Best Fish for a Planted Aquarium: 15 Species That Won’t Destroy Your Plants

Table of Contents

• Why Fish Choice Matters in a Planted Tank
• What Makes a Fish Plant-Safe
• 15 Best Fish for a Planted Aquarium
• Species Comparison Table
• Suggested Stocking Combinations
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Fish Choice Matters in a Planted Tank

You have spent weeks aquascaping your planted tank. The substrate is carefully sloped, the stems are growing in nicely, and the carpet is just starting to fill in. Then you add the wrong fish, and within days, plants are uprooted, leaves are shredded, and your substrate looks like a bomb went off.

Choosing the right fish for a planted aquarium is not just about aesthetics. It is about protecting your investment of time, money and effort. In Singapore, where quality aquascaping plants and hardscape materials are not cheap, the last thing you want is a fish that treats your aquascape like a salad bar or a construction site.

The good news is that plenty of beautiful, active and interesting species coexist perfectly with live plants. In fact, many of them actually benefit planted tanks by eating algae, stirring detritus and adding natural colour that makes your aquascape come alive.

What Makes a Fish Plant-Safe

Before we get into specific species, it helps to understand what characteristics make a fish suitable for planted tanks.

Small Body Size

Smaller fish simply cannot cause the physical damage that larger species do. A 3cm ember tetra cannot uproot a stem plant, but a 30cm oscar absolutely can.

Peaceful Temperament

Aggressive or territorial fish often rearrange substrate and decorations to mark their territory. Peaceful community fish leave your hardscape alone.

Herbivore-Free Diet

Fish that are primarily herbivorous will inevitably nibble on your plants. The best planted tank fish are omnivores or insectivores that prefer protein-based foods.

No Digging Behaviour

Some fish dig into substrate as part of their natural behaviour, whether for feeding, nesting or territory. This uproots plants and disrupts carpets.

15 Best Fish for a Planted Aquarium

1. Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)

The ember tetra is arguably the perfect planted tank fish. At just 2cm fully grown, these fiery orange fish are too small to damage any plant. They school beautifully against green backgrounds, and their warm colour complements most aquascapes. In Singapore’s ambient water temperature of 28-30 degrees Celsius, they thrive without a heater. They are widely available at local fish shops along Serangoon North and online.

2. Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelris)

The cardinal tetra’s electric blue and red stripe makes it one of the most popular aquarium fish worldwide. They are completely plant-safe, preferring to swim in the mid-water column without interacting with plants at all. They do best in groups of 10 or more, where their schooling behaviour creates a stunning display against a planted backdrop.

3. Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)

A Southeast Asian native, the harlequin rasbora is perfectly adapted to Singapore’s warm water. Their copper-orange body with a distinctive black triangle makes them instantly recognisable. They are gentle, peaceful and completely ignore plants. An excellent choice for beginners setting up their first planted tank.

4. Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras spp.)

Corydoras are the friendly bottom-dwellers of the planted tank world. While they do sift through substrate looking for food, their small size means they rarely uproot established plants. Bronze corydoras and panda corydoras are the most common species in Singapore’s local fish shops. Keep them in groups of at least six for best behaviour.

5. Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus spp.)

If you want a fish that actively helps your planted tank, the otocinclus is your best friend. These tiny algae eaters spend their days grazing on soft algae without ever touching your plants. They are especially effective against diatoms, the brown algae that plague new setups. They are somewhat delicate, so only add them to established, cycled tanks.

6. Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

Named after the legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano, these shrimp are the gold standard for algae control in planted tanks. They eat hair algae, thread algae and decaying plant matter while leaving healthy plants completely untouched. In Singapore’s warm water, they are active and efficient cleaners. A group of 5-10 in a 60cm tank makes a noticeable difference to algae levels.

7. Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Cherry shrimp are smaller than Amano shrimp but breed readily in aquariums, meaning your cleanup crew grows over time. They come in various colour grades, from deep red to orange, yellow and blue. They graze on biofilm and algae, benefiting plant health. In Singapore, cherry shrimp are inexpensive and widely available.

8. Nerite Snail (Neritina spp.)

Nerite snails are among the best algae eaters available and are completely plant-safe. They scrape algae off leaves, glass and hardscape without damaging plant tissue. A major advantage is that they cannot breed in freshwater, so you will not end up with a snail population explosion. Two or three nerites in a 60cm tank keep glass spotlessly clean.

9. Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)

The honey gourami is a gentle, curious fish that adds a splash of golden colour to planted tanks. Unlike larger gouramis that can be territorial, honeys are peaceful and plant-friendly. They enjoy resting on broad leaves and exploring among stems, but they never damage foliage. They handle Singapore’s warm water well, though very high temperatures above 31 degrees Celsius can stress them.

10. Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)

At barely 1.5cm, the chili rasbora is one of the smallest aquarium fish available. Their tiny size makes them ideal for nano planted tanks of 20-30 litres, which are popular in Singapore’s smaller living spaces. Their deep red colour is surprisingly vivid for such a small fish. They pose zero risk to any plant species.

11. Endler’s Livebearer (Poecilia wingei)

Endlers are like smaller, more colourful versions of guppies, but without the tendency to nip at fine-leaved plants that some fancy guppy strains develop. Males are spectacularly colourful and constantly active. Be warned that they breed prolifically, so stick to all-male groups if you do not want fry.

12. Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus)

Unlike regular corydoras that stay on the bottom, pygmy corydoras hover in the mid-water column, making them unique among catfish. At just 2.5cm, they are far too small to disturb plants or substrate. They school in the open water, creating an endearing display. Keep them in groups of at least eight for best behaviour.

13. Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)

The sparkling gourami is a hidden gem for planted tanks. These 3.5cm fish have iridescent blue-green scales that catch the light beautifully. They are known for making audible croaking sounds during courtship, which is a delightful surprise for new owners. They love weaving through dense plant growth and are completely plant-safe.

14. Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus)

Also known as galaxy rasboras, celestial pearl danios have a striking pattern of white spots on a dark blue body with red-orange fins. They are shy fish that feel most secure in heavily planted tanks, where they dart between stems and hover near the substrate. They do well in Singapore’s temperatures provided the tank does not exceed 30 degrees Celsius for prolonged periods.

15. Rummy Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)

The rummy nose tetra is prized for its tight schooling behaviour, arguably the best of any tetra species. A group of 15 or more moving in perfect unison through a planted aquascape is mesmerising. Their red nose also serves as a water quality indicator. If the red fades, something is off with your water parameters. They are completely plant-safe and thrive at 26-30 degrees Celsius.

Species Comparison Table

Suggested Stocking Combinations

Nano Tank (20-30 Litres)

• 10 chili rasboras + 10 cherry shrimp + 1 nerite snail
• 8 ember tetras + 5 Amano shrimp + 1 nerite snail

Medium Tank (60-90 Litres)

• 12 cardinal tetras + 6 corydoras + 5 Amano shrimp + 2 nerite snails
• 10 harlequin rasboras + 1 honey gourami + 6 pygmy corydoras + 10 cherry shrimp

Large Tank (120+ Litres)

• 20 rummy nose tetras + 8 corydoras + 6 otocinclus + 10 Amano shrimp
• 15 cardinal tetras + 10 ember tetras + 2 sparkling gouramis + 6 corydoras + 5 Amano shrimp

These combinations work well in Singapore’s warm, slightly acidic tap water. Always add fish gradually over several weeks to avoid overwhelming your biological filtration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can guppies live in a planted tank without eating the plants?

Standard guppies are generally fine with most plants. However, some fancy guppy strains may nibble on very fine-leaved plants like cabomba or hornwort. If you notice nibbling, ensure you are feeding enough variety. The species on our list above are all more reliably plant-safe than guppies.

Do I need to worry about fish eating plant roots?

With the species listed above, no. Root-eating behaviour is mainly seen in larger cichlids and herbivorous species. Our recommended fish either ignore roots entirely or are too small to cause damage. If you are using a nutrient-rich substrate like ADA Aqua Soil, the fish listed here will not disturb it significantly.

How many fish can I keep in a planted tank versus an unplanted tank?

Planted tanks can generally support a slightly higher bioload than unplanted tanks because live plants absorb ammonia and nitrate. However, do not use this as an excuse to overstock. A good rule of thumb is 1cm of fish per 2 litres of water for small species. In Singapore’s warm water, dissolved oxygen is lower, so err on the side of fewer fish rather than more.

Will shrimp eat my expensive plants?

Healthy shrimp do not eat healthy plants. Both Amano and cherry shrimp feed on algae, biofilm and decaying plant matter. If you see shrimp eating a leaf, that leaf was already dying. Shrimp are actually beneficial for plant health because they clean leaves of algae and consume decomposing material before it fouls the water.

Want to know which fish to avoid? Read our guide on the worst fish for planted tanks to make sure you do not accidentally undo all your hard work.

If you are planning a new planted aquarium or need help selecting the right fish for your existing setup, our custom aquarium service includes species selection advice tailored to your tank and lifestyle. Visit us at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, or get in touch to discuss your project.

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• 10 Beginner Aquarium Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Top Aquarium Mistakes in the First Month and How to Avoid Them
• Monthly Aquarium Cleaning Schedule: What to Do and When