Top Freshwater Fish Species for Your Aquarium
Here are the best choices of freshwater fish that you can get for your aquarium.
03/06/2021
Observing fish, whether it is in their natural habitat or an aquarium, can be very good for your health. It has been shown that having an aquarium can lower your blood pressure and decrease your stress levels dramatically. Imagine if you can enjoy these great benefits every day! Before you get too excited, you need to know how to properly take care of an aquarium so that your fish can have the proper habitat they need. Once you do so, check out the best choices of freshwater fish that you can get for your aquarium. You can also visit The Aquarium Guide to know how to explore the different species of aquarium plants and learn how to grow them in your tank.
Guppy Fish
This is one of the most popular freshwater species that any aquarium should have. They are famous for being able to adapt to any water conditions, making them the most feisty and energetic species. They tend to be very colorful, but the males are typically more vibrant in color than the females. For nutritional purposes, Guppy fish need to be fed a mixture of animal- and plant-based foods. It is recommended that you keep your guppies in sets of three because it is scientifically proven to be better for them. Additionally, you need to remember to keep the tank's water temperature at 50 to 84°F or 10 to 29 °C.
Siamese Fighting Fish
These are other popular freshwater fish that you can find in various aquariums. Siamese Fighting Fish, commonly called Betta fish, are known to be extremely territorial species. This is why it is recommended not to have multiple males together in one tank in order to reduce their inherent aggression levels. The dedicated fishkeepers at https://www.aquariadise.com/betta-fish/ believe that Bettas are not only popular because of their feisty character and lively colors, but people also adore them for their beautiful flowy tails. Similar to Guppy fish, Siamese Fighting Fish are also considered to be omnivorous, so they need plant- and animal-based foods to survive.
Pearl Gourami
Do not let their large size fool you; Pearl Gourami are a very peaceful species and they are very easy to handle. They have a unique dotted pattern, and some of them come with one black stripe in the middle of their bodies. You should feed them algae-based foods; however, they are meat-eaters, too. Besides their beautiful appearance which makes a great addition to any freshwater aquarium, Pearl Gourami are also very handy if you have a hydra problem in your tank. Hydra is little pests with venom tentacles, capable of killing and eating various types of fish. Fortunately, Pearl Gourami can get rid of them easily, making them the best choice if your tank has a hydra infestation.
Platy Fish
Your aquarium can't be complete without a couple of these beautiful little fish. Platies can be very active, and they love being in groups. They are also quite unique as they can come in every color you could imagine. They are not difficult to manage, and they can be housed with other kinds of fish, too. Platies should be on a herbivorous diet, eating plant-based foods, but they can eat meat-based foods as well. Platies thrive in groups so you should consider getting a set of five or more depending on the size of your tank.
Common Molly
This is another beautiful species that should be kept in sets of four or five. They are very peaceful and can adapt well to numerous water conditions. Unlike other kinds of fish, mollies are Livebearers, meaning that they do not lay eggs. They can come in various colors, commonly seen in black, gray, silver, or red. Regardless of their color, their tails are usually yellow. Patties are considered to be the rabbits of the sea because they breed and multiply quite quickly and very easily. Based on your preferences, it is recommended to only house single-sex patties in your tank.
Neon Tetra
These are very small fish, and it is advisable to get a swarm of them for your freshwater aquarium. They have very bright and beautiful colors with an iridescent blue stripe across their body that makes them visible in dark waters. They have such a peaceful temperament and are not difficult to manage at all. They can feed on almost anything, and are considered to be omnivores, meaning that they can eat worms, insects, plants, brine, or shrimp.
Owning an aquarium may seem fun but it is actually not that easy to manage. If it is used for business purposes, you would have a ton of paperwork, maintenance, cleanup, and inspection to do. Obviously, you would also need to take care of your fish and make sure that their habitat is both safe and healthy. To do that, you need to do thorough research in advance and learn about the needs of every species. But once you get the hang of it, you can begin to enjoy all the wonderful benefits of Fishkeeping.