Top 5 Tiny Freshwater Fish That Will Make Your Aquarium Look Amazing
White Clouds
A White Cloud Mountain Minnow tolerates cold temperatures extremely well (as low as 60°F); some people even keep them in outdoor ponds over the summer. They are hardy fish that tends to live in the middle and top areas of the tank, and typically prefer staying in groups. Purchasing five or so will help promote good health and color in the White Cloud, and will live up to five years with proper care. There are two colorful types we like:
- Long Fin: A variety of the White Cloud Minnow that, true to its name, has beautifully colorful long fins - they look fantastic even in smaller aquariums. They do well in community tanks and in groups of eight or more.
- Golden White: The Golden White Cloud Minnow is a strikingly colorful variation of the regular White Cloud Minnow. They boast a gorgeous gold body, with red markings towards the tail, and like their other colorful counterpart, are fairly tolerant of most water conditions. This combined with their relatively peaceful natures make them a great choice for beginning aquarists or those who simply like colorful tanks.
Celestial Pearl Danio
The Celestial Danio has a rich, jewel-like deep blue metallic color that makes it an extremely interesting addition to any aquarium. They do best in community aquariums that are at least 10 gallons and contain plenty of rocks, driftwood, and plant cover, similar to their natural habitat. They also like to stay in groups (at least six or more), and are peaceful little fish that are quite easy to care for.
Cobra Guppies
Cobra guppies (also known as fancy guppies) come in a range of bright colors; blue is typically the most popular, but there are also green, black, orange, and yellow varieties. The male guppy is more colorful than its female counterpart, and they are easily spotted by their large, extremely bright tails. They do require a slightly larger tank - around 20 gallons - but are peaceful, highly-tolerant fish that do well in community aquariums and are pretty easy to feed.
Endler’s Livebearer
The Endler’s Livebearer is a relatively rare species of guppies; they come from a remote area of Venezuela, and their natural habitat is under severe pressure due to development and water pollution. If you are lucky enough to have one of these in your aquarium, they are a wonderful addition! They’re hardy and easy to care for, and live comfortably in heavily planted tanks that are at least 20 gallons - with plenty of hiding places! However, it’s generally a good idea to keep these in species-only tanks since their tiny size makes them a poor candidate for community tanks. Don’t put them in with other guppies, either, as they will crossbreed and that can dilute the species.
Cardinal Tetra
The Cardinal Tetra is a bright, distinctly colored, and delicate little fish. They are most well known for (and easily spotted by!) a bright blue stripe contrasted by a lower red stripe that runs the length of its body. They are typically very peaceful and like to school together in groups of at least six, although many aquarists prefer to keep them in groups of ten or more as they prefer larger schools. Plus, the collection of ultra-bright blues and reds makes for an exceptionally beautiful aquarium! Cardinal tetras like to be kept in subdued lighting, and live aquatic plants that offer plenty of shady areas are a must.