10 beautiful and colourful freshwater fish combinations to make your aquarium shine

If you wish to transform a plain aquarium into a beautiful paradise, then you are at the right place. The easiest trick is to pair colourful and compatible freshwater fish that create dynamic communities-- from neon blues to fiery oranges and shimmering silvers. Here we list some freshwater fish combinations to make your aquarium shine. These fish need matching water parameters (pH 6.5-7.5, 24-28°C), have similar temperaments (peaceful shoals or solo stars), and the tank size should be of minimum 40 litres to roughly 200 litres. Inspired by aquarists worldwide, they blend beauty with balance, thus turning your tank into a living jewel. Read on to know more:

Neon tetras are small, peaceful, schooling fish and they are known for their striking blue-orange colour. Neon Tetras swim in the upper and middle sections of the aquarium. Meanwhile, pgymy corydoras catfish are peaceful, bottom-dwelling, grouping fish. These fish not only make your aquarium look beautiful but also full of energy. Since both these fish species are schooling fish, house them in a 30-gallon planted tank-- with 10-12 tetras and 8-10 corys.

Guppies flaunt rainbow tails that fan like living art, paired with platies' sunny orange-black spots. A 20-gallon breeder tank hosts 6-8 guppies (watch live births!) and 4-6 platies. Both love slightly hard water, breed easily, and devour vegetables or flakes. Males' displays are entertaining as guppies chase and platies strut.

A majestic betta glides regally, his flowing fins clashing beautifully with kuhli loaches' eel-like stripes. In a 10-gallon tank with silk plants, one betta rules mid-water while 4-6 loaches burrow below. Peaceful if territory-respecting, they share pellet food happily.

Discus fish are known for their iconic dinner-plate disc shape. They come in electric blues and pinks. Add them to a spacious tank with a group of 10-12 rummy-nose tetras, that are known for their classic cherry noses.

Tall angelfish sail like veiled royals in silver-veined glory, cleaned by otocinclus' subtle spotted grace. In a 40-gallon tall tank add 3-4 angels with 8-10 otos. Both prefer tall plants and mild current. Meanwhile, otos help eat algae and hence, keep the glass algae-free.

Cherry barbs glow ruby red in schools, while honey gouramis shimmer honey-gold. In a 30-gallon aquarium with dense plants, you can keep 10 barbs along with 2-3 honey gouramis.

Photo: Wikimedia/ Canva (L-R)

Rainbowfish flaunt their metallic turquoise-orange stripes, dotted by nerite snails' striped shells. In a 40-gallon aquarium setup, you can keep 8-10 rainbow schooling fish along with 4-6 nerite snails. The snails control algae by tirelessly cleaning the tank, while the fish add their beautiful rainbow colours to the aquarium.

Dwarf gouramis bubble in turquoise splendor, schooling with harlequin rasboras' orange-black wedges. In a 30-gallon aquarium tank, you can keep 2 gouramis along with a school of 12 rasboras. Rasboras' tight formations contrast gouramis' hover, making your tank look beautiful and colourful.

White clouds sparkle silver-red in cool waters, with cherry shrimp's candy reds foraging below. In a 20-gallon tank with temperature ranging from 20-24°C, add 10 minnows along with 20 shrimp. Minnows leap playfully, while shrimp multiply colourfully in the tank.

Photo: Animalia/ Canva

Endler's Livebearers add a burst of orange-metal spots to the aquarium, while tiny corydoras stay in a group at the bottom. In a 20-gallon tank, you can keep 6-8 Endlers along with 6 pygmies. Both these fish species add colour and dynamic energy to the tank.