When you first start out as a freshwater fish-keeper it can be somewhat bewildering when trying to decide which fish you want to keep.
Guppies, Mollies, Tetras, Anglefish, Catfish, Loaches, Barbs, etc. which do you choose?
Obviously, most people, when starting out go for the fish they most like the look of but it’s important to understand that different fish may have different requirements.
Some fish require a specific PH, like Discuss or African Cichlids while other fish, like Tiger Barbs, can be aggressive to other species.
In this article, we are looking at the best freshwater community tank fish, all of which are also great for beginners.
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What is a Freshwater Community Tank
A freshwater community tank is simply an aquarium that contains different species of fish rather than just one species.
This is the type of tank that most people choose to have and happily, there are plenty of fish to choose from.
Having different fish adds to the variety and interest in the tank and also means you will have fish that occupy different levels of the tank, from bottom dwellers to mid-level and surface dwellers.
What Fish Are Good For a Freshwater Community Fish Tank
Most of the fish you see on sale at your local fish store will make good community tank inhabitants but not all.
Good community fish species include Tetras, danios, guppies, mollies, some barbs, rasboras, small catfish and some loaches.
Take care with Angel fish which, whilst popular, might make a meal out of the smaller fish in your tank as they get larger.
Other fish like Tiger Barbs or Black Widow Tetras can be aggressive and will nip and harass their smaller tank mates.
Our Top Freshwater Community Tank Fish
For our choice for the top freshwater community tank fish, we’ve gone for those that we have found to be the most peaceful and which will happily co-exist in any tank.
1. Ember Tetra
- Size: 2cm
- Min Tank Size: 60 Litres
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Temp: 75-82 deg F
- PH: <7.0
- Feeding: Flake, micropellets
- Other: Best kept in a shoal, minimum 5 fish
The Ember Tetra is a small but very attractive community tank fish. Naturally shoaling, you should ideally have at least 10 -12 of them in your tank.
They are found in the wild in slow-flowing rivers, so they do best in planted tanks with a low flow.
Keep only with other small peaceful tank mates.
2. Cardinal Tetra
- Size: 2.5cm
- Min Tank Size: 60 Litres
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Temp: 73-81 deg F
- PH: <6.5
- Feeding: Flake, pellets, frozen foods
- Other: Prefer soft water
Easily confused with the more common Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetras are slightly larger than their Neon cousins.
The lower red stripe on the Cardinal Tetra extends for the whole length of the body whereas the Neon tetra has only a red flash towards the tail.
Cardinal Tetras are much hardier than Neons and that’s why we recommend them. They are slightly more expensive and can be harder to find but are definitely worth the extra cost and effort to locate.
3. Rummynose Tetra
- Size: 4cm
- Min Tank Size: 60 Litres
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Temp: 72-82 deg F
- PH: >7.5
- Feeding: Flake, micropellets, frozen foods
- Other: Prefer soft water
One of the best shoaling species to keep in a freshwater community tank, these beautiful fish should be kept in groups of at least 6.
Most Rummynose Tetra found in fish stores are tank-bred and can survive in most water conditions but they do best in soft water with a PH > 6.5.
Stunning in large groups in a suitably sized aquarium.
4. Harlequin Rasbora
- Size: 5cm
- Min Tank Size: 60 Litres
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Temp: 72-79 deg F
- PH: >7.0
- Feeding: Flake, micropellets, frozen foods
- Other: Best kept in a shoal, minimum 5 fish
A very attractive and popular community tank fish, the Harlequin Rasbora is great for beginners.
Peaceful and easy to look after, they should be kept in groups of at least 5 in a planted tank with plenty of hiding places.
5. Cory Catfish
- Size: 6cm
- Min Tank Size: 60 Litres
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Temp: 59-77 deg F
- PH: 6 – 8
- Feeding: Pellets and sinking foods
- Other: Fine in a wide range of conditions
Cory Catfish are a must-have in any freshwater community tank. They are very hardy bottom dwellers who will help keep your substrate clear of debris and excess food waste.
Best kept in groups of 4 – 6 these interesting fish do best on a soft sandy substrate.
Please note that although they will clear up excess food, etc., they should also be fed a diet of sinking algae-based pellets if they are to thrive.
That concludes our list of the best freshwater community tank fish for now but we may return at a later date and add more.
You also might want to add a couple of fish who will help keep the tank clean such as Otocinclus catfish and Kuli loaches.
All fish in this list are tropical, so you will need a good heater for your tank and we also recommend using a temperature controller on your aquarium at all times.
The fish listed above will do well in a small starter tank. For more information on setting one up, see our article, Best Freshwater Fish Tank Starter Kit.
Wondering what to feed your fish friends? Check out our article, Best Tropical Fish Food for information and advice.
Perhaps you wish to start a cold water aquarium? In which case check out our article on the Best Cold Water Aquarium Fish to choose.
Freshwater Community Tank Fish FAQs
What fish can you put together in a freshwater tank? – There are many to choose from such as Tetras, danios, guppies, mollies, some barbs, rasboras, small catfish, and some loaches.
Many local fish stores have helpful labels on their tanks letting you know if a fish is community-compatible or not.
What is a good centerpiece fish for a community tank? – For a stunning centerpiece fish it is difficult to beat the Dwarf Gourami. They are both peaceful and beautiful to look at.
Take your pick from Flame, Powder Blue, or Neon Blue Gourami.
What fish can you not put together? – Aggressive fish like Tiger Barbs should ideally be kept in a species-only tank as they may bully other inhabitants.
Take care, also with Angel fish which may eat any smaller fish in your tank.