Schooling fish are a must for any aquarium.Schooling fish are a must for any aquarium.
Schooling fish are a must for any aquarium.

Schooling Tropical Fish 2024: Here are 10 of the best schooling tropical fish for fresh water aquarium owners

It’s estimated that around 10 per cent of British households own pet fish – making them the third most popular animal to welcome into our homes after cats and dogs.
By David Hepburn
Published 23rd Jan 2023, 14:24 BST
Updated 26th Mar 2024, 11:53 BST

From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl – the UK is a nation of fish lovers.

And the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) say there are an incredible five million indoor fish tanks in Britain.

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to adding fish to (well prepared and correctly set up) home aquariums, with pet shops offering a bewildering range of colourful and interesting finned friends.

Schooling fish are particularly popular – fish that are only happy in a group of the same species, travelling around your tank in colourful packs.

As a general rule you should make sure to have at least six of these fish in your tank at any one time – and be aware that some species thrive when there’s a particular proportion of males to females (if there’s any doubt ask an expert at your local pet shop).

So, here are 10 of the best species of schooling fish for aquarists (people who maintain aquariums).

The Neon Tetra is the UK's (and probably the world's) most popular tropical fish - and is the epitome of a schooling fish. The tiny fish's bright red and blue colouring and ease of care are a winning combination for beginners. They originally come from backwater streams in the Amazon basin in South America. You'll need a seperate tank if you want to breed then though.

1. Neon Tetra

The Neon Tetra is the UK's (and probably the world's) most popular tropical fish - and is the epitome of a schooling fish. The tiny fish's bright red and blue colouring and ease of care are a winning combination for beginners. They originally come from backwater streams in the Amazon basin in South America. You'll need a seperate tank if you want to breed then though. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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Larger than their Neon Tetra close cousins, the Black Skirt Tetra is a peaceful and hardy schooling fish that can hold its own against larger rivals. It's native to the Paraguay River basin of south-central Brazil, Paraguay and northeast Argentina.

2. Black Skirt Tetra

Larger than their Neon Tetra close cousins, the Black Skirt Tetra is a peaceful and hardy schooling fish that can hold its own against larger rivals. It's native to the Paraguay River basin of south-central Brazil, Paraguay and northeast Argentina. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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When it comes to aquarium fish, few are as hardy and easy to care for as the Zebra Danio, also known as the Zebra Fish. Another small schooling fish, they'll naturally form a tightly-packed shoal as soon as you introduce them to your tank. These fish will eat pretty much anything so that's one less thing to worry about.

3. Zebra Danio

When it comes to aquarium fish, few are as hardy and easy to care for as the Zebra Danio, also known as the Zebra Fish. Another small schooling fish, they'll naturally form a tightly-packed shoal as soon as you introduce them to your tank. These fish will eat pretty much anything so that's one less thing to worry about. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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The colourful Harlequin Rasbora is a native of Southeast Asia is a small fish that will form a dazzling school in your aquarium. Get up to 10 of them - they get on well with everyone and are happy to just eat basic fish flakes.

4. Harlequin Rasbora

The colourful Harlequin Rasbora is a native of Southeast Asia is a small fish that will form a dazzling school in your aquarium. Get up to 10 of them - they get on well with everyone and are happy to just eat basic fish flakes. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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