13 Schooling Aquarium Fish: Fascinating and Beautiful

Charlie Morton

Charlie Morton

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schooling aquarium fish

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There’s something about a tightly packed school of colorful aquarium fish, gracefully moving through a beautifully decorated tank that immediately captures the imagination, and transports one to an exotic world.

But which peaceful schooling fish are the most colorful, interesting, and easy to keep?

Here we’ll run through a list of 13 of the best species of fish for a classic community tank setup. Let’s dive in!

Harlequin Rasbora (Rasbora Heteromorpha)

Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) on a fish tank with blurred background
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 1.5 inches
  • Origin: Southeast Asia
  • Temperature: 70-82°F
  • pH: 5-7.5
  • School size: 8+

Harlequin rasboras are one of the more popular fish for community tanks for good reason. They’ve been a favorite among fishkeepers for many years because of their hardiness, vibrant color, and peaceful behavior, and are actually on the list of best beginner fish.

These little schooling fish don’t require a complicated aquarium setup. A rectangular tank of at least around 13 gallons/50L should be enough for a small group of 6-7, although bigger is better and allows for a larger group.

Because harlequin rasboras prefer soft, slightly acidic water they are most suitable for blackwater biotopes, although they can adapt to many different water conditions as long as the aquarium is properly cycled. You can add Indian almond leaves to darken the water and imitate their natural habitat. A few plants here and there will be much appreciated for the cover they offer.

Cherry Barb (Puntius Titteya)

Cherry Barb
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 1.5-2 inches
  • Origin: Sri Lanka
  • Temperature: 68-81°F
  • pH: 6-8
  • School size: 6+

The Puntius/barb genus as a whole often gets skipped for community tanks due to the aggressiveness and nippy tendencies of the tiger barb. Pity, because there are many more types of barbs, and not all of them are aggressive. Cherry barbs (pictured at the top) are a great example. They’re beautiful, too: those intense oranges will brighten up any aquarium.

Although they can occasionally nip at fish with longer fins, cherry barbs are actually peaceful and prefer an aquarium with other peaceful species. A group of at least 8 is preferable, although a tight school will usually not be formed.

Some sources report that an aquarium of at least 5 gallons/18L is suitable for cherry barbs, but this is definitely not the case. At least 18 gal/70L is a much better place to start, as these fish grow to a size of around 2 inch/5cm.

Black Skirt Tetra / Black Widow Tetra (Gymnocorymbus Ternetzi)

Black Skirt Tetra / Black Widow Tetra
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: Up to 3 inches
  • Origin: South America
  • Temperature: 72-80°F
  • pH: 6-7.5
  • School size: 6+

If you’re interested in keeping tetras but want something other than the super bright colors of your regular ol’ neon tetra for a change, the subtle silver and black of the black skirt tetra might appeal to you. Alternatively, you might like the very light-colored white color variety that is referred to as the white skirt tetra instead.

Black skirts (and white skirts) are one of the easiest tetra species and can be found in almost any aquarium store. They don’t demand specific water values, although they will appreciate it when the lighting is slightly subdued by floating plants and a dark substrate.

An aquarium of at least around 20 gallons/80L is a good idea, as black skirt tetras are active and need plenty of swimming space. Tall live plants like Amazon sword are appreciated, but keep them limited to the edges of the tank!

Platy (Xiphophorus Spp.)

Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: Up to 3 inches
  • Origin: South America
  • Temperature: 70-77°F
  • pH: 6.8-8
  • School size: 5+

Closely related to swordtails, another long-time aquarium favorite, platies are one of the most popular fish in the aquarium hobby as a whole. They are livebearers that don’t require very specific care and are quite peaceful, which makes them suitable for most community aquariums.

While their popularity makes Platies easy to find in local pet-/aquarium stores, it also has a downside. Commercially bred color varieties can be weak due to inbreeding. Additionally, these peaceful fish are often impulse bought and kept in unsuitable housing like unheated and unfiltered bowls or vases

Like any other tropical fish, platies need a filtered, heated aquarium that’s large enough for a group of at least 6-7 fish. A planted tank around 20 gal/80L is a good place to start. Unlike many of the other fish on this list, this species doesn’t do very well in soft water. A pH of at least 7.5 will be more appreciated.

Keep in mind that platies breed very quickly, so if you don’t have room for the fry it’s best to keep only males. If you do want to keep females, make sure you have at least two for every male as they will be chased relentlessly. To help the fry survive, you can add some Java moss as a hiding place.

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Zebra Danio (Danio Rerio)

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) in planted aquarium
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 1.5-2 inches
  • Origin: India
  • Temperature: 64-77°F
  • pH: 6-8
  • School size: 6+

If you’re looking to set up an unheated aquarium, be sure to consider the ever-popular Zebra Danio. This appropriately named striped species is a great choice for beginners due to its hardiness. In fact, it’s so hardy that it’s actually a popular species used in scientific research!

This active species might be quite small at a maximum size of 2?/5 cm but don’t think you can keep them in a small aquarium. They’re among the most active fish and anything under around 20 gallons (75L, long) will interfere with their cheerful ways.

Provide some cover in the form of plants, but be sure to keep them limited to the sides of the tank to keep plenty of swimming room. Don’t combine zebra Danios with docile fish: their activity level can stress out some of the calmer species. Additionally, long fins make an irresistible target for nipping.

Want to know more about keeping Zebra Danios? You can find a full care sheet on Aquariadise here.

Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus Erythrozonus)

Glowlight Tetra
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 1.5-2 inches
  • Origin: South America
  • Temperature: 74-82°F
  • pH: 6-7.5
  • School size: 6+

One of the most popular tetra species available, glowlight tetras are small silver fish with a red stripe along their body. An almost fully white albino version is also available but may be a little more difficult to find in aquarium stores.

Like the other tetra species. discussed here, glowlight tetras prefer slightly acidic, heavily planted waters. A blackwater setup is actually the most natural choice for them, although they should do fairly well in any aquarium that offers plenty of cover. Their super peaceful nature makes glowlight tetras one of the best shoaling fish and they will do well combined with most species that require similar water values.

Other tetras are a good option and the ones discussed in this article can actually all be combined if your aquarium is large enough. Just be sure not to house your glowlights with any fish big enough to eat them! A setup of at least around 18 gal/70L should be enough to house a proper group of glowlight tetras.

Bloodfin Tetra (Aphyocharax Anisitsi)

Bloodfin Tetra
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 2 inches +
  • Origin: South America
  • Temperature: 72-78°F
  • pH: 6-7.5
  • School size: 6+

Yes, another tetra! Though a bit less well-known than the “classic” tetra species, bloodfin tetras definitely shouldn’t be forgotten when it comes to easy schooling fish. They are active swimmers that don’t require specific water values or temperature as long as regular maintenance is done. Definitely a fish that can brighten up any aquarium with its striking silver and red colors.

Although, like most tetras, bloodfins might try to have a nip at long-finned tankmates, they are mostly peaceful and do well in tropical-planted community setups.

Keeping a large enough school helps make them feel safe and can prevent most nipping behavior. A dark substrate and some floating plants are appreciated but not necessary. Do make sure to place at least some plants and other decorations in the aquarium to provide some cover.

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White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys Albonubes)

Tanichthys albonubes
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 1.5 inches
  • Origin: China
  • Temperature: 60-72°F
  • pH: 6-8.5
  • School size: 8+

Like most other schooling fish on this list, white cloud mountain minnows are often the victim of improper care and housing. Some sources report that tanks as small as 2,5 gallons/9,5L (!) are suitable for one or two white clouds, but this is, unfortunately, a myth.

Tanks of this size are not suitable for any fish, let alone an active schooling fish that needs to be kept in larger groups. An aquarium of at least 15 gal/57L is an absolute must.

While they can withstand a wide range of temperatures, white clouds are best kept in an unheated aquarium (if the room temperature is unstable, use a heater set to 60-72 °F/15-22 °C to prevent stress). In the wild, they are found in densely planted mountain streams with soft, slightly acidic water.

All this makes white clouds perfect for aquarists looking for something other than the regular tropical community tank. They do great in hillstream-type setups with loaches and other species from similar waters. These fish are fun to keep and males will regularly display interesting breeding behavior, showing off their colorful fins to attract the females.

A full white cloud mountain minnow care sheet can be found here.

Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon Innesi)

Neon tetra fish in aquarium.
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 1 inch
  • Origin: South America
  • Temperature: 70-77°F
  • pH: 5.5-7.5
  • School size: 8+

No list of schooling fish would be complete without the world’s most popular tetra. Their vibrant colors, hardy nature, and peaceful temperament have made neon tetra an icon of tropical aquariums for decades.

Coming from the Amazon, the neon blue and bright red colors of neon tetra look stunning in a densely planted aquarium or aquascape. You can make their colors pop even more by keeping them alongside other fish with contrasting or duller colors, like black skirt tetra, or red eye tetra.

Typically growing to around 1.5 inches in size, neon tetra are small enough to keep in a medium-large school even in a 20-gallon aquarium. While they are typically well-behaved fish, they have been known to nip at other fish’s fins when they are stressed. This is usually the result of keeping them in a group that’s too small or in an overcrowded tank.

To avoid this issue, always keep neon tetra in groups of at least 6, and I’d recommend a tank of at least 20 gallons so that they exhibit their true schooling behavior rather than ‘bobbing’ or ‘hovering’ around.

Cory Catfish (Corydoras Spp.)

best food for cory catfish
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 15-30 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Size: 1-4 inches
  • Origin: South America
  • Temperature: 74-80°F
  • pH: 5.5-8
  • School size: 5+

If there was a prize for the model community fish, it would be hard to beat the Corydoras catfish family. Commonly known as ‘cories’, these endearing little fish spend their days and nights scurrying around the bottom of the aquarium, looking for any leftover food, algae, or detritus to clean up.

By doing this, cories provide an invaluable service to the aquarium owner. With fewer bits of uneaten food and detritus lying around, water quality stays much higher, and you might not even have to vacuum your substrate so often!

But while some people don’t realize that corydoras species are schooling fish, they should never be left alone. In the wild, these social fish form large schools, and so must always be kept in groups of 6 or more to remain happy and healthy.

While bandit cories, bronze cories, and panda cories typically grow to 2-2.5 inches in size, the pygmy cory, dwarf cory, and salt and pepper cory only grow to 1 inch long, meaning you could happily keep them in a 15-gallon aquarium.

Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon Amandae)

ember tetra
  • Care level: Easy
  • Tank size: 10 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 0.75 inches
  • Origin: Brazil
  • Temperature: 68-82°F
  • pH: 5-7
  • School size: 8+

Also sometimes known as the ‘flame tetra’, a large school of ember tetra will set your tank alight with animated, radiant flickers of deep orange and red.

Ember tetras have been becoming increasingly popular in recent years, and one of the reasons is that they possess a color rarely found in small schooling fish. Their warm, fiery hues look especially alluring when set against a lush green densely planted aquascape – just magic.

Another wonderful thing about ember tetra is their tiny size. Only growing up to 0.75 inches, they’re the smallest commonly kept tetra and can be kept in a large school even in a modest 20-gallon aquarium.

Ember tetra are also fairly hardy fish but do need to be kept in a group of at least 6-8 fish to keep them happy and free from stress.

Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus Vitreolus)

Glass Catfish
  • Care level: Moderate
  • Tank size: 30 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 3 inches
  • Origin: Thailand
  • Temperature: 72-79°F
  • School size: 6+

Now for the oddball on our list, the glass catfish is a fish that makes people stop and stare. Their transparent body makes everything inside them visible – skeleton, organs, and all! Just observing them can be a good lesson in fish anatomy!

The transparent body of the glass catfish helps to camouflage them in nature, and it’ll have the same effect in your aquarium! No matter what background you see these fish against, they’ll blend in with their surroundings, making it an endless game trying to find them all!

In the wild, glass catfish enjoy a fairly carnivorous diet of fish fry and invertebrates, so replicating this menu in the aquarium will boost their health and well-being substantially. Try offering them regular helpings of frozen or live bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia to keep these fish in radiant health.

Sometimes exceeding 3 inches in length, glass catfish are slightly larger fish than many on our list, and require an aquarium of at least 30 gallons to remain happy.

Half-Banded Kuhli Loach (Pangio Semicincta)

Do Kuhli Loaches Eat Shrimp
  • Care level: Easy-Moderate
  • Tank size: 20 gallons or more
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Adult size: 3-4 inches
  • Origin: Thailand
  • Temperature: 73-82°F
  • pH: 6-7
  • School size: 5+

While kuhli loaches are not your classic schooling fish, they are strongly social fish and much prefer to be kept in groups. It can be great fun to watch kuhlis huddle together in caves, and watching them interact together will leave you with no doubt that these intelligent fish love company.

The other reason that kuhli loaches (aka. coolie loaches) make the list is because they’re one of my personal favorites. Their beautiful, eel-like orange and black-striped bodies are wonderful to watch as they wiggle their way around the aquarium and through crevices that other fish could never fit inside.

Best of all, kuhli loaches are one of the most peaceful tank mates you could hope to host. Their preference for life on the bottom of the aquarium also helps to keep them out of harm’s way from potentially aggressive fish like gouramis and betta fish that tend to stick to the upper water layers.

Bonus points for helping to keep the tank clean, too!

Conclusion

Remember: when it comes to schooling fish, the larger the group the better they will look! While a group of 7 is enough for most of them, a group of at least 20 is a lot more spectacular and the fish will really appreciate the company.

If you’re looking for a more extensive list of peaceful aquarium fish, check out 9 peaceful aquarium fish!

For more beginner fish, see the list of best beginner fish.

If you have any additional questions about these schooling fish or want to share your experiences, leave a comment below. Happy fish keeping!

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7 thoughts on “13 Schooling Aquarium Fish: Fascinating and Beautiful”

  1. Hello, I’ve just rencently bought my White Skirt Tetras (two to be exact) and I was wondering if they have any different care methods than the Black Skirt Tetra mentioned in the article. If so, would you have any tips?

    Reply
    • Hello! White skirt tetras are a color variety of black skirts, so their care is the same 🙂 My only tip would be that as you can read in this article, these are schooling fish. They want some friends! Two is way too little for them to feel comfortable.

      Good luck 🙂

      Reply
    • Hi Mari. I’m starting a10 gal. Freshwater tank. And wondering what temp should water stay at? Also how many fish per 10 gals. In was always told 2 fish per gallon .is this true? Tyia

      Reply
      • Hi!

        First off, I recommend having a look at the articles on stocking an aquarium and aquarium stocking tips. Finding the right fish for your tank is much more complicated than just X fish per gallon unfortunately, there are actually endless factors to keep in mind.

        As for temperature, that will depend on the fish you end up choosing. If you look up care articles for them (which you should absolutely do before buying any fish), they will list the desired temperature.

        If you need any more help with this absolutely feel free to ask, great to see you’re doing your research beforehand 🙂

        Reply
    • Danios are certainly very hardy! However, the most common zebra danios are super active swimmers and I think a 15 gal is a bit too small for them. A rectangular tank of at least 20 gallons or maybe even a bit more would be a better place to start. They also aren’t fully tropical and do best at around 64-74 F, which makes them a less than ideal match for many community tanks.
      If your 15 gallon is in the low 70’s and the stock matches, you could go for celestial pearl danios instead. They’re a bit smaller than their “regular” zebra cousins! 🙂

      Reply

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