If you're in the throes of setting up a home aquarium, you may be curious about the types of freshwater fish you can keep as a pet. Often the first fish that springs to mind is a goldfish, but there are so many other wonderful species out there that can be kept as pets.
Fish tend to have a reputation as being an easy pet to look after, but that's not entirely true. While some species are absolutely suited to beginners, you'll still need to choose the best fish tank to house them in as well as read up on appropriate fish food. There's also regular aquarium maintenance to keep on top of, too.
However, if you're ready to start an aquarium and are aware of what you're taking on, there are a whole host of colorful fish to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites for your freshwater tank...
32 types of freshwater fish for pets
1. Goldfish
How long do goldfish live? Typically around 10-15 years, which makes them a fantastic addition to a home aquarium if you're looking for a fish that will have a long life span. The most commonly kept freshwater fish species, goldfish originated from China and there are now more than 200 different breeds. Goldfish are predominantly omnivores and can eat sinking pellets, with live or frozen brine shrimp and krill making a nice treat.
2. Neon tetra
If you're looking for colorful tropical fish to brighten up your aquarium, look no further than the striking neon tetra. Measuring a petite one and a half inches in length, these tiny fish have bright streaks of blue and red and tend to live for around 10 years. They are easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginners, and they have a quiet and calm temperament.
3. Betta fish
They may have a short life span of just three to five years, but when it comes to the best low-maintenance pets, the betta fish is well worth considering. Calm and slow-moving fish that don't require much space, these striking creatures need to live in a tropical fish tank where the temperature is kept between 78-82°F. Male betta fish must be kept separate from other male bettas to prevent fighting, but they can live in community tanks as long as there are no aggressive species or species that the betta may become aggressive towards. Female betta fish can live with other female betta's or in a community of other fish.
4. Zebrafish
Looking for the best types of fish for first-time owners? The zebrafish definitely makes the list. Native to South Asia, the zebrafish (sometimes also called the zebra danio) has a long narrow body that features bold stripes and has a life span of around three to five years. Highly social creatures that like to swim together in a group, the zebra fish likes cooler temperature water (around 70°F) and while they aren't picky eaters, they particularly like fresh vegetables and live (or frozen) invertebrates.
5. Guppy
One of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species in the world, the guppy is native to South America and the Caribbean and lives for around two to three years with proper care. Highly social, guppies thrive in groups of three or more fish from the same species and those guppies can also be included in a community tank with other fish that have the same peaceful temperament. Guppies should not be kept in the same tank as goldfish as the latter may choose to treat them as a tasty snack!
6. White cloud mountain minnow
A hardy species of fish native to China, the white cloud mountain minnow is a graceful and peaceful community fish that likes to be paired with at least five others of its species. Measuring 1.5 inches in length and living for around three to five years, they're a good fish for beginners and are easy to breed. White cloud mountain minnows do not like heat and need to be kept in water with a temperature below 72°F.
7. Kuhli loach
A small, eel-like freshwater fish, the kuhli loach originated on the island of Java in Indonesia. It's a very peaceful species and does well living in quiet tanks with fish of a similar temperament. A bottom-dwelling fish that will hide in the sand, the kuhli loach is highly social and has a lifespan of around 10 years. They prefer live food and to be fed at night, and because they're bottom-dwellers, remember to choose foods that will sink.
8. GloFish danio
An undemanding fish that thrives in a variety of aquatic conditions, the GloFish danio is a type of zebra danio that's been genetically modified to produce a range of bright, fluorescent colors. Hardy and easy to care for, they're lively and social creatures who do best when kept in groups of five or more. They tolerate a wide range of temperatures and water chemistry, so they're ideal for the novel fish enthusiast.
9. Killifish
Small and colorful, the killifish is closely related to guppies, mollies, and swordtails and originated in North and South America, Africa, and Asia. There are more than 1,200 species of killifish and each varies in both coloration and finnage. It's worth noting that the killifish has a very short lifespan – they burst onto the scene in a blaze of vibrant color but soon wither and die, which is why they are often referred to as 'annual fish' because they tend to live for just one season. In addition to dried food, it's important to provide them with live food as well as worms and insect larvae are their preference.
10. American Flagfish
Named because the male American Flagfish has a body pattern that bears some resemblance to the stars and stripes on the US flag, this fish grows to around three inches in length and can live for up to seven years if kept in the right conditions. With a tendency towards feistiness, they do best when kept with other fast-moving and boisterous fish species, such as the zebra danio. Males can also be quite territorial and have been known to fight one another, so a ratio of one male to three females is recommended.
11. Indian Glassfish
The Indian Glassfish is a schooling fish, which means they prefer to live in groups of five or more. They originated in heavily vegetated, lowland habitats, and because of that, their tank should contain plenty of plant cover and driftwood. They enjoy feasting on flakes, micro pellets, and small frozen foods, and they tend to have a bold, playful, and energetic temperament.
12. Peacock gudgeon
Endemic to the eastern part of Papua New Guinea, the peacock gudgeon is a tropical freshwater fish that can be found in rivers and ponds. With a lifespan of around four to five years, their vibrant coloration and unique appearance make them a wonderful addition to a home aquarium. While they prefer to be kept with six to eight of their own kind, they don't need to be housed in a species-specific tank thanks to their gentle nature.
13. Powder blue dwarf gourami
With their light blue bodies and subtle red hues, the powder blue dwarf gourami is a beautiful fish that will leave you feeling soothed just by looking at it. Growing to around three inches in length, it's a hardy fish with a bold personality and while it's beginner-friendly in lots of ways, it isn't always the most peaceful of community tank mates so do seek advice on this beforehand. Relatively resilient, they'll live for around three to four years with the correct care.
14. Denison barb
An endangered fish that hails from Southern India, the Denison barb grows to around six inches in length and lives for around five years. When it comes to tips for taking care of fish, it's worth noting that the Denison barb requires a larger tank than many species of the same size – that's because they like to engage in fast-paced distance swimming. Peaceful in community tanks with species roughly the same size as them, they need to be kept in schools of half a dozen or more.
15. Koi angelfish
With their long majestic fins and bright colors, it's easy to see why the koi angelfish is such a popular choice for home aquariums. Bred to have colors that resemble the Japanese koi, they grow up to six inches in size and originated in the Amazon areas of Peru and Ecuador.
Calm and placid in nature, they have a generous lifespan of around 10 years when cared for correctly. Koi angelfish thrive in habitats that mimic their natural environment, so when it comes to the best fish tank decorations for this species, be sure to include plenty of plants and driftwood.
16. Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid
Found in the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers in Peru, the Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid is generally a peaceful fish, however, they can become territorial when breeding. For that reason, it's best to keep a single pair or to have one male with several females. That being said, they can still live in a community tank with other species like catfish and small tetras. It's worth bearing in mind that whatever tank you choose must have a tight-fitting lid as these fish can jump.
17. Honey gourami
Native to India and Bangladesh, the honey gourami is a brightly colored and incredibly peaceful fish with an agreeable personality that makes them well suited to community tanks with similar-sized fish. They are very good-natured and because they're not a schooling fish, you don't have to worry about keeping them in groups as they'll swim alone.
18. Boseman's rainbow fish
Prized for its beautiful colors and peaceful demeanor, the Boseman's rainbow fish is a sight to behold. Best kept in groups of six or more of their own kind, they are very adaptable and gentle and will not bother smaller tank mates. Males grow to around four inches and are more colorful than females, sporting a blue front half and an orange back half.
Sadly, they are endangered in the wild due to overfishing and destruction of their natural habitats, but when kept in a home aquarium, they can live for between five to eight years.
19. Red wagtail platy
One of the most popular choices of fish amongst those looking to set up (or add to) a home aquarium, the red wagtail platy is a hardy and energetic species with an easygoing nature. Mid-dwellers who originated in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, the red wagtail platy makes for a harmonious tank mate who gets along well with other peaceful species. They typically grow to around two to three inches and live for four years when well cared for.
20. Flowerhorn cichlid
With their distinctive head bump and bold colors, the flowerhorn cichlid is a sight to behold indeed. A large and heavy fish that will certainly be the talking point of your aquarium, the flowerhorn cichlid grows to around 15 inches and tends to have a lifespan of between eight to 12 years.
They are most definitely the 'Marmite fish' with their unique look being something you'll either love or hate, however, in parts of Asia they are highly prized and considered by many to be a symbol of good luck. These fish have a very combative nature, so they do best as a single pet.
21. Black Molly
A popular community aquarium fish, the Black Molly is a tropical fish with a lively nature who loves to swim around in groups. Mollies are very easy to care for and if you're not wanting to invest in a huge tank, they're one of those species where several will fit comfortably into a 20-gallon tank.
Found along the Gulf Coast in the United States, the Black Molly is generally peaceful, although males can sometimes be aggressive when they want to mate. It's worth noting that females give birth to live babies – not eggs – and they can have up to 100 of them at a time.
22. Checkerboard discus
Named because their distinct pattern of stripes resembles a checkerboard, this bright fish has a placid nature and tends to reach around eight inches in length. The checkerboard discus isn't fond of being in a tank that is in a busy area of the home or one that's overly bright – if either of these things occur they'll tend to become shy and hide away. For that reason, it's recommended to keep them in a low-traffic room. These fish are fairly intelligent and are known for being able to recognize their owners, making them a wonderful choice for a companion.
23. Pearl gourami
Native to Southeast Asia, the pearl gourami is not only strikingly attractive but also very easy to take care of. Originating in Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, and Thailand, the pearl gourami often surprises novice owners who think they're going crazy when they hear sounds coming from their aquarium. Known as a labyrinth fish, this pearly beauty gulps air on the surface of the water and then holds it in what's known as a labyrinth chamber in their first-gill arch. Like many other labyrinth fish, they can often be heard vocalizing with growls or croaks.
24. Swordtail
A common addition to any freshwater tank, the swordtail is an excellent fish for beginners – not only does it get along with a wide variety of other fish species, but it will thrive in a range of different environments and is easy to care for. It typically grows to around 3-4 inches in length and has a lifespan of around 4-5 years. Hailing from Mexico and Central America, only the male fish possess the unique swordtail, making males and females easy to distinguish if you want to breed them.
25. Marbled hatchetfish
A ray-finned, surface-hugging fish, the marbled hatchetfish needs a well-covered aquarium as they have a propensity to jump. They originated in tropical blackwater environments with plenty of driftwood and vegetation, so it's important to mimic this in your tank. Marbled hatchetfish like gentle water movement and they are very timid shoaling fish who like to congregate in groups, so keeping 10 or more of them in your aquarium is ideal for ensuring they thrive both physically and mentally.
26. Elephant nose fish
Shy and sensitive fish who hail from Africa, the elephant nose fish needs pristine water conditions to thrive, so they're not a great match for beginners who are still learning the ropes when it comes to keeping fish. Timid and peaceful, they are best kept in dimly lit aquariums with plenty of hiding places and you'll also want to include lots of sand.
That's because they use their long trunks to probe for food and not being able to do this causes them a great deal of stress. While gentle with other fish, they can be territorial with their own kind, so it's recommended you only include one in your aquarium to prevent fighting.
27. Bristlenose Plecostomus
The bristlenose plecostomus is a species of catfish with distinctive tentacles around their snout. While most catfish reach lengths of around 20 inches, the bristlenose plecostomus is much smaller at just five inches and has a lifespan of around 10 years. Known for being fantastic little vacuum cleaners, if you want a tank that looks spick and span, this is definitely a species worth considering. Easy to care for and with a unique appearance, the bristlenose plecostomus is a fun addition to any aquarium.
28. Electric Blue Jack Dempsey
Originating in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, the original Jack Dempsey likes to hang out in slow-moving rivers and swampy areas. The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey has been tank-bred to achieve its striking colors and less aggressive temperament. Because of that, it can typically be kept alongside other fish in a community tank that is too large to be viewed as a snack. They like plenty of rocky caves and other places to hide as well as a mixture of medium water movement and calmer areas they can rest in.
29. Heckel’s thread-finned acara
Hailing from the northern parts of the Amazon basin, the heckel’s thread-finned acara likes to live in aquariums that are biologically mature with lots of space. They enjoy large expanses of substrate that they can sift through for food and plenty of hiding spaces and visual barriers. It's best to obtain a group of Heckel’s thread-finned acara as juveniles and release them all into the tank at once as this will allow them to form a natural hierarchy and prevent any aggression.
30. Cherry barb
Native to Sri Lanka, the cherry barb has a vibrant red color and is a great choice for beginners. They are small at just two inches in length and tend to live for around five years. Because they're so tiny, they are typically shy around bigger fish – particularly if those other fish are aggressive – so it's recommended that they're kept in a group and that you exercise caution when selecting tank mates. The cherry barb likes to hide, so if you decide to have a community tank, introduce them first so that they can settle in before you add other species to the mix.
31. Harlequin rasbora
At under two inches in length but with a relatively hardy lifespan of six years, the docile and peace-loving harlequin rasbora makes a wonderful addition to a smaller-sized aquarium. A top to mid-dwelling species, they're native to Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and Southern Thailand where they live in streams. Shoaling fish that should be kept in schools of eight or more, the harlequin rasbora will co-exist happily with any fish that's not large or predatory – tetras, danios, and dwarf gouramis are all excellent choices.
32. Pygmy cory
A teeny-tiny catfish that grows to just over an inch in length, the diminutive pygmy cory isn't suitable for a community tank due to its small size but will live happily with others of the same species. Because they're shoaling fish, you'll want to have at least 10 of them and provide a sandy substrate to protect their sensory barbels. They also like to hide in shady spots, so adding in some driftwood and plants with broad leaves can be a great way to provide them with this.
Fancy something different? Here are 32 aquarium pets that aren’t fish!
