When you acquire a fish-keeping hobby, large fish are more likely to attract you. But whether the fish is small or big, it needs to be friendly and peaceful to go into a community tank. So, what are the large yet peaceful fish that can live in a community tank?
Few large peaceful fish like clown loach, keyhole cichlid, Roseline torpedo shark, pearl gourami, etc. can be ideal choices for community tanks.
Which of them will let smaller fish live in the same tank? What are these large fish like? What factors make them good as community fish?
Let’s dive in to find the answers to these questions.
10 Best Large Peaceful Community Fish For Your Freshwater Aquarium
Here is the list of 10 large fish that are peaceful as well as ideal for a community tank. If it is the community tank you are aiming for with large fish, choose from the list below after reading what they prefer and what they don’t.
Clown Loach
| Size | 12 inches |
| Temperature | 75 to 85 °F |
| pH | 6 to 7.5 |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Hardness | 5 to 15 dKH |
| Tank Size | 150-gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The best thing about this fish is that you can’t resist petting it once you see it. These large fish have beautiful color combinations with all orange, black strips on the body, and red fins.
These active yet peaceful fish are more for the community tank than for the dinner table. They are so amusing to look at as they are generally very active and will feed on a wide variety of food.
Clown loaches can go from worms to snails and enjoy any food equally. And they don’t even bother small fish in the tank.
Clowns with all the beautiful traits have one more to it; they prefer to live along with the school with 4 members. Moreover, these schooling fish prefers to hide among plants and don’t like bright lights.
They can live happily with any non-aggressive fish, but it is better to go for medium-sized fast-moving fish.
The best tank mates for clown loaches are tetras, rainbowfish, gourami, barbs, larger rasboras, and other clown loaches as well.
But you need to make sure there is no fish present in the tank that has long and fancy fins.
You might also be interested in Do Clown Loaches eat shrimp?
Roseline Torpedo Shark
| Size | 5.9 inches |
| Temperature | 59 to 77 °F |
| pH | 6.5 to 7.8 |
| Care Level | Easy but needs Experience plus special care |
| Hardness | 5- 20 dKH |
| Tank Size | 55+ gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful mostly |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
Related Article: How To Set 50-Gallons Tank
When you think about additional large fish to the community tank, the first few choices that you can go for include this beautiful, bright, inquisitive, and active fish.
These Roseline Torpedo Sharks go by a few other names as well. Some of them are Denison’s barb, Redline torpedo barb, the Indian Flasher barb, etc.
Although Roseline is considered on the endangered list of species, that doesn’t stop it from being an ideal choice.
These fish are one of the large fish that are peaceful and easy to care for. They are not suitable for beginners and must be handled with great care and attention because they are an endangered species.
They are quite aggressive towards each other around dawn and dusk, so don’t feed them around those times.
When it comes to tank mates for these fish, go for fish that are not aggressive or easily intimidated. And also, look closely for fish that aren’t picky, can grab their food quickly, and have similar water requirements.
Except for blackwater species, other Asian and Central or South American fish are on the tank mates for these large fish.
You can go for Red-tailed rasbora, golden dwarf cichlids, corydoras, plecos, rainbowfish, a few tetras, and Danios.
Pearl Gourami
| Size | 4-5 inches |
| Temperature | 77 to 82 °F |
| pH | 6 to 8 |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Hardness | 5-15 dKH |
| Tank Size | 30-gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
Pearl gourami is large yet peaceful, making itself ideal for community tanks. Their pearly appearance and a dark line running horizontally through the body make them beautiful to look at.
Being one of the most brightly colored fish that freshwater fish makes them popular home aquaria.
They adjust well with other small schooling fish in the medium to a larger community tank, adding more beauty to the tank.
Although these fish aren’t very large, they are hardy fish due to their capacity to tolerate low oxygen levels.
They might need at least three members in the tank to live happily and actively. Moreover, three pearly fish make a beautiful centerpiece trio for the community tank.
Dwarf cichlids, danios, guppies, platies, small tetras, swordtails, etc., can be the best tank mates for these pearl gouramis.
You should, however, avoid keeping fin nipping fish like tiger barbs in the same tank as these pearlfish.
Get More Information on Gourami Fish Diseases and Treatments
Silver Dollar
| Size | 6 inches |
| Temperature | 72 to 77 °F |
| pH | 5 to 7 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Hardness | 4 to 8dKH |
| Tank Size | 30-gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The silver dollar is probably the only herbivorous fish on this list. These hardy fish are easy to care for and don’t ask much once their tank requirements are met.
The silver color and shiny body with the translucent fin make them beautiful and desirable to keep in an aquarium.
They are fairly active and very calm fish that can socialize with a long list of fish. The compatibility of this fish makes it an ideal choice to keep in the community tank.
Silver Dollar is known for its schooling nature and is shy and nervous when kept alone. They are never aggressive, neither to each other nor any other fish.
Their peaceful and herbivorous trait makes them an ideal companion for slightly smaller fish. Likewise, they are top-dwellers making it easier to keep fish that prefer the mid and bottom section of the tank.
But you have to make sure the lid is always closed so that your silver dollar doesn’t jump out of the tank.
The ideal tank mates for these fish include bristlenose, clown plecos, kuhli loaches, cory catfish, and cichlids like Oscar fish, red empress, etc.
You need to avoid very small fish like neon tetras as they can be mistakenly eaten by these silver dollars.
Also, some fish not mentioned above can be compatible with these silver dollars. All you have to check those fish’s temperament and water requirements. Fish with similar natures and needs can go well with these silver dollars.
Keyhole Cichlid
| Size | 5 inches |
| Temperature | 72 to 78 °F |
| pH | 6.5 to 7.2 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Hardness | Up to 20 dKH |
| Tank Size | 28 to 40-gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
One of cichlids’ most common and popular fish is the keyhole cichlid. They are known for their friendly and compatible nature with other fish.
These cichlids are not that large and are very easy to care for. They get their name from the cluster keyhole-like shape around the tail.
Keyhole cichlids might not top the best-selling list due to their dull color, but don’t underestimate that.
They are one of the best centerpiece fish you can have as they color the aquarium with their unique features. Thanks to their beautiful body pattern, they look distinct yet beautiful in their way.
Odds always stand out no matter what; that’s what helped these cichlids be a better choice in fishkeeping.
They are so peaceful yet so uniquely beautiful with amazing personalities. Moreover, these large fish tend to mind their own business, ideal for a community tank.
These keyholes are large yet intelligent among the cichlids and have their own identity and compatibility. You can keep them with the calmest fish with no issues whatsoever.
Their ideal tank mates are Rainbow cichlids, Corydoras, Gourami, platies, etc. Avoid keeping any large, aggressive fish with them, as these peaceful fish will not fight back.
Common Plecostomus
| Size | 24 inches |
| Temperature | 72 to 86 °F |
| pH | 6.5 to 7.5 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Hardness | 3 to 10 dKH |
| Tank Size | 30 to 150-gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
From the Family Loricariidae, these Plecostomus are commonly called plecos and are known for their peaceful and nocturnal nature.
They hide during the daytime and are most active during the night. Some captive-bred, however, have adjusted well to the environment and can be active and playful during the day as well.
Another amazing fact about these fish is that they cling to the aquarium’s side; that’s why they are often called suckerfish.
These large plecos are also commonly known for their algae-eating trait and find a way into novice aquariums. They are kept among the best category of freshwater algae eaters.
Plecos tend to get aggressive as they age, but they can easily live with any tropical fish in the juvenile phase of their life.
Likewise, when growing into adults, these fish prefer larger fish similar to their size. The best options of tank mates to choose from lie among neon tetra, gourami, cory catfish, and ember tetras.
Swordtails
| Size | 6.5 inches |
| Temperature | 65 to 82 °F |
| pH | 7 to 8.4 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Hardness | 12 to 30 dKH |
| Tank Size | 15 to 30-gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
Swordtails are popular for being one of the large hardy fish that are friendly and social too. Although they won’t school together, they prefer the company of their species in the tank.
You have a variety of colors to choose from when it comes to swordtails. They are even named based on their color as red swordtails or green swordtails.
These fish are very easy to care for and are very peaceful.
They do great when kept with similar shoaling fish or some passive fish. These fish are quite active and make your tank more beautiful than expected.
Their long caudal fin gives them a sword-like tail, hence the name, and makes them so desirable that resisting getting them for your tank is a tough job.
Male swordfish tend to be aggressive towards other male fish, so you need to keep two females for each male in the tank.
They make a great companion to fish like mollies, platies, and angelfish and even socialize well in the tank. Likewise, some Corydoras with peaceful temperaments go well with these fish.
Some tetras that are larger but are in the school of at least six members can also be kept together with a swordtail in the tank.
Bala Shark
| Size | 13 inches |
| Temperature | 72 to 82 °F |
| pH | 6.5 to 7 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Hardness | Up to 10 dKH |
| Tank Size | 120 to 150 gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
Bala sharks can be one of the best additions to the community tank rather than home aquaria. Due to their constant growth and tank size needs, keeping them in your home isn’t wise.
The few tank condition they ask for is the temperature, pH, and tank size, where tank size tops the priority list.
When you plan to pet these fish, you need to make sure you have a tank larger than 120-gallons. Bala Shark, although isn’t a real shark but looks like one, is highly recommended for larger tanks as they are active swimmers.
Also, make sure all other ideal conditions are met, and you will have a fish living for nearly 10 years.
These peaceful fish, however, do well in the community tank with their school of 4 or more members. You need to keep them in a school to avoid making them timid and skittish.
Also, avoid keeping them with slow-moving fish as they tend to make slow fish nervous and stressed.
The best tank mates for these large fish when they are still juvenile are larger tetras, Rasbora, Gourami, Rainbowfish, etc.
They mostly prefer larger fish as their tank companion and feed on small fish like tetras, harlequin rasbora and guppies, snails, shrimps, etc.
Tinfoil Barb
| Size | 14 inches |
| Temperature | 72 to 77 °F |
| pH | 6 to 7 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Hardness | Up to 10 dKH |
| Tank Size | 176-gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
Tinfoil Barb is known for its fast-growing nature and often outgrows the small tank. So, when you plan on getting large fish, it can get quite expensive.
You need to have a tank with a capacity of 176-gallons and more when it is tinfoil you’re planning to keep. And the tank must have all the ideal conditions that these fish ask for.
These barbs are one of the undemanding fish you can get and are quite easy to keep. Once they adjust to the tank, they will live up to 10 years even with little attention and demands.
Although have a peaceful temperament, Tinfoil barb can eat small fish present in the tank. So, it is better to accompany these fish with large fish and avoid small fish like goldfish and even aggressive ones.
The best tank mates for these barbs are the Silver dollar, Bala Shark, Arowana, fire eel, and clown loach.
These fish, however, are not ideal for home aquaria and are mostly seen in public places with larger tanks.
Likewise, you need to keep them in a school of at least five members as they tend to get stressed when kept alone.
Angelfish
| Size | 12 inches |
| Temperature | 78 to 84 °F |
| pH | 6.8 to 7.8 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Hardness | 3 to 8 dKH |
| Tank Size | 55-gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
Freshwater Angelfish is one of the most popular large fish, the first choice for most beginners. These fish that belong to the family Cichlidae are known for their graceful swimming behavior.
They are ideal for the large community tank as these fish are friendly and peaceful.
These Angelfish can adjust well in an aquarium with ideal conditions, and once they adapt to the captive situation, these fish are hardy.
Angelfish are omnivorous and feed on most of the tropical food you provide. They are easy to take care of, making themselves the best choice among the large fish.
These angelfish are peaceful fish but can be aggressive towards each other during spawning and breeding.
Angelfish, however, stay calm and compatible with other large peaceful fish. Some suitable tank mates for these fish include larger tetras, Gourami, larger rasboras, rainbow fish, and Corydoras. Can you put angelfish alone? Find out here.
They also adjust well with peaceful barbs, some other medium-sized catfish, and even with discus when the temperature is ideal for both.
Angelfish, although, are opportunistic fish and will eat small fish or anything that fits well in their mouth. So, it is wise to avoid small and aggressive fish in the tank with Angelfish.
Also Read: Angelfish Diseases and Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can You Get If You Are Beginner In Fish Keeping?
The fish that you can start fish keeping hobby with are Goldfish, Guppies, Neon tetras, Mollies, Zebra Danios, and Bushynose plecos from freshwater fish.
And saltwater fish like Clownfish, butterflyfish, watchman goby, and pajama cardinalfish can be ideal for beginners.
Which Fish Is Best For Your Home Aquarium?
The few best fish for your home aquarium are neon Tetras, Guppies, Mollies, Goldfish, betta fish, Angelfish, Rainbowfish, etc.
What Fish Are Good For Community Tanks?
Cardinal tetras, Rainbowfish, harlequin rasboras, rummy nose tetras, etc., are some best community tank fish.
What Is The Biggest Fish You Can Put In A 10 Gallon Tank?
There is only one fish that you can comfortably put in a 10-gallon tank and that is betta.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can choose a from the above list that is appropriate fish for your tank. Furthermore, from the above list, you can have centerpiece fish to bottom dwellers in the tank. But act wisely and make sure you keep fish that are compatible with each other. Make sure the smaller fish don’t become prey to the large predator fish. Happy Fish Keeping!
