Best Fish for a Planted Aquarium in India (Safe & Colourful)

The best fish for a planted aquarium are small, peaceful species that do not eat or uproot plants, such as guppies, endlers, neon, ember and cardinal tetras, harlequin rasboras, corydoras, otocinclus, honey gouramis, kuhli loaches, and shrimp and nerite snails. Avoid goldfish, large cichlids, silver dollars, pacu and common plecos, which eat, dig up or crush plants. This guide lists plant-safe fish with size, temperament and temperature range, shows which fish to skip, explains stocking levels and feeding, and covers what changes in hot Indian summers.

Plant-safe fish at a glance

The table lists fish that are widely kept in planted tanks. Sizes and temperature ranges are typical hobby figures and vary a little by source and by individual fish, so treat them as a guide and check the exact species you buy.

For care details on individual species, see our guides on guppy care, betta fish care and shrimp care, and our pick of the best nano fish for small tanks.

Fish that damage planted tanks

Some fish are simply not suited to planted tanks, however good the planting. They either eat the plants, dig the substrate or grow too large and messy. Skipping these saves time and money.

If you already keep such fish and want greenery, use tough plants like Anubias and Java fern attached to wood, or consider artificial plants for the soft areas. Our comparison of live versus artificial aquarium plants is a good place to start.

How many fish can a planted tank hold?

Plants help with waste, but they do not give you permission to overstock. A common mistake is to add fish until the tank looks full of life, and then wonder why water quality drops. As a loose guide, a 60 cm (2 ft) tank of about 55-60 litres can usually house one school of 8-10 small tetras or rasboras, plus a small group of corydoras, if it is well filtered and fed lightly. A 20-30 litre nano tank suits a small school of ember tetras or a group of shrimp rather than a mix of species. Add fish slowly, a few at a time, over several weeks, and test the water as you go.

A tank with plenty of plants and small fish is easier to keep stable. The plants take up part of the ammonia and nitrate the fish create, while the fish provide a steady source of nutrients. See whether aquarium plants clean water for the details of what plants can and cannot do. Plants and fish both benefit from a quiet sponge filter, such as the Blue Pet XF-380 Sponge Filter (₹550) or the Sobo SB-333 Sponge Filter (₹500), which is gentle on fry and shrimp.

Blue Pet XF-380 Sponge FilterGentle flow for plants and fry Sobo SB-333 Sponge FilterCompact bio-sponge Sunken Garden Anti ChlorineWater conditioner TCWS Water Test StripsQuick water checks

Feeding fish in a planted tank

Overfeeding is the main route to algae in a planted tank. Feed only what the fish finish in about a minute or two, once or twice a day, and remove leftovers. Small fish do best on small pellets or crumbs they can swallow easily. Good staples include Hikari Tropical Micro Pellets (₹559) and Life AAYU Neutral Fish Food (₹236). For corydoras, otocinclus and shrimp, sinking foods such as Hikari Tropical Algae Wafers (₹438) and Life Aayu Algae Treats (₹150) reach the bottom before faster fish take them. If you want more choices for small tetras, read our community tetra food guide, and for why overfeeding matters see how overfeeding affects water quality and algae.

Hikari Tropical Micro PelletsSmall fish staple Life AAYU Neutral Fish FoodEveryday diet Hikari Tropical Algae WafersFor algae eaters and bottom feeders Life Aayu Algae TreatsSinking herbal bites

Choosing fish for your plant setup

Match your fish to your planting style. A heavily planted nano tank suits ember tetras, endlers, celestial pearl danios and shrimp. A medium community tank suits harlequin rasboras, cardinal tetras, corydoras and honey gouramis. A betta tank can do well with Anubias, Java fern and floating plants that give shade and rest spots. For bettas see our guide to plants for betta fish. For more on small tanks, read how to set up a nano planted tank.

Fertilizer questions come up often once fish are in. Standard liquid fertilizers used at the recommended dose are generally fine for fish, but shrimp are more sensitive, especially to copper in some products. Always read the label and our guide to fertilizers that are safe for shrimp before dosing in a shrimp tank.

Fish for planted tanks in India

Availability of fish varies by city, so ask your local aquarium shop or a trusted breeder what they stock and where it was bred. Locally bred guppies, endlers and rasboras tend to adapt well to local water. Some species, such as neon tetras and white cloud mountain minnows, prefer cooler water and may struggle when the tank passes 30 C in summer. Ember tetras, guppies, endlers and honey gouramis tolerate warmer conditions better. Chlorinated tap water must always be treated with a conditioner before it touches the tank, and a large water change with untreated water can harm fish and shrimp. In hard-water cities, choose fish that handle hard water, such as guppies and endlers, and avoid soft-water species unless you are prepared to adjust the water. During summer, keep the tank out of direct sunlight, use a fan across the surface, and add floating plants to shade the water. In the monsoon, check the tank temperature and the quality of the tap water more often. Whatever you choose, quarantine new fish and plants separately if you can, and add fish only after the tank has cycled. For a broad overview of plants that cope with Indian conditions, see our complete aquarium plants guide for India.

हिंदी में संक्षेप: प्लांटेड एक्वेरियम के लिए गप्पी, एंडलर, नियोन, एम्बर और कार्डिनल टेट्रा, हार्लेक्विन रासबोरा, कोरिडोरस और झींगे जैसी छोटी शांत मछलियाँ अच्छी रहती हैं। गोल्डफिश, बड़े सिक्लिड और पैकू पौधों को खा जाते हैं या उखाड़ देते हैं, इसलिए इन्हें न रखें। गर्मी में पानी 30 डिग्री से ऊपर न जाने दें और कम मात्रा में खिलाएँ।

Frequently asked questions

What are the best fish for a planted aquarium?

Small peaceful fish such as guppies, endlers, ember tetras, cardinal tetras, harlequin rasboras, corydoras, honey gouramis and kuhli loaches suit planted tanks. They do not eat or uproot healthy plants.

Which fish do not eat aquarium plants?

Most small tetras, rasboras, livebearers like guppies and endlers, corydoras and otocinclus leave healthy plants alone. Nerite snails and amano shrimp also graze algae without eating the plants themselves.

Can I keep goldfish with live plants?

It is hard. Goldfish dig, uproot and eat most soft plants. Tough plants such as Anubias and Java fern attached to wood, or Vallisneria planted well, last longer, but expect some losses.

Is a betta safe in a planted tank?

Yes, most bettas do well with plants, especially broad-leaved ones and floaters that give shade. Avoid sharp plastic decorations and choose tank mates carefully, since some bettas attack other fish.

Can shrimp live in a planted tank?

Yes, shrimp do well in planted tanks, where they graze on biofilm and algae. Use a sponge filter cover, avoid copper-based products and keep them with small, peaceful fish only.

How many fish should I put in a planted tank?

Stock lightly. A 55-60 litre tank can typically hold a school of 8-10 small tetras or rasboras plus a few corydoras. Add fish gradually and test the water regularly.

What fish are best for a small planted nano tank?

Ember tetras, endlers, celestial pearl danios, a single betta or shrimp suit tanks of about 20-30 litres. Keep numbers low and choose one species group rather than several.

Do plants help keep fish healthy?

Yes, plants take up some ammonia and nitrate, add oxygen during the day and provide shelter that lowers stress. They do not replace the filter or water changes.

Will hot Indian summers harm fish in a planted tank?

They can. Many tropical fish tolerate up to about 28-30 C, while neon tetras and white cloud minnows prefer cooler water. Shade the tank, add surface movement and avoid long light hours in heat waves.

Which fish eat algae in a planted tank?

Otocinclus, nerite snails and amano or cherry shrimp graze soft algae. They help but do not replace good light balance and feeding habits, and none of them fix an algae outbreak on their own.

Related plant guides

• Aquarium plants for fish tanks: the complete India guide
• Do aquarium plants clean water?
• Best aquarium plants for beginners
• Aquarium plants for betta fish
• Nano planted tank setup
• Low-tech planted tank setup
• Live vs artificial aquarium plants

Planning a planted tank for a particular fish and not sure about the light or filter? Message us on WhatsApp at +91 91523 30102 and we will help.