Which fish are best for freshwater aquariums?
There is such a wide variety of options, making it hard to choose which ones you want in your tank.
When selecting which type of fish you want, it is essential that you first decide what types of plants and which types of invertebrates you plan on keeping in the same tank.
You’ll need to make sure these animals will be compatible with each other before adding them to the tank.
There are some popular species people select for their tanks: goldfish, guppies, tetras, zebra danios, cory cats and more!
1) Neon Tetra.
The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a freshwater fish that requires just one gallon of water to live comfortably.
They are low maintenance, which makes them ideal if you have other fish that need extra attention.
The average life span for this type of fish is 2-3 years, making it an excellent option for anyone looking to keep fish that will live a bit longer.
They are usually found in schools which makes them fun to watch and interact with within the tank.
They have bright colours, making them easy to spot, which can be especially important if you plan to keep other fish or invertebrates.
This type of pet is a popular choice for people living in apartments since it requires less space than larger pets.
You may want to consider investing in several because they like having lots of companies which can make them happy and healthy at the same time!
2) Guppies.
The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is another fish that has the potential to live for several years.
You can purchase them as small as 1/2″, and they have the chance of reaching an adult size which ranges from 2-4″.
This type of fish requires at least five gallons of water but can be kept in larger tanks if there are other types of fish or invertebrates you’d like to keep with it.
You might want to consider purchasing multiple types and then placing them into their own separate tanks once they reach adulthood.
They will not breed in an aquarium, so keeping them separate will prevent any issues from ever occurring.
They require a variety of foods, including live food, frozen food, and flakes.
They are fun to watch and don’t require any special lighting or filtration. Just make sure you provide them with a healthy diet, and they’ll be around for years!
3) Mollies.
The molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a popular fish due to its easy nature.
They can be kept in either saltwater or freshwater and are easily located at most pet stores throughout the country.
This type of fish has a life expectancy of 3-7 years, making it another great option for anyone looking to keep long-lasting pets.
You have multiple colours: black, yellow, red-eyed white, copper, chocolate, blue/black and silver.
You’ll want to select whichever colour you prefer since they all stay relatively small with a maximum length of 2-1/2 inches!
They require several hiding places, so if you plan on keeping other tank mates, be sure to provide them with ample spaces to hide.
4) Betta Fish.
The Betta (also known as the Siamese fighting fish) is a type of aquatic animal which requires cold water and extra attention.
These are not recommended for beginners because they are solid and require plenty of space to swim around in.
The males will fight each other, so keeping multiple males in one tank may be harmful to them.
You can purchase these pets with either long or short fins, depending on your preferences.
They have bright colours, which look especially great when placed inside an aquarium full of colourful plants!
Make sure you keep this fish away from your other pets since their long fins make it easy for them to attack any smaller animals swimming by them.
They live 3-5 years if they receive proper care but only have a 30% chance of surviving the first year.
You’ll want to follow their basic needs and be sure that they are given adequate space in their water so you can have a happy pet for years to come!
5) Goldfish.
The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is another type of fish that ends up living longer than most people expect.
They are freshwater fish that prefer cooler, dimmer water since this helps them stay comfortable while in captivity.
These fish are popular because they don’t require a huge amount of space and only cost $1-$10 at most pet stores.
They live between 5-15 years, making them ideal if you’re looking for something long-lasting!
The larger goldfish have the potential to reach up to 10-12 inches which are quite impressive!
They require a lot of care and attention, so be sure you’re ready for this type of commitment before purchasing one.
Their average lifespan is between 5-10 years, but it can sometimes be longer if kept in a tank with other goldfish.
The oldest known goldfish lived to become 43 years old, making them an excellent choice for anyone who’s looking for long-lasting pets!
6) Angelfish.
The angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is a trendy option for people who have trouble with other types of fish.
If you’re not comfortable handling them and watching over their needs, then this is a great type of pet to go with.
They are freshwater fish that can live in medium-sized tanks or aquariums.
You can easily find these at bait shops because they look amazing inside of small cups!
They only grow up to be 2-3 inches, so you’ll want to check out the sizes before purchasing from your local store.
If you decide on buying multiple angels, be sure to acquire them when they are still young since they become territorial as adults.
This could lead to fighting if there were too many in one tank.
These fish live around ten years, so you’ll get plenty of enjoyment by keeping them.
Just be sure to follow their basic needs because they can easily become sick if you neglect them too much!
7) Golden Dwarf Barbs.
The golden dwarf barb (Barbodes gardens) is a small type of fish that will only grow up to be 2-3 inches in length.
This means you can keep them in smaller tanks or bowls without having to worry about their growing too big.
They are very colourful and seem especially amazing when added to other pets such as turtles, frogs or lizards!
These fish live between 3-10 years, so if you’re looking for something long-lasting, then this may be the pet for you!
Just make sure that they have plenty of oxygen since they cannot survive in water which is too still.
You should also take care not to give them too much food since this could end up killing them!
8) Rainbowfish.
The rainbow fish (Melanotaenia) are popular choices for anyone who wants to add a little colour into their life.
You can easily find these being kept in aquariums because they are cheap and don’t need nearly as much care as other types of pets do!
These fish average around 3 inches in length, making them suitable for small bowls, tanks, and other containers.
They live between 5-15 years, so if you’re looking for something with longevity, then this is an excellent option to go with!
Just make sure you feed them regularly since larger meals will cause them to grow faster, ensuring that they remain healthy over time.
9) Zebra Danios.
Are you looking for something which will swim around your home in style?
The zebra danios (Danio rerio) are beautiful and elegant additions to any tank or bowl!
They can easily be cared for due to their small size, and they provide an excellent amount of enjoyment.
These fish only grow up to be 1.5 inches long, so you’ll want to get a bigger aquarium if you wish to keep more than one.
However, they don’t live anywhere near as long as some other options on our list do!
These fish usually live between 2-5 years, but it could be shorter depending on how much care the owner provides.
This means you should check with your local pet shop before taking them home so that you can properly take care of them.
10) Platies.
The platy (Xiphophorus) is the perfect type of fish for anyone who wants something with personality.
They come in many different colours and usually live between 2-5 years, so they are amazing companions to take home!
These fish only grow up to be 2 inches long, making them a little less intimidating than other types.
Just make sure that you provide them with plenty of space since these guys like to have fun!
You can house some of these in small bowls or tanks, but others will need more room for swimming around.
Conclusion
There are many options for freshwater fish to have in an aquarium, but it can be hard to decide which is best.
We recommend that you pick the type of fish that fits your needs and lifestyle.
For example, if you want a low-maintenance pet with no long-term commitment or pricey upkeep, guppies might be the way to go (though they do require more frequent water changes).
If you’re looking for something colourful and active to add some life into your tank, neon tetras may be better suited for what’s needed.
And if schooling behaviour is important due to space constraints, consider mollies as they live together well in small groups but don’t take up much room when grouped!
