Explore the Best Types of Freshwater Fish for Your Aquarium

Whether you’re an experienced aquarium keeper or a total novice, one of the first decisions about any freshwater setup will be about the types of aquarium fish you select. Thankfully, this list will help narrow down your choices. All of the pet fish on this list are hardy, attractive, modest in size, and easy to care for, regardless of your experience level. Most of the following species also get along well with others, so many of them can easily cohabitate with other fish. Read on to learn more about some of the best types of aquarium fish.

1. Pearl Gourami

To start this list, the pearl gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is an attractive fish due to its unique color and pattern. They are simple to care for, regardless of your experience level, and only grow to around 4 to 5 inches. What’s more, they can live for around 5 years in a well-maintained freshwater setup.

Pearl gouramis are social, curious, and peaceful around many of the other species on this list. They prefer fairly warm and acidic water with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. However, thanks to their hardiness and adaptability, these spotted, peach-toned little fish can tolerate a beginner’s mistake here and there.

Keep in mind, though, that while the males are more colorful and vibrant than the females, they can be somewhat territorial toward other male gouramis. It’s best to keep only one male gourami per aquarium, regardless of the tank size.

2. Silver Angelfish

The silver angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is one of the more visually stunning fish on this list. It’s sure to be a centerpiece of your aquarium if you choose these fish for your setup.

With its attractive silver body, thin black striping, and long, thin, tendril-like fins, this fish is an excellent choice for beginner and experienced aquarium keepers. It grows to a fairly modest 6 inches in length. Silver angelfish can live for 10 years or longer in captivity, provided their care requirements are met. These fish are particularly sensitive to poor water quality.

Like many of the other species on this list, silver angelfish can be safely housed with various similar-sized tankmates. Compatible species include corydoras, plecos, mollies, gouramis, and others. They prefer fairly warm water with a pH level of roughly 6.5 to 7.5.

3. Neon Tetra

While many species of tetra would be ideal for this list, the neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is one of the most distinctive. It’s also a fairly inexpensive and accessible species commonly sold by breeders and pet shops all over the world.

The neon tetra is a small fish that only grows to around 1.5 to 2 inches long. Despite its diminutive size, its bright blue, orange, and silver coloring makes it easy to spot even from a distance. In optimal conditions, they can live up to 5 years, and occasionally even longer.

Native to parts of Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, these bright little fish prefer fairly warm water. The water pH should be roughly 6.0 to 7.0. These schooling fish should be kept in groups of at least 6 individuals. They should be provided with plenty of plants for shelter. Neon tetras can be housed with guppies, gouramis, mollies, and other tetras, among many other species.

4. Zebrafish/Zebra Danio

The zebrafish, also known as the zebra danio or striped danio (Danio rerio), is a small yet visually appealing type of aquarium fish with a shimmering silver body color and thin, uniform black stripes. They only grow to around 2 inches long, but they will easily stand out among the other fish in your freshwater aquarium.

They enjoy living among other zebrafish and other small, peaceful species like tetras, gouramis, corydoras, and others. Their needs are also fairly simple, so they are easy to maintain long-term. Zebra danios live for around 3 to 5 years in an optimal setup. They should be kept in a tank with room temperature water and a pH level between 6.0 and 8.0.

Zebrafish are especially great for beginner aquarium keepers, as they are extremely hardy. They are mild-mannered fish that can easily thrive in tanks as small as 10 gallons. They are also typically inexpensive to purchase.

5. Common Goldfish

At first, the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) may seem like an odd choice for this list, but they can actually live for 10-15 years if their needs are met, with some individuals living even longer. Fortunately, their care requirements are very simple. These fish prefer slightly warm water with a pH level of anywhere from 7.0 to 8.0. Goldfish start off small, at around 2 to 4 inches, but can reach sizes of 10 inches or more.

These fish look great in just about any freshwater aquarium, thanks to their vibrant golden-orange color and long, wispy fins. Goldfish enjoy living alongside various other peaceful species of freshwater fish. Compatible species include danios, platies, plecos, and more.

Perhaps the best thing about the common goldfish is how inexpensive it is. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned aquarium keeper, goldfish are always a great choice to fill your aquarium. Plus, they are social, mild-mannered, and curious, so you’ll enjoy watching them.

6. Goldeneye Cichlid

Dozens of great, easy-to-care-for cichlid species are ideal for all types of freshwater aquariums. However, the goldeneye cichlid (Nannacara anomala) is definitely one of the most visually appealing. Its silvery and yellow color and golden-yellow eyes make it stand out, despite its small size of 2 to 3 inches.

Goldeneye cichlids are among the most peaceful cichlid species. They enjoy living in groups, both among their own species and alongside other small, non-territorial species. They prefer warm water with a pH level of around 6.0 to 7.5. These fish have a typical lifespan of around 3 to 5 years.

Keep in mind that goldeneye cichlids are fairly prolific breeders. To breed your cichlids, you’ll need to provide them with ample plant cover and spawning areas. You may also need to increase the water temperature and lower the pH to make it more acidic.

7. Black Skirt Tetra

Although the neon tetra is already on this list, there are so many excellent tetra species that we had to include another. The black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) goes by many names. You’ll sometimes hear them referred to as black widow tetras, petticoat tetras, or simply black tetras.

These small fish are not the most vibrant in color. However, their wide eyes, handsome black stripes, and black, skirt-like fins make them a lovely addition to any freshwater tank. They fare especially well in medium-sized community tanks with other small and peaceful fish. Compatible species include gouramis, danios, and various other tetras (including the neon tetra mentioned earlier). Black skirt tetras also generally prefer living with 5 to 10 members of their species, as they are schooling fish.

Black skirt tetras are relatively inexpensive and easy to care for. This particular type of aquarium fish thrives in tanks with fairly warm water and a pH level of 6.0 to 7.5. They generally live between 3 to 5 years.

8. Rainbow Platy

If you want a colorful fish that’s easy to care for and can coexist with many other freshwater species, look no further than the stunning rainbow platy (Xiphophorus maculatus). They prefer living alongside at least 3 to 6 members of their species. They also do well with other fairly small fish like tetras, plecos, mollies, guppies, gouramis, and many more.

The rainbow platy is small in size at only 2 to 3 inches, but its beautiful orange, red, blue, silver, and green coloration makes it stand out with ease. If their minimal care requirements are met, they can easily thrive in captivity for up to 3 to 5 years.

In general, these colorful fish prefer aquariums that are at least 10 to 20 gallons in size. They fare best in warm water with a pH level of around 7.0 to 8.0.

9. Albino Corydoras

The albino corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) is perhaps one of the most interesting-looking corydoras to keep in an aquarium. These tiny catfish are peaceful bottom feeders that coexist well with various small freshwater fish. Compatible species include tetras, danios, and other corydoras.

Like most other species on this list, the albino corydoras is hardy and easy to care for. They can thrive in tanks as small as 10 to 15 gallons and especially enjoy living alongside other members of their species.

Ideally, these silver and pink fish should be kept in warm water with a pH level between 6.0 to 7.5. They grow to around 2 to 3 inches long and can live for 3 to 5 years in captivity, though some may reach 7 to 8 years with excellent care.

10. Common Molly

Finally, we have the common molly (Poecilia sphenops), also known as the short-finned molly. These peaceful little fish are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including black, orange, gold, and even albino. 

Common mollies can be cared for in tanks as small as 10 gallons. They get along well with other small freshwater species, including corydoras (like the albino variety mentioned above), danios, gouramis, and tetras.

They prefer warm water with a pH level of around 7.5 to 8.5. If their needs are consistently met, common mollies can live for 3 to 5 years in captivity and grow to around 4 to 5 inches long.