Top Ten Nano Fish for a 10 gallon or less

#1. Neon Tetra

• The neon tetra is an iconic highly bred fish. One of the cheapest most colorful schooling fish in the hobby.

• This fish only reaches one inch at full size and displays a rich blue color.

• They are extremely peaceful and should be kept in groups of 6 or more for nice displays of schooling.

• Safe with bettas and most semi aggressive fish.

• Tank sizes from 5 gallons and beyond

Neon Tetra

#2 Endler Guppy

• The smaller cousin of the Guppy, endlers come in a range of spectacular colors.

• Generally more peaceful than guppies due to their size (1 inch max)

• Livebearer - these endlers will reproduce via live birth therefore, the likelihood of multiplying the population is high.

• These should be kept as just males or as a 1 male for every 2 females because males will chase down females all day for reproduction.

• Tanks from 5 gallons and higher.
  

Male Emerald Endler

#3 Phoenix Rasbora/ Chili Rasbora

• One of the smallest fish in the aquarium hobby, these rasboras grow to no larger than .75 inches.

• They are a loosly schooling fish that display nice coloration.

• Being their size they shouldn’t be kept with fish that can fit them in their mouth (Betta)

• Downside, they require small food either finely crushed flakes, micro pellets, or baby brine shrimp.

• 3 gallons and bigger

Phoenix Rasbora

# 4 Celestial Pearl Danio (Galaxy Rasbora)

• A beautiful fish with unique patterns and colors

• Very peaceful and easily kept with many other nano species

• These fish can be kept with or without a heater

• They love moss and densely planted tanks.

• CPDs are loose schooling fish reaching 1 inch max.

• To have their color pop make sure to have a bright light to reflect their true colors.

• 5 gallons or greater.
  

Celestial Pearl Danio

#5 White Cloud

• The white cloud is a cool water species, great for those nano tanks without a heater.

• White clouds are a low cost fish that come in a variety of colors. Generally reaching an inch to an inch and a half.

• They are relatively hardy fish and tend to be easy to keep.

• None schooling fish that like a bit more swimming room.

• They are known for their ease of breeding, however, the eggs need special care to hatch but make for a great project.

• 10 gallon or greater.

Longfin White Cloud Mountain Minnow

#6 Otocinclus Catfish

• Very reminiscent of a pleco, these catfish are a nano suckerfish, great for grazing on algae and eating leftovers.

• Although, not the most colorful they make for a great clean up crew.

• Recommended to keep in schools of 3 or more, they will do great work while staying small. (1.5 inches)

• Great cleaners for your betta tank

• They are extremely peaceful and will keep to themselves, whilst being entertaining as they munch down on all that slimy residue.

• 5 gallon tank or greater

Otocinclus

#7 Pygmy Corydora

• The pygmy cory is the smaller cousin of the corydora species, they remain extremely small while doing a similar job of its larger cousin. ( 1 inch)

• These guys don’t like to be lonely and benefit from a small group to keep them active. (3+)

• Although not as colorful as some of their cousins, their activity will be sure to delight your interest as they sift through the sand.

• Pygmy cories do a wonderful job at turning over your sand or fine gravel to search for all that left over food and built up detritis.

• 5 gallon of greater.

Pygmy Corydora

#8 Pea Puffer

• A cute micro version of the pea puffer. (1 inch)

• These fish are generally peaceful and like to be in small groups. (3+)

• They have a lot of personality and love to munch down on some blood worms.

• They can be kept with several other nano species but should have a nice amount of coverage to feel safe.

• 5 gallon or greater.

Pea Puffer

#9 Ember Tetra

• Another small nano Tetra, the ember tetra is a tight schooling tetra.

• Although not the flashiest fish the males show a nice deep red coloration.

• They make for a great addition to a larger betta setup.

• These tetras reach a max of 1 inch and are generally very peaceful.

• 5 gallon or greater.

Ember Tetra

#10 Scarlet Badis

• Scarlet Badis are a little harder to keep than any of the other listed above due to their diet. (Micro food prefer live food)

• They are absolutley beautiful fish with a deep red color and stripped flourecant patterns.

• These fish are primarily bottom dwellers that eat off the substrate.

• The second smallest fish on this list at .5-1 inch these fish can go in tanks from 3 gallons and above.

• If you ever see one of these without color scoop it up because females are extremely rare.

Scarlet Badis