MICRO AQUARIUM GUIDE

Stock your small tank with confidence.

Clear guides to nano fish, shrimp, snails, and plants — how to set up, feed, and keep a small aquarium healthy and humane.

Care level key

Beginner Hardy and forgiving
Moderate Needs stable water and experience

Browse by type

7 entries Nano Fish 6 entries Bettas & Gouramis 6 entries Shrimp 6 entries Snails & Algae Eaters 6 entries Live Plants

Nano Fish

All Nano Fish →

Beginner Neon Tetra: The Classic Nano Schooling Fish 霓虹灯鱼：经典的微型群游鱼 1.5 in The neon tetra is one of the most recognizable and beloved nano fish in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Beginner Ember Tetra: A Tiny Orange Glow 火尾灯鱼：微小的橙色光点 0.8 in The ember tetra is a diminutive freshwater fish that has become a favorite among nano aquarium enthusiasts. Beginner Celestial Pearl Danio: A Speckled Nano Jewel 银河斑马：带斑点的微型宝石 0.8 in The celestial pearl danio is one of the most striking small freshwater fish available to home aquarists, and it has become a favorite in the nano aquarium world since it first appeared in the hobby. Beginner Chili Rasbora: A Tiny Red Jewel 辣椒灯鱼：微小的红色宝石 0.7 in The chili rasbora is one of the smallest and most striking nano fish available to freshwater hobbyists, and it has earned a devoted following for good reason. Beginner Pygmy Corydoras: A Tiny Bottom-Dweller 小精灵鼠鱼：微小的底栖鱼 1 in The Pygmy Corydoras is one of the smallest catfish available in the aquarium hobby, reaching only about 1 inch in length as an adult. Beginner Endler's Livebearer: A Bright Little Guppy Relative 恩氏孔雀：明亮的小型卵胎生鱼 1 in The Endler's Livebearer is a tiny, vibrant livebearing fish that has become a favorite among nano aquarium enthusiasts. Beginner Guppy: A Colorful Livebearer Classic 孔雀鱼：多彩的卵胎生经典 1.5-2 in The guppy is one of the most recognizable and widely kept freshwater nano fish in the home aquarium hobby, prized for its vivid colors, constant activity, and remarkable ease of care.

Bettas & Gouramis

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Beginner Betta: A Solitary Showpiece Fish 斗鱼：独居的展示鱼 2.5-3 in The Betta, often called the Siamese fighting fish, is a small, colorful freshwater fish that has become a staple in the home aquarium. Beginner Dwarf Gourami: A Colorful Labyrinth Fish 丽丽鱼：色彩斑斓的迷鳃鱼 2-3 in The dwarf gourami is a small, colorful labyrinth fish that has been a favorite among freshwater aquarists for decades. Beginner Honey Gourami: A Gentle Golden Dwarf 蜂蜜丽丽：温和的金色小个子 2 in The honey gourami is one of the most approachable small labyrinth fish available to home aquarists, and it has earned a lasting reputation as a gentle centerpiece for peaceful community tanks. Beginner Sparkling Gourami: A Tiny Croaking Gem 珍珠马甲：微小的鸣叫小精灵 1.5 in The sparkling gourami is a diminutive labyrinth fish that brings big personality to a small planted aquarium. Moderate Pea Puffer: A Tiny Snail-Hunting Puffer 红眼娃娃：微小的食螺河豚 1 in The pea puffer, also known as the dwarf puffer or red-eye puffer, is a tiny freshwater fish that has become increasingly popular among nano-aquarium enthusiasts. Moderate Scarlet Badis: A Shy Micropredator 红宝石丽丽：害羞的微型捕食者 0.8 in The scarlet badis is one of those tiny freshwater fish that rewards patience more than flash.

Shrimp

Beginner Red Cherry Shrimp: The Hardy Beginner Shrimp 红樱桃虾：皮实的入门虾 1.5 in The red cherry shrimp is one of the most forgiving freshwater invertebrates a beginner can keep, and it has earned a reputation as the hardy入门 shrimp of the planted nano tank. Beginner Amano Shrimp: The Algae-Eating Workhorse 大和沼虾：吃藻的主力 2 in Amano shrimp are among the most popular freshwater invertebrates for planted aquariums, prized for their relentless appetite for algae and their peaceful nature. Moderate Crystal Red Shrimp: A Delicate Show Shrimp 水晶红虾：娇贵的观赏虾 1.2 in Crystal Red Shrimp are a striking freshwater invertebrate prized for their vivid red and white banding. Beginner Ghost Shrimp: A Transparent Cleanup Shrimp 幽灵虾：透明的清洁虾 1.5 in Ghost shrimp are a popular choice for beginner aquarists looking for a low-maintenance cleanup crew. Moderate Bamboo Shrimp: A Fan-Feeding Filter Shrimp 竹节虾：扇滤食的虾 3-4 in The bamboo shrimp is a large, peaceful freshwater shrimp that has earned a devoted following among aquarists who enjoy watching unusual feeding behaviors. Beginner Blue Dream Shrimp: A Bold Blue Neocaridina 蓝梦虾：醒目的蓝色新米虾 1.5 in The Blue Dream Shrimp is a striking freshwater invertebrate that has become a favorite among aquarists for its vivid blue coloration and peaceful nature.

Snails & Algae Eaters

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Beginner Nerite Snail: The Algae Cleaner That Won't Overrun 斑马螺：不泛滥的食藻螺 1 in The nerite snail is one of the most popular algae-eating invertebrates in the freshwater aquarium hobby, prized for its voracious appetite for algae and its inability to reproduce in freshwater. Beginner Mystery Snail: A Large and Peaceful Cleaner 神秘螺：大型温和的清道夫 2 in The mystery snail is a large, peaceful freshwater snail that has become a favorite among beginner and experienced aquarists alike. Beginner Ramshorn Snail: A Tiny Prolific Cleaner 扁卷螺：微小而多产 0.5-1 in The ramshorn snail is a small, peaceful freshwater snail that has earned a place in many home aquariums as a diligent cleaner. Moderate Otocinclus: A Gentle Dwarf Algae Eater 小精灵鱼：温和的微型食藻鱼 1.5-2 in The Otocinclus, often called the dwarf algae eater or simply "oto," is a small, peaceful catfish that has become a favorite among planted aquarium enthusiasts. Moderate Siamese Algae Eater: A Hardworking Grazer 泰国飞狐：勤奋的刮藻鱼 5-6 in The Siamese Algae Eater is one of the most useful grazing fish available to freshwater hobbyists, prized for its appetite for algae that many other tank inhabitants ignore. Moderate Hillstream Loach: A Cool-Water Torrent Fish 吸鳅：喜凉水的激流鱼 2-3 in The hillstream loach is a fascinating freshwater fish that brings a unique blend of beauty and utility to the home aquarium.

Live Plants

All Live Plants →

Beginner Java Moss: The Versatile Nano Plant 爪哇莫斯：百搭的微型水草 Spreads 1-4 in Java moss is one of the most forgiving and adaptable live plants you can add to a nano aquarium. Beginner Anubias: The Hardy Low-Light Plant 水榕：皮实的低光水草 Height 4-8 in Anubias is one of the most forgiving live plants you can add to a freshwater aquarium, making it a favorite among beginners and experienced hobbyists alike. Moderate Dwarf Hairgrass: A Fine-Leaved Carpet Plant 矮珍珠草：细叶的草皮水草 Height 1-3 in Dwarf hairgrass is one of the most popular carpeting plants in the freshwater hobby, prized for the way it knits itself into a soft, lawn-like foreground over time. Beginner Java Fern: A Tough Attached Plant 爪哇蕨：强韧的附生水草 Height 6-12 in Java Fern is one of the most forgiving and versatile live plants for freshwater aquariums, making it a staple for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike. Beginner Cryptocoryne: A Low-Maintenance Rooted Plant 椒草：低维护的根生水草 Height 4-10 in Cryptocoryne, often called crypts, are a diverse group of rooted aquatic plants beloved by freshwater hobbyists for their hardiness and visual appeal. Beginner Marimo Moss Ball: A Simple Green Sphere 绿藻球：简单的绿色球体 Diameter 1-4 in The Marimo moss ball is not actually a moss but a rare form of green algae that grows into a soft, velvety sphere.