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Building a planted aquarium is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Everyone wants to make their tank beautiful and natural. However, it depends on the fish that is chosen for the planted tank. 

If you want to know just the names of the fish for a planted tank then you can get it from anywhere on the web. Those are quite common. However, this article has discussed the 11 most unique freshwater fish for a planted tank. All of these are selected based on their appearance and behavior. So without wasting time let’s dive deep into the topic. 

11 Most Unique Freshwater Fish For A Planted Tank

Fish for planted tanks should be selected based on their size and behavior. In this list, you can’t get any fish more than 2 inches long which is quite tiny. 

All fish selected should be plant-friendly. If any fish love to nibble leaves then that should not be kept in the tank anyhow. This list contains a total of 11 tiny colorful freshwater fish that are planted aquarium friendly. 

1. Lambchop Rasbora

 

Lambchop Rasboras are very unique and pretty for a planted aquarium. The appearance of this fish is very eye-catching. These orange-bodied tiny fish appear with a bright black stripe on their body. 

Lambchop rasboras are slightly different from the harlequin rasboras. The body colors of harlequins are reddish. So they are easily recognizable. However, they are much hardier than other rasboras. 

Lambchop rasboras grow up to 1.5 inches long. They are schooling fish & they shoal together. You can keep harlequin & lambchop together in a planted tank. One of the best things about them is they are very curious about everything. 

2. Rummy Nose Tetra

Rummy Nose Tetras are good for a planted tank because of their behavior & their appearance. They are probably the best shoaling fish for captivity. So you must consider it for your tank too. 

Rummy Nose Tetras can change the dynamic of the tank by roaming together. The red-colored heads of these fish are very attractive and eye-catching for the viewers. They add contrast to a planted tank. 

The adult size of rummy noses is a maximum of 1.5 inches. They are very easy to take care of. However, they aren’t as hardy as other tiny fish. Poor water quality affects their health a lot. 

Read More:- Starter Fish For Beginners: 9 Best Recommendations 

3. Five Banded barb

Five Banded Barbs are not too common to the fishkeepers. However, they are considered unique fish because of their appearance. Five Banded Barbs are not as aggressive as tiger barbs. So, they are considered a good option for planted tanks. 

Five banded barbs prefer to have floating plants in aquariums. Not only that, but they like dark substrates too. Five banded barbs need plenty of hiding places in the tank. You can make these places with plants, driftwoods, rocks, etc. 

They grow up to 2 inches long. They appear with light orange skin and five numbers of black stripes on it across the body. Despite being a beginner fish, they aren’t good shoaling fish. 

4. Kubotai Rasbora

Kubotai Rasboras are probably one of the tiny prettiest fish in the fishkeeping hobby. They aren’t too popular among fishkeepers but they are unique due to their appearance. 

They are often called neon green rasboras due to their green body color. They grow up to 0.8 inches long. a 10-gallon tank is enough for this tiny fish. They are the most suitable for red plants i.g. Rotala Rotundifolia, Rotala Indica Ludwigia Repen. They complement each other very well. 

Kubotai Rasboras need ample swimming space in the tank. So you should not add them to a heavily planted tank. The paludarium or Iwagumi Planted Tanks could be the best options for them. 

5. Ember Tetra

Ember Tetras are completely opposite to the kubotai rasboras according to their appearance. They have an orangish-red body color that adds vibrancy to the planted aquarium. 

Ember Tetras are not shy types of fish like others. They are curious and prefer to swim in the mid section of the aquarium. They need ample swimming space. 

Ember Tetras grow up to 0.8 inches long. You can notice translucency on their body that is great. You can keep ember tetras & kubotai rasboras together. They will make your tank colorful. 

6. Zebra Danio

 

Zebra danios are one of the popular fish for planted tanks. They have vivid green body colors with blue stripes along with their body. 

Zebra danio fish are tiny freshwater aquarium fish. The maximum adult size of them is 1.5 inches long. A minimum of 5 zebra fish should be kept together in a planted tank. Otherwise, they may feel stressed. 

They are good shoaling fish and add vibrancy to a planted tank. They are famous for their behavior too. They stop for some time after roaming in one direction together. After that, they start to roam again. 

7. Siamese Algae Eaters

Despite not having such a colorful appearance, siamese algae eaters are famous among fish keepers. They are algae eaters & an inevitable option to keep in a planted tank. 

A planted tank will become beautiful when it will be free from all types of algae (Especially from CO2). Adding  siamese algae eaters is an option to remove this   

This fish appears with a slender body. They grow up to 6 inches long. They are very enthusiastic & active. A minimum of 30-gallon planted tanks are required for them.  

8. Otocinclus Catfish

We have another algae eater for you in our list of unique freshwater fish for a planted tank. This is otocinclus catfish. They mainly act as scavengers and help aquatic plants to thrive. 

Some people don’t prefer Siamese algae eaters because of their size. In that case, otocinclus catfish would be most suitable because its adult size is 2 inches. 

Otocinclus catfish are mainly bottom dwellers. However, they can clean algae all over the tank. They are good for a community-planted tank. Sandy soft substrate is the most preferable for them.

9. Dwarf Rasbora

Dwarf Rasboras are one of the tiny aquarium fish which you can add to your planted tank. They are shy and friendly too. They grow up to 1 inch long. 

These fish are mostly suitable for the heavily planted aquarium. In this type of aquarium, they feel relaxed. A minimum of 10-gallon is required to keep 8-10 dwarf rasboras together. They would be susceptible to diseases if they are kept singly. 

The appearance of this fish is interesting. You can notice three black spots on their orange-colored body. They remain very active when they get quality foods. 

10. Red Phantom Tetra   

Red Phantom Tetra is another good option for a planted aquarium. They are famous for their appearance and behavior. These red-colored fish add extra contrast to the aquarium. 

Red phantom tetra is popular schooling fish. A minimum of 6 fish are required to be together in a planted tank. They prefer floating plants with heavily planted aquariums that offer shady areas. 

11. Celestial Pearl Danios

Celestial Pearl Danios are one of the best fish for a planted aquarium. However, despite their shyness, they are unsuitable for heavily planted tanks. The Minimalist Iwagumi Planted Tanks are best for them. 

Celestial Pearl Danios are famous for their appearance. This inch-long tiny fish appears with a blue body with yellow spots on it & red fins. It looks extremely colorful and vibrant in a planted tank. 

As this fish is shy, you must keep them with some brave fish. Those fish will help pearl danios to roam without any stress or shyness. 

Read More:- Tank Mates of Goldfish: 9 Best Picks for Beginners

Final thoughts

This article has discussed the 11 most unique freshwater fish for a planted tank. This will be very helpful if you are going to build a new planted tank. You can choose any fish for your tank. 

Rummy Nose Tetra is our top recommendation as this is the best shoaling fish. This fish will change the dynamic of the tank if you choose. They are beginner-friendly too. 

Celestial Pearl Danios, Ember Tetra, & Kubotai Rasboras are famous for their coloration. The live plants should be chosen accordingly. They can be the best options for aquascaping. 

As an algae eater, otocinclus catfish are the most suitable. They are tiny and peaceful. They can be with any type of tiny peaceful species. 

Best of luck and happy fish-keeping. 

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