Top 10 Fish That Are Perfect For Planted Aquariums

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‎ Over the past 20 years, Cory has found his favorite fish for planted aquariums, whether because of their stunning appearance or interesting behavior. If you really enjoy live aquatic plants, try a combination of these fish and see which ones you love the best.
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WHO WE ARE
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At Aquarium Co-Op, we focus on your aquariums. We specialize in freshwater tropical fish, aquatic plants, and the overall betterment of the freshwater fish keeping hobby. Our goal is to help you with your first pet fish and graduate you to an advanced aquarium hobbyist. If you'd like to take it to the next level, subscribe to Aquarium Co-Op and check out our weekly videos.
Cory McElroy is employed by Aquarium Co-Op LLC. He also owns Aquarium Co-Op LLC. Therefore, all content is sponsored by Aquarium Co-Op.

[@AquariumCoop]

*Which fish is your favorite to keep in a planted tank?* For more fish stocking ideas, check out our retail store employees' suggestions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKSlmadujtqqasU

[@TheModernAiArt]

Mine is spilota algae eater because they clean up dirty plants like a vacuum

[@ABC-hb2li]

Zebra danios, Dwarf gourami, Pearl gourami, Kulhi loach, Zebra loach, Hillstream loach, Sterbai corys.

[@matthewsmith22]

Oscars! Sorry, had to steal Cory's joke!

[@THandP_org]

It's been about 3 decades since I had an elephant nose... I might need to revisit the idea now that you have made plant success so much easier, Cory! Waiting on a friend's panda cory babies to get to a safe size to relocate. Still debating on whether or not I want the headache of a tank heater, they just don't seem to be as durable as the ones I used in the late 70's/ early 80's. I have more broken heaters in the discard box than I have functional heaters in the entire apartment. 😒

[@stevengraff8687]

Spotted Headstanders (Chilodus gracilis or Chilodus punctatus), a striking and peaceful fish that shoal, their body position is unique, and they prowl the plants looking for food to fit in their tiny mouths. Another fish that is underrepresented in the hobby

[@FoxyFoxyShazam]

I would never put rummynose tetras in anything smaller than a 20 long. (no judgement at anyone who is/has kept them in smaller) Yeah, they're small and don't produce a lot of bio-load, but their activity level is very similar to something like danios. Very cool, active, and fast fish.

[@Hoodiemastery]

I agree.

[@jugemujugemugokonosurikire7231]

Danios are cool and they’re hardy too

[@chumpblock-pu1ve]

I don’t think he meant to say 15-20 in a 10 gallon. I agree with u.

[@elsernall8732]

I love thy these videos will include the “classic” fish and some I’ve never heard of before. Thanks for sharing your experience with us and shedding light on these awesome species.

[@bananafloat27]

"They get to the size of...I don't know, a taco..." LMAOOOOO

[@jerryghirardo6111]

Another not so common, from what I’ve seen, are Arulius Barbs. They are very active and are not mean to other fish. Cory helped identify a couple I got as part of a tank deal a few months back. I now have 42 fry and they are pretty playful. I found that the more plants you have, the happier they zoom through and have hiding places when spooked. Mine also will break into groups and sometimes park at one end of the tank at like a 40% angle. They sit there for a while until another group zooms through and then they chase each other around.

[@nelsonth]

Such an interesting anecdote! You really get an idea of their personality from your description

[@CorinneLangford]

I really love the fact that there were some unique recommendations on this video rather than the same old same old. Some great ideas I have tucked away, thank you!

[@dylancarrera8627]

I love the leopard bushfish! I was lucky enough to find an older one so he’ll thrive in my 60 gallon aquarium with my other giants: koi angle, electric blue acara, and Squeaker Catfish

[@loganwitte3477]

Would love to see a guide on crayfish. Proper setups, breeding, etc. I feel like shrimp get all of the love but there are some awesome crayfish species out there.

[@o0danieller0o]

i love my mexican dwarf crayfish!! they are full of personality and love climbing all over the plants. I have him a 15 gal with a lot of plants and rocks with lots of texture and layers for him to explore.

[@himlolo]

Well crayfish try killing everything so of course less people keep them, and less information

[@k0olmini11]

Woah. It’s been a while since we’ve gotten a top 10. Thanks!!!

[@scotp6362]

Love the Siamese algae eater…. A must for any tank with wood. They are always busy, but very relaxing to watch them clean their way through the tank. I also love the Congo tetras. I wish I could find more males. I guess you have to order them or have be there the day they arrive.

[@carolineraimbeau1124]

Cory, just met you in Orlando at AquaShella. Love your store and your advice! You keep the hobby interesting!

[@jawjagrrl]

Planning a pair of SA 55s now, but want to put congo tetras as an exception as they look so good with angels and geophagus! The Bush fish are amazing too. Definitely doing rummies as the anchor on the "small" fish side, long time favorite!

[@MrTarget21]

I’ve learned so much from your videos, and am always so excited when I see a new video to watch!!

[@paulanthonynelson2733]

Thanks Cory, falling in love with my planted aquarium. I like the hair grass and have a white stipped leave thing with all its roots and on the surface a big amazon sword. Great tank shots really cool channel guys

[@tracitekancic4529]

Great video thanks for this. I always look forward to your new videos I learn a lot.

[@UKFishCam]

Such great recommendations, I’ll try to add these to my next tank!

[@Naturebeautifaul]

Definitely loved the last 4 so much!!

[@md3631363]

Awesome video and great suggestions! Thanks! :)

[@apss5736]

Awesome video. My favourite fish for planted tanks are bettas, endlers and pygmy cories

[@jimmyreese4740]

Awesome video those Rosy Barbs are amazing!!!

[@irjeffster]

I've Panda Corydoras, 100% agree with you Cory, they're so playful, and usually energetic. I started with 3, and they were ok, then I added 5. The 8 of them seem much happier. They play follow the leader around the rocks, they like to weave in and out of the plants, and are pure entertainment.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Great little video on these different types of fish!!!

[@katiediddidwhat]

I love my panda Cory’s so much! They are so fun to watch root around together ❤️

[@smplantedtanks8869]

I love the Lambchop/Espei Rasbora! They are pretty small and the orange can really pop against the green plants... but these videos make me want FAR too many setups in order to keep them all!!

[@925aquatics]

Some really good out-of-the-norm suggestions!

[@aputnam31]

I love these types of videos! I really enjoy congo tetras! I was happy to see them on the list

[@rally4reel77]

I am so excited to learn you guys are local, I can't wait to visit the store!

[@genyosha16]

Green neons are my go to in a planted tank. Good schoolin, amazing looks and cheap

[@frankcapel4557]

Team aquarium co-op another awesome video Corey love everything the channel puts out keep up the great work Siamese algae eater was the one for me put him in my planted tank within three to four days he had all the hair algae gone great little fish a little bossy sometimes but aren't we all!!!!!🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠

[@ScuzzyForPrez]

Y'all do commercial breaks better than other channels I've seen. Good job!

[@emilymaness]

I really enjoyed this video. In fact I think I will watch it again and take notes.

[@ScottParisi]

Informative. Thank you. Maybe some future recommendations on fish for a planted tank without a heater.

[@lunes-1]

Great video, keep it up!🐟💯

[@terrymartins2552]

ACO got me into planted tanks and I love it, wouldn’t do another tank without them. Really cool fish and I definitely got some new ideas for my next Aquarium.

[@aquariumcockpit9949]

Great picks!

[@AnnabelleBeaudoin]

I love your videos ❤️ great source of information very well presented.

[@aquamates-sa5452]

Absolutely love the elephantnose fish - so cute and different

[@ddanford321]

Thanks for the cool ideas - I'd been thinking I wanted some colorful fish to join the diamond tetras in my 29-gallon planted community tank. Those sunset platies might fit the bill!

[@TABaut]

Thank you!

[@MediTANKtion]

Nice Ad! Love it

[@Cichlids23]

Great ideas Cory.....I have the rummy nose in my 125g and they look awesome. I bought 60 from you, might have to get 40 more! lol

[@Exquailibur]

speaking of corys uprooting plants I have several brochis splendens, while they aren't technically corys they really double down on the uprooting plants part. still worth it, i love em.

[@HighPriestVaticanAssasin]

I raised a Cntenopoma from a tiny baby to a full 6"ish fish, kept for many years. One of my favorites.

[@lakemiya6]

What did you feed it? Mine is 3 yo and just now started attaching my rainbowfish

[@HighPriestVaticanAssasin]

@@lakemiya6 mostly freeze dried krill, some freeze dried shrimp and cichlid pellets occasionally. I kept mine with a Senegal Bichir and an African Brown Knife. Occasionally would chase knifefish but not really that badly. They had their own spaces.

[@sarahcountryman1776]

Great video! I'm going to read more about Leopard Bush Fish. Can we look forward to seeing these in your fish room? You also reminded me of the beautiful Congo Tetras.

[@jaimebras2189]

Cool choices

[@RogueAquariums]

Nice top 10 favorites Cory based on your years in the hobby. 👌

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

Not just Congos and Rummynose, practically all Tetras are excellent fish for planted tanks - Maybe the absolute best. An abundant vegetation seems to furtherly enhance their yet beautiful colours too.

[@carolgain284]

I'm in the process of setting up a 75 gallon tank, based off an African river setting. I have a decent amount of plants in the tank already (I'm planning on adding a couple more), driftwood, and a small school of 8 congo tetras (4 males, 4 females); I'll be adding 4 more female congos and 4 upside down catfish before I add an elephant nose fish. I'm extremely excited to have this beautiful oddball in my tank.

[@Raidan97]

Not Fez Daddy with the FIIIsh!! Love the vids

[@kerrypitt9789]

I really enjoy these videos. I enjoy many fish that you do. Elephant noses are big on my list! So are Leaf fish. I'm scaping a 60 gallon today and tomorrow. Going to an Amazon type of scape, which is quite different for me.

[@Sir_Olf]

Wow you finally got bracers! Good job! Haven't been active on KZbin for two years.

[@_invertico_]

I think pea puffers and endless are great for planted tank because they both have a big personality in a small body and love going in and out of the lush plants

[@kasperaquatics]

Love the video, and the shirt.

[@cahyadi2017]

Woow yg this the best channel i see much the beutiful fish and education thank's sir

[@patrickisolate2706]

NEW SUBSCRIBER FROM PH! ❤

[@rachaelreczenski7270]

I never really considered hatchetfish before. I KNOW they've been recommended before but I never really considered that flash really grabbing your attention. And especially as a dither fish, I just recognized... 🤦‍♀️... just another one of those things. Finally sunk in. Thank you!! Loving the office, btw!

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Awesome

[@grahamkool6519]

I have a ctenopoma in my 135, had him for 12 years. About the size of my hand 6-7”. Also have 10 hatchet fish in a 29 upstairs they are great

[@VictoriaLeeCreates]

💛💛💙💙💚💚just what I needed 💚💚💙💙💛💛

[@bradsmithstudios8881]

If you go to the Georgia aquarium, the lights in many of the tanks in the river scout exhibit go out about 40 or so minutes before closing time. There is a very large tank that becomes alive with elephant nose. That was an amazing experience discovering that.

[@TripleJAquatics]

Hello Cory, Im Jakob from Triple J Aquatics. Lol another great vid from the co-op

[@shesellsfish]

Fish and plants just go together. Like milk and cookies. 👍❤👍

[@alisonnicholson]

Thanks Cory loving the look of those leopard print fish. Rosy barbs a possibility too. Some food for thought there

[@mckflurry]

Careful! I bought a tank that came with two rosy barbs, and my plants did okay. One of them died, and the remaining one had an existential crisis so I got him 6 friends… oh the horror. All the soft plants… gone. Any new Anubias bud… gone. All new growth… what new growth? They are maniacs. I love them to bits though! I gave up and put them in the 180gal with other plant eaters like Buenos Aires tetras and crayfish 😂 They are an amazing fish to watch, very active… the long-fin variety is exquisite. They will harass other fish to death or fail to thrive if not kept in a school. 10/10 recommend… just not with (all) plants and in an adequate group and aquarium size. ** my experience may not be 100% contributed to the rosy barbs, though. It was a new tank with new plants, so it definitely could have been my error. But the way they pick off duckweed and nibble anacharis and roots, I’m sure they helped the process considerably.

[@alisonnicholson]

@@mckflurry oh wow I'll maybe avoid those then as I do value my plants and I dont much fancy fin nipping as I have long fin danios. Thank you so much for the heads up. I'll have a rethink about them lol. Thanks again for the advice and input 😊👍I'll probably find something that wont upset the peace 9f my community tank

[@mckflurry]

@@alisonnicholson They won’t bother your other fish if they have enough of their own group. They don’t mess with anyone else in the 180gal except themselves, gleefully! They are similar to black skirt tetras in that sense. Very fun to watch as they chase each other around and do water acrobats. They would likely do alright with some plants, especially if you supplement their diet with blanched veggies. IME they have a high metabolism (for all their activity, they’re only still if they’re sleeping or dead 😂) and will feel the need to snack more often.

[@kathrynthomas6390]

Love Corydoras julii and C. trilineatus!

[@rsousaaquarios]

Nice! I must trie Siamese algae eater soon...

[@billytan5876]

Oh I love those Siamese guys! I never see them messing with my tetras

[@madaboutmilitaria3630]

Love the congos

[@milesruby3271]

They are soo good

[@shanesteck5720]

I love your videos and was wondering if you could answer a question?, I have 3 55w zetlight ze8600m lights ( we had 125 saltwater) we converted it back over to freshwater community planted tank- will these lights work or do you have a better suggestion for lighting ( bc of the plants) We like the look of the hangon lights from the back also and not a larger bar across the tank.

[@zamim.aka-arima_z4753]

Small Corydoras are so cute

[@aaronham5881]

Nice

[@crungus__]

Another fun fact about the elephant fish, some species produce electrical signals to find prey (and one species even communicates with it!), and it’s possible to install some devices to make those signals into sound!

[@lemonshark4961]

I haven't had a problem with my albino cories and my plants but I would love to try out pygmy cories

[@garybragg9527]

My elephant nose is out all the time during the day. Even comes up to too and eat out of hands. Very cool fish

[@michaelbremar531]

First time user. Show is great for my son and I

[@ChetJennings]

I have your channel on all the time over here helping me learn all about the hobby. My 4 year old thinks you're cute, Cory. She says, "How come he doesn't smile at me more?" Just thought you should know this.

[@Crunchy9000-]

My elephant nose is my favorite fish I’ve ever kept. One of the most fun fish to watch move around and mine doesn’t hide away too much in its cave or in my lower plants although it does prefer staying on the side of the tank where the light is kind of blocked out by some lily pads.

[@V1kte]

I've recently read that they're pretty much the most intelligent fish you can keep in a tank? Did you notice any displays of intelligence that would be unusual for other fish? It seems like a really interesting fish, if I ever have a tank big enough to house it I'd really like to keep one.

[@armoredsoul2076]

Could you do a video on Peacock Eel care?

[@R1Ammar]

Hey Cory! Can a starlight pleco work with a planted aquarium with monte carlo carpeting in the process? If not, can you recommend which plecos will?

[@scorpionspets9832]

@Aquarium Co-Op I have a five gallon with out a heater and I need to find some good plants for it. Any recommendations? Also can you make a video on cleaning blackbeard alge off of plants and snails. I have to get it off of a small snail species and some delicate plants. Thank you.

[@Chu6428]

Cool.

[@rickcade1474]

I love the Elephant Nose.

[@jsauce666]

That is a very interesting shirt you’re wearing. :-)

[@sarab3888]

Have you done a list for fish in a bowfront aquarium?

[@alfpacino1813]

MAESTRO.

[@JustDave76]

Anyone try rummy nose with tiger barbs? I have both in separate tanks now was thinking of putting them together in a planted 75 gallon

[@forestkuykendall5269]

I love my Congo tetras but they do snack on my anubias, Especially the new growth.

[@marinusdedreu3833]

I love Congos, I've got 40 in my 300g

[@InternacionalBoxing]

I was about to buy that Jaguar fish until i googled Max Size lmao

[@cocolocobirb981]

How many rummynose’s would be suitable for a 20 gal high? There’s a large driftwood piece in the middle and two Amazon swords with a Java fern in the middle (planning on more plants) and I will also have a dwarf gourami in too.

[@terrymartins2552]

My favorite fish from the video are the Platies for their color and activity. Rummy Noses come in at a close 2nd!!!

[@kaseymul25]

I have platys and I absolutely love them!

[@mohammedasad2892]

I want you to do a clip that talks about putting 5 or 10 different types of fish. You can put them together in one bowl

[@Nobody-mc4hr]

From my experience Top 1 large schooling fish for planted aquarium is torpedo or roseline shark . All tetras just fade infrond of them

[@brianwilliams9813]

Platys are my favorite

[@hannahdemon]

Have you been in my house??? I have Congo tetra, sunset platys, ctenopoma, algae eaters and Corys right now in my bowfront!

[@captainrex5947]

Just saw you at aquashella!

[@fishlover4680]

Anyone got any advice for how many tetras in a 20gallon with a centerpiece fish (e.g. giant betta)?

[@jackievarughese3945]

If I have a school of Hemigrammus Rhodostomus and a school of Hemigrammus Bleheri, would they interbreed? All of my LFS has the Bleheri and I have some in my 75g but I want to add some true rummynose ( Rhodostomus ) into the tank

[@Harta23]

Good morning my friend If I like the gold 🎏 my friend that.s very beautiful ❤️💕💕

[@MatchuCT]

From what you said about hte Siamese... I have a siamese, black neons, panda cories, pygmy cories, ottos.... and ONE cherry barb. He sticks out like a sore thumb, hahahaa

[@willgarlick5456]

Can I use deer antlers as aquarium decor?