Types of Aquarium Fish – Animals Meal

Whether you’re an experienced aquarist or a total novice, one of your first questions about a fresh water setup will have to do with the types of aquarium fish you select.

Fortunately, this list will help you narrow down your choices. all fish as pets on this list are hardy, attractive, fairly modest in size and easy to care for, regardless of your experience level. Most of the following species also play very well with others, so you can easily live with many! Read on to learn about some of the best aquarium fish species below.

1. Pearl gourami (Trichopodus Leerii)

To start this list, the pearl gourami is handsome thanks to its unique color and pattern. They are easy to care for, regardless of your experience level and only grow to about 4 to 5 inches. In addition, they can live for about 5 years in a well-maintained freshwater setup.

Social, curious and peaceful to many of the other species on this list, pearl gourami prefer moderately warm and acidic water. But thanks to how hardy and adaptable they are, these mottled peach-colored little fish can forgive a beginner’s mistake here and there.

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

2. Silver Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalar)

The silver angelfish is one of the more visually stunning fish on this list. It is sure to be a centerpiece of your aquarium if you choose to give it a loving home.

With its attractive silver body color, thin black stripes and long, thin, tendril-like fins, this fish is an excellent choice for novice aquarists and experts alike. It grows to a fairly modest 6 inches tall. Silver angelfish can live an impressive 10 years in captivity, provided you follow their care requirements.

Like many of the other species on this list, you can safely house the silver angelfish with several similarly sized tankmates. Compatible species include corydoras, plecos, mollies, gouramis and more. They prefer fairly warm water with a pH level of about 6.8 to 7.8.

3. Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

While there are many types of tetras that would be ideal for this list, the neon tetra is one of the most unique looking. It is also a fairly inexpensive and accessible strain that is often sold by breeders and in pet stores around the world.

The neon tetra is a small type of aquarium fish that only grows to about 1.5 to 2 inches in length. Despite its small size, its bright blue, orange and silver coloring makes it easy to spot, even from a distance.

These bright little fish are native to parts of Colombia, Peru and Brazil and prefer fairly warm waters. Their pH level should be about 4 to 7.5. They should be kept in small groups of at least 7 to 12 individuals and provided with enough plants to seek shelter from time to time. Neon tetras can be housed with guppies, gouramis, mollies, and other tetras, among many other species.

4. Zebrafish/Zebra Danio (Denmark rerio)

The zebrafish, also known as the zebra danio or striped danio, is a small but visually appealing type of aquarium fish thanks to its shimmering silver body color and thin, uniform black stripes. They only grow to about 5cm in length, but they will easily stand out from the other fish in your freshwater aquarium.

They like to live among other zebrafish and other small, peaceful species such as tetras, gouramis, corydoras and more. They are very inexpensive at only about $2 to $4 per fish, and their care needs are also easy to maintain in the long run. Zebra danios live about 5 to 6 years in an optimal arrangement. They should be kept in a tank with room temperature water and a pH level of 7.0 to 7.8.

Zebrafish are especially great for novice aquarists as they are extremely hardy and durable. They are gentle fish that can easily thrive in tanks as small as 10 gallons.

5. Ordinary Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

The common goldfish may seem like an odd choice for this list at first, but they can actually live up to 20 years if you put in some effort to meet their needs. Fortunately, their care requirements are very simple. These fish prefer slightly warm water with a pH level of 7.0 to 8.4. Goldfish start small at about 2 to 4 inches, but they can reach sizes of 10 inches or more.

These surprisingly handsome fish look great in just about any freshwater aquarium thanks to their vibrant golden-orange color and long, wispy fins. Goldfish like to coexist with several other peaceful species of freshwater fish. Compatible species include the aforementioned zebra danio (as well as other danio species), platys, plecos, and more.

Perhaps the best thing about the common goldfish is, well, how common and so cheap it is. Whether you’re a total novice or a seasoned aquarist, goldfish are always a good choice to fill the space. Plus, they’re sociable, gentle, and curious, so you’ll love to observe them in captivity.

6. Golden Eyed Cichlid (Nannacara anomala)

There may be dozens of great, easy to care for cichlids species that are ideal for all types of freshwater aquariums, but the golden
-eyed cichlid is definitely one of the most visually appealing. His silvery and yellow color and golden eyes make him stand out despite his small size of 2 to 3 inches.

These peaceful little fish like to live in groups, both among their own species and alongside other small, non-territorial species. They prefer warm water at about 72 to 75F with a pH level of about 6 to 7.5.

Keep in mind that goldeneye cichlids are fairly prolific breeders. This means providing them with a fair amount of plant cover and spawning areas.

7. Black skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)

While I’ve already mentioned the neon tetra on this list, there are so many excellent tetra species that I had to include one more. The black skirt tetra has many names. You will sometimes hear them called 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 beautiful addition to any freshwater tank. They do especially well in medium-sized community tanks made up of other small and peaceful fish. Compatible species include gourami, danios, and several other tetras (including the aforementioned neon tetra). Black skirt tetras also generally prefer to be around at least 5 to 10 other members of their genus as they are schooling fish.

This particular type of aquarium fish is inexpensive and easy to feed and care for, and thrive in tanks of moderately warm water with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

8. Rainbow platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)

If you want a colorful fish that is easy to care for and can easily coexist with many other freshwater species, then look no further than the beautiful Rainbow Platy! They prefer to live with at least 3 to 6 other members of their own species. They also do well with other fairly small fish such as tetras, plecos, mollies, guppies, gouramis and much more.

The rainbow platy is small in size, only 2 to 3 inches, but its beautiful orange, red, blue, silver and green color makes it easy to notice. If the minimum care requirements are met, it can easily thrive in captivity for up to 4 years.

In general, these colorful fish prefer to live in aquariums of at least 10 to 20 gallons. They do best in warm water with a pH level of about 6.8 to 8.5.

9. Albino Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus)

Many corydoras species are great for both novice and experienced aquarists, but the albino corydoras is perhaps one of the most interesting to watch. this little one catfish are peaceful bottom feeders that get along well with a variety of small freshwater fish. Compatible species include tetras, danios, and other corydoras. They grow to about 2 to 3 inches in length and can live about 5 to 8 years in captivity.

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

Ideally, these silver and pink fish should be kept in warm water with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0.

10. Ordinary Molly (Poecilia sphenops)

Finally we have the common molly, also known as the short-finned molly. These peaceful little fish come in a wide variety of different colors and patterns, from black to orange and gold and even albino.

Common mollies are easily cared for in tanks as small as 10 gallons in size, and they play well with other small freshwater species, including corydoras (such as the albino variety mentioned above), danios, gouramis and tetras. They prefer warm water with a pH level of about 7.5 to 8.5. If their needs are consistently met, common mollies can live up to 5 years in captivity and grow to about 4 to 5 inches in length.