Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Calm midwater school for a 20 long. Less nippy than barbs, less fragile than cardinals.
Calm midwater school for a 20 long.
In the tank
- Less nippy than barbs, less fragile than cardinals.
- Water
- freshwater
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Midwater
- Adult size
- 2 in
- Minimum tank
- 15 gal
- Group
- School of 6+
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Diet
- Micro pellets, flakes, frozen brine and daphnia.
- Beginner
- Yes, if the tank is cycled
How to keep them
- School of six-plus.
- Planted tank with open swim length.
Tankmates
Corys, small tetras, honey gouramis, bristlenose in a 29.
Avoid
Tiger barbs and large cichlids.
Check tankmates · Stocking calculator
Same group

Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
The default midwater school.
A group of six-plus fills the middle of a 20 long so the tank does not look empty.

Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
A showier neon that wants better water.
Same schooling job as neons, with a full-body red stripe.

Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Nano school for a planted 10.
Actually fits a 10-gallon as a group.

Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
Fast top-water school. Hardy, slightly chaotic.
Tolerates cooler rooms than tetras.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
The honest no-heater school.
Lives in the mid-60s without a heater if the room stays cool.

Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
A peaceful barb for a planted 20.
Schooling color without tiger-barb nipping — if you keep six-plus.