The most beautiful community fish

Our article on the 10 best fish for a community aquarium lists the easiest species. Here we pick the eye-catchers: fish that need a little more attention, but really make an aquarium shine.

Cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)

Similar to the neon tetra, but the red band runs along the entire lower body. A school of twenty or more cardinal tetras over a dark substrate is one of the most beautiful sights in fishkeeping. They like soft, slightly acidic and warm water (around 25–28 °C).

Ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)

A dwarf cichlid of about 5 cm with yellow, blue and red hues and a black spot on the flank. Rams live in pairs and care for their eggs and fry together. They need warm (27–30 °C), soft and very clean water, so they aren’t the easiest. There are also bred forms, such as ‘Gold’ and ‘Electric Blue’.

Celestial pearl danio (Danio margaritatus)

This fish of barely 2 to 2.5 cm was only discovered in Myanmar in 2006 and immediately became a hit. The dark blue body is covered in pearly spots, the fins are striped orange. Keep them in a group in a densely planted aquarium; they tolerate slightly cooler water (around 20–25 °C).

Pearl gourami (Trichopodus leerii)

A graceful, peaceful labyrinth fish covered in mother-of-pearl spots. Males develop an orange-red throat. Grows to about 12 cm and feels best in a calm aquarium with floating plants.

Boeseman’s rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani)

Blue at the front, orange at the back. This rainbowfish comes from a few lakes in western New Guinea, grows to about 10 cm and is an active swimmer. Keep a group in an aquarium of at least 100 cm; males colour up best in the company of females.

More eye-catchers

Chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae)

Bright red and only 2 cm, ideal for a small planted aquarium.

Pencilfish (Nannostomus)

Slender, calm fish that hover at an angle in the water.

Endler’s livebearer (Poecilia wingei)

Small and brilliantly coloured; more about it in our article on livebearers.

Tips to bring out colours

A dark substrate and background show colours better than white gravel.
Plants and floating plants provide calm: fish that feel safe colour up more.
Varied food, including frozen or live food.
Larger groups of schooling fish behave more naturally and show their colours better.