Which fish will damage aquarium plants?

Avoid dedicated plant-eaters and big diggers — silver dollars and buenos aires tetras nibble soft leaves, goldfish and many large cichlids uproot and shred plants, and some barbs sample tender shoots. If you love a species that's a known plant-muncher, pair it with tough plants like anubias and java fern, or keep it in an unplanted setup.

Do fish help a planted tank?

Yes — fish and plants work together. Fish waste feeds the plants as fertiliser, plants absorb nitrate and release oxygen, and grazing fish and shrimp help keep algae down. A balanced planted community is one of the most stable and self-supporting setups in the hobby once established.

How much do planted-tank fish cost in the UK?

Most suitable species start at about £2-£12 each, with dwarf cichlid centrepieces and higher-grade shrimp costing more. Because a planted community mixes several shoals and a centrepiece, budget for the whole stocking plan rather than a single fish. Prices on this page are live: what you see is what's in stock today.

What are the best fish for a planted nano aquascape?

Small, peaceful shoalers and grazers: chili and mosquito rasboras, celestial pearl danios, ember tetras, pygmy corydoras and dwarf shrimp. They stay tiny, won't disturb the scape, and their colour pops against the plants. Keep the shoal size appropriate to the tank's litres.

Is it safe to buy planted-tank fish online?

Yes. The peaceful species that suit a planted tank all ship well in oxygen-charged, insulated packaging with a winter heat pack, dispatched midweek by a licensed live-animal courier. Every delivery is backed by our photo-proof live arrival guarantee.

Planted Tank Fish for Sale UK

Planted-tank fish for sale UK — peaceful, plant-safe species that showcase aquascaped layouts. Tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, shrimps.

561 products available

This page collects the fish that look their best against live plants and won't dig up or devour an aquascape. Everything listed is live stock held in our own system, dispatched with a licensed live-animal courier under our live arrival guarantee.

The ideal planted-tank fish are peaceful, plant-safe and colourful against greenery: shoaling tetras and rasboras, dwarf cichlids like rams and Apistogramma, corydoras, small gouramis and dwarf shrimp. They graze algae, shelter among stems and complete the scene without wrecking it.

Read the live-plant notes linked below before ordering. Avoid known plant-eaters and big diggers (silver dollars, some large cichlids, goldfish), and remember that a planted tank's stable, oxygen-rich water suits most peaceful community fish beautifully.

Current delivery and offer information

Follow each link for the latest terms before ordering.

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Browse all 561 Planted Tank Fish

Explore related categories

Visual route into our wider UK live-fish range.

Beginner Fish

The best tropical fish for beginners UK — hand-picked easy-care species that thrive with minimal fuss. Perfect starter community tank candidates.

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Best nano tank fish for UK aquariums — species that thrive in tanks under 40 litres. Micro schoolers, dwarf species, shrimps.

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Community tank fish for sale UK — peaceful, compatible species that coexist happily. Perfect for mixed-species tropical aquariums.

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Best algae eaters for sale UK — Bristlenose Plecos, Otocinclus, Siamese Algae Eaters, Nerite Snails, Amano Shrimp.

Bottom Dwellers

Bottom dweller fish for sale UK — Corydoras, Loaches, Plecos, Synodontis. Cleanup crew for the aquarium substrate.

Schooling Fish

Schooling fish for sale UK — species that thrive in groups of 6+. Tetras, Rasboras, Barbs, Danios, Rainbows.

Centerpiece Fish

Centerpiece fish for sale UK — large, attention-grabbing species that anchor a display tank. Oscars, Discus, Angelfish, Arowanas, Severums.

Rare & Collector Fish

Buy exotic fish online UK — L-number plecos, wild-caught Apistogramma, altum angelfish, rare cichlids and collector livebearers. Live arrival guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Peaceful, plant-friendly species: tetras, rasboras, danios, corydoras, dwarf cichlids such as rams and Apistogramma, small gouramis, and dwarf shrimp. These graze on algae and biofilm without uprooting or eating your plants. They also show off best against a green backdrop, which is half the appeal of a planted tank.

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Care guides

Best Aquarium Plants for Beginners: Complete UK Guide (2026)
Complete UK guide to easy aquarium plants for beginners — java fern, anubias, cryptocoryne, java moss. Planting technique, lighting, low-tech setups, fish pairing. Written by a UK aquarist.

Buying guides

Tropical Fish for Sale UK — all species

Free Care Guide

Complete Planted Tank Fish Care Guide

Tank setup, diet, water parameters and tank-mate compatibility, backed by cited sources.

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