10 Best Schooling Aquarium Fish

Thinking about settling a tropical aquarium, small, nimble and very beautiful fish – Tetras first come to mind. Keeping Tetras in an aquarium is as old as the aquarium hobby itself, because these “pearls” of South America and West Africa seem too made for aquarium life. They are incredibly easy to maintain, have a bright color and are peaceful. They can keep in groups. As well as with other species of peace-loving fish.

Tetras are unpretentious in feeding; they accept dry, frozen and live food well. Some species are even capable of breeding in a shared aquarium, spawning on plant leaves or among mosses.

Ideal Conditions

A biotope aquarium will allow you to provide the best conditions for keeping Tetra. A biotope aquarium replicates nature from a specific habitat in a specific part of the world. Approximately the same conditions are suitable for keeping Tetra – soft sandy substrate, natural driftwood and stones, placed in such a way as to create the feeling of the watery edge of tropical forests. The biotopes of some Tetras are characterize by areas with lush and dense vegetation, while other species are characterize by ponds shaded by overhanging trees and filled with fallen leaves.

Tetra sickle / Minor

Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon eques
Habitat:  Central Brazil, Paraguay
Size:  4 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 40 liters
Water parameters:  t 22 – 28 ° C, ph 6 – 7.2, gh 2 – 15 °
Note:  One of the most popular aquarium fish Differs in bright colors, peacefulness and unpretentiousness. They are color more contrastingly and are more active when kept in a flock.

Neon blue

Scientific name: Paracheirodon innesi
Habitat:  Brazil
Size:  3.5 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 30 liters
Water parameters:  t 23 – 27 ° C, ph 5 – 6.5, gh 3 – 8 °
Note:  Unusually peaceful, unassuming sociable and mobile schooling fish … It makes the greatest impression in large flocks.

Kerry / False Royal Tetra

Scientific name: Nematobrycon kerri
Habitat:  Brazil
Size:  5 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 50 liters
Water parameters:  t 24 – 27 ° C, ph 6 – 7.5, gh 3 – 10 °
Note: Prefers a dimly lit spacious aquarium with floating plants and driftwood, dense vegetation and open space for swimming are also desirable.

Lemon tetra

Scientific name:  Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Habitat:  Brazil
Size:  4.5 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 40 liters
Water parameters:  t 24 – 28 ° C, ph 6 – 7.5, gh 2 – 8 °
Note:  Lemon tetra is a collective fish, moreover in its natural environment they form rather large flocks, therefore it is preferable to keep in a group from 5 individuals or more. Ideal for a community aquarium.

Tetra flashlight

Scientific name: Hemigrammus ocellifer
Habitat:  Amazon
Size:  4.5 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 50 liters
Water parameters:  t 22 – 28 ° C, ph 6 – 7.5, gh 2 – 18 °
Note:  Ideal for keeping in densely planted aquariums where all the beauty of this species is fully revealed. It got its name  for bright shiny eyes and  because of the golden spot at the tail, which seems to emit light

Palmeri / Royal tetra

Scientific name: Nematobrycon palmeri
Habitat:  Western Columbia
Size:  6 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 50 liters
Water parameters:  t 20 – 26 ° C, ph 6 – 7.2, gh 2 – 15 °
Note:  When kept singly or in multiples in large aquariums, strong males choose a site for themselves and defend it vigorously.

Palmeri black / Black royal tetra

Scientific name: Nematobrycon palmeri black
Habitat: breeding form
Size:  6 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 50 liters
Water parameters:  t 20 – 26 ° C, ph 6 – 7.2, gh 2 – 15 °
Note: The breeding form is characterized by a velvety black green body. Bright expressive eyes against a dark background sparkle even brighter! Peaceful fish, compatible with any fish of similar size and temperament.

Ornatus “Phantom” red

Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
Habitat:  Colombia
Size:  4 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 40 liters
Water parameters:  t 22 – 27 ° C, ph 6 – 7, gh 2 – 8 °
Note: An  exquisite fish with a delicate, graceful, but quite bright colors, complemented by its pleasant personality. They are gregarious, active and very peaceful fish, making them ideal for a well-chosen aquarium community.

Rummy nose tetra 

Scientific name: Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Habitat:  Brazil
Size:  6 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 50 liters
Water parameters:  t 24 – 28 ° C, ph 5 – 6.8, gh 2 – 10 °
Note: Peaceful, very active, schooling aquarium fish , retaining an intense red color with the minimum required water parameters. Due to its relatively small size (like other Tetras), it is sensitive to the purity of water.

Diamond tetra

Scientific name: Moenkhausia pittiere
Habitat:  Colombia, Venezuela
Size:  6 cm
Aquarium volume:  from 50 liters
Water parameters:  t 24 – 28 ° C, ph 6.5 – 7, gh 3 – 12 °
Note:  One of the most beautiful representatives of the genus Characin.  An adaptable species that will do great in a wide variety of aquariums. Looks great in densely planted aquariums where it exhibits the most intense colors.