Community hub

Community fish

Tetras, barbs, gouramis, corydoras, livebearers, rainbows, goldfish and more. The peaceful half of a full freshwater shop.

Not every tank is a monster tank. Cardinal tetras, Sterba corys, pearl gouramis and guppies are the backbone of planted and community aquariums. This hub gathers those groups so beginners and mixed fish rooms have a clear home next to our cichlid and oddball pages.

Tetras

Cardinals, neons, rummynose and larger schoolers. Soft water South American species pair well with discus and angels. Keep them in real groups, not pairs.

Full tetra species pages are next. Until then, see tank mates on our discus and angelfish profiles.

Corydoras

Peaceful armored catfish that sift fine sand. Sterba, panda, bronze and dozens of other species. They need groups, soft sand and a diet beyond leftover flakes.

Gouramis

Pearl, blue, dwarf and kissing gouramis for planted tanks. Labyrinth breathers that can use surface air. Watch male aggression in smaller tanks.

Barbs

Cherry and tiger barbs for community tanks, and large river barbs for bigger systems. Many do best in schools. Some nip long finned tank mates.

Rainbowfish

Active Melanotaenia and related schoolers that color up in larger groups with open swimming space. A natural fit next to peaceful community cichlids.

Goldfish and koi

Coldwater classics. Fancy goldfish need big, filtered tanks and cool water. Koi belong in ponds. They are not tropical community fish, but every full spectrum shop and fish room meets keepers who ask.

Loaches and gobies

Clown loaches, kuhlis and freshwater gobies round out the bottom of many community tanks. Research adult size. Clown loaches get large and need groups and heat.

Crustaceans and inverts

Cherry shrimp, Amano shrimp and other inverts thrive in mature, peaceful planted tanks. Most cichlids will eat them. Keep invert tanks separate from predators.

Axolotls

Cool water amphibians, not fish. They need temperatures well below typical tropical tanks, a soft substrate or bare bottom, and a diet of worms and pellets. Never house them with fish that will nibble gills.

Dedicated axolotl care page coming. This placeholder keeps them on the map for shops that stock them.

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