Due to there being a number of excellent deals on 40 gallon aquariums these days, we have noticed more and more people reaching out and asking questions about various stocking options.
In recent weeks, there have been a number of people specifically asking for advice on various stocking options based around a centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon tank.
Due to being such an important part of any main viewing tank, we wanted to publish our own article going over some of the best options for a centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon aquarium to try and help our readers as much as possible.
What Is A Centerpiece Fish?
A centerpiece fish is something that will instantly catch the eye and stand out from the other fish in your aquarium. It may be one single fish, two or three fish, or a huge number of small schooling fish that are colorful and catch the eye.
This often catches some people out as they presume that the centerpiece fish for their 40 gallon tank has to be a fish, as in one single large fish and this is usually not the best option.
Opting to go with between two and four smaller fish or a school of brightly colored fish not only tends to be cheaper, easier to manage, and create less aggression in the tank but it can also look better in many setups too.
What Centerpiece Fish Can I Use for A 40 Gallon Aquarium?
There really are a huge range of different centerpiece fish for 40 gallon tank that you are able to use with a very popular option being the pearl gourami.
That said, we have chosen our favorite picks that you can use as a centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon tank and covered them below. There are plenty of other species of fish that can work though so there are plenty of other options available if none of these take your fancy.
Just remember that not all fish are compatible and you will have to consider the water parameters and tank mates that you have planned for your 40 gallon tank as some potential centerpieces may not be suitable for your other fish.
Pearl Gourami
The pearl gourami is a beautiful and popular freshwater fish that is perfect as a centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon aquarium.
This fish has a very striking appearance with its bright red, orange, and white coloration that really stands out against the green plants in an aquarium.
They are peaceful by nature too which means they can be kept with a wide variety of other fish species without any issues.
The pearl gourami is also a very hardy fish that is able to adapt to a wide range of different water parameters which makes them ideal for beginner aquarium keepers.
Bolivian Rams
Bolivian rams are another very popular choice for a centerpiece fish in a 40 gallon aquarium.
These fish have a stunning appearance with their bright yellow bodies with blue and red fins which really stand out in an aquarium.
They are peaceful by nature and although they are not a shoaling fish we would recommend keeping at least two or three of them together, ideally, six not not all tank setups are suitable for this mean.
Bolivian rams are also very easy to care for and can adapt to a wide range of different water parameters which makes them ideal for beginner aquarium keepers.
Angelfish
There are a wide range of different types of angelfish on the market and not all of them are suitable for a 40 gallon tank.
Some species of angelfish can be surprisingly aggressive too but most of the smaller angelfish species can make a great centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon as they can really catch the eye.
The unique shape of the fish as well as the beautiful colors and patterns available really do make them a great option if you are looking for a centerpiece fish.
Honey Gourami
The honey gourami is another great choice for a centerpiece fish in a 40 gallon aquarium.
This peaceful fish has a very striking appearance with its bright yellow body and red fins that really stand out in an aquarium.
They are also very easy to care for and can adapt to a wide range of different water parameters which makes them ideal for beginner aquarium keepers.
Blue Acara
The blue acara is another beautiful fish that would make a great centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon aquarium.
This peaceful fish has a stunning blue coloration with some yellow and black markings that really stand out in an aquarium.
They are also very easy to care for and can adapt to a wide range of different water parameters which makes them ideal for beginner aquarium keepers.
German Blue Ram
The German blue ram is a stunning fish that would make a great centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon aquarium.
This peaceful fish has a beautiful blue coloration with some red and yellow fins that really stand out in an aquarium.
They are also very easy to care for and can adapt to a wide range of different water parameters which makes them ideal for beginner aquarium keepers.
Ember Tetra
The ember tetra is a beautiful little fish that would make a great centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon aquarium.
This peaceful fish has a very striking red coloration that really stands out in an aquarium.
They are also very easy to care for and can adapt to a wide range of different water parameters which makes them ideal for beginner aquarium keepers.
Just keep in mind that the ember tetra is a schooling fish and you should be looking to keep a minimum of six ember tetras in your tank but a 40 gallon tank allows you to keep far more than this.
Dwarf Gourami
The dwarf gourami is one of the most popular options for experienced fish keepers but they can be problematic for beginners, especially with some setups.
There are a number of different colors and patterns available so you are able to choose from a range of options with most dwarf gouramis being very budget friendly in most cases.
Cardinal Tetra
The cardinal tetra is a very popular fish and they are one of the best choices for beginner aquarium keepers.
Relative to their size, they are pretty hardy and beginner friendly but a school of around fifteen cardinal tetras can make a great centerpiece for a 40 gallon tank even though it is a large number of small fish.
The overall school of cardinal tetras in your tank still catches the eye and holds your attention with ease.
Convict Cichlid
While not the most beginner friendly fish on this list, the convict cichlid can make a great centerpiece for a 40 gallon tank with some experience.
Convicts are known to be very aggressive and they will often fight with other convicts but they can also make a great centerpiece fish in a community tank if you do your research first.
Apistogrammas
Apistogrammas are a genus of cichlid that make great centerpiece fish for 40 gallon tanks.
There are a number of different species and color morphs available but they all have one thing in common, their beautiful fins.
These stunning little fish are very easy to care for and can adapt to a wide range of different water parameters which makes them ideal for beginner aquarium keepers.
Depending on the specific color and pattern of Apistogrammas you want, you may end up paying a large amount of money so keep that in mind.
Betta Fish
There are some beautiful betta fish options out there with a huge range of colors, patterns, and tail shapes.
Trying to keep a sorority tank of female bettas can be challenging but a 40 gallon tank should be large enough for most people to pull it off, even if you are a beginner.
Just remember to add plenty of hides and live pants if possible and try to understock the tank.
If you do choose the betta fish option then you will probably have to do your research to set a sorority tank up correctly to minimise aggression.
Summary Of The Best Centerpiece Fish For A 40 Gallon Tank!
Here is a quick re-cap of the various options that we have covered for a potential centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon aquarium tank:-
- Pearl Gourami
- Bolivian Rams
- Angelfish
- Honey Gourami
- Blue Acara
- German Blue Ram
- Ember Tetra
- Dwarf Gourami
- Cardinal Tetra
- Convict Cichlid
- Apistogrammas
- Betta Fish
Conclusion!
There are a number of different types of fish that can make great centerpiece fish for a 40 gallon aquarium, from peaceful schooling fish to more aggressive cichlids. Just remember to do your research before you buy any fish and make sure that they will be able to thrive in the conditions of your tank.
