10 Must-Have Freshwater Fishes & Shrimp for Your Planted Aquarium

A planted aquarium isn't just about lush greenery — it's about the harmony between plants and aquatic life. The right fish and shrimp enhance your aquascape's beauty and help maintain balance by controlling algae, aerating the substrate, and cleaning up leftover food.

1. Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

Few fish are as iconic and peaceful as the Neon Tetra. Their blue and red stripes shimmer against a backdrop of green plants like Anubias Butterfly or Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green. Peaceful schooling fish (keep 6 or more), they thrive in soft, slightly acidic water and are perfect for nano or community tanks.

2. Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)

These tiny orange fish add warmth and motion, especially swimming through stems of Ludwigia Palustris Super Red. Peaceful and active, and ideal for tanks under 20 gallons.

3. Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus affinis)

The classic algae-eating companion — gentle, social fish that keep glass and plant leaves clean. Pair them with Willow Moss and driftwood for grazing surfaces.

4. Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)

Orange bodies with striking black patches bring color and grace to mid-level areas of the tank. Peaceful, hardy, and best kept schooling in groups of 8 or more under soft lighting.

5. Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus)

Adorable bottom dwellers that love exploring among carpet plants like Dwarf Baby Tears. Social, active scavengers that keep the substrate clean.

6. Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei)

Small, colorful, and constantly active — a good splash of energy against dense green backgrounds like Limnophila Aromatica Mini. Hardy, beginner-friendly, and peaceful with shrimp.

7. Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus)

Also known as the Galaxy Rasbora, with iridescent blue spots and orange fins. Peaceful and shy, best in groups of 6–10, and happiest in shaded tanks with floating plants like Red Root Floater.

8. Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)

A tiny, shimmering nano centerpiece fish known for the faint "croaking" sounds of its mating displays. Pairs well with Anubias Nana 'Pangolino' and Bucephalandra Pink Malawi.

9. Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

A must-have for any planted tank — constantly grazing on algae and biofilm, and breeding easily under stable conditions in a range of color varieties (red, blue, yellow, green). Best with mosses, driftwood, and fine-leaved plants that offer hiding spots. Read our full Cherry Shrimp care guide.

10. Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

The "cleaning crew" of planted tanks — larger than Cherry Shrimp and unmatched at controlling hair algae. Peaceful, active, and best suited to medium-to-large tanks. Pairs well with hardy plants like Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green or Anubias Butterfly.

A Good Starting Point

Our Echinodorus Red Rubin gives any of these species plenty of cover and a striking red centerpiece to grow around.

Building a Balanced Ecosystem

The key to success is balance: peaceful fish, natural algae-eaters, and thriving live plants working together for a stable, largely self-sustaining system. Live plants help regulate nutrients, reduce stress, and give fish and shrimp somewhere to retreat.

Keep Reading

• Cherry Shrimp Introduction
• Discover the Top 10 Nano Fish & Shrimp for Your Small Fish Tank