Picking peaceful fish for a community tank can seem a bit daunting to begin with – after all, with so many different species to choose from, how on earth are you supposed to figure out which fish can live happily with each other?
Thankfully, we've got you covered in this guide with some tranquil species that will live in harmony with one another. Once you've chosen the best fish tank, the list below will help you fill it with calm species that will co-habit well with one another.
All of these beautiful freshwater fish and tropical fish make great pets, however it's worth noting that many of these species thrive in schools, so you'll want to keep at least three to five of each type. And of course, before you add any fish into your community tank, be sure to research each species well to ensure you meet their environmental needs.
Fish for a community tank
1. White cloud mountain minnow
A small and colorful freshwater and coldwater fish, the white cloud mountain minnow is a hardy species that's tranquil in nature and easy to breed. Native to China, Hong Kong and Vietnam, these fish like to be kept in groups of six or more so they can show off their shoaling behaviors.
The white cloud mountain minnow likes to be kept in aquariums that have a large open swimming area in the middle and plenty of plants to the sides and back and while they need to be kept with other peaceful species, avoid housing them with goldfish as the poor white cloud mountain minnow will quickly become their snack of choice!
2. Diamond tetra
The diamond tetra is a peaceful shoaling species that likes to be kept in groups of six or more in a mature community aquarium. Darker decor will show off their gorgeous glittery appearance with these striking fish sure to be the talking point of your tank.
Open swimming spaces mixed with plant cover will keep this species happy and because they're very sensitive to nitrates, keeping the water pristine is a must for their health and wellbeing.
3. Honey gourami
Shy, quiet and calm, the honey gourami are extremely hardy making them very easy to care for. Because of their reserved nature, they like community tanks with lots of plants so they can hide away when they feel the need to be on their own and they do best with a gentle flow rate.
Native to Bangladesh and India, this brightly colored species likes a varied diet and it's best to keep them in groups where females outnumber males to prevent them from being frequently harassed by amorous males looking to spawn.
4. Zebra danio
The zebra danio is an attractive and highly active fish that's incredibly durable and easy to care for. Thriving in a range of different water temperatures, these peaceful fish are prolific breeders who can spawn every few days, so be prepared to have lots of these little creatures on your hands in you add a few zebra danios to your tank.
While they are very chilled out and make a great addition to community tanks, it's worth avoiding pairing them with any species that has long-flowing fins as these high-energy fish are prone to nipping.
5. Pictus catfish
A tranquil, nocturnal fish native to South America, the pictus catfish is an attractive species with black and white spots and whiskers that can run the length of their body. Measuring around five to six inches with a lifespan of between four to eight years, the pictus catfish is a bottom-dwelling species who likes dim lightening and plenty of places that they can hide during the day.
They enjoy shoaling, so keeping them in groups is ideal, and they do best with fish who are calm and won't bother them when they're hiding.
6. Harlequin rasbora
Harlequin rasboras are stunning fish native to Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Thailand. Easy to care for, large schools of these fish will create a stunning display in your aquarium, but at the very least they need to be kept in groups of eight to let them engage in the shoaling behaviors they love.
Measuring just 1.75 inches, they need to be kept with species of a similar size to prevent them from being eaten and their home should be well planted to offer them plenty of places to hide.
7. Neon tetra
A chilled out little fish that gets on well with other peaceful species, the vibrant neon tetra hails from the Amazon basin and loves soft, acidic and stable water conditions.
Because they're a shoaling fish, they need to be kept in groups in a well furnished aquarium with plenty of dense vegetation and driftwood, and it's recommended you house them in a 20-gallon tank so that they don't feel too cramped.
8. Cory catfish
Looking for fish that clean the tank? The peaceful, bottom-feeding cory catfish is a great option. These scavengers do a brilliant job of gobbling up any uneaten food that finds its way to the bottom of the tank and their non-aggressive temperament makes them a fantastic choice for community tanks.
Native to South America, they are a pleasant species that's hardy an easy to care for, so if you're looking for a low-maintenance fish who won't cause you any stress, the cory catfish is a great choice.
9. Guppy
One of the most popular freshwater aquarium species, the guppy is a great fish for first-time owners as they have a mild temperament and are easy to care for. Available in a range of different varieties, guppies are highly social fish and must be kept in groups.
Guppies can leap up to seven times the length of their bodies, so you'll want a tank that has a very tight fitting lid so that they don't escape and they prefer large aquariums with lots of plants as they're very active.
10. Bristlenose pleco
Growing to just five inches, the bristlenose pleco is one of the smallest catfish but don't let their petite size fool you – these powerful algae eaters will do a brilliant job of keeping your tank looking pristine. A unique looking creature thanks to their bristled snout, this species has a peaceful and sociable nature that makes them a great addition to community tanks.
These fish do best in tanks that are 20 gallons or larger but they can handle a wide range of water conditions, which makes them a flexible option. Because they're bottom-dwellers, be sure to provide them with plenty of driftwood, plants and caves that they can hide out in during the day as they do most of their feeding at night.
11. Clown loach
An entertaining shoaling fish with a striking orange and black striped body and red fins, the active clown loach is native to waters of Indonesia and has a peaceful nature that enables it to co-exist with a wide range of species.
Energetic and engaging to watch, the clown loach is around 12 inches long and can live for up to 25 years. These fish like to be kept in groups, so having at least four of them is advised and they don't like bright lights, so subdued lightning with plenty of plants, rocks, and caves that they can hide in will be much appreciated.
12. Swordtail
Looking for a beginner-friendly fish? The swordtail is a great choice. Compatible with a range of different environments and tank mates, these livebearing fish are extremely hardy and easy to care for.
Swordtails like fast-flowing habitats with cooler water and higher oxygen levels, plus plenty of dense vegetation and floating plants for hiding and spawning. While peaceful with other fish, males can become aggressive towards each other if there are not enough females, so make sure you keep a 3:1 ratio of females to males to prevent this.
13. Celestial pearl danio
Celestial pearl danios are gorgeous fish that will make a show-stopping addition to your community tank. A shoaling species that needs to be kept in groups of 10 or more, celestial pearl danios is a freshwater fish who can live for up to five years when kept in the right conditions.
In the wild, they live in water that is shallow and rich with vegetation so the water ends up being very clear and pure – recreating this for them in your tank will ensure they stay happy and healthy. Males will fight over females, so keeping more females in the tank will prevent any aggression.
14. Platy
A great tropical fish for beginners, platies are hardy and colorful fish that are easy to breed. Wild platies are found in various countries around the world and inhabit slow-moving waters with plenty of vegetation.
Sociable, livebearing fish, they come in many different varieties and are all known for being peaceful and friendly towards other species with a similar nature. As with other livebearing fish, males have a tendency to pester females, so be sure that females outnumber males to prevent them from fighting amongst themselves.
15. Bala shark
Don't panic – while they contain the word 'shark' in their name thanks to their resemblance to these huge sea creatures, the bala shark isn't actually a true shark and won't grow past 13 inches.
Hailing from Southeast Asia, their appearance makes them an intriguing addition to a community tank and their peaceful nature means they won't cause any issues. A timid shoaling species, they need to be kept in groups and require lots of swimming space.
16. Mollies
Livebearing fish that come in a range of different varieties, mollies are hardy fish that like to be kept in groups. Fantastic plant and algae eaters, these warm water fish are very adaptable and will live for around five years with the correct care.
Peaceful mid-dwellers, they need a tank size of at least 20 gallons as they're known for being active and boisterous – traits that mean they may playfully nip the fins of slow-moving or long-finned species from time to time. However, on the whole they're easygoing and their lively nature means they're a great fish to sit back and observe.
17. Siamese algae eater
Famous for their ability to gobble up algae before it has a chance to make your tank look a mess, the Siamese algae eater is a low-maintenance, freshwater fish who doesn't require a ton of care in order to thrive.
Measuring around seven inches and with a lifespan of 10-12 years, this durable and adaptable species is known for being extremely peaceful and have a reputation for getting on well with many different types of fish.
Just be aware that the Siamese algae eater doesn't possess a swimmer bladder, meaning they must remain constantly in motion. For that reason, you'll want to provide them with lots of places to hide at the bottom of the tank for those times when they need to rest.
18. Cherry barb
Cherry barbs are adaptable fish who can thrive in a range of different water conditions. Named for the way males turn a vibrant red during spawning season, this species tends to be shy but are very easy to manage.
Native to Sri Lanka, they are small at just two inches but with the right care they can live for up to six years. Cherry barbs like to be kept in small schools and because they are quite timid, they appreciate having lots of places they can hide.
19. Pearl gourami
Originating in Southeast Asia, the pearl gourami is an attractive fish that's robust and easy to take care of. Known as a labyrinth fish for the way it can store air in the labyrinth chamber of its first gill, the pearl gourami can be vocal at times making distinct croaking sounds.
A peaceful top to mid dweller, these fish get on well in community tanks provided they're paired with other tranquil species. Pearl gouramis do best in tanks with heavy vegetation, dark substrate and subdued lighting.
20. Peacock gudgeon
A tropical freshwater fish that's endemic to the eastern parts of Papua New Guinea and can also be found in Australia and New Zealand, the beautiful peacock gudgeon is a one of a kind fish that will make a vibrant addition to your community aquarium.
A non-fussy fish that's easy to care for, the peacock gudgeon is small enough to not require a ton of room but a minimum tank size of 15 gallons is required. They like warm water with lots of vegetation, so a heavily aquascaped aquarium is ideal and they're happiest when kept in groups of between six to eight.
Read next: Low-maintenance fish
