120-P (Nature Aquarium)
The pinnacle of the Nature Aquarium hobby. This 4-foot rimless display requires serious filtration but rewards you with unparalleled aquatic vistas.
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The pinnacle of the Nature Aquarium hobby. This 4-foot rimless display requires serious filtration but rewards you with unparalleled aquatic vistas. With a capacity of 243 litres (64 gallons) and dimensions of 120 x 45 x 45, this rimless tank is compatible with 144 species in our database — giving you plenty of options for a thriving community setup.
Stocking Tips
- 💡With a tank this large, you have room for impressive schooling groups. Keep schooling species in groups of 8+ for the best visual impact.
- 💡Large tanks can support multiple centrepiece fish — just ensure there are enough sight-line breaks with plants and hardscape.
Stocking Recipes
Pre-built species combinations that work well together in this tank.
Peaceful Community
- Black Skirt Tetra×1Centerpiece
- Chili Rasbora×6Schooling
- Bamboo Shrimp×1Bottom Dweller
Bold & Beautiful
- Demasoni Cichlid (Mbuna)×1Centerpiece
- Zebra Danio×6Schooling
- Odessa Barb×6Bottom Dweller
Nano-Friendly Mix
- Chili Rasbora×6Schooling
- Bladder Snail (Pest Snail)×1Bottom Dweller
Low Maintenance Setup
- Chili Rasbora×6Schooling
- Thai Micro Crab×3Bottom Dweller
Schooling Showcase
- Chili Rasbora×6Schooling
- Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black)×10Bottom Dweller
Colorful Community
- Zebra Danio×6Schooling
- African Butterfly Cichlid×1Bottom Dweller
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Commonly Mis-Stocked
These fish are frequently added to this tank but may outgrow it or cause problems. Proceed with caution.
Apple Snail fits this tank now but grows rapidly — monitor closely and be prepared to upgrade.
Banded Archerfish (Brackish) needs at least 300L, which is 23% more than this tank's 243L capacity.
Black Ghost Knifefish requires at least 150cm of swimming length, which is 25% longer than this tank's 120cm.
Bladder Snail (Pest Snail) fits this tank now but grows rapidly — monitor closely and be prepared to upgrade.
Blue Dolphin (Hap) requires at least 150cm of swimming length, which is 25% longer than this tank's 120cm.
Cherry Shrimp fits this tank now but grows rapidly — monitor closely and be prepared to upgrade.
Chinese Algae Eater (CAE) fits this tank now but grows rapidly — monitor closely and be prepared to upgrade.
Clown Loach requires at least 150cm of swimming length, which is 25% longer than this tank's 120cm.
Common Pleco requires at least 150cm of swimming length, which is 25% longer than this tank's 120cm.
Dojo Loach (Weather Loach) fits this tank now but grows rapidly — monitor closely and be prepared to upgrade.
Duboisi Cichlid (Tropheus) needs at least 280L, which is 15% more than this tank's 243L capacity.
Endler's Livebearer fits this tank now but grows rapidly — monitor closely and be prepared to upgrade.
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Centerpiece Fish
Bold, eye-catching species that serve as the focal point of your tank. Typically kept singly or in pairs.
African Butterfly Fish
Pantodon buchholzi
A fascinating, prehistoric-looking surface dweller native to the slow-moving waters of West Africa. They are strictly top-dwelling ambush predators with a completely flat back and upturned mouth designed to hunt insects and small fish. A tight-fitting lid is absolutely mandatory as they are exceptional jumpers capable of gliding above the water.
African Jewel Cichlid
Hemichromis bimaculatus
A strikingly beautiful but notoriously aggressive West African riverine cichlid. Unlike the alkaline-loving Rift Lake cichlids (e.g., Mbuna), Jewel Cichlids prefer neutral, softer water parameters. They are renowned for their brilliant red breeding dress and iridescent blue spots, but also for their extreme territoriality, especially when forming pairs and spawning. They are avid diggers and will uproot most plants.
Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma agassizii
A stunning South American dwarf cichlid known for its distinct spade-shaped tail and brilliant color morphs. They are bottom-dwelling micro-predators that sift sand for food. While generally peaceful in community tanks, they are highly territorial when breeding. They thrive in soft, acidic blackwater conditions.
Auratus Cichlid (Mbuna)
Melanochromis auratus
The Auratus Cichlid is a stunning but notoriously aggressive Mbuna from Lake Malawi. They exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism. They are strictly rock-dwellers that graze on algae (aufwuchs). Due to their hyper-aggressive nature, they must be kept in species-only or carefully managed, overstocked Mbuna setups with a strict harem ratio (1 male to several females) to disperse aggression.
Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish)
Betta splendens
The Siamese Fighting Fish is an aquarium icon known for its labyrinth organ (allowing air breathing) and vivid colors. While hardy, they require heated, filtered water (24-30°C). Males are solitary and fiercely territorial. Females are generally less ornate but can be kept in 'sororities' with strict precautions (minimum 5 females in 75L+).
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
A very hardy, deep-bodied schooling tetra native to South America. They are incredibly popular for beginners but have a reputation as fin-nippers if kept in too small a group. A proper school disperses their internal bickering and largely prevents them from harassing other tank mates.
Show 45 more centerpiece fish
Schooling Fish
Active swimmers best kept in groups. They bring movement and colour to the mid and upper levels of your tank.
Beckford's Pencilfish
Nannostomus beckfordi
A peaceful, slender schooling fish native to the sluggish rivers and swamps of South America. They are famous for the males' harmless but spectacular lateral sparring displays. They require heavily planted aquariums with gentle flow and make excellent tank mates for other peaceful, soft-water species. A tight-fitting lid is essential as they are known to be proficient jumpers.
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
A peaceful, active schooling fish native to the Paraguay basin. Known for its striking contrast of a dark black lateral stripe underneath a glowing iridescent white/green-gold stripe. Excellent for community aquariums, particularly in planted setups or blackwater biotope tanks with subdued lighting.
Bleeding Heart Tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
A relatively large, deep-bodied tetra known for the distinctive bright red spot on its flank resembling a bleeding heart. They are active schoolers that require plenty of swimming space. While generally peaceful, they can become fin-nippers if kept in numbers fewer than 6 or in an undersized aquarium.
Boeseman's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
An incredibly popular and active schooling fish endemic to the Ajamaru Lakes in West Papua, Indonesia (currently listed as Endangered in the wild by the IUCN due to overfishing and habitat loss, though commercially captive-bred). Famous for the mature male's spectacular blue and orange split-coloration. They require long tanks for active swimming, excellent oxygenation, and warm, hard, alkaline water to thrive.
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
A stunning schooling fish native to the upper Orinoco and Rio Negro basins in South America. Famous for its brilliant iridescent blue line and a vivid red stripe that extends the full length of its body (distinguishing it from the Neon Tetra). They are strictly schooling fish that thrive in warm, acidic blackwater environments.
Celebes Rainbowfish
Marosatherina ladigesi
An active, schooling fish native to the karst (limestone) streams of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Known for their striking neon blue lateral stripes and yellowish fins. They strictly require hard, alkaline water to thrive and are highly sensitive to soft, acidic conditions. A peaceful species that requires plenty of open swimming space.
Show 23 more schooling fish
Bottom Dwellers
Species that inhabit the lower reaches of the aquarium, helping keep the substrate clean and adding activity to the tank floor.
African Butterfly Cichlid
Anomalochromis thomasi
A peaceful, colorful dwarf cichlid from West Africa. Unlike many cichlids, it is plant-safe and generally suitable for community tanks. It is famous in the hobby as an efficient biological control for pest snails.
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
A highly popular, industrious freshwater shrimp renowned for its unmatched algae-eating abilities. Popularized by aquascaper Takashi Amano, they are significantly larger and hardier than most dwarf shrimp (like Cherry Shrimp). They are notorious food-thieves during feeding time and excellent escape artists, requiring a tight-fitting lid. Their larvae require saltwater to develop, so they will not overpopulate in a freshwater aquarium.
Amazon Puffer
Colomesus asellus
One of the few truly freshwater, community-safe pufferfish. Native to the Amazon basin, these energetic swimmers are known for their bumblebee-like stripes and erratic swimming patterns. Unlike most puffers, they are social and prefer to be kept in groups. CRITICAL WARNING: This species has the fastest-growing teeth of any puffer. They REQUIRE a daily diet of hard-shelled foods (snails, clams, crustaceans) or they will require manual dentistry (trimming) to prevent starvation.
Apple Snail
Pomacea maculata
One of the largest freshwater snails in the world, capable of reaching the size of a baseball or larger. Unlike the popular 'Mystery Snail' (Pomacea bridgesii) which is generally plant-safe, Pomacea maculata is a voracious herbivore that will systematically devour almost any live aquarium plant. They require heavy filtration due to their massive waste output and hard, calcium-rich water to prevent shell deterioration.
Assassin Snail
Clea helena
A highly effective and popular carnivorous freshwater snail used primarily for pest snail control. They actively hunt and consume smaller snails like bladder, ramshorn, and pond snails. Featuring a striking yellow and dark brown spiraled shell, they are a functional and attractive addition to aquariums. Unlike many aquatic snails, they are not hermaphroditic and reproduce quite slowly.
Bamboo Shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
A large, completely peaceful freshwater filter-feeding shrimp. They use specialized fan-like appendages to catch microorganisms and fine food particles from the water column. They require an established aquarium with moderate to high water flow and tall resting places (like driftwood) directly in the current.
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Other Compatible Species
Additional species that are compatible with this tank size but don't fall neatly into the categories above.
Amazon Leaf Fish
Monocirrhus polyacanthus
A master of camouflage that perfectly mimics a dead leaf drifting in the water. This species is an extreme ambush predator with a protruding jaw that can swallow prey up to 75% of its own size. It is a 'specialist' species because nearly all specimens require live food (small fish/shrimp) and refuse dry or frozen foods. Requires acidic, blackwater conditions and zero flow.
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
A tiny, vibrant, and highly active livebearer closely related to the Guppy. Males display intense, neon colors and patterns, while females are larger and plainly colored. They are prolific breeders and require hard, alkaline water to thrive.
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
One of the most iconic and widely kept aquarium fish. Renowned for their incredible colors, hardiness, and prolific breeding. As livebearers, they give birth to fully formed, free-swimming fry. Males constantly pursue females for mating; therefore, a ratio of at least 2 females per male is strongly recommended to disperse stress.
Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
The smallest and most peaceful member of the Trichogaster genus. Ideally suited for planted nano aquariums. Unlike the aggressive Dwarf Gourami (*T. lalius*), Honey Gouramis are timid and gentle. True Honey Gouramis rarely exceed 5cm. Note: Many bright red fish sold as 'Red Honey' or 'Red Robin' are actually Thick-lipped Gouramis (*T. labiosa*), which grow larger.
Molly (Sailfin/Black/Dalmatian)
Poecilia sphenops
Mollies are active, hardy livebearers native to the Americas. They are famous for their ability to adapt to fresh, brackish, and even full marine water. They are voracious eaters (including algae) and produce a high bioload for their size. Note: 'Molly' covers several species; the Short-finned (*P. sphenops*) and the much larger Sailfin (*P. latipinna* and *P. velifera*).
Pearl Gourami
Trichopodus leerii
Widely considered the most beautiful and peaceful of the large Gouramis. They feature a 'mosaic' of iridescent spots and a distinct black line running through the eye. Unlike their aggressive cousins (the Three-Spot Gourami), Pearls are generally gentle giants, though males can be territorial towards one another. They are thermophilic (love heat) and require floating plants to feel secure.
Show 1 more other compatible species
Frequently Asked Questions — 120-P (Nature Aquarium)
How many fish can I put in a 120-P (Nature Aquarium)?
The 120-P (Nature Aquarium) (243 L / 64 gal) is compatible with 144 species in our database. The actual number of individual fish depends on the species mix — use the stocking recipes above as a starting point and aim to keep the total bioload below 85% of capacity.
What is the best centrepiece fish for a 120-P (Nature Aquarium)?
Popular centrepiece options for this tank include African Butterfly Fish, African Jewel Cichlid, Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid. A centrepiece fish should be the focal point of your aquarium — choose one with colours and behaviour that complement your other species.
What schooling fish work in a 120-P (Nature Aquarium)?
Great schooling options include Beckford's Pencilfish, Black Neon Tetra, Bleeding Heart Tetra. Schooling fish should be kept in groups of at least 6 to encourage natural behaviour and reduce stress.
What bottom dwellers suit a 120-P (Nature Aquarium)?
Suitable bottom dwellers include African Butterfly Cichlid, Amano Shrimp, Amazon Puffer. These species occupy the lower zone of your tank, helping to keep the substrate tidy and adding activity to an often-overlooked area.
What temperature should a 120-P (Nature Aquarium) be?
The ideal temperature depends on the species you keep. Most tropical freshwater fish thrive between 24–27°C (75–80°F). Check each species' requirements and aim for the overlapping range that suits all your inhabitants.