Tag: Freshwater

Are you looking for an affordable pet fish to add to your aquarium? Getting started in the aquarium hobby doesn’t have to cost a small fortune, so in this article, I’ll be covering 10 cheapest pet fish that you can keep without breaking the bank.

Let’s dive right in!

Cheap Vs Expensive Fish – What’s the Difference?

Have you ever wondered why some fish cost more than others? There are a few good reasons for the different price tags, and they can also tell you something about the fish before you buy them. We have a video above from our YouTube Channel that helps illustrate and our blog post goes into more detail. Follow along with both to get the full detail.

Expensive fish tend to be rare and difficult to breed. Often they have to be caught in the wild, which certainly adds to the price when you factor in transport and other costs. Rare and expensive fish can also be difficult to care for.

Cheap fish are generally simple to breed and easy to care for, so they tend to be the most readily available.

The most common and well-known fish are popular for a reason, of course. They may not provide much of a challenge to experienced aquarists, but they make wonderful pets and great display animals in home aquariums.

Cheapest Pet Fish – 10 Great Options

Are you ready to learn about ten great fish breeds that won’t cost a fortune? These freshwater fish are great for beginners, but more experienced aquarists will also appreciate their great looks and fascinating behaviors.

Let’s get started!

1. Guppy

Guppy Fish

An undemanding fish that is a livebearer. Many varieties available

Click For Best Price Buy From Petco Online

• Scientific name: Poecilia reticulata
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 10 gallons +
• Fish size: 1 – 2.5 inches
• Minimum school size: Trio
• Temperature: 63 – 82°F
• pH: 7 – 8.5
• Community tank suitability: High

Guppies are the ultimate cheap fish, often going for just a few dollars. These fish are so affordable because they are super easy to breed. However, there are loads of fancy guppy breeds out there and some of them can be surprisingly pricey.

Pick up a trio of standard guppies if you want a group of colorful and hardy fish that are easy to keep and care for. Guppies thrive in tanks as small as 10 gallons because of their small size.

2. Common Goldfish

• Scientific name: Carassius auratus
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 30 gallons +
• Fish size: 6 inches
• School size: 1 +
• Temperature: 68 – 74°F
• pH: 6.8 – 7.2
• Community tank suitability: Possible. Eats Plants

The common goldfish is another classic aquarium fish that can be bought for really low prices. These beautiful fish come in loads of different breeds, but commons, comets, and fantails tend to be the cheapest options.

Goldfish are awesome pet fish and they were first bred in ponds in ancient China. However, goldfish are more than just pond fish. They thrive in home aquariums with good filtration. These fish can grow to over 6 inches though, so steer clear of bowls and small tanks.

One of the benefits of keeping these cool water fish is that they don’t need a heater in most homes. This can save your electricity bill a little in the long run.

3. Zebra Danio

• Scientific name: Danio rerio
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 15 gallons +
• Fish size: 1.75 inches
• School size: 8 +
• Temperature: 64 – 74°F
• pH: 6 – 8
• Community tank suitability: High

Zebra danios are some of the cheapest freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. That doesn’t mean they aren’t great pets, of course! These active little fish bring any community freshwater aquarium to life with their speed and grace.

Zebra danios are really hardy, too, so they’re the perfect choice for beginners or young fishkeepers just starting out. You’ll need to pick up a school of at least 8 of these low-maintenance fish to see them at their best.

4. Molly

• Scientific name: Poecilia sphenops / P. latipinna
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 30 gallons
• Fish size: 4 – 6 inches
• School size: 4 +
• Temperature: 68 – 82°F
• pH: 7 – 8
• Community tank suitability: High

Molly fish are another inexpensive tropical fish that offer great value for money. These hardy livebearers are so versatile that you can even keep them as saltwater fish with other marine fish species.

Mollies can reach about 6 inches, so they need a larger aquarium of at least thirty gallons. These fish eat a variety of food sources, but they also love to feed on algae which means they can help to keep your tank clean.

5. Platy

• Scientific name: Xiphophorus maculatus
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 10 gallons +
• Fish size: 2 inches
• School size: 5 +
• Temperature: 70 – 80°F
• pH: 7 – 8.5
• Community tank suitability: High

Platy fish are low-cost live-bearing fish from the same family as guppies and molly fish. They come in many varieties, including yellow, blue, and multicolored types.

Platies are small fish, so you can keep them in a small fish tank with very inexpensive equipment. They also get along perfectly with many freshwater species, including many of the other fish on this list!

6. Betta

WYSIWYG Available!

Betta Fish

Use Coupon Code ASDFISH at Checkout

Betta Fish are one of the most beautiful varieties of freshwater fish available in the hobby. Easy to care for with plenty of varieties!

Buy Premium Varieties Buy On Petco Online

• Scientific name: Betta splendens
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 5 gallons +
• Fish size: 2.5 inches
• School size: 1
• Temperature: 75 – 80°F
• pH: 6.5 – 8
• Community tank suitability: Possible

Betta fish are the first choice for fish keepers who want a single, low-maintenance fish that doesn’t need a large aquarium. These freshwater species come in all the vibrant colors of the rainbow, from yellow to blue and everything in between! Not only can they be cheap but also very expensive, depending on the species you want.

Betta fish also come in many different fin shapes like half moon, crown tail, and elephant ear. The female fish are a little smaller and less colorful, but they make great pets too.

Sadly, betta fish are often sold in cups and kept in small bowls and other tiny containers. These fish will not survive for long in such an unhealthy environment; set your pet up with a 5-gallon (or larger) aquarium with a heater and a filtration system.

7. Neon Tetra

Neon Tetra

Use Promo Code ASDFLIPPROMO 

One of the most popular freshwater community schooling fish available in the aquarium trade. Great neon blue colors!

Click For Best Price Buy From Petco Online

• Scientific name: Paracheirodon innesi
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 15 gallons +
• Fish size: 1.5 inches
• School size: 6 +
• Temperature: 70 – 77°F
• pH: 6 – 7
• Community tank suitability: High

Neon tetras are amazing fish for any home aquarium. A neon tetra school will usually cost just a couple of dollars but the movement and color they can provide in your aquarium are priceless!

These tiny fish get along with many other peaceful freshwater fish too, so you can keep them with other inexpensive schooling fish.

8. Swordtails

• Scientific name: Xiphophorus helleri
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 20 gallons +
• Fish size: 4 inches
• School size: 5 +
• Temperature: 64 – 82°F
• pH: 7 – 8.3
• Community tank suitability: High

Swordtails are Central American livebearers (video source) that thrive in a variety of water conditions. Only the males develop long, pointed tails, but the females have the same vibrant colors.

Swordtails can be kept with other inexpensive livebearers like guppies and mollies or kept in a school in their own space. They are some of the easiest fish in the hobby, so they are great for beginners too!

9. Corydoras Catfish

• Scientific name: Corydoras sp.
• Care level: Easy
• Tank size: 15- 30 gallons (Depending on species)
• Fish size: 1 – 4 inches
• School size: 5 +
• Temperature: 74 – 80 °F
• pH: 7 – 8
• Community tank suitability: High

Cory catfish are great fish for the bottom levels of a tropical tank. These inexpensive fish hang out in schools of their own species. They usually swim around on the bottom and even dig for food in the substrate which is fascinating to watch!

These peaceful freshwater fish come in a huge range of breeds and species, but you can’t go wrong with the cheaper options like albino and peppered corydoras catfish.

10. Scissortail Rasbora

Scissortail Rasbora

A small active fish that loves to school. One of the cheapest schooling fish you can purchase in the aquarium hobby

Click For Best Price Buy On Petco Online

• Scientific name: Rasbora trilineata
• Care level: Moderate
• Tank size: 30 gallons +
• Fish size: 6 inches
• School size: 6 +
• Temperature: 73 – 77°F
• pH: 6 – 6.5
• Community tank suitability: High

Scissortail rasboras are speedy freshwater fish that can turn a quiet fish tank into an exciting underwater world. These schooling fish are affordable, and they eat most things, including regular flake food.

Scissortail rasboras get their name from their bold, strongly forked tail fins. They are also known as the three-striped rasbora because of the distinctive markings on their silver gold body. These fish need a little more room because of their adult size and activity level.

Getting Started On a Budget

There are a million awesome gadgets, tools, and other equipment that you can buy, and everything has its place. The truth is that you can get started with a minimum of equipment, but there are a few things that you have to have.

Let’s jump in and learn what you’ll need!

Tank & Equipment

The first thing you’re going to need is an aquarium. Smaller standard tanks cost less than larger tanks but remember to match your aquarium to the type of fish that you plan on keeping.

Make sure your aquarium has a hood. Fish are strong jumpers and can easily escape an open tank if they want to. This isn’t just heartbreaking; it’s expensive too.

You will need aquarium lighting, a filter, and a heater too. Match your equipment to your tank size. Some species, like goldfish, don’t always need a heater, which can save you money on the initial cost and your electricity bill. However, most other fish will not survive for long in a tank with a cold water temperature.

You’ll also want some aquarium gravel and decorations to complete the setup. Shop around to find the best deals. It’s best to stick to aquarium-safe decorations designed for fish tanks.

Testing & Maintenance

Setting up a cost-effective tank and buying cheap fish is a great way to stay within your budget, but don’t forget to factor in your testing and maintenance equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A water test kit that can measure water parameters like nitrates and pH.
• An algae scraper. You can use a razor blade, an old credit card, or a clean toothbrush too.
• A gravel vacuum is necessary to maintain your water quality. You could make your own, but this important tool is affordable anyway.
• Water conditioner. This is important for treating tap water and making it safe for your pets.

Food & Medicine

Fish food can be pretty expensive, although you’ll be surprised at how long it lasts. Most cheap fish have pretty unspecialized diets, so you can feed them tropical fish flakes or pellets that suit your fish size.

Pick up some frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp too. These supplementary foods are cheap and last for ages if kept frozen and fed sparingly.

Like all pets, live fish can get sick from time to time. It’s a good idea to be prepared if you live a long way from a pet store.

Aquarium salt is a great cure for many common fish illnesses, but there are also great disease-specific medicines that you might want to consider.

Other Tips

• Buy used. There’s always a risk when buying used goods, but it can be a great way to cut costs when setting up a low-budget fish tank. However, try to test and inspect used items before paying.
• Look out for sales. If you’re not in a hurry, shop around and wait for the best prices to come up when items go on sale.
• Choose energy-efficient hardware. Check the box or label for the energy consumption figures before buying electronics.
• Consider spending a little more on quality, long-lasting products that you won’t need to replace too often. Equipment with a good warranty can save you plenty of dollars in the long run.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Keeping fish is a great hobby for everyone. You don’t have to spend your life savings to buy some amazing fish and set them up in a great aquarium. Choose from the fish listed in this post, and keep my cash-saving tips in mind when you’re ready to get started!

What is your favorite low-cost aquarium fish? Let us know in the comments below!

🐟 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Care Guide — your ultimate resource for water chemistry, maintenance, feeding, disease prevention, and everything you need for a healthy tank.

Would you like to keep pet fish but don’t have much time to take care of them? All fish need regular care to stay healthy, but some fish are just so much easier to keep than others. In this post, we’ll highlight 15 amazing low-maintenance fish that you can keep. We’ll also cover the basics of fish care and tank maintenance so you know what to expect.

Let’s get started!

What Are Low-Maintenance Fish?

Low-maintenance fish are species that are easy to care for, and don’t need much of your attention each day to stay healthy. So what should you look for when choosing low-maintenance fish? We have a list below of our criteria and a video from our YouTube channel to share with you. If you enjoy our content, be sure to subscribe as we post new videos every week!

• Hardiness

Hardy fish are the best choice because they can often go two weeks or more between water changes. Hardy fish are also more likely to survive if you’re a few days late on tank maintenance.

The amount of maintenance required depends just as much on your tank setup, feeding routine, and filtration, of course, but we’ll dive a little deeper into that later in the article.

• Diet

Low-maintenance fish are easy to feed. Choose fish that can be fed on easily available foods like tropical flake food, although it’s always a good idea to supplement their diet with convenient frozen foods like brine shrimp. Avoid fish with specialized, live-food diets.

• Temperament

Peaceful fish are the best choice for a low-maintenance community tank, especially if you don’t have much time to monitor your fish for aggression. More semi-aggressive fish species like the betta fish are great if you want just one pet fish to take care of.

15 Of The Top Low Maintenance Fish

Now that you know what to look for, here are 15 amazing low-maintenance species that you can keep!

1. Betta Fish

WYSIWYG Available!

Betta Fish

Use Coupon Code ASDFISH at Checkout

Betta Fish are one of the most beautiful varieties of freshwater fish available in the hobby. Easy to care for with plenty of varieties!

Buy Premium Varieties Buy On Petco Online

• Scientific Name: Betta splendens
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 2.5 inches
• Tank Size: 5+ gallons
• Temperament: Aggressive
• Origin: Thailand
• Diet: Carnivore
• pH: 6.5 – 8
• Temperature: 75 – 80°F
• School Size: 1 per tank

Betta fish are one of the most popular pet fish in the world and they make a great low-maintenance pet for beginners! These awesome tropical fish are hardy and easy to feed, and they can thrive in a tank of just 5 gallons.

Betta fish make wonderful aquarium pets but they have one downside. These aggressive fish are also known as Siamese fighting fish because they will attack each other if kept together.

Experienced aquarists can keep a group of females together in a large tank, but keeping just a single male is a much easier option.

2. Guppy

Guppy Fish

An undemanding fish that is a livebearer. Many varieties available

Click For Best Price Buy From Petco Online

• Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 1 – 2.5 inches
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: South America & Caribbean Islands
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 7 – 8.5
• Temperature: 63 – 82°F
• School Size: 3+

Guppies are perfect low-maintenance fish for beginners and busy fish keepers. These fish are peaceful, hardy, and completely unfussy about their diet.

If you keep male and female guppies together they are going to breed sooner or later. The females produce live young, so breeding these fish and caring for the baby fry is super easy!

Males are usually very brightly colored fish, and they can be kept together in the same aquarium without females if you prefer them not to breed.

3. Zebra Danio

• Scientific Name: Brachydanio rerio
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 1.5 – 2 inches
• Tank Size: 15+ gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: India
• Diet: Carnivore
• pH: 6 – 8
• Temperature: 64 – 74°F
• School Size: 8+

Zebra danios are great low-maintenance pets. They are a super hardy species, and that makes them excellent beginner-friendly fish.

Zebrafish are not the most colorful tropical fish in the hobby, but their bold stripes and high activity level means they bring life to any freshwater fish tank. They are at home in cooler conditions, however, so many aquarists keep them in room temperature water.

Zebra danios are true schooling fish, so they will be happiest in a nice big group. Their busy nature also means they prefer a slightly bigger tank than other fish of their size.

4. Platy

• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: Central & South America
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 7 – 8.5
• Temperature: 70 – 80°F
• School Size: 5+

Platy fish are small, brightly colored, and super easy fish to take care of. These fish are related to guppies, and you can see the resemblance. Platies are livebearers, so they are very easy to breed.

It sounds kind of gruesome but the adult fish will eat the fry in most cases, so you don’t have to worry about them breeding out of control. Another option is to keep a group of females only. They’re just as pretty as the males but tend to be more peaceful fish.

Platies are omnivorous fish that are easy to feed. They are also very affordable and easy to find at most pet stores so they’re ideal for beginners.

5. White Cloud Minnow

• Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 1.5 inches
• Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: China
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 6.5 – 7.5
• Temperature: 64 – 72°F
• School Size: 6+

White cloud mountain minnows are beautiful low-maintenance cold water fish for beginners. These fish live in mountain streams with a low water temperature in their natural habitat, so you can usually keep them without needing an aquarium heater.

The peaceful white cloud minnow grows to less than two inches, so you can keep a small school in a tank of just ten to fifteen gallons without any problems.

6. Neon Tetra

Neon Tetra

Use Promo Code ASDFLIPPROMO 

One of the most popular freshwater community schooling fish available in the aquarium trade. Great neon blue colors!

Click For Best Price Buy From Petco Online

• Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 1.25 inches
• Tank Size: 15 + gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: South America
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 6 – 7
• Temperature: 70 – 77°F
• School Size: 6+

Neon tetras are great low-maintenance fish for beginners. These colorful freshwater fish are perfect for a community tank but are also a great choice for a single-species setup.

Keep a school of 6 or more neon tetras in a 15-gallon planted aquarium for a beautiful display tank that needs little maintenance.

7. Cherry Barb

Cherry Barb

A popular freshwater fish from the barb family. One of the most peaceful barb fish

Click For Best Price

• Scientific Name: Puntius titteya
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: Sri Lanka
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 6 – 7
• Temperature: 74 – 79°F
• School Size: 6+

Cherry barbs are good beginner fish that can thrive in community tanks or without other fish species. These peaceful creatures need the company of their own species to feel safe and confident, so keep a school of at least 6 individuals.

Feed your cherry barbs once per day, test their water once a week, perform a water change twice a month, and you should have years of happy fishkeeping!

8. Kuhli Loach

Kuhli Loach

Kuhli Loaches are hardy bottom-dwelling fish. Nocturnal in nature. Gets along with many fish and tolerate of coldwater environments

Click For Best Price

• Scientific Name: Pangio semicincta
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 3.5 – 4 inches
• Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Diet: Carnivore
• pH: 6 – 7
• Temperature: 70 – 79°F
• School Size: 3 +

Kuhli loaches are the ultimate low-maintenance fish. In fact, you might even forget that you have them!

These great-looking bottom feeders are pretty shy, and they usually come out at night. They love to search for leftover food from your other fish, so they really help to keep their tank clean.

Kuhli loaches should be fed a diet of bottom-feeder food to ensure that they’re getting the right nutrition, however. Drop a sinking pellet or two in each night before the lights go out and watch these adorable fish start searching!

9. Endler’s Livebearer

Endler's Livebearers

A very active and colorful livebearer. Smaller in size than guppies

Click For Best Price Buy From Petco Online

• Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 1 – 1.8 inches
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: Venezuela
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 7 – 8.5
• Temperature: 75 – 86°F
• School Size: 3+

Endler’s livebearers are very similar to their larger relative, the guppy. These equally colorful fish are great for small aquariums of ten gallons or more, and they get along perfectly with many other peaceful small fish.

Endler’s livebearers will interbreed with guppies, so avoid keeping the two species together if you plan on growing out any fry.

10. Harlequin Rasbora

Harlequin Rasbora

A peaceful schooling fish. An ideal community fish. A great beginner fish

Click For Best Price

• Scientific Name: Rasbora heteromorpha
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 6 – 6.5
• Temperature: 72 – 77°F
• School Size: 8+

The harlequin rasbora is a beautiful fish with vibrant colors and bold, characteristic markings. These schooling fish can be kept with a variety of different tank mates, and they are perfect for a small planted fish tank.

Their natural schooling behavior is one of the real drawcards for the species, so go ahead and pick up a school of at least 8 harlequins to appreciate all they have to offer.

11. Cory Catfish

• Scientific Name: Corydoras spp.
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 1 – 4 inches
• Tank Size: 30 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: South America
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 7 – 8
• Temperature: 74 – 80°F
• School Size: 5+

There are loads of different fish species in the corydoras group, and they all make awesome tank mates for community fish tanks.

These chunky catfish are great fun to watch as they cruise around the bottom of the aquarium, and their low-maintenance needs make them a good choice for beginners.

12. Black Neon Tetra

Black Neon Tetra

A variant neon variety. More reliant than neon and cardinal tetras

Click For Best Price Buy From Petco Online

• Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 1.5 inches
• Tank Size: 15+ gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: South America
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 5.5 – 7
• Temperature: 68 – 82°F
• School Size: 6+

Black neon tetras are another beginner-friendly fish that are perfect for a peaceful community tank. These schooling fish hang out in the middle to top layers of the aquarium, so your tank will always look busy if you keep them in a nice big group.

Black neon tetras are small fish, and they will thrive in a tank of just 15 gallons or more. These hardy fish can live for up to 5 years with good care. They are perfect tank mates for other peaceful fish like corydoras catfish and kuhli loaches.

13. Molly

• Scientific Name: Poecilia latipinna/ P. sphenops
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 4 – 6 inches
• Tank Size: 30 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: South & North America
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 7 – 8
• Temperature: 68 – 82 °F
• School Size: 4+

Molly fish are a great choice for fish keepers who want something a little larger. These American livebearers come in a variety of awesome colors and fin shapes, and they’re very easy to breed too.

These low-maintenance fish will thrive on a regular diet of fish flakes, but the odd serving of brine shrimp will ensure healthy fish.

Molly fish make a great choice for community tanks too. These peaceful fish are known algae-eaters, and they get along really well with other fish species! They also can be acclimated to live in saltwater tanks!

14. Black Skirt Tetra

• Scientific Name: Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 2.4 inches
• Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: South America
• Diet: Omnivore
• pH: 6 – 7
• Temperature: 68 – 78°F
• School Size: 6+

The black skirt tetra is an active but peaceful species. These fish might not have the same bright colors as something like a neon tetra, but they make up for it with a really cool body shape and bold markings.

These hardy fish are great for community tanks. They are social creatures, so keep them in a school of 6 or more in a fish tank with plenty of swimming space.

15. Honey Gourami

Honey Gourami

One of the more peaceful Gourami fish available in the hobby. Has a unique yellow coloration and only grows up to 2 inches in length

Click For Best Price

• Scientific Name: Trichogaster chuna
• Care Level: Easy
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Origin: India & Nepal
• Diet: Carnivore
• pH: 6 – 7.5
• Temperature: 72 – 80°F
• School Size: 1+

Honey gouramis are beautiful tropical fish that can be kept in a community aquarium with a variety of tank mates. You can also keep a single fish for a really easy and low-maintenance fish tank.

These fascinating fish breathe atmospheric air so they should always have access to the water’s surface. This is rarely a problem unless you grow floating aquatic plants, however.

Care

Successful fishkeeping starts with the right tank and equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:

Tank Setup

• A big enough aquarium with a hood. It is best to choose an aquarium at least one size above the minimum recommended tank size of your fish.
• An aquarium filter rated for your tank size or larger.
• A heater. This is essential to keep the water temperature high enough for tropical fish. However, a heater is not always necessary for cold-water fish like white cloud minnows and fancy goldfish.
• Aquarium lighting is set on a timer for 6 to 8 hours each day.
• Substrate like aquarium gravel or sand.
• Decorations like driftwood, rocks, and aquarium-safe decorations.

Feeding

Modern fish foods offer convenient nutritionally complete meals for your fish. Providing the right amount of food can take a little practice, but once you get the hang of it you can complete this task in just a few seconds.

However, I recommend watching your fish for a minute or two during each feeding. That way you’ll be able to see if each fish is getting enough food, or if any timid fish are going hungry.

Your fish should be able to finish the food in 2 minutes or so. Remember, uneaten food equals poor water quality, and that means more maintenance for you.

Busy fishkeepers can feed their fish just once a day. Choose a time that suits you, like just before you leave for work or school, and make it part of your daily routine. If you need to leave home for more than a day at a time, you can even purchase an automatic fish feeder.

Editor’s Choice

EHEIM “Everyday” Fish Feeder

Best Auto Fish Feeder

Eheim’s auto fish feeder is reliable, reasonably priced, and easy to use. A must for any busy fish keeper!

Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

These devices release a preset amount of food at a preset time. Just make sure you test it before leaving town for the weekend.

Tank Maintenance

Even the easiest aquarium fish need some regular maintenance So what do you need to do to keep your tank clean and your fish healthy?

• Run High-Quality Filtration

Good quality filtration is essential for maintaining high water quality. Your aquarium filter will remove physical waste particles from the water to make your tank look cleaner, but that’s not all.

Tiny bacteria live inside the filtration media, and they are responsible for converting harmful chemicals like nitrite and ammonia into nitrates.

• Monitor Your Water Quality

Test your water regularly during the aquarium cycling process to monitor the levels of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia in the water.

These nitrogen compounds build up from decaying food and fish waste. The water in a new aquarium is safe for fish when it reads zero parts ammonia and nitrate.

The results of your tests will help you work out a regular maintenance schedule. Remember, the more fish you have in your tank, the more waste they will produce, and the more maintenance you will need to perform.

• Regular Water Changes

You will also need to clean out your tank regularly to lower your nitrate levels. The Nitrates build up over time and the way to lower the levels is to remove a percentage of the old water and replace it with fresh new water.

Use a gravel vacuum or python system to suck up water from the bottom of the tank. That way you’ll be sucking up the fish waste and other organic matter too.

Python Cleaner

The Python is a mainstay in the fish hobby. Easily clean your aquarium by connecting this to your sink!

Buy On Amazon

Replace the water you took out with fresh, dechlorinated water that is the same temperature as your aquarium water.

Where To Buy

All the recommended fish in this post are easy to pick up from most local fish stores. Alternatively, check out some of our recommended online retailers for great fish at great prices! We have a great partnership with Flip Aquatics. They sell some of the beginner fish listed here. You can use promo code ASDFLIPPOMO for a discount at checkout!

Editor’s Choice

Flip Aquatics

Use Promo Code ASDFLIPPROMO

Founded in 2010. Robert and his team at Flip Aquatics have set the standard for conditioned freshwater fish. One of the best selections of freshwater shrimp and nano fish on the internet

Shop Nano Fish Shop Shrimp

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Keeping a beautiful freshwater aquarium full of healthy colorful fish doesn’t require more than a few minutes each day and an hour on the weekend a few times each month.

Choosing the right fish species can make all the difference, however, and the low-maintenance fish species in this post are just what you are looking for. Getting set up with a big enough tank, good quality filtration, and avoiding overstocking your freshwater aquarium are the keys to success!

What is your favorite low-maintenance tropical fish? Comment down below!

📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide — your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.

🐟 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Care Guide — your ultimate resource for water chemistry, maintenance, feeding, disease prevention, and everything you need for a healthy tank.

Are you looking for the perfect fish species for your freshwater aquarium? Choosing the right fish can be loads of fun, but also pretty hard work – there are over ten thousand species out there!

In this blog post, we’ll be checking out 30 of the best freshwater aquarium fish species in the world and hopefully, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Let’s dive right in!

30 Of The Best Freshwater Aquarium Fish

Have you ever walked into a fish store and been overwhelmed by the variety of beautiful fish species swimming around in their tanks? It happens to all of us, and it can make choosing the right fish quite a challenge.

However, if you’re reading this post, you’re on the right track! Learning the key facts about each fish is so important before having it netted and bagged. The 30 fish types in this post are all very different, so pay attention to these facts when making your choice:

• Scientific Name
• Care Level
• Temperament
• Swimming Level
• Origin
• Adult Size
• Minimum Tank Size
• Water Temperature
• pH

We got a video below from our YouTube channel you can follow along. We go over more detail in our blog post so enjoy looking at both. If you like our content, be sure to subscribe as post new videos weekly!

Now, for the fun part, let’s meet some amazing fish!

1. Betta

WYSIWYG Available!

Betta Fish

Use Coupon Code ASDFISH at Checkout

Betta Fish are one of the most beautiful varieties of freshwater fish available in the hobby. Easy to care for with plenty of varieties!

Buy Premium Varieties Buy On Petco Online

• Scientific Name: Betta Splendens
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Aggressive
• Swimming Level: All levels
• Origin: Thailand
• Adult Size: 2.5 – 3 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
• Water Temperature: 76 – 82°F
• pH: 6.5 – 8

The betta fish is one of the all-time greatest freshwater aquarium fish species. These fish have amazing colors and the most beautiful fins to match.

They make great pet fish for first-time fishkeepers and the best part is you can keep one in a tank of just 5 gallons or more. The male fish are very aggressive towards other betta fish, so you should never keep more than one in the same tank.

2. Angelfish

• Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Middle/top
• Origin: South America
• Adult Size: 6 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
• Water Temperature: 78 – 84°F
• pH: 6.8 – 7.8

Freshwater angelfish are tropical fish from the cichlid family. These unique freshwater aquarium fish have huge fins on their belly and their back, often making them taller than they are long!

There are many amazing types of angel fish to choose from, and they are great community fish with other peaceful species like tetras and cory catfish.

3. Goldfish

• Scientific Name: Carassius auratus
• Care Level: Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: All Levels
• Origin: East Asia
• Adult Size: 6-12 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 – 40 gallons
• Water Temperature: 65 – 72°F
• pH: 6.5 – 7.5

The goldfish is a mainstay of the aquarium hobby. These popular freshwater aquarium fish have been kept for centuries and are available in many weird and wonderful breeds.

Goldfish are not ideal fish for beginners, however. They prefer their water cool and they eat plants, so they aren’t the best choice for planted tanks or tropical fish communities.

Nevertheless, the goldfish is still one of the most beautiful freshwater fish in the world, and they make a wonderful and long-lived pet fish.

4. Discus

• Scientific Name: Symphysodon discus
• Care Level: Intermediate-advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Middle
• Origin: South America
• Adult Size: 5-8 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
• Water Temperature: 82 – 86°F
• pH: 6 – 7

The discus is a truly gorgeous fish species that you just can’t walk past without admiring. These South American cichlids have some of the most incredible colors and patterns, but they are not ideal for beginner fish keepers.

Discus fish prefer warmer water than most other species, so mixing them with other fish in a community tank can be tricky. These large fish also need perfect water quality and a nice big aquarium to stay healthy.

5. Guppy

• Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: All levels
• Origin: Northeast South America
• Adult Size: 1.5 – 2.5 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Water Temperature: 72 – 82°F
• pH: 7 – 8

Guppies are the perfect fish for beginner fish keepers. They are easy to find and come in a huge range of amazing colors, patterns, and fin types.

They are live-bearing fish that breed freely in the aquarium, so don’t be surprised if you spot some baby fish in your freshwater tank after a little while! Guppies are very hardy fish and they thrive in water with a slightly higher pH.

6. Molly

• Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops, P. latipinna, etc.
• Care Level: Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful – semi-aggressive
• Swimming Level: Middle
• Origin: North & South America
• Adult Size: 3 – 5 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
• Water Temperature: 70 – 82°F
• pH: 7 – 8.5

Mollies are another great beginner fish for freshwater aquariums. There are a few different species, although the balloon and sailfin mollies tend to be the most popular choices.

Molly fish are from the same family as the guppy fish, so they’re also really easy to breed in the home aquarium. These interesting fish can even live in saltwater, but they do great in freshwater tanks of 30 gallons or more.

7. Swordtails

• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: All levels
• Origin: Central America
• Adult Size: 4 – 6 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Water Temperature: 61 – 82°F
• pH: 7 – 8

Swordtails are livebearers, just like guppies and molly fish. The male fish are identified by their amazing sword-like tails, but the female fish can also be very colorful.

Swordtails come in some awesome colors, including bright orange and even koi patterns. They are very easy to breed and get along peacefully with many other tropical fish species.

8. Platy

• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: All levels
• Origin: Mexico & Central America
• Adult Size: 2 -3 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Water Temperature: 68 – 79°F
• pH: 7- 8.2

Platy fish are very similar to swordtails but do not have the same long tail. They are also a little smaller which means you can keep them in a freshwater tank of just 15 gallons or so.

Platy fish are available in many different breeds like the sunset and the wagtail platy. Many of them have an orange body that adds a bold splash of color to any freshwater aquarium.

9. African Cichlids

• Scientific Name: Aulonocara, Pseudotropheus, Haplochromis, etc.
• Care Level: Intermediate – Advanced
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive – aggressive
• Swimming Level: Middle/ Bottom
• Origin: African Rift Lakes
• Adult Size: 2 – 15 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
• Water Temperature: 74 – 82°F
• pH: 7.8 – 8.4

African cichlids are some of the most colorful freshwater fish in the hobby. There is an amazing variety of different species in this group, but they generally require specialized care and are not suitable for most tropical community tanks.

African cichlids tend to be aggressive and territorial. They need a fairly large aquarium and high-pH water to thrive. Don’t let that put you off though, these are the perfect fish for more experienced fishkeepers who want a show-stopping aquarium full of life and activity!

10. New World Cichlids

• Scientific Name: Astronotus, Amatitlania, Rocio, etc.
• Care Level: Easy – Advanced
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive – Aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom and middle
• Origin: North & South America
• Adult Size: 6 – 12 + inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
• Water Temperature:75 – 80°F
• pH: 6.5 – 8

The New World cichlids are similar to African cichlids but are native to America. They range from small to very large and can be peaceful or highly aggressive fish depending on the species. Jack Dempsey fish, Firemouths, Oscars, and convict cichlids are all popular examples of new world cichlids.

Whether you are just starting out, or you’ve been keeping freshwater fish for a lifetime, there is a New World cichlid for you. As always, just be sure to research the specific needs of any fish before taking it home.

11. Dwarf Cichlids

• Scientific Name: Apistogramma, Mikrogeophagus, etc.
• Care Level: Easy to Advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful- semi-aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom
• Origin: Africa & South America
• Adult Size: 2.5 + inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Water Temperature: 72 – 86°F
• pH: 5 – 8 depending on the species

Dwarf cichlids are the little cousins of the African and New World cichlids. These small, colorful freshwater fish tend to be relatively peaceful and can make great additions to many community aquariums.

The dwarf cockatoo cichlid, German blue ram, Apistogrammas, and the Kribensis cichlid are all great examples of dwarf cichlids.

12. Arowana

• Scientific Name: Scleropages formosus
• Care Level: Advanced
• Temperament: Aggressive
• Swimming Level: Top
• Origin: South America
• Adult Size: 3 feet
• Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallons
• Water Temperature: 75 – 82°F
• pH: 5 – 7.5

The Arowana is a large and impressive freshwater fish that is only suitable for expert fish keepers with plenty of space for a huge aquarium. These beautiful silvery fish can grow to 3 feet in length and need an aquarium of at least 250 gallons when fully grown.

Arowana fish are carnivores, so they need a high-protein diet such as feeder fish, insects, and other meaty foods. They can do well in community tanks if kept with other more aggressive fish that are too big to swallow.

13. Tetras

• Scientific Name: Paracheirodon, Hyphessobrycon, Gymnocorymbus, etc.
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful/ Semi-aggressive
• Swimming Level: Middle
• Origin: South America, Africa
• Adult Size: 0.75 – 3 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Water Temperature: 75 – 80°F
• pH: 6.8 – 7.8

Tetras are the perfect choice for a tropical community aquarium. These small, schooling fish come in every color of the rainbow and are generally very easy to care for. Most tetras come from South America¹, but some species, like the Congo tetra, are from Africa.

Choose colorful species like the ember and cardinal tetra to brighten up your aquarium, or go for serpae or black phantoms if you want fish with a more interesting shape.

14. Barb

• Scientific Name: Barbus, Puntius etc.
• Care Level: Easy – Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful – Semi-aggressive
• Swimming Level: Middle
• Origin: Asia
• Adult Size: 2 – 13 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 – 100 + gallons
• Water Temperature: 75 – 80°F
• pH: 6.8 – 7.8

Barbs are another great option for fish keepers who want active, schooling fish for a community aquarium. Most species stay between 2 and 3 inches, but some like the tinfoil barb can grow very large.

Most barbs are very peaceful fish, but the tiger barb has earned a reputation for being a fin nipper. Barbs are schooling fish that should be kept in groups of 6 or more.

15. Rasboras

• Scientific Name: Trigonostigma, Celestichthys, Boraras etc.
• Care Level: Easy – Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Middle
• Origin: Asia
• Adult Size: 0.75 – 1.75 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 5 – 20 gallons
• Water Temperature:68 – 82°F
• pH: 5 – 8, depending on the species

Rasboras are nano (very small) fish from the same family as barbs and goldfish. These peaceful schooling fish are perfect for a tropical community in a heavily planted aquarium where they tend to hang out in the middle level.

These social fish should not be kept in groups of less than 5, so make sure you pick up a nice big school of the same species to see them behaving confidently.

16. Gouramis

• Scientific Name: Trichogaster, Trichopsis, Trichopodus etc.
• Care Level: Easy – Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful/ Semi-aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom/ Middle
• Origin: Asia
• Adult Size: 1.5 – 28 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Water Temperature: 68-86°F (depending on species)
• pH: 5.5 – 8

Gouramis are wonderful aquarium fish that come in many different shapes and sizes. Nano species like the sparkling gourami can be kept in tanks as small as 10 gallons, while the impressive giant gourami needs about 250 gallons when it is fully grown.

Most gouramis are very peaceful fish that do best when kept in a pair. They are a great choice for a heavily planted tank with other small community fish.

17. Killifish

• Scientific Name: Aplocheilus, Jordanella, Fundulopanchax, etc.
• Care Level: Easy – Advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful – Aggressive
• Swimming Level: All levels
• Origin: Africa, Asia, America
• Adult Size: 1.5 – 5.5 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 5 – 20 gallons
• Water Temperature: 68 – 75°F
• pH: 6 – 7

Killifish are great nano fish that come in some amazing colors. These fish are not very common in the aquarium trade but they are a great choice for fishkeepers looking for something a little different.

Some killifish species are very shortlived because they live in temporary pools that evaporate in the dry season. Others can live for multiple years, however.

18. Danios

• Scientific Name: Celestichthys, Danio, Brachydanio, etc.
• Care Level: Easy – intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Upper levels
• Origin: Asia
• Adult Size: 1 – 4 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Water Temperature: 65 – 75°F
• pH: 7 – 7.8

Danios are small Asian schooling fish that are great for community tanks. Some, like zebra danios, are very hardy and make an ideal choice for beginner fish keepers.

Danios tend to be very active swimmers, and they can add a lot of movement to your aquarium. They are very social fish, so they need to be kept in a school of at least 6 of their own kind.

19. Rainbow

• Scientific Name: Marosatherina, Melanotaenia, Pseudomugil etc.
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Middle/Top
• Origin: Australia, Indonesia
• Adult Size: 2 – 6 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 – 55 gallons
• Water Temperature: 74 – 82°F
• pH: 7 – 8

Rainbowfish are beautiful freshwater fish from Australia and Southeast Asia. They get their name from their awesome colors, which are especially bright when the fish are spawning. They are active fish that need a fairly large aquarium.

Rainbowfish have a very peaceful nature and fit in well with most other community fish. They are social creatures, however, so keep them in a shoal of 6 or more.

20. Freshwater Puffers

• Scientific Name: Carinotetraodon, Tetraodon etc.
• Care Level: Intermediate – Advanced
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive/ Aggressive
• Swimming Level: All levels
• Origin: South America, Asia, Africa
• Adult Size: 1 – 24 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 5 – 125 + gallons
• Water Temperature: 74 – 78°F
• pH: 7 – 7.6

Freshwater puffers are some of the most fascinating fish in the aquarium hobby. These funny-looking fish are known for their ability to puff up into a ball when threatened by a predator.

Freshwater pufferfish range in size from nano species like the 1-inch dwarf pea puffer, all the way to 2-foot giants like the Mbu puffer.

Pufferfish are not very active, so the smallest species can be kept in tanks of just 5 gallons or so. Puffers have very sharp parrot-like teeth, however, and they can be aggressive toward other fish. These fish usually work best in a species-only tank.

21. Hatchetfish

• Scientific Name: Carnegiella, Gasteropelecus, etc.
• Care Level: Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Top
• Origin: Central & South America
• Adult Size: 1.5 – 2.5 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Water Temperature: 75 – 80°F
• pH: 6 – 7

Hatchetfish are unusual, flattened nano fish that spend their time near the surface of the aquarium. These schooling fish have long pectoral fins and huge muscles in their chests that they use to leap out of the water to escape their predators.

Hatchetfish are wonderful freshwater fish for tropical community tanks. However, their acrobatic abilities mean they need to be kept in a tank with a tight fighting lid and great care is necessary when performing aquarium maintenance.

22. Freshwater Sharks

• Scientific Name: Epalzeorhynchos, Balantiocheilos, etc.
• Care Level: Easy – Advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful – Aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom/ Middle
• Origin: Southeast Asia & South America
• Adult Size: 5 inches – 3 feet +
• Minimum Tank Size: 65 – 150 + gallons
• Water Temperature: 74 – 80°F
• pH: 6.8 – 8

Freshwater sharks are not true sharks, but they do have a very similar shape. These medium to large aquarium fish are available in some bold colors, including black, red, and silver.

The rainbow shark is probably the most popular species. This fish has bright red fins and a potentially aggressive nature. Rainbow sharks are also available in some amazing neon colors for fish keepers who want an awesome display fish.

23. Freshwater Eels

• Scientific Name: Mastacembelus, Macrognathus, etc.
• Care Level: Easy- Advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful – Aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom
• Origin: Southeast Asia, Africa
• Adult Size: 8 inches to several feet
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
• Water Temperature: 72 – 82°F
• pH: 6 – 7

Freshwater eels are probably not the first fish that comes to mind when planning a fish tank, but there are many amazing types that you can keep in your aquarium. Some species like the tire-track eel and fire eel even have beautiful patterns and colors.

These fish need a secure lid to keep them from escaping. They are generally shy and nocturnal, so make sure you provide plenty of hiding spaces and keep the lights fairly dim if you want to see them active.

24. Freshwater Gobies

• Scientific Name: Stiphodon, Brachygobius, Gobioides, etc.
• Care Level: Easy- Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful – Aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom
• Origin: Africa, Asia, Americas
• Adult Size: 2 – 15 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 – 50+ gallons
• Water Temperature: 72 – 84°F
• pH: 7.5 – 8.5

Freshwater gobies come in a range of shapes and sizes. These fish have loads of attitude and interesting behavior which makes them fascinating creatures to observe in the home aquarium.

They range from specialist algae eaters to carnivores and can be peaceful community fish or aggressive fish eaters. Many of the freshwater gobies sold in the hobby actually need brackish water to thrive, so make sure you research these fish carefully before adding them to your tank.

25. Cory Catfish

• Scientific Name: Corydoras spp.
• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Bottom/ Middle
• Origin: South America
• Adult Size: 1 – 4 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 15 – 3o gallons
• Water Temperature: 74 – 80°F
• pH: 7 – 8

Cory catfish are an excellent choice for beginner fish keepers. These small, bottom-dwelling catfish deserve a place in any peaceful community aquarium. They get along with most other fish so they are ideal for a freshwater community tank.

Corydoras catfish stay small and love to hang out at the bottom of the tank, digging through the substrate to look for food. They are schooling fish, so keep them in a group of 4 or more to see them at their confident best.

26. Loaches

• Scientific Name: Pangio, Botia, Sewellia, etc.
• Care Level: Easy – Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Bottom
• Origin: Asia
• Adult Size: 1- 12 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 20+ gallons
• Water Temperature: 64 – 86°F (depending on species)
• pH: 6 – 7.5

Loaches are another favorite fish in the aquarium hobby. These goofy bottom-dwellers are pretty diverse, ranging from the small, eel-like kuhli loach to the large, shark-shaped clown loach. Loaches make great clean-up fishes, and they tend to be very peaceful in community tanks.

Loaches are well-known for their snail-killing abilities, so this is one fish to avoid if you enjoy keeping inverts!

27. Plecos

• Scientific Name: Ancistrus, Panaque, Hypostomus, etc.
• Care Level: Easy-Advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful – Semi-aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom
• Origin: South America
• Adult Size: 2 inches – 2 feet
• Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
• Water Temperature: 74 – 80°F
• pH: 7 – 8

Plecos are also known as suckermouth catfish. These fish are built like tanks, with tough scales for armor and large shark-like fins. Most species have natural colors which they use for camouflage on the river bottom, although some have bold, striped and spotted markings.

There are over 500 varieties of plecos in the aquarium hobby, ranging from small and beginner-friendly to expert-only, so you can bet there’s a perfect pleco for you!

28. Catfish

• Scientific Name: Pimelodus, Synodontis, Kryptopterus, etc.
• Care Level: Easy – Advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful – Aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom/ Middle
• Origin: South America, Asia, Africa
• Adult Size: 2 inches – several feet
• Minimum Tank Size: 20+ gallons
• Water Temperature: 72 – 82°F
• pH: 6.5 – 7.5

There are over 3000 known freshwater catfish species in the world, and many of them make great aquarium subjects! These whiskered bottom dwellers come in many shapes and sizes, from 1-inch corydoras to man-sized predators from murky waters.

The larger catfish are usually carnivorous species that eat other fish. This means you need to be pretty careful about choosing smaller fish as tankmates, or you’ll start to notice them disappear!

Popular aquarium species include the synodontis and Pictus catfish, as well as the cories and plecos mentioned above in this post. Many of the catfish sold in aquarium stores grow way too big for most home aquariums, so make sure you research their adult size before taking them home.

29. Freshwater Stingrays

• Scientific Name: Potamotrygon spp.
• Care Level: Advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful – semi-aggressive
• Swimming Level: Bottom
• Origin: South America
• Adult Size: 1 foot +
• Minimum Tank Size: 200+ gallons
• Water Temperature: 75 – 82°F
• pH: 6.8 – 7.6

Freshwater stingrays are awesome pets for experienced fish keepers with plenty of space. These flat members of the shark family need an extra large tank or a shallow indoor pond to provide the space they need. Stingrays are potentially dangerous animals, although injuries are rare.

The smallest freshwater stingrays are about a foot across, but some species reach truly gigantic proportions! These fish also need excellent water quality and quality filtration, so they are best left to the experts.

30. Freshwater Shrimp

Freshwater Shrimp

Freshwater aquarium shrimp are a great addition to small tanks and aquascapes. Peaceful, full of personality, and colorful. Many varieties are available.

Click For Best Price Buy WYSIWYG

• Scientific Name: Caridina, Neocaridina, etc.
• Care Level: Easy- Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming Level: Bottom
• Origin: Asia
• Adult Size: 1 – 2 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
• Water Temperature: 64 – 76°F
• pH: 6.5-7.5

Ok, so freshwater shrimp are not technically fish, but they are still some of the coolest animals you can keep in a fish tank! These fascinating crustaceans come in all sorts of colors and breeds.

Freshwater shrimp do best in a tank with plenty of aquatic plants just like their natural habitat, and they can be kept with some small freshwater aquarium fish species. However, most fish will eat freshwater shrimp, so choose their tankmates carefully.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I know, choosing the perfect species for a freshwater fish aquarium can be tough. It’s always best to research and choose your fish before you start shopping though, rather than making any hasty decisions. I hope you find your next fish from this list, and if you didn’t, maybe a bucket list species for a future tank!

What is your favorite aquarium fish species? Comment below!

📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide — your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.