![Top [2023] 15 Best Freshwater Fish for Aquarium](https://aquariumhunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/freshwater-aquarium-fishes.jpg "Top [2023] 15 Best Freshwater Fish for Aquarium")
If you are considering buying an aquarium, you should also start thinking about the line of the type of fish you want to put in it. Today there are different types of fish, but not all of them can be great for the freshwater environment.
Any beginner would want to meet some of the Best Freshwater Fish for Aquarium you can use today. If you are looking for fish for your aquarium, you will no doubt be confused by the different species available. You will always have a hard time making a decision.
Luckily for you, we’ve highlighted some of the Best Freshwater Fish for Aquarium you can buy today. This guide should help you save your important time.
Having freshwater fish as pets is a very refreshing option to decorate your aquarium at home and also to fill the void. They are undemanding like cats or dogs, and there is no fear of them flying away like birds. Fish are very cute and can easily be an important part of your life. However, keeping them happy and healthy requires a lot of information about various aspects of their basic needs.
There are mainly many aspects of each type of freshwater fish to care for, such as tank size, sources and amount of water, water treatment, aquarium water pH, water filtration, water temperature, live plants, regular tank cleaning, the environment inside the tank, as well as the environment, adequate nutrition and nutrition and tank mate.
When you’re ready to adore these adorable pets, it’s your turn to choose from hundreds of commercially available freshwater aquarium fish to add to your tank. As a beginner, you should look for species that are adapted to the ambient temperature of your location, that are peaceful in nature, undemanding, require less water changes, and are of course easy to maintain.
Top 15 Best Freshwater Fish for Aquarium 2021
1. Guppy
This fish is common in many freshwater aquariums. They are loved for a few reasons. You will understand that this fish is not demanding at all.
When it comes to maintenance, you don’t have to do much and it still looks great. It is also peaceful and can breed easily.
The difference between men and women is usually clear. Males are said to be brighter with an elongated anal fin. The female, on the other hand, will be larger and with a shorter anal fin.
The guppy fish is alive. This means that after birth, young guppies can easily start swimming and live on their own. You usually see the female guppy spawning about 60 young at a time.
You should keep the juveniles in a separate tank as they can be eaten if left in the same tank with the other fish. As for breeding, all you need to do is keep the male and female fish in an aquarium.
2. Zebrafish
You will find that this little fish is mostly popular with aquarists. People love him for his size and good-humored nature. They are also easy to care for, so make sure you don’t spend a lot of time and money keeping them alive.
The zebrafish is a school fish. This requires you to keep a minimum of it in the tank. You can have the tank planted, but make sure there is enough room for the fish to swim.
You also need to consider the other types of fish in the aquarium. You don’t want to have the kind of fish that bite the fins of others in the same tank as the zebrafish.
3. Cory
Many people will like this fish because it is attractive and active in the aquarium. If you’ve always wanted your tank to look great, you may want to consider buying those types of fish.
You can find different types of Cory fish, but the most popular is the Cory Blue Leopard.
Even with different looks, they all have the same behavior. They mainly swim in the water layers at the bottom.
They do this to search for food scraps all the time. Somehow they help to clean the tank.
It can be very active, but it will not grow into a large fish, so you will need to buy it a new tank.
4. Kuhli Loach
If you look at this fish you may see that it is quite unusual. Don’t let that put you off as even an inexperienced hobbyist could drive it. Because it has a close relationship with the true loach family, it resembles a small snake.
As much as it looks like a snake, it should be scary because it’s not dangerous. Most will hide during the day.
This means that it is better to have a soft surface in the tank. Fish often dig and hide in the substrate.
As you dig all the time, you should see the fish eating the scraps on the bottom, somehow cleaning the tank. Make sure to give him choked food for easy access.
5. Cherry Barb
The small and quiet nature makes it pleasant for many people. There are always many newbies who choose it as it requires little maintenance.
The male fish of the species is brightly colored and takes its name from it. As a fish in training you should consider keeping at least 6 in the tank to create the effect.
You will find that the fish does not always stay in a school. They only do it when they are afraid.
You just have to make sure you get all the necessary food and simple maintenance will keep you looking your best all the time.
6. Goldfish
There is no doubt that you have seen this in many aquariums than any other fish species. Goldfish come in different sizes and colors.
You can let many people choose the type they like, mainly based on color and maintenance needs.
If you have an unheated tank, this type of fish is ideal for you.
While they may be messy eaters, they shouldn’t be difficult to maintain. Make sure to change 10 percent of the water every week.
As for maintenance, you can treat the water with a dechlorinator to keep it clean at all times.
7. Danios
If you are new to aquariums this is a great place to start for most people. You can use them in a variety of aquariums and they will always work well. The reason is mainly that they are strong and can perform well in a variety of conditions.
Because of their active nature, more people want them. You will mainly find them in a group that swims close to the surface of the water.
The clear horizontal stripes of the fish will always catch the eye as they move in a school around the surface of the aquarium water.
8. Betta
For those who want some extra flash and color, they need a betta fish. It comes with brilliantly long and shiny fins.
You will always see them fighting with each other. Therefore, consider having one in the tank.
They are hardy, so survival is no problem for them. They eat flakes or granular foods at any time.
Because of its long fins, do not mix it with other fish that can bite the fins as they are fragile.
9. Black Molly
It can’t be blacker than this fish. It is definitely one of the blackest fish you have ever seen.
Well, it has a peaceful nature. It should be a good option if you plan on creating a community aquarium with many other types of fish.
The fish tends to like it because it easily adapts to freshwater aquariums without much effort. You can easily transfer it from tank to tank and it will still be comfortable.
They are also live breeders so you can expect them to have young that are easy to care for after birth. Just make sure to take them to a separate tank as parents tend to eat little ones.
10. Neon Tetra
Probably one of the best-known freshwater species on this list, the Neon Tetra is a small, sleek, and easy-care fish that is ideal for new owners.
Neon Tetra does not grow much and only grows to a length of 2.2 cm! They are known to be a very peaceful and calm species.
They do best when kept in groups and in tanks with rocks, plants and other accessories in which to hide. Neon Tetra are easily identified by their blue bodies and a bright red stripe on their bodies.
11. Mollies
Small and quiet, Mollies are a great freshwater species that are easy to care for.
Mollusks can grow to about 3 to 4 inches in length and are omnivores, meaning they can eat plants and other animals.
The great thing about this freshwater animal is that, unlike other fish, they give birth to their babies. Like Guppies, Mollies love to breed, so if you don’t want many of these beautiful fish in your tank, keep one gender.
12. Angelfish
A member of the cichlid family, angelfish are popular freshwater fish that can grow up to 6 inches long and 8 inches long.
They are very beautiful and come in different colors and patterns. They can eat plants and other animals such as small insects and shrimp, but they should be kept away from small fish.
Angelfish can be territorial and aggressive (although not at the level of a Betta fish) so it is best kept in an aquarium without many fish.
13. Rainbowfish
The rainbowfish is another less common fish that is easy to care for. Their vibrant colors don’t really appear until they reach maturity.
Still, proper care and maintenance is worth the wait. These fish can be quite shy, but they are normally peaceful with other fish in their tanks.
Rainbowfish get along well with spines and tetras.
14. Platies
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Platies (or the Platy fish) is a beautiful freshwater fish available in a variety of exotic colors. They are generally peaceful fish that thrive in communities.
You can see them getting along with guppies and mollies; They are very social! Dishes require a mix of plant foods and proteins, although meat-based foods can also be eaten.
Freshwater fish can be just as quirky and colorful as seawater fish. Freshwater fish are usually tough little creatures that deserve our love and attention.
If you are a new aquarium owner, make sure to take care of your fish regularly and learn about their personalities. Over time, you will learn to love your cute and impressive freshwater fish!
15. Oscar
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Oscars are considered one of the smartest aquarium fish out there and are one of the few species that can be trained to perform tricks.
Oscars are not common fish though, they should be kept in a species only aquarium and they can get really big very quickly.
They require a lot more maintenance than other fish, due to their carnivorous nature and the amount of waste they produce.
On the positive side, they are one of the few species that can be fed manually; they often eat food between their fingers. Oscars thrive when kept in pairs, or in groups of more than 5, and should be kept together from a young age.
Conclusion
Freshwater fish come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. The most popular fish are usually bright, colorful, and easy to care for.
If you are new to fish farming, I recommend starting to slow down and adding just a few fish at a time. This gives you the opportunity to get to know and understand how to care for each species of fish before adding another.
Make sure to always research the strain you want to buy so you can give them the time and attention they need. This article should serve only as an example of popular freshwater fish species, and not as a guide on how to care for each species. For guides, please visit our breeding care guides here.
Now if you have the Best Freshwater Fish for Aquarium list, you should make up your mind. As you can see from the list, most fish don’t even require much maintenance.
You don’t have to work harder to keep your fish safe and healthy. Before choosing the best one for you, take the time to understand the needs of each species.
