5 of The Best Freshwater Fish
by Tracy McConnel
On the list of popular household pets, dogs and cats are the clear favorite. Anyone would guess that fact, but you might be surprised to learn that fish are next in line!
And when you consider everything you get when you adopt fish, the rising popularity of these scaly friends begins to make sense.
With a home aquarium, you get all the benefits of caring for a pet while adding a living, breathing work of art to your home. Not to mention, enjoying the sights and sounds of a fish tank has been shown to have a stress-relieving effect!
If you’re considering adding a fish tank to your home, we’re here to help. Read on to learn a few of the best fish for a home aquarium!
1. Neon Tetras
If you’re in search of the best home aquarium fish for beginners, look no further than the neon tetra. As the name suggests, these small, robust fish come in various shades of neon colors, with an iridescent blue strip down their bodies.
Neon tetras are peaceful and prefer to be in groups, making them one of the best freshwater fish for small community aquariums.
2. Zebra Danios
Though slightly larger than tetras, zebra danios are just as easy to care for and are another fantastic beginner fish. Because danios are schooling fish, they don’t do well in small numbers. To keep them happy, they must be kept in groups of at least five.
The only caveat with danio care is that they’re known to jump – don’t leave your fish tank open for too long!
3. Cherry Barbs
Cherry barbs are only around 2 inches long, but they’re tiny adventurers who love to spend their day exploring their tank and hiding in planted areas. Because of this, they require a 25-gallon tank at minimum.
That said, they enjoy having plenty of tankmates, so be sure to house them with other non-aggressive fish.
4. Platies
For those who want a luxury home aquarium that doesn’t take up too much space, platy fish are ideal. They’re low-maintenance fish and only require 10 gallons of tank per 5 fish.
They need a group to thrive, but don’t mind sharing their space with other species. Any peaceful freshwater fish would make a great tankmate!
5. Killifish
Killifish are perfect for those looking for a fish as eye-catching as the batfish without the expert level of skill required to care for them. Another extremely hardy fish, there are over 700 species of killies, meaning they come in every color you can imagine!
Though killies aren’t aggressive toward other peaceful fish, males can get competitive, so it’s a good idea to only keep one male killifish in each tank.
Start Planning Your Home Aquarium Today
The best home aquarium is one that’s carefully planned. So while you shouldn’t jump straight into fish shopping, it’s a good idea to start planning now! Start with the fish you want, then choose the tank and décor.
It’s a common misconception that fish can be housed in a small bowl and thrive. Like any pet, fish require appropriate housing, as well as plenty of care and attention, to be kept healthy.
