Best Pet Fish: Top Choices for Aquatic Enthusiasts

Pet fish are fantastic first-time companions, no matter how young or young at heart you are! They add vibrant life and a sense of calm to your home. 

Plus, there’s a delightful phenomenon known as aquarium therapy — just watching those little swimmers can melt away stress and boost your mood.

Once you dive into the fishkeeping hobby, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll be hooked for life. So, if you’re keen to know what are the best pet fish to own, you’ve come to the right place. 

15 Best Pet Fish

Here are the top 15 best pet fish for aquatic enthusiasts — ranked from easiest to hardest to keep.

1. Betta Fish

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive (especially with other male Bettas)
• Minimum tank size: 10 liters
• Maturity size: 6-7 cm
• Diet: Carnivore (loves protein-rich foods)

Betta fish are known for their flowing, colorful fins! With their variety of colors — from reds to blues to purples — they’re the showstoppers of any tank. 

A fun fact is that Bettas are naturally found in rice paddies and slow-moving waters in Southeast Asia. Bettas are also labyrinth fish, which means they can breathe air from the water’s surface. 

While they’re relatively easy to care for, they can be aggressive toward other males, so it’s best to keep them solo unless you’ve got a big tank with lots of hiding spots. 

2. Guppies

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 20 liters
• Maturity size: 4-6 cm
• Diet: Omnivore (flakes, veggies, brine shrimp)

Guppies are small, hardy fish with tails that come in every color of the rainbow. Guppies are peaceful and great for beginners, as they adapt well to different water conditions. They’re also active swimmers and love exploring their tanks. 

They’re livebearers, meaning they give birth to free-swimming fry — so don’t be surprised if you wake up one morning to new tank members! Because they’re prolific breeders, keeping a balance between males and females is a must — unless you want an overpopulation situation. 

They thrive in groups, so plan on getting a few to keep them company.

3. Neon Tetras

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 38 liters (for a school)
• Maturity size: 3.5 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Neon Tetras are tiny, glowing fish that school together. When you see them swimming in unison, you’ll be “wowed” with their beautiful shimmer. Their iconic neon blue and red stripes make them easy to spot and add a pop of color to your aquarium. 

These peaceful fish do best in groups of six or more. Why? Big groups help them feel secure and allow them to show off their natural behavior. They hail from the Amazon Basin, so they prefer softer, slightly acidic water. 

An interesting fact is that their colors are more vibrant when they’re happy and healthy, so if they’re glowing bright, you’re doing something right!

4. Zebra Danios

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 40 liters
• Maturity size: 5 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Zebra Danios are the ultimate hardy fish! They have sleek, torpedo-shaped bodies covered in horizontal black-and-white stripes. 

They’re super fast swimmers, so they add a lot of activity to your tank. These fish are also known for their ability to jump, so make sure your tank has a secure lid! So, they’ll make catching them a bit challenging! 

Originally from South Asia, Zebra Danios are great for beginners since they adapt to various water conditions. They’re schooling fish, so keeping a group of at least five will make them feel more at ease.

5. Platies

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 38 liters
• Maturity size: 6 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Platies are small, easygoing fish that come in many colors — from vivid oranges to deep blues. They’re perfect for beginners since they’re low-maintenance and peaceful. 

Like Guppies, Platies are livebearers, so be ready for potential baby fish! They’re sociable and thrive in community tanks. So they have no problem with getting along with other non-aggressive fish. 

One fun fact is that Platies can sometimes change color slightly as they mature! They love densely planted tanks to hide and explore in. So, practice your green thumb with live aquatic plants. 

6. Corydoras Catfish

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 38 liters
• Maturity size: 5-7 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Corydoras Catfish are adorable little bottom-dwellers with whisker-like barbels around their mouths. These little whiskers help them sense food in the substrate. They’re peaceful fish known for their cute, wiggly swimming style and love to hang out in groups. 

They’re hardy and easy to care for so you know they’re a favorite for beginners and experienced aquarists. Corydoras are often seen sifting through the tank’s bottom for leftover food, acting like little vacuums that help keep things tidy. 

They are quite shy but will become more active in groups of three or more, so don’t let them be lonely!

7. Mollies

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 38 liters
• Maturity size: 6-12 cm (depending on type)
• Diet: Omnivore

Mollies are versatile fish! They have sleek, rounded shapes and come in numerous colors — and even different fin types, like sailfin varieties. 

They’re also livebearers, and their peaceful temperament makes them great for community tanks. Mollies can adapt to freshwater and brackish water, which makes them unique compared to other species. 

They also have a great appetite for algae, so they’ll help keep your tank clean. Just keep in mind that Mollies are active breeders, so you might need to plan for fry or have a way to manage their population.

8. Cherry Barbs

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 38 liters
• Maturity size: 5 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Cherry Barbs are small, bright-red fish. They’re peaceful and love to school — though they can be a bit shy at first. As they settle in, you’ll notice the males turn a deeper red when they’re feeling frisky or trying to impress the ladies! 

Cherry Barbs are easy to care for, so they’re a solid choice for beginners. They thrive in planted tanks where they can dart in and out of foliage. Note that they do best in groups of five or more. 

Their vibrant color also gets more intense in healthy water, so it’s a good indicator of their well-being.

9. Swordtails

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 38 liters
• Maturity size: 14 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Swordtails are sleek, torpedo-shaped fish with long, sword-like tails that give them their name. They come in various colors and are livebearers, which means you might find baby Swordtails swimming around if you have both males and females. 

Swordtails are peaceful but can get a little nippy if overcrowded, so be sure they have enough space. These fish are also quite active, so having a bigger tank is a good idea. Swordtails can also thrive in slightly brackish water. 

10. Harlequin Rasboras

• Care difficulty: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 40 liters
• Maturity size: 5 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Harlequin Rasboras are named after their distinctive black triangle patch on their orange bodies. These fish are peaceful and love to school, so they’re happiest in groups of six or more. 

They come from Southeast Asia and prefer slightly acidic water, so they’re a great fit for tanks with similar water parameters. Harlequin Rasboras are active swimmers that add a lot of movement to the middle levels of your tank. 

Their gentle nature makes them perfect tank mates for other small, peaceful species.

11. Angelfish

• Care difficulty: Intermediate
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Minimum tank size: 110 liters
• Maturity size: 15 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Angelfish are elegant and graceful, with long, flowing fins. They come in many colors and patterns, from silver to black to marbled. 

With these fish, beauty can also be a beast. Angelfish can be a bit territorial, especially when paired with smaller fish or during breeding times. They prefer taller tanks with lots of hiding spots and plants. 

Angelfish originally come from the slow-moving waters of the Amazon, so they thrive in warm, slightly acidic water. 

12. Dwarf Gourami

• Care difficulty: Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 40 liters
• Maturity size: 8 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Dwarf Gouramis are peaceful, colorful fish with a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe air from the surface. Dwarf Gouramis come in a range of beautiful colors, from bright blue to fiery red. 

They’re best kept in planted tanks where they can explore and feel secure. They’re peaceful but can be shy, so it’s important to provide plenty of hiding places. 

And did you know that males build bubble nests during breeding? Cool, right? Though they’re generally easy to care for, they’re sensitive to water quality, so regular maintenance is a must.

13. Bristlenose Pleco

• Care difficulty: Intermediate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 70 liters
• Maturity size: 12-15 cm
• Diet: Herbivore

Bristlenose Plecos are small, brownish fish with distinctive bristles around their mouths. They’re features make them look like tiny mustachioed creatures. 

These bottom-dwellers are peaceful and spend most of their time eating algae, helping to keep your tank clean. They’re smaller than common Plecos, so they can be a better fit for medium-sized tanks. 

Bristlenose Plecos are nocturnal, so don’t be surprised if they’re more active when the lights go out. They’re also hardy, easy to care for, and get along with most tank mates. That’s a combination for the perfect addition to community tanks.

14. Discus Fish

• Care difficulty: Hard
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 170 liters
• Maturity size: 20 cm
• Diet: Omnivore (protein-heavy)

Discus Fish are the royalty of freshwater tanks, known for their round, disc-like shape and vibrant, patterned colors. They’re a bit more challenging to care for due to their sensitivity to water conditions, but their beauty is undeniable. 

Discus prefer warm, soft, and slightly acidic water, and they thrive in larger, well-planted tanks. They’re peaceful and do well in groups. 

Because of their picky nature, you’ll need to keep up with regular tank maintenance to keep them happy and healthy. 

15. German Blue Ram

• Care difficulty: Hard
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Minimum tank size: 75 liters
• Maturity size: 5-6 cm
• Diet: Omnivore

Last but not least, German Blue Rams are small and stunning fish with iridescent blue and gold bodies. They’re peaceful but can be a bit territorial — especially during breeding. 

German Blue Rams are sensitive to water conditions, so keeping the tank clean and stable is non-negotiable. These fish thrive in well-planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots. 

Though they’re a bit more challenging to care for, their striking colors and active behavior make them a favorite for experienced aquarists.

The Best Pet Fish Deserves the Best Tanks — Aquabuildr Can Help!

Sometimes, keeping up with all this information can feel like a chore. What if there was a handy guide at your fingertips? Our Aquabuildr app can be your guide. 

Our app is perfect for those who may just be starting out and for experienced enthusiasts alike.  Aquabuildr has everything you need to build the perfect tank — without the headaches. 

With its intelligent algorithm, you’ll know exactly which fish are compatible, how many to keep, and the ideal water parameters. It even sends you smart alerts to help keep your fish healthy and happy! And if building your tank from scratch feels daunting, Aquabuildr offers customized starter tanks to get you going in no time.

Get started for FREE on the App Store or Google Play store, and start building your dream aquarium!