Recently nano aquariums (up to 30 liters) are becoming very popular. We can find a place for them in practically every apartment, you can create a real room decoration, and they are also a perfect home for shrimps. However, aquarists like fish the most. We present species that can be successfully bred in such a small aquarium.
We must remember that in the case of nano tanks, biological balance is extremely important. Water parameters must be constantly monitored, and the tank itself must not be overstocked. Therefore, the appropriate selection of species for a nanoaquarium is a key issue when setting up such a tank.
Colorful veils, popular algae eaters, angelfish, gladioli or gourami can be ruled out right away. These fish grow much too big for nano tanks and even young specimens should not be considered at all.
Celestial Pearl Danio
The fish is native to Southeast Burma, and the species itself was relatively recently discovered (in 2006). The fish reach small sizes – usually up to 2.1 cm in length. It is very easy to distinguish between the sexes in fish. Female galaxies are much larger than males and have a more rounded belly.
Requires a tank with a minimum capacity of 30 liters. Sandy or gravelly ground. The aquarium should be brightly lit. Decorations of plants, pieces of wood and roots. Fish look best among plants with small leaves and juicy green color.
Water requirements: pH 7.0-7.5; general hardness 8-12 ° dGH. The water must be very well filtered, but without a large water current. The species easily adapts to water parameters, but is sensitive to its poor condition.
Paracheirodon innesi
This fish is well known to all aquarists. It inhabits South America in nature and lives in black waters. It reaches a size of up to 3.5 cm in length, so its dimensions allow you to safely grow in nano aquariums. It is a lively and sociable fish. It is best and also presents itself in the herd of at least a few copies. Neons eagerly eat artificial foods, although their delicacy is small mosquito larvae.
Water requirements: temperature 21-24ºC; pH 5.0-7.0; soft to medium hard water. Regular water change is necessary because fish are sensitive to its poor parameters.
Paracheirodon simulans
Blue neons, similarly to paracheirodon innesi, are 3.5 cm in size. The fish also come from South America. They are lively and sociable fish that keep in a herd in an aquarium. Females are bigger than males. Fish eat any food and can be easily fed with flake foods. However, you cannot forget about the addition of live or frozen mosquito larvae.
Water requirements: pH 6.0-7.5 acidic to slightly alkaline water. Overall hardness is preferably below 3ºdGH. The water should be changed once a week in the amount of about 25% of the tank volume.
Betta splendens
Betta splendens are well-known fish to both young and experienced aquarists. For a single male, an aquarium with a capacity of up to 15 liters is enough, while for a pair of fish you need a tank with a minimum capacity of 30 liters. The fish grow to a length of about 6 cm, so kept singly or in pairs, they are perfect for a nano aquarium. The aquarium for this species should be densely planted, but there should also be enough space for swimming. The aquarium should also be tightly covered, because the fish breathe the atmospheric air and the temperature difference cannot be too large.
The fish should be fed the most varied meat food possible. It eats various insect larvae, but can also get used to dry food.
Water requirements: temperature 26-30ºC; pH 6.5-7.2; soft to hard water.
Heterandria formosa
A fish reaching small sizes. Usually it grows up to 2.5 cm. It is a gentle and lively fish that looks best in a herd. He also feels best in a single-species aquarium. Therefore, nano tanks will be perfect for them. The aquarium for small fish should be densely overgrown with plants, which are their natural hiding places. Fish are eager to eat any food, they can easily get used to eating food in the form of dry flakes.
Pygmy Corydoras
It is a tiny fish which grows up to a maximum of 3 cm in length. It is a calm and companionable fish that also acts as a bottom cleaner for the aquarium. It is best to keep several individuals as the fish feel best. Water requirements: temperature 21-26 ° C; pH 6.0-7.2; soft to medium hard water.
Feeding the fish is not a problem. They prefer live and frozen insect larvae. However, they also accept dry food taken from the gout without any problems.
Glowlight Tetra
This little South American fish grows up to 4.5 cm in length. The male is slender and smaller than the female with a characteristic whitish ending of the fins.
It is a lively, sociable, gregarious fish. Suitable for a group of smaller fish species. The fish comes from tropical forest areas where the water is dark in color. Therefore, it is recommended to keep these fish in a tank with a dark bottom and a slight partial shade. Such conditions correspond to the natural ones. Decorations of stones and roots.
It eagerly accepts any food, both dry and alive.
Dwarf Pencilfish
This small 5cm fish comes from South America. Ideally suited for a nano aquarium. It looks best in a herd of at least a few specimens. It should not be combined with larger species and zebrafish or barbs which are fast swimming fish. This behavior of companion species can cause the fish to become skittish.
Food must be put near the water surface because fish ignore food that sinks to the bottom or when swimming in the water.
Water requirements: 22-26 ° C; pH 6-7.5; hardness 2-12 ° dGH. The water should be fresh and well filtered. Frequent water changes in large amounts are recommended: 1/4 volume per week.
Danio choprae
Requires a tank with a minimum capacity of 40 liters. Sandy or gravelly ground. The tank should be decorated with roots, pieces of wood and bamboo shoots. Such an arrangement reproduces the natural waters in bamboo forests where the species occurs. The aquarium should also be planted with a large number of plants and the tank should be partially darkened by floating plants.
Remember: while placing a new fish or a few into your nanoaquarium, be sure that the new inhabitants have enough space to swimm and chill! Try to create the enviroment that nature already suggested in the wild. Then your fish will surely reward you in their magnificant appearience.