Choosing the right species for your freshwater aquarium can make all the difference in creating a colorful and thriving aquatic ecosystem. If you are setting up a community tank, when selecting fish you will want to consider their compatibility with other species, their specific care requirements, and the overall size of your tank. And of course always keep the adult size of your fish in mind, as if it fits in a fish’s mouth, it’s food. Having said that, here are 10 colorful schooling fish ideas, for 20 gallon tanks.
1. Serpae Tetra: (Red Minor Tetra): These brightly colored fish are great for beginner and experienced aquarists alike. They are typically inexpensive and are a very hardy fish. Do be aware though, they are know for being fin nippers.
2. Neon Tetra: These small and vibrant fish are known for their bright blue and red coloration and extremely active nature, making them a popular choice.
3. Platy: With their peaceful disposition, wide variety of colors, and small size, these fish can be a great addition to a community aquarium. As a bonus, platies will feed on some algae, which means less work for you. Be aware though, these are live bearers, and can quickly reproduce.
4. Rummy Nose Tetra: These vibrant fish are known for their striking red noses and silver bodies, with their peaceful schooling nature, they can be a great addition to add a pop of color to your community tank.
5. Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha): This schooling fish has a stunning combination of orange and black markings on its body, adding visual interest to the tank when kept in groups.
6. Glowlight Tetra: These fish are known for having a semi-transparent body with an orange-red stripe that runs across it and can survive in a wide variety of tank conditions, making this one of the more popular fish in the hobby.
7. Cherry Barbs: With their peaceful nature, the bright red color of the males, and how hardy these fish are, cherry barbs make a great addition to your aquarium.
8. Mollies: These fish come in a wide variety of colors, and will also feed on algae. The only downside, is they are often bred in brackish waters, so unless you have a brackish tank, you may need to find someone that breeds them in freshwater.
9. Golden Cloud Mountain Minnows: An even more colorful version of the white cloud minnow, these small peaceful fish can really add a pop of color to any fish tank.
10. Threadfin Rainbowfish: These colorful and graceful creatures are highly sought after in the aquarium hobby due to their vibrant hues, delicate fins, and fascinating behavior.