🐠 Discover the Top 10 Nano Fish & Shrimp for Your Small Fish Tank

Small aquariums can be just as captivating and dynamic as large ones — if not more so. With the right nano fish and shrimp species, you can create a peaceful, colorful, and thriving underwater world even in a compact tank.

At Aquarium Plants Factory®, we believe that beauty and biodiversity don’t depend on size — they depend on balance. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the top 10 nano fish and shrimp perfect for aquariums under 20 gallons.

🌿 What Are Nano Fish?

Nano fish are small, peaceful species — typically under 2 inches — that thrive in smaller tanks or planted aquascapes. They’re ideal companions for shrimp, snails, and live plants because they produce minimal waste and display natural schooling or community behavior.

Benefits of Keeping Nano Fish & Shrimp

• Require less space and filtration power

• Peaceful and compatible with planted tanks

• Add color, movement, and character without overcrowding

• Ideal for aquascapes, desktops, or nano reef-inspired freshwater setups

🌈 Top 10 Nano Fish & Shrimp for Small Aquariums

1. 🐟 Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

A timeless favorite for nano tanks, Neon Tetras shimmer with blue and red stripes that glow under aquarium lighting.

• Size: Up to 1.5 inches

• Tank Size: 10+ gallons

• Personality: Peaceful, schooling fish (keep groups of 6+)

• Pairs well with: Anubias Nana ‘Pangolino’ and fine-leaved plants like Ludwigia Palustris Super Red.

2. 🐠 Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)

Small but fiery orange, Ember Tetras bring warmth and energy to planted aquariums.

• Size: 0.8 inches

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons

• Temperament: Peaceful; loves dense plant cover

• Ideal with: Mosses like Willow Moss or Riccia fluitans.

3. 🐟 Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus)

Also known as Galaxy Rasbora, this nano species is adored for its spotted pattern and iridescent body.

• Size: 1 inch

• Tank Size: 10+ gallons

• Behavior: Peaceful, shy — best kept in groups of 6 or more

• Highlight with: Low-growing plants like Staurogyne Repens Variegated.

4. 🧡 Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)

Tiny and vividly red, Chili Rasboras are one of the smallest and most vibrant nano fish available.

• Size: 0.7 inches

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons

• Behavior: Calm, ideal for nano shrimp tanks

• Perfect with: Floating plants such as Red Root Floater for shade and cover.

5. 💛 Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus)

A miniature catfish species that loves to school and explore the tank bottom.

• Size: 1 inch

• Tank Size: 10+ gallons

• Personality: Peaceful bottom-dwellers

• Ideal setup: Sand substrate and carpeting plants like Dwarf Baby Tears.

6. 🐡 Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)

These tiny labyrinth fish produce a soft “croaking” sound during courtship and feature iridescent blue spots.

• Size: 1.5 inches

• Tank Size: 10–15 gallons

• Behavior: Gentle, but males may be territorial — best kept solo or in pairs.

• Looks stunning among: Broad-leaved plants like Anubias Butterfly.

7. 🐠 Endler’s Livebearer (Poecilia wingei)

A close relative of the guppy, Endlers are hardy, colorful, and endlessly active.

• Size: 1 inch

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons

• Temperament: Peaceful; breeds readily

• Best planted with: Dense stems like Bacopa Myriophylloides or Limnophila aromatica Mini.

8. 💎 Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus affinis)

A hardworking algae-eater that’s perfect for planted tanks.

• Size: 1.5 inches

• Tank Size: 10+ gallons

• Diet: Algae, biofilm, and blanched vegetables

• Pairs beautifully with: Mosses, driftwood, and slow-growing plants like Bucephalandra Pink Malawi.

9. 🍤 Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Bright, easy to breed, and fascinating to watch — Cherry Shrimp are the ideal nano invertebrate.

• Size: 1 inch

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons

• Color varieties: Red, yellow, blue, orange, green

• Best setup: Dense cover from plants like Willow Moss and Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green.

10. 🦐 Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

A powerhouse algae-eater that keeps your tank spotless while staying peaceful.

• Size: 2 inches

• Tank Size: 10+ gallons

• Role: Natural tank cleaners

• Ideal combination: Pair with gentle nano fish and plants like Ludwigia Super Red Mini.

🌱 Tips for a Happy Nano Aquarium

1. Stick to small schools: Most nano fish are schooling species and feel safest in groups.

2. Add live plants: They provide hiding spots, oxygen, and nutrient balance.

3. Maintain water quality: Small tanks require regular water changes (20–30% weekly).

4. Feed sparingly: Overfeeding quickly affects water clarity in nano setups.

5. Keep equipment quiet and gentle: Use sponge filters or nano canisters for minimal flow.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Nano aquariums offer a stunning blend of simplicity and beauty. With the right small fish, shrimp, and live plants, you can create a thriving ecosystem full of color and movement — no matter your space.

At Aquarium Plants Factory®, we provide premium live plants perfect for nano tanks, from compact Anubias varieties to delicate carpeting species.

👉 Explore our collection and start building your dream nano aquascape at www.AquariumPlantsFactory.com.