The fish’s temperament
• What the fish eats
• Where it comes from
• The water temperature the fish prefers
• It’s swimming level in the aquarium

So let’s meet them now! You can see our YouTube Video below from our channel and also follow along in our blog post:

Let’s meet our fish!

1. Japanese Rice

• Scientific Name: Oryzias latipes
• Adult Size: 1.5 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Carnivore, feed dried, live & frozen foods
• Origin: Eastern Asia
• Water Temperature: 64-71°F
• Swimming Level: All levels

The Japanese rice fish or Medaka fish is a great coldwater species for nano tanks. They get their name because they are often found living wild in rice paddies.

The wild type is not the most colorful fish out there, but they are amazing to watch. A golden variety, as well as some genetically modified glowing varieties, have also been developed if you’re looking for more color. These tiny schooling fish will be happiest if kept in groups of 8 or more.

2. Bloodfin Tetra

• Scientific Name: Aphyocharax anisitsi
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive, nips fins
• Diet: Carnivore, feed dried, live & frozen foods
• Origin: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
• Water Temperature: 64-82°F
• Swimming Level: Midwater

The bloodfin tetra is a great schooling fish for unheated aquariums. Their blood-red fins give these silvery fish a striking look in the aquarium.

They are very hardy fish that are adaptable to a wide range of water temperatures, which means you don’t have to worry if it gets a little warmer than usual. These long-lived tetras regularly survive for over 5 years, especially if kept in groups of 6 or more.

3. White Cloud Mountain Minnow

• Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
• Adult Size: 1.5 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Carnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: China
• Water Temperature: 58-72°F
• Swimming Level: Midwater

White cloud mountain minnows are one of the best cold-water fish in the aquarium hobby. These schooling fish get their name from the White cloud mountain in China¹, where they can be found living wild.

These peaceful fish are available in some awesome varieties including gold and long-finned types. They prefer cooler water temperatures and are easy to care for. The white cloud mountain minnow is a great choice for a community tank if kept with other peaceful fish.

4. Panda Corydoras

• Scientific Name: Corydoras panda
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Care Level: Easy-moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivore, feed sinking dried foods, live and frozen supplements
• Origin: Peru
• Water Temperature: 68-77°F
• Swimming Level: Bottom

Panda corydoras get their name from their bold black and white markings and black eyestripe. These adorable catfish are great for cold water aquariums, even though commercially bred individuals are less fussy about water temperatures than wild-caught fish.

Panda cory catfish are very peaceful and social bottom feeders that will be most confident in a school of 6 or more.

5. Guppies

• Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
• Adult Size: 1-2.5 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivores, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: South America and the Caribbean
• Water Temperature: 63-82°F
• Swimming Level: All levels

Guppies are one of the most popular pet fish on the planet. They are very adaptable and do just as well as cold-water fish as they do in a community tank with tropical fish. These peaceful fish have been bred to display an amazing variety of colors.

Guppies are livebearers, which means they give birth to live fry instead of laying eggs. It is best to keep only one sex if you don’t want these fish to multiply in your aquarium.

6. Endler’s Livebearer

• Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei
• Adult Size: 1-1.8 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivores, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: Venezuela, South America
• Water Temperature: 64-84°F
• Swimming Level: All levels

Endler’s livebearers are another awesome nano species for coldwater aquariums. These tiny fish look very similar to guppies, but they stay much smaller at under 2 inches in length. They are not cold-water fish specifically, but they are very hardy and will do great in an unheated tank in a warm home.

7. Bristle Nose Pleco

• Scientific Name: Ancistrus sp.
• Adult Size: 4-5 inches
• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Herbivore, feed algae wafers & vegetables
• Origin: Argentina
• Water Temperature: 70-79°F
• Swimming Level: Bottom

The bristle nose pleco is an unusual fish that is very useful for eating algae. Most people assume these fish can only be kept in tropical aquariums, but they are comfortable in most unheated aquariums and many aquarists have even managed to keep them with goldfish.

Bristlenose plecos are vegetarian fish that need plenty of driftwood to graze on. They are such efficient algae eaters that you’ll need to supplement their diet with spirulina wafers and veggies to keep them well fed. The pleco pictured above is the Albino breed.

8. Dojo Loach

• Scientific Name: Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
• Adult Size: 6-12 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Carnivore, feed sinking dried foods
• Origin: Central & Eastern Asia
• Water Temperature: 59-77°F
• Swimming Level: Bottom

The dojo loach is a great coldwater fish species for larger aquariums. Some aquarists even keep these interesting loach fish in outdoor ponds with Koi.

The dojo loach is also known as the weather loach because they become more active when the barometric pressure changes. These interesting fish can reach up to 12 inches in length, which means they should be kept in a freshwater aquarium that holds at least 55 gallons.

9. Rosy Barb

https://youtu.be/HJmNdqwZE_Y

• Scientific Name: Pethia conchonius
• Adult Size: 3 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 25 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan
• Water Temperature: 60-75°F
• Swimming Level: Midwater

Rosy barbs are another great species for unheated tanks. These beautiful fish have large, highly reflective scales and come in some amazing varieties like the long-fins and neons (video source).

They are social cyprinids that like to swim in larger schools, so pick up a group of 10 or more if possible. These schooling fish are easy to care for, but not the best choice for planted tanks because they tend to nibble on leaves.

10. Gold Barb

Gold Tetra in Aquarium” class=”wp-image-552736″/>

• Scientific Name: Barbodes semifasciolatus
• Adult Size: 2.5-3 inches
• Care Level: Peaceful
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Diet: Omnivore, feed dried, frozen, and live foods
• Origin: China, Vietnam, Taiwan
• Water Temperature: 61-75°F
• Swimming Level: Bottom, midwater

Gold barbs are a great choice for cold water tanks with lower water temperatures. These social fish are also known as the Chinese barb fish and they should be kept in a school of at least 8.

Although wild gold barbs are greenish, the fish in the aquarium trade have been bred to have an amazing golden body color with dark blotches and reddish eyes and fins. A cool albino form is also available from time to time.

11. Axolotl

• Scientific Name: Ambystoma mexicanum
• Adult Size: 6-12 inches
• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Diet: Carnivore, feed pellets, frozen or live food
• Origin: Mexico
• Water Temperature: 57-68°F
• Swimming Level: Bottom

The axolotl is also known as the Mexican walking fish, but did you know that these amazing animals are not really fish at all? Axolotls are actually amphibians, just like frogs and salamanders! These creatures make amazing and unusual pets for freshwater aquariums.

Axolotls spend their whole lives underwater and do best when kept on their own. This is because they have a tendency to eat nano fish or even each other! They need cool water and are more active in low lighting because they are nocturnal.

12. Fancy Goldfish

• Scientific Name: Carassius auratus
• Adult Size: 6-8 inches
• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: China and Eastern Asia
• Water Temperature: 65-72°F
• Swimming Level: Midwater

Goldfish are more than just feeder fish. The fancy goldfish is one of the best cold-water fish and one of the most popular pets in the world!

These fish are available in a huge range of different breeds, including amazing fish like orandas, ranchus, and bubble-eyes. Fancy goldfish can reach over 8 inches in length, and they need a larger tank than you might think, so don’t be tempted to set them up in a goldfish bowl from your local fish store.

13. Sunset Variatus

• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus variatus
• Adult Size: 2-2.8 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: Mexico
• Water Temperature: 68-79°F
• Swimming Level: All levels

The sunset variatus is another great little livebearer for a cold water tank. This morph of the variable platy has amazing red and yellow colors, just like the sky at sunset. Sunset variatus prefer higher pH water conditions, just like many other livebearers.

14. Celestial Pearl Danio

• Scientific Name: Celestichthys margaritatus
• Adult Size: 0.75 inches
• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: Myanmar, Thailand
• Water Temperature: 68-78°F
• Swimming Level: Midwater

The celestial pearl danio is an awesome nano fish species that looks amazing in a heavily planted tank. These fish are also known as galaxy rasboras or just CPDs for short.

They are fairly timid fish that prefer cooler water temperatures. Celestial pearl danios can be kept with other fish, provided their tank mates are peaceful and stay small.

15. Zebra Danio

• Scientific Name: Brachydanio rerio
• Adult Size: 1.5-2 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Carnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: India
• Water Temperature: 70-82°F
• Swimming Level: Top, Midwater

The zebra danio is another great cold-water fish that is really underrated in the aquarium hobby. Zebra danios are peaceful and hardy fish that are easy to care for. Zebra danios are fast swimming, active danio fish that are amazing in community tanks and get along with many fish.

16. Paradise

• Scientific Name: Macropodus opercularis
• Adult Size: 3 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Diet: Carnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: South and East Asia
• Water Temperature: 50-71°F
• Swimming Level: Top, Midwater

The paradise fish is also known as the paradise gourami or the Chinese fighting fish. These beautiful fish are related to betta fish and have all the colors of a tropical species, but are happy in an unheated tank.

Paradise fish have a reputation for being aggressive fish and do best in a species-only tank. Keep a single male and 2 or more females if you plan on keeping a group of these feisty fish.

17. Mosquito

• Scientific Name: Gambusia affinis
• Adult Size: 1.5-2.5 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Diet: Omnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: USA and Mexico
• Water Temperature: 50-84°F
• Swimming Level: All levels

The mosquito fish is a small fish species that is usually kept outdoors in ponds as a mosquito larvae control. They can actually make a really fascinating cold water pet fish, however.

One thing to note is that mosquito fish can be pretty aggressive and are known to nip the fins of their tank mates. They are very hardy fish and make an interesting choice for an unheated nano tank.

18. Asian Stone Catfish

• Scientific Name: Hara jerdoni
• Adult Size: 1.2 inches
• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Carnivore, feed live and frozen foods
• Origin: Bangladesh, India
• Water Temperature: 64-75°F
• Swimming Level: Bottom

The Asian stone catfish (video source) is a unique little nocturnal fish for unheated aquariums. They are not super active fish and make a great choice for a nano tank.

The Asian stone catfish can also be kept in a community tank as long as its tank mates are also small and peaceful. Feeding them at night is recommended because they are clumsy and the other fish can easily out-compete them for slow sinking food like frozen brine shrimp.

19. Rosy Red Minnows

https://youtu.be/JFi6xF2fVkI

• Scientific Name: Pimephales promelas
• Adult Size: 3 inches
• Care Level: Easy
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivore, feed dried, live, and frozen foods
• Origin: Canada, USA, Mexico
• Water Temperature: 50-78°F
• Swimming Level: Midwater

Rosy red minnows are more often used as bait and feeder fish than kept as pets. That’s a shame because they are great-looking fish that are perfect for cold water tanks! Rosy red minnows can be kept in a huge range of water temperatures and are even good for ponds outdoors.

20. Pygmy Sunfish

• Scientific Name: Elassoma evergladei
• Adult Size: 1.4 inches
• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful, shy
• Diet: Carnivore, feed live and frozen food
• Origin: USA
• Water Temperature: 50-72°F
• Swimming Level: Bottom, midwater

The pygmy sunfish (picture source) is a cute little fish that is native to the Southeastern United States. The breeding males have stunning iridescent blue and black colors.

Pygmy sunfish are not usually seen in fish stores, although they do great in unheated aquariums. These tiny fish are actually more popular with fish keepers over in Europe than in their native North America.

Coldwater Tank Setup

Setting up a coldwater tank is just the same as setting up a tropical tank, only you won’t be using a heater. If you live in a tropical climate, however, you might need to take some steps to manage the water temperatures.

Managing Your Tank In Warm Climates

When summer comes along and temperatures in the house begin to rise, keeping your cool water fish comfortable can be tough! Here’s a list of 6 great tips on keeping your fish cool:

1. Monitor the temperature

The most important tool for managing the temperature in your cold water aquarium is a thermometer. A cost-effective solution is to use a simple glass thermometer and keep an eye on it whenever it feels a little warm in your home.

An even better option is to use a digital thermometer with a programmable alarm. This way, you can set the device to alert you when the water temperature rises beyond a certain point. Pretty smart!

2. Use minimal equipment

Knowing the actual temperature in your tank is one thing, but what can you do to keep the temperature in the safe range for your fish?

The first thing to do is switch off or remove any unnecessary equipment in the tank. Things like lights and powerheads give off small amounts of heat and can be switched off temporarily without any harm.

It’s not only the hardware inside your tank that can warm up the water, however. Computers, televisions, refrigerators, and all sorts of appliances can warm up the air around your aquarium.

3. Choose the right lighting

You might not realize it, but some aquarium lights produce plenty of heat. Not all types of aquarium lighting produce the same amount of heat, however.

Switch to LED lighting if your lights are creating heat. This is the best option for keeping your coldwater fish comfortable.

4. Turn on the AC

The temperature of the water in your aquarium is directly affected by the temperature of the air in the room. You can keep your aquarium water temperature down by keeping the room cool with air conditioning. This might not be the most energy-efficient method, but it is very effective! Another alternative is using a mobile AC system.

5. Choose the right location

Not all areas of your home have the same temperature. The north side of your house will usually be cooler than the south if you live in America, Europe, or anywhere north of the equator.

Heat always rises, so the coolest part of your home will usually be downstairs or in the basement. Direct sunlight can heat the water in your tank, even if the air temperature is cool. Never set up an aquarium where it will receive direct sunlight.

6. Cool the water

You will need to cool down the water in your tank if you’ve followed all the tips above, and the water temperature is still rising too much.

The best way to do this is to use an aquarium chiller. These devices are not cheap, but they are very effective because they refrigerate the water. Aquarium chillers can be programmed to maintain a stable, constant temperature of your choice.

A less reliable, but much cheaper option is to run an airstone and an aquarium fan on the water surface. This works best in a tank with no hood. A mesh screen might be necessary though because many fish species can jump out of their tank.

Whichever method you use, make sure you change the temperature gradually to avoid stressing your fish.

Filtration

All aquariums should have good quality filtration to keep the water quality safe, and the tank looking beautiful. Coldwater tanks are no exception, and you can use the same varieties of aquarium filters as you would in a tropical setup.

An air-powered sponge filter is a great option because they do not create any heat and actually help to cool the water slightly. An external canister filter will provide superior filtration, however, and has the added benefit of not cluttering up the tank.

Tank Maintenance

Regular tank maintenance is really important for keeping your coldwater fish healthy and happy. A nice clean tank also looks great, so you can enjoy watching your fish even more. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Testing

Being able to test your water parameters is really important for maintaining your fish tank. Firstly, testing will show you the pH and hardness of your water, which is very important for most species.

Testing for ammonia and nitrite will also allow you to determine whether your aquarium is cycled or not, and whether it’s safe to start introducing fish to a new tank.

Lastly, regular testing for nitrate levels is necessary to work out the perfect maintenance schedule for your tank.

Aquarium test kits are super easy to use, just make sure you buy a kit that can measure the following parameters:

• pH
• GH
• KH
• Ammonia
• Nitrite
• Nitrate

Water Changes

In a healthy, cycled aquarium, beneficial bacteria break down harmful chemicals known as ammonia and nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate is a lot less toxic, but in large concentrations, this compound can still be dangerous.

Growing plenty of live plants can help to lower the level of nitrates in your tank, but the best way is to physically remove them by replacing some of the water. Use your test kit to measure the nitrate in your water. Ideally, you should try to keep the nitrate levels below 20 parts per million.

The process of performing a partial water change is simple. Start by preparing some fresh water. Use a water conditioner to neutralize any chemicals and allow the water to reach the same temperature as your tank water. You will need the same amount of water as you plan on removing.

Next, suck out water from the bottom of the tank with your gravel vacuum and into a bucket or drain. This will remove all the waste particles that have settled on the substrate.

All you have to do now is add the new water to the tank. Pour it in slowly to avoid stirring up the substrate and uprooting any plants.

Other Maintenance Tasks

You’ll also want to clean the algae off your aquarium glass from time to time. You can do this whenever necessary, but I suggest doing this just before your water change. That way you can suck up any loose algae!

You’ll also need to rinse out your aquarium filter media from time to time. There are colonies of beneficial bacteria that live in the filter media of a cycled freshwater aquarium. They are sensitive to tap water, so remember to clean your filter media in the water you have removed from the tank.

Setting Up A Coldwater Community Tank

You can set up an awesome unheated community tank, even though the options are a little more limited. Read on for some handy tips to help you stock your cold water tank.

Choosing Tank Mates

Choosing the right tank mates is essential to ensure that all your pets get along in the aquarium. The most important factors when selecting tank mates are:

• Temperature compatibility
• Other parameters like pH and hardness
• Size and aggression levels

Live Plants

Coldwater aquariums are not only for fish. You can also grow a variety of awesome live plants in an unheated tank. The following beginner live plant species are all great options:

• Ludwigia repens
• Java moss
• Java fern
• Amazon sword

You’ll need to read up on the needs of each plant species to learn how to care for them because their needs do vary.

What About Freshwater Tank Shrimp And Snails?

The good news is that you can keep freshwater invertebrates in a coldwater tank too! Not all inverts like cool water, however.

The following species are safe bets:

• Cherry shrimp (Neocardinia) – Minimum temperature 65°F
• Caridina shrimp – Minimum temperature 64°F
• Amano shrimp – Minimum temperature 64°F
• Malaysian trumpet snails – Minimum temperature 65°F
• Japanese trapdoor snail – Minimum temperature 68°F

Shrimp and snails are great because they help to keep your aquarium clean. Shrimp don’t always make the best tank mates for community tanks, however. Some cold-water species like paradise fish will probably see your shrimp as a tasty snack!

Where To Buy

You can usually find the more popular coldwater species at your local fish stores. Another great place to shop aquarium fish is online, especially if you’re looking for specific fish species.

FAQs

What About Koi?

Koi carp are an amazing coldwater fish, however, they require a large pond and their care are beyond the scope of this blog post. I felt it was best to cover them separate to not confuse readers. If you want to learn more about Koi, check out koi care articles.

Is the 20 Great Coldwater Aquarium Fish (No Heater Required) Right for You?

Before you add a 20 great coldwater aquarium fish (no heater required) to your tank, it’s worth asking whether this species actually fits your setup and your goals. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide.

This species is a good fit if:

• You have a large enough tank to manage territories. Cramped conditions amplify aggression.
• You’re comfortable managing aggression through stocking ratios, line of sight breaks, and tank layout.
• You can commit to regular water changes. These fish produce more waste than many smaller species.
• You’re not planning a peaceful community tank. 20 Great Coldwater Aquarium Fish (No Heater Required)s need tank mates that can hold their own.
• You enjoy watching active, interactive fish. Cichlids have personality that smaller species simply don’t match.
• You have backup plans. Sometimes a particular fish just doesn’t work out, and you need a way to rehome it.
• You’re feeding a varied, high-quality diet. Color and health depend on nutrition.

If most of those points line up with your setup, the 20 great coldwater aquarium fish (no heater required) is worth serious consideration. If several don’t, it’s better to choose a species that matches your tank now rather than trying to make it work.

How the 20 Great Coldwater Aquarium Fish (No Heater Required) Compares to Similar Species

Choosing between similar species can be tricky. Here’s how the 20 great coldwater aquarium fish (no heater required) stacks up against some common alternatives.

The 20 great coldwater aquarium fish (no heater required) occupies a specific niche in the aquarium hobby, and direct comparisons really depend on what you’re looking for. In my experience, the most common question people ask is whether they should choose the 20 great coldwater aquarium fish (no heater required) or something similar that’s more widely available. The answer usually comes down to three things: tank size, water parameters, and what other fish you’re keeping. If your setup matches what the 20 great coldwater aquarium fish (no heater required) needs, it’s hard to beat. If not, there are usually alternatives worth exploring.

Final Thoughts

Cold water aquarium fish are underrated in the hobby. Many of them are super easy to care for and make awesome pets. If you’re looking to start up a new tank, maybe you should think about ditching the heater and stocking some of the fish on this list!

What’s your favorite cold water fish species? Let me know below!

Freshwater angelfish are one of the species I get asked about most. and after 25 years in this hobby, I still find them genuinely fascinating. That elegant, disc-shaped profile stands out in any tank, and the variety of color morphs and fin types that’ve been selectively bred is impressive. But there are things people don’t always know before they buy: angelfish are cichlids, which means they’re territorial, they pair-bond, and they will absolutely eat small fish like neon tetras. That “angelfish ate my neons” story is as old as the hobby itself. All those beautiful color varieties. silver, black, koi, marble, gold. are the same species (Pterophyllum scalare), just selectively bred. This guide covers 15 of the most popular types to help you find the right fit for your tank.

Freshwater angelfish are one of the most common and popular aquarium fish in the hobby. You only have to look at them to see why! These beautiful fish for freshwater aquariums have a distinctive body shape and great colors and markings.

What Is An Angelfish?

Freshwater angelfish are South American cichlids of the Pterophyllum genus. These graceful and elegant fish are relatively peaceful as far as cichlids go, and are popular as community fish for home aquariums.

Angelfish are hardy tropical fish that can live as long as a decade in a well-maintained fish tank. These fish have been captive-bred in the aquarium hobby for generations and are available in an amazing variety of different breeds today.

There are 3 wild species of freshwater angelfish known in the freshwater aquarium hobby:

• Common angelfish- Pterophyllum scalare

Most of the angelfish found in the aquarium trade are varieties of this species.

• Altum angelfish- Pterophyllum altum

This large species is seen less often but is pretty well known in the hobby.

• Leopold’s angelfish- Pterophyllum leopoldi

The last species is very rare in the hobby, but is the smallest of the three and does very well in aquariums.

15 Angelfish Types for your aquarium

Now that you know a little more about these popular tropical fish, it’s time to dive right in and get to know some of the best types that you can keep in your own fish tank.

For each type, I’ll be providing some important information like:

• Which species they are
• Their size when fully grown
• How they look and what makes them unique

Check out our YouTube video below from our channel. We go into further detail in our blog. Give us a sub if you like our content!

So let’s get started!

1. Altum

Altum Angelfish in Planted Tank” class=”wp-image-551860″/>

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum altum
• Adult Size: 7 inches long, 10 inches deep
• Color: Silver, gold, and black
• Unique Traits: Largest angelfish

The altum angelfish is a relatively rare species that is larger and deeper-bodied than the more common aquarium varieties. They are also known as the Orinoco angelfish after one of the South American rivers where they are found.

These angelic fish look amazing and usually have silver coloration with only three stripes. They are a great choice for more experienced aquarists because they are a challenging but rewarding species to keep.

2. Koi Angel-Fish

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: White, yellow/orange, black
• Unique Traits: Tricolor with unique markings

The koi angelfish is one of the most popular types of angelfish and it is easy to see why! Each koi angelfish is unique which makes them highly sought after, and often more expensive.

This variant typically has three colors (tricolor) like the Asian koi carp. These colors are white, black, and golden orange/yellow. Koi angelfish are eyecatching fish that make a great centerpiece fish in community aquariums.

3. Panda

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Black and white
• Unique Traits: Variably marked in black and white

The panda angelfish (video source) is a bold variant of the popular angelfish. These black and white angelfish can have various markings, making each individual unique.

4. Albino Dantum

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum sp.
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: White
• Unique Traits: Tall body and long fins

Albino dantum angelfish (LFS Source) are another amazing angelfish breed. These fish have red eyes and visible, but uncolored vertical stripes. The exact species of the breed is unknown, and they might even be a hybrid between two different species.

5. Fluorescent

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Pink
• Unique Traits: Bright, fluorescent color

The fluorescent angelfish (video source) is a genetically modified breed. These fish are very rare and were first developed by researchers in Taiwan. One thing is for certain though, these pink angels are the most colorful angelfish breed in the hobby!

6. Chocolate Angelfish

https://youtu.be/p1YXZM6SP2U

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color Pattern: Brown and silver
• Unique Traits: Dark body and silvery head

Chocolate angelfish (video source) have a dark pigmentation that usually begins just behind the gills and covers most of the body. Their heads are typically silvery grey in color. This bold breed often has grey patches on the dark chocolate-colored sides of the body.

7. Platinum

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Silvery white
• Unique Traits: Solid/ Uniform

The platinum angelfish is a dazzling breed with all-white coloration. These fish are not albino, however, and have black eyes.

Platinum angelfish really stand out in a tank with good lighting and a dark background.

8. Leopard

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Black and golden yellow
• Unique Traits: Variable markings

The leopard angelfish is a breed that has very variable markings. The spotted coloration of the leopard angelfish is most obvious when the fish are young and reared in good lighting. The markings often merge into a solid dark color as the fish mature.

9. Veiltail

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Variable
• Unique Traits: Long, flowing fins

Veiltail or veil angelfish are bred for their wonderful flowing fins. These angelic fish come in a variety of different colors and patterns.

They are a little clumsier than regular finned breeds so they do better in tanks with a slow water flow. They should also not be housed with any tank mates that might want to nip at their incredible finnage.

10. Ghost

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Variable
• Unique Traits: Stripeless sides

Ghost angelfish (video source) have genetics that prevents them from developing the bold stripes of typical angelfish. They usually have a silver body, but darker variants like the black ghost are also available.

11. Gold

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Golden
• Unique Traits: Stripeless

Gold angelfish have a solid pale golden color over their entire body. This breed has been in the aquarium trade since the 1960s when they were first accidentally bred. Gold angelfish show the most color towards the top of the head and have no black coloration.

12. Albino

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Pink/white
• Unique Traits: No pigment and pink/red eyes

Albino angelfish have no pigment and therefore have a whitish pink overall coloration and distinctive pink/red eyes. While albino angelfish are very unusual and interesting, they tend to be less hardy than naturally colored forms.

13. Black

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Black
• Unique Traits: Dark body and red eyes

Black angelfish are almost completely black, and usually do not have any white pigmentation. This dramatic-looking breed typically has red eyes which stand out against their dark body color.

14. Blue

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: Blue and silver
• Unique Traits: Blue color

The blue angelfish is a beautiful breed that has a powdery blue tint to its silvery body. The verticle black bars may be fainter in fish with the blue gene than in other breeds, but will usually still be visible.

15. Redcap

• Angelfish Species: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult Size: 6 inches long, 8 inches deep
• Color: silvery-white and orange
• Unique Traits: Red head cap

The redcap angelfish (video source) is a distinctive breed with a white body and orange ‘cap’. The orange coloration extends roughly from the fish’s mouth to the start of the dorsal fin.

Some Other Popular Varieties

• Marble angelfish
• Zebra angelfish
• Black lace angelfish
• Silver angelfish
• Blushing angelfish
• Smokey angelfish

Tank Setup

Before setting up a tank for any fish, it is important to know a little about their natural habitat.

Freshwater angelfish are native to several countries in South America where they occur in slow-moving, acidic water that is rich in aquatic vegetation and leaf litter.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at how to set up an awesome angelfish aquarium!

Tank Size

Angelfish are medium-sized fish that need a fairly large aquarium. Although they may look small when sold as juveniles at the pet store, they will grow to about the size of a saucer.

The minimum tank size for a small group of these amazing fish is 29 gallons, but a 55-gallon tank or larger would be a better option. Choose a deep tank that will give these tall fish plenty of room to move up and down in the water.

Filtration

You will need a good-quality filter to keep your water quality high. The type of filter you select is not too important, and many angelfish keepers rely on simple sponge filters.

Hang-on back and canister filters also work great, and have the benefit of using little or no space in the tank. One important factor to keep in mind is that angelfish do not enjoy strong water flow, so select a filter model with an adjustable flow rate.

Temperature And Other Important Parameters

Angelfish are tropical fish that prefer warm water temperatures. Temperatures between 78 and 84°F are ideal for these fish. Since most homes won’t run this warm, an investment in an aquarium heater is required.

Unless you live in a tropical climate, you will need to run a heater to keep the water in your tank stable and warm enough.

In nature, these fish are found in slightly acidic water. Most of the angelfish in the aquarium trade are captive-bred fish and are very adaptable to different conditions, however.

Generally speaking, angelfish can be kept in the following water parameters:

• pH: 6.5-7.2
• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <30 ppm

Live Plants And Decorations

Angelfish feel very at home in planted aquariums. They can be kept with most of the common tropical aquarium plants, but be advised, they might nibble the leaves!

This means they aren’t the best choice for carefully aquascaped tanks. If you’re new to growing aquarium plants, the following species are good options because they are tough and easy to care for:

• Java fern
• Cryptocoryne species
• Anubias species
• Amazon sword

A substrate is not strictly necessary and many aquarists choose keep these fish in a bare bottom tank. For a more natural look, sand or gravel substrates are also good options.

Providing some vertical structure in the tank is another way to make your fish feel more comfortable while improving the aesthetics of your aquarium. Vertically arranged driftwood is great for simulating their natural, flooded riverbank habitat.

How To Care For Your Pet

Angelfish are hardy and relatively easy fish to care for. They are a great choice for beginners, as long as they can be provided with the basic care they need.

Read on to learn how to care for these angelic tropical fish.

Water Quality

The most important requirement for keeping healthy angelfish is to provide them with excellent water quality. Without good filtration and regular maintenance, the water in your tank can quickly become toxic.

Your filter and the beneficial bacteria that colonize it will do a lot of the hard work in maintaining your water quality. You will also have to get your hands wet on a regular basis, however, and perform partial water changes and vacuum the bottom of the tank.

Testing

Testing your water parameters is the simplest way to know whether your water quality is good, and your maintenance schedule is adequate. This is quick and easy to do and should be part of any aquarist’s skill set.

Fortunately, water test kits make this task very easy. I would suggest picking up a master test kit or high quality liquid tests. Whichever test kit you get, make sure you can measure the following parameters:

• pH
• Ammonia
• Nitrite
• Nitrate

Aquarium Maintenance

Aquarium maintenance is a great chance to get hands-on with your tank, and really get a feel for what’s going on in your underwater world. Apart from keeping your freshwater aquarium looking great, regular maintenance is necessary for keeping nitrate levels in the water down to safe levels, and this requires partial water changes.

Freshwater angelfish are relatively hardy, especially if captive-bred. Provided they are kept in an appropriately sized tank, you can probably get away with a small water change once a week, or a larger one every 2nd week.

The volume and frequency of your water changes will be determined largely by the bioload in your tank, and other factors like how heavily you feed your pets. In any case, your test kit will be very helpful in working out how much maintenance is necessary.

Feeding

Angelfish are omnivorous fish that are easy to feed. Cichlid pellets or tropical fish flakes are great options as staple food sources.

To provide your fish with a more balanced diet, be sure to supplement them with live and frozen foods like bloodworms, and boiled/blanched vegetables like peas and zucchini.

You can feed your fish once or twice a day, but be careful to avoid overfeeding. As a general rule do not put more food into the tank than your fish can finish in about 2 minutes.

Tankmates

While your angelfish will be very peaceful towards other species, they can be a little aggressive towards other angelfish of the same species. To minimize aggression, make sure you keep a group of at least 4 or so. This helps to prevent anyone from getting picked on.

You can also keep a single angelfish in a large community tank. When selecting tank mates, be sure to avoid any aggressive species or known fin-nippers like tiger barbs that can damage the long fins of your angels.

Although their mouths are pretty small, it is wise to remember that freshwater angelfish are fairly large community fish and will eat any other fish or shrimp that is small enough for them to swallow.

The following species are all good tankmate options:

• Larger peaceful tetras like the black skirt and congo tetras. Avoid nano tetras like ember tetras
• Bristlenose pleco
• Corydoras catfish
• Clown loaches

No matter which fish you choose to keep with your angels, be sure that they enjoy the same warm water temperature and other parameters.

Breeding

It is possible to breed your angelfish at home. Using a dedicated breeding tank can be very helpful in minimizing losses because angelfish will often feed on their own spawn and fry.

It is very difficult to tell male angelfish from females, so it is best to keep several fish and let them pair up naturally. You would be very unlucky to not have at least one breeding pair from a group of 6-8 angelfish. Alternatively, you may be able to buy an established breeding pair from an experienced breeder.

Conditioning your fish with high-quality, live, or frozen food will increase their chance of spawning. Freshwater angelfish lay eggs on vertical surfaces in the tank, and this could be anything from a plant to the glass walls of the aquarium.

The eggs hatch after just a few days and you can expect hundreds of fry, so make sure you are going to be able to find them all homes before breeding. Hatching your own baby brine shrimp will ensure you have an ideal food source for the little ones.

Health Problems

Unfortunately, freshwater angelfish are sensitive to some common fish diseases. The best way to avoid these issues is to maintain excellent water quality, maintain the correct water parameters, and feed your fish a healthy balanced diet.

Quarantining new fish before introducing them to a community tank is also advisable to prevent the spreading of diseases. Some of the more commonly seen diseases include:

• Hexamita (hole-in-the-head disease)
• Ich
• Columnaris
• Fin rot

Where To Buy

Angelfish are very popular and are usually easy to find at pet stores. Your local pet store will probably stock some of the more popular captive-bred varieties, but for rarer types, online shopping or getting in touch with local breeders might be necessary.

FAQS

Final Thoughts

With so many different types of angelfish available in the hobby, there’s an angelfish out there to suit just about any tank.

Which is your favorite type of angelfish? Let me know below!

---

📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide. your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.