Good medium-sized fish that do well with plants?

[Koenator]

Hi all, I’m restarting my 36 gallon planted tank, just wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations for fish or really any aquatic life that stay less than 8 inches (~20cm) and are good with plants?

I thought about cichlids or crayfish but neither of those will leave my plants alone

 

[Byron]

There are hundreds of species that will be within your criteria (under 8 inches and good with plants), though not all of them by any means will be OK in this tank for various reasons. First are the water parameters, being the GH, KH and pH. This will narrow the choices down.

 

[Aqua67]

My electric blue acara left my plants alone. It did well in my 38 gal aquarium along with a handful of cories.

 

[jaylach]

Might want to look at Panda Garra. Get along great with other fish as long as there are more than one -- 3-4 is best -- and only get to about 3 inches when mature.