People with an aquarium hobby always look for the suitable fish that bring elegance to their freshwater aquariums. Having healthy and beautiful aquarium fish species creates a beautiful scene that pleases the eye. But knowing all about the best fish species is equally important.
It depends on what type of nano fish aquarium you are trying to build. You also need to keep them healthy by feeding them properly.
12 Best Nano Fish Species For Your Aquarium
My nano fish species list mostly has similar characteristics, but some are different.
Find out the best nano fish and their requirements. I have explained everything in detail so that your decision-making becomes super-easy.
Ember Tetra

First on my list is my favorite, the Ember Tetra, a beautiful fish from South America. These fish are bright red or orange fish and usually live in flooded lakes and small rivers.
Ember Tetras are peaceful fish but also possess predatory traits. You can keep them with Dwarf shrimp. They are schooling fish, but it’s better to keep them with other Tetra species. You can feed them pellets and frozen daphnia.
Neon Tetra
Here’s another one from the Tetra family for your nano aquarium. These are beautiful, shiny fish have the name Neon Tetra because of their unique coloration.
Neon Tetras have a sparkling body with blue and red stripes on the whole body. Males are more colorful than the females, but all are beautiful in their own way.
Neon Tetras are easy to care for. They also live peacefully with their mates in the fish tank. Try to build small hiding spaces in the tank because the Neon Tetras live to play hide and seek.
Harlequin Rasboras
Harlequin Rasboras is another great addition to your fish tank. These tiny species are fun to watch. They are mostly found in the blackwater bodies of Southeast Asia. Since its discovery, they have become a favorite choice for nano tanks.
These Rasbora species possess shoaling fish traits. They like to live in big groups, but it’s better to have 5-6 mates to keep them happy and unstressed. They are easy to care for.
Rasboras have a unique color pattern. The top part of the body is pinkish-orange, but the bottom part has a black triangle patch. They can grow up to 2 inches long.
Celestial Pearl Danio

Celestial Pearl Danio is another beautiful nano fish to try keeping in your aquarium. They are super easy to care for. In the wild, they are found in shallow waters and ponds with plants all around them.
It’s better to have a planted aquarium that mimics the surroundings they come from. Celestial Pearl Danios prefer warm waters, between 73-79 degrees. In ideal conditions, they can grow up to 2.5 cm.
They got the name Celestial because of the galaxy-like design on their body. Overall, their body is black with white spots. Their fins have red stripes. Celestial Pearl Danios are not shoaling fish, but they are non-aggressive, which means you can keep them in groups.
Pygmy Corydoras
Are you looking for a funny face fish for your nano tanks? Pygmy Corydoras is the answer for you. They like to stay at the bottom of the tank but get along with other tank mates without any trouble. If you can’t find them, look under the driftwood.
Pygmy Corydoras species swim around, mostly looking for food instead of exploring. They love to eat protein-rich diets like larvae, bloodworms, and brine shrimp.
These fish species have bulbous bodies. They are mostly found in silver or brown colors. On their head, they have barbels, which help them in navigating the fish tank.
Cardinal Tetra

Cardinal Tetras species are somewhat similar to Neon Tetras. However, their caring methods are different, and some color differences make them distinct from Neon Tetras.
They prefer to live in water temperatures between 73 and 81 degrees. The difference comes with the pH of the water.
Cardinals like acidic water, and a pH of 4.6-6 is ideal to keep them healthy. Try to build plenty of hiding places with driftwood, rocks, and plants.
Fancy Guppies
Fancy guppies are small size fish that come in striking, eye-catching colors. Their long caudal fins give them a flashy look. Guppies are available in bright colors like red, orange, blue, etc.
Guppies have a peaceful personality. They love to stay at the top of the tank. They don’t have any specific feeding requirements. All you need to ensure is the living environment, and they are good to go.
Fancy Guppies are livebearers. Their babies (Fry) grow inside the female and comes out as a fully grown Guppies.
Asian Stone Catfish
It is one of the smallest fish on our list. Asian Stone Catfish can hide among rocks because of the color and pattern of their bodies.
All they need is good oxygenation, and they can happily live in it. They become active when the lights are off and love to eat live and frozen foods.
Betta Fish
Betta fish are aggressive. They don’t waste any time hunting their own fish mates. But their unique body and colors bring vibrancy to your fish tank.
Male Bettas are more attractive than female Bettas. The water conditions for Bettas should be perfect otherwise they might get fin rot disease.
Least Killifish

Least Killifish are shy fish, and they usually become prey for other fish. It is better to keep them with the same species. They have both shoaling and schooling traits.
The Least Killifish also comes under the Livebearer category. They are easy to breed.
Mosquito Rasbora
Mosquito Rasbora is also known as Boraras Brigittae and Chili Rasbora. It is prominently red with black stripes on its body. As it comes from blackwater bodies, it prefers to live in acidic water.
They like to eat brine shrimps, and other protein diets. At home, you can serve Mosquito Rasboras with frozen foods.
Neon Blue Rasbora
As the name indicates, these Rasobora species have neon blue bodies, making them ornamental fish. They require good-quality water conditions.
Conclusion
All the fish I have mentioned are freshwater fish. Caring for them is easy, and the water requirements are not too difficult except for a few. Food quality matters and the inside environment should be above the standard.
Following all the measures ensures that your nano fish species will thrive and stay healthy and active for a very long time.
