Who Gives A Fish Forums

What are the best fish species for a heavily planted tank? I've got a 20-gallon with Java Fern, Anubias, and some Crypts, but my current fish don't seem to interact much with the plants. Looking for something that'll really thrive in this setup.

In my experience, small schooling fish like Ember Tetras or Chili Rasboras do great in planted tanks. They weave through the plants and add movement without damaging them. Also, consider Otocinclus for algae control, they're gentle on plants.

Avalon wrote: ↑Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:45 pm In my experience, small schooling fish like Ember Tetras or Chili Rasboras do great in planted tanks. They weave through the plants and add movement without damaging them. Also, consider Otocinclus for algae control, they're gentle on plants.

I'd add that Cherry Barbs are another solid choice. They're active but won't uproot plants, and their red color pops against green foliage.

Yeah, gotta agree with the small fish vibe. My Celestial Pearl Danios are always darting through the stems. They're chill and don't mess with the plants, just kinda vibe in there.

Has anyone tried Pygmy Corydoras? They're tiny and love rooting around in the substrate near plant roots. Plus, they're hilarious to watch when they're in a group.

Dude, Pygmy Cories are the bomb. Mine are always doing their little shuffle dance in the sand. They're like the hype crew for my Amazon Swords.

For a 20-gallon, avoid larger fish like Angelfish or Silver Dollars. They'll eventually outgrow the space and may damage plants. Stick to nano species for long-term compatibility.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll look into Ember Tetras and Pygmy Corydoras. Sounds like they'd fit well with my current setup.

One more thing, if you're going with Pygmy Corydoras, make sure your substrate is fine sand. They're sensitive to rough gravel and won't forage as naturally.

knight4d wrote: ↑Tue Jun 24, 2025 12:42 am One more thing, if you're going with Pygmy Corydoras, make sure your substrate is fine sand. They're sensitive to rough gravel and won't forage as naturally.

Absolutely. And keep the water slightly acidic, around 6.5 pH, to mimic their natural habitat.