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Asian Rice Paddy
Expert biome landing

Asian Rice Paddy

Shallow warm waters found in rice fields and wetlands of Southeast Asia. These environments are calm and rich in vegetation.

Ecological identity

What makes this biome unique

The Asian rice paddy biome is defined by slow water, dense vegetation and surface cover. It works very well for bettas, small gouramis, calm rasboras and species that benefit from low flow and plant shelter.

Example aquarium

Recommended base

Recommended volume
120 L+
Temperature
23 - 28 C
pH
6 - 7.5
Visual parameters

Key conditions

Temperature
23 - 28 C
pH
6 - 7.5
GH
3 - 12 GH
KH
2 - 8 KH
Flow
Low
Lighting
Medium To High
Recommended setup

How to recreate it

Plant densely from the start, use floating plants and leave open surface patches for breathing. Filtration should move water without creating strong turbulence.

Best for

Aquarist profile

A strong option for careful beginners who want a planted aquarium with calm behavior. It is also useful for species-focused betta or gourami setups without excessive current.

Not recommended

Avoid it if...

Not recommended for strong-current fish, large active swimmers or species that destroy plants. It is also unsuitable for overcrowded communities in small volumes.

Maintenance

Expected routine

Trim plants regularly to avoid dead zones and keep surface cover without blocking all gas exchange. Water changes should be stable rather than aggressive.

Example aquarium

Suggested composition

Example aquarium: 40-100 liters, many plants, floating cover, fine roots and shaded areas. Flow should be low and the surface calm for labyrinth fish.

Suggested species
Siamese Fighting Fish Zebra danio Harlequin rasbora Kuhli loach Blue gourami Honey gourami Paradise fish Cherry shrimp
Recommended plants

Cryptocoryne, Hygrophila, Limnophila, mosses, floating plants such as Salvinia or Limnobium and easy stem plants help create shelter.

Species by role

Species associated with this biome

Indicative grouping using type, swim zone and ecological profile when available.

Centerpiece species

Siamese Fighting Fish
Fish Surface

Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta splendens

Beginner 6.50 cm 20 L Centerpiece
H
Fish Midwater

Honey gourami

Trichogaster chuna

Beginner 6.00 cm 60 L Centerpiece
P
Fish Surface

Paradise fish

Macropodus opercularis

Beginner 12.00 cm 120 L Centerpiece
P
Fish Surface

Peaceful betta

Betta imbellis

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L Centerpiece
C
Fish Midwater

Climbing perch

Anabas testudineus

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L Predator

Midwater

Zebra danio
Fish Midwater

Zebra danio

Danio rerio

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L Schooling Midwater
H
Fish Midwater

Harlequin rasbora

Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Beginner 5.00 cm 60 L Schooling Midwater
B
Fish Middle

Blue gourami

Trichopodus trichopterus

Beginner 12.00 cm 120 L
C
Fish Midwater

Chili rasbora

Boraras brigittae

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L Schooling Midwater
D
Fish Middle

Dwarf gourami

Trichogaster lalius

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L
E
Fish Midwater

Emerald dwarf rasbora

Microdevario kubotai

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L Schooling Midwater
D
Fish Midwater

Dwarf rasbora

Boraras maculatus

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L Schooling Midwater
P
Fish Midwater

Phoenix rasbora

Boraras merah

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L Schooling Midwater
L
Fish Middle

Lambchop rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L
G
Fish Middle

Glowlight rasbora

Trigonostigma hengeli

Beginner 5.00 cm 40 L

Bottom and support

K
Fish Bottom

Kuhli loach

Pangio kuhlii

Beginner 10.00 cm 80 L Bottom Cleaner

Invertebrates

C
Invertebrate Bottom

Cherry shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

Beginner 5.00 cm 20 L Invertebrate
C
Invertebrate Bottom

Crystal red shrimp

Caridina cantonensis

Beginner 5.00 cm 20 L Invertebrate
B
Invertebrate Bottom

Babaulti shrimp

Caridina babaulti

Beginner 5.00 cm 20 L Invertebrate
N
Invertebrate Bottom

Nerite snail

Neritina natalensis

Beginner 3.00 cm 20 L Invertebrate
H
Invertebrate Bottom

Horned nerite snail

Clithon corona

Beginner 3.00 cm 20 L Invertebrate
T
Invertebrate Bottom

Tiger shrimp

Caridina logemanni

Beginner 5.00 cm 20 L Invertebrate
B
Invertebrate Bottom

Bee shrimp

Caridina cf. cantonensis

Beginner 5.00 cm 20 L Invertebrate
A
Invertebrate Bottom

Asian clear shrimp

Caridina gracilipes

Beginner 5.00 cm 20 L Invertebrate
Common mistakes explained

What usually breaks this biome

  • Too much current: tires bettas and gouramis, especially long-finned varieties.
  • Too few plants: removes visual cover and increases chasing.
  • Nervous tankmates: very active fish can stress slower species.

Check whether your species fit this biome

Before combining bettas, gouramis or rasboras, check behavior, flow and volume in the calculator.

Open calculator