10 Aquarium Fish That Pair Beautifully with Plants

A planted aquarium looks beautiful, and there’s no doubt about that. You have planted the tank, the greens are thriving, but the real question is, will your fish complement it instead of tearing it apart? 

Well, not all aquarium fish respect plants. Some uproot them, some nibble endlessly, and some can turn your perfectly designed aquascape into total chaos. The fish that can be classified into the plant-incompatible list are silver dollars, gold fish, common plecos, and cichlids. 

However, what fish comes into the plant-compatible category? Let’s understand the aquarium fish varieties that pair beautifully with live plants.

Plants And Fish: The Perfect Match for Aquarium Harmony!

Unless eliminated by a regular water change, nitrates in water often accumulate unchecked in a tank devoid of plants until they can become dangerous. Additionally, nitrates encourage the growth of algae, which eventually makes unplanted tanks unclean, green, and maintenance-intensive.

This problem is entirely resolved by densely planting a tank. Plants absorb nitrates and: 

• Avoid the growth of algae
• Eliminate the need for ongoing upkeep.
• Lets you keep more fish in your tank without worrying about the quality of the water! 

Remember, fish require enrichment. You also want something intriguing in a little room if you were confined there for the rest of your life. Your fish will have a variety of leaf shapes and sizes to swim through, hide in, and play in. Additionally, it provides a hiding area for fry and newborns to avoid being swallowed by larger fish. 

Find The Best Tank Mates For Your Planted Aquariums: Top Picks

Taking a stab at tropical fishkeeping? Starting a pleasant, healthy aquatic community in your first aquarium depends on your choice of fish. It can be both exhilarating and overwhelming to have so many vivid alternatives! Here are the best fish for beginners that will add colour, life, and enjoyment to your tank. 

1. Guppies

Guppies look amazing and are available in about any colour you can think of. They can be housed in tanks as small as 20 to 40 litres and are incredibly resilient and easy to care for. You can maintain them in groups of five or more, and they make excellent community fish. 

2. Koi Betta Galaxy

Due to their widespread appeal, many breeders are crossbreeding the species to create a vast array of colours and patterns. A Galaxy Koi Betta could be the perfect addition to a 5-gallon planted tank or lager. In a planted aquarium, enthusiasts will enjoy the vibrant personalities of these fish, which have a fantastic colour pattern. 

3. Platinum Blue Medaka Ricefish

Ricefish are a unique option for enthusiasts wishing to populate a cold-water aquarium because of their reputation for withstanding frigid temperatures. If you don't need a heater in your tank, the Platinum Blue Medaka Ricefish is quite gorgeous.

4. Angelfish

Although they can be territorial if there is not enough room for them to live happily, angelfish are normally calm. Despite being a majestic fish, it cannot survive in a small aquarium. An angelfish requires a tank that is at least 100 litres in capacity, and a tank that is 16 inches or more high is always preferable. Don't forget to include hiding spots and plants in the tank. 

5. Harlequin Rasboras

Harlequin Rasboras are peaceful, hardy fish with striking black and orange colouration. Their diet consists mainly of small insects and flakes, so they do not bother or uproot the plants. They add colour and movement without disturbing the planted environment. These fish swim in the mid to upper levels of the tank and prefer to be in schools. 

6. Cherry Barbs

Searching for a fish that will go well with your green aquarium plants? Introduce a huge school of Cherry Barbs in a medium-sized tank. When first brought into an aquarium, cherry barbs can be a little aggressive. A pecking order will be formed, though, and these fish should exhibit a considerably calmer demeanour after a few weeks.

7. Kuhli Loaches

The Kuhli Loach fish, which resembles an eel and lives on the bottom, prefers to live alone behind or among plants or decorations. Make sure to feed them as well, even if they scrounge the tank for fish food scraps, plant materials, and other trash. You need to keep at least three of them to ensure their happiness, and they can be housed in 37-litre tanks.

8. Corydoras Catfish

You will probably spot a school of cory catfish scuttling across the sand substrate at the bottom of any planted aquarium. Because they can dig around the substrate and consume debris and other leftover fish food, these schooling fish thrive in a planted aquarium. 

While your fish remain in the vegetation's cover, you can notice that your foreground plants are moving throughout these periods.

9. White Cloud Minnows

Despite their simple appearance, white cloud minnows are very active. These schooling fish will dart back and forth behind a cover of floating aquarium plants and enjoy swimming at the top of the community fish tanks.

Being a coldwater species, white cloud minnows can offer a distinctive experience in a freshwater planted aquarium. For enthusiasts who want simple maintenance of the common tropical species, this can offer a wide variety of plant possibilities.

10. Tetra Fish

One of the most popular species for you, the cardinal tetra is an absolutely stunning fish that ought to be on everyone's wish list. There is a bright red line below the cardinal tetra and a beautiful iridescent blue line across its upper body. In an aquarium, a sizable collection of cardinal tetras creates a breathtaking sparkling effect that is breathtaking to see due to the mix of their vibrant red and iridescent blue displays. The tetras are omnivores, but their diet is based on small insects and flakes, making them a perfect addition to a planted aquarium. 

Which Fish Not To Buy?

As an informed aquarist, you do not want to get any fish that are known to consume plants. There is just no getting around the fact that a fish that consumes plants will not thrive in a tank filled with plants. Eventually, your planted tank will be full of brown plants and some extremely full fish because nibbled plants will grow worse and have more algae. 

Here are some examples of fish that you should not add to your aquarium:

• African cichlids: These are natural diggers and establish their domain, shift gravel and sand, which loosens plant roots and makes recently planted stems float.
• Oscars: Although they might not specifically target plants, they can readily uproot them due to their constant pressing and shifting of substrate.
• Goldfish: These are voracious eaters. Throughout the day, they eat soft leaves, which makes it difficult for fragile plants to thrive.
• The silver dollar: They have a penchant for flora and can swiftly tear them down; broad-leaf plants are particularly vulnerable.
• Tinfoil barbs: Tend to damage young stems and limit plant growth by picking at delicate new shoots.
• Plecos: Due to their enormous size and significant waste production, giant plecos stress plant settings and disturb the substrate.
• Chinese algae eaters: Can cause noticeable harm to plant surfaces by rasping on them while feeding, especially as they get older.

The Bottom Line

Although planted tanks can initially appear challenging, fish and invertebrates can benefit greatly from them. While some of the species are larger and can fill space, many of the aquascaping fish suggested for these tanks are small and colourful. Always select species for your aquascape that are actually plant-safe to prevent chewed or damaged foliage.

Make it all harmonious with Intan’s nutrient-dense, well-balanced meals to support their well-being. Remember, fish that are fed properly are much less likely to nibble on your plants and are more likely to flourish in your planted tank. Explore the range of the best fish food for planted aquariums today!