My Favorite Freshwater Fish for Home Aquariums (And a Few I Learned the Hard Way to Avoid)
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Freshwater aquarium fish have gotten complicated with all the exotic species and conflicting care advice flying around. As someone who has kept tanks since middle school and killed more fish than I care to admit during the learning process, I learned everything there is to know about which species actually thrive in a home setup. Today, I will share it all with you.
Neon Tetras — The Fish That Got Me Hooked on Aquariums
Neon tetras were my first successful fish. Those iridescent blue and red stripes under a good light are genuinely stunning. They are peaceful, easy to care for, and they look best in a school of at least six. Plant the tank well, keep the water soft and slightly acidic, and feed them basic flakes supplemented with frozen foods. They practically take care of themselves.
Betta Fish — Beautiful but Misunderstood
Probably should have led with this section, honestly, because bettas are the fish most people start with and the fish most people mistreat. Those stunning colors and flowing fins deserve better than a half-gallon bowl on a desk. Give them at least five gallons of warm water and they will reward you with actual personality. They are labyrinth fish that breathe surface air, which is fascinating to watch. Just never put two males together unless you want a battle to the death.
Guppies — The Rabbits of the Fish World
Guppies come in wild color combinations and they breed like crazy. They are livebearers, meaning live babies instead of eggs, which is actually pretty cool to watch. Hardy, forgiving of beginner mistakes, and not fussy about water conditions. Fair warning though: if you have males and females together, you will have baby guppies everywhere within a month.
Corydoras Catfish — The Tank Cleaning Crew
Cory cats are my personal favorites. Those armored little bottom-dwellers have more personality than fish ten times their size. They are social and need to be in groups of at least six — watching them school along the bottom is endlessly entertaining. They eat leftover food that sinks, which helps keep your tank cleaner. That’s what makes corydoras endearing to us aquarium keepers — they are useful and adorable at the same time.
Keep Your Supplies Organized
Tank maintenance is way easier when your supplies are not scattered everywhere. The Plano Eco Friendly 3 Tray Storage Box works great for organizing fish food, water treatment chemicals, test kits, and maintenance tools. Keeps everything in one place so water changes do not turn into a scavenger hunt.
Angelfish — Elegant but Pushy
Angelfish look incredible with that triangular shape and long flowing fins. They come in several patterns and colors. But they need space — a taller tank is ideal — and they can be semi-aggressive. They establish a pecking order, so keep them in groups of at least five to spread out the bullying. I lost a few smaller fish before I learned to respect angelfish hierarchy.
Oscar Fish — The Dogs of the Fish World
Oscars are big, smart, and full of personality. They will recognize you and beg for food like a puppy. But they need a serious tank — we are talking 75 gallons minimum for one fish. They are carnivorous and messy eaters. Oscars are a commitment, but if you have the space and the filtration, they are one of the most rewarding freshwater fish you can keep.
Bottom Line
The freshwater aquarium world has something for everyone. Start with hardy, forgiving species if you are new to it. Graduate to more challenging fish as your skills and equipment improve. Every tank teaches you something, and honestly, the hobby gets more addictive the deeper you go into it.
