Freshwater Fish

29 Coolest Freshwater Aquarium Fish

Many people think that a marine or reef tank is needed to enjoy the most brilliantly colored and fresh looking fish. Well, we’re here to dispel that myth!

You can create an impressive display in your home aquarium by including some of the rarest, coolest and most exotic species of freshwater aquarium fish available to the home hobbyist. Even the most unusual freshwater minnow specimens are often much less expensive to purchase than marine ones, are often less prone to serious disease, and are also easier to care for.

So, if you want to add some awesome exotic aquatic pets to your tank, check out this guide to the coolest freshwater aquarium fish for our top picks.

CARING FOR A FRESHWATER FISH

Your freshwater aquarium is a closed ecosystem that needs careful maintenance to ensure the environment is healthy for the inhabitants. You can read a detailed article at this link, which explains how to care for a freshwater aquarium. In the meantime, here are some basic tips so you know what you’re up against.

THE NITROGEN CYCLE

When setting up a new aquarium, it is essential that you cycle the tank before putting fish in it.

Your aquarium filter contains mechanical and biological elements, and some also have a chemical element.

The biological part of the filter system contains certain species of beneficial bacteria that process harmful substances released during the decomposition of fish waste, uneaten food, decaying plant matter and general detritus. The nitrogen cycle, as it is called, can take up to six weeks to kick in properly and is absolutely crucial for a safe and healthy tank.

You can read more about the nitrogen cycle in our detailed guide to aquarium cycling.

INTRODUCING NEW FISH TO YOUR AQUARIUM

As excited as you are to buy your new fish, don’t just throw it right into your tank!

Quarantine

All livestock, plants, and decorations can carry diseases, parasites, and bacteria that you absolutely do not want in your display aquarium. For example, a few years ago, I bought four beautiful dwarf gouramis and put them in a quarantine tank. Thank God I did! Those fish came in water that carried a bunch of snails that weren’t visible to the naked eye until they started to grow.

Therefore, you should always place any new fish in a separate quarantine tank for at least two weeks before adding them to your main tank. During that time, watch the fish for signs of poor health and treat problems accordingly. When you are happy that the fish are healthy, you can put them in your display tank.

Plants and decorations should be rinsed in tank water containing an antibacterial treatment to remove any nasties, then added to your main aquarium.

ACCLIMATIZATION OF NEW FISH

All species of fish are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and environment, and for that reason, it is essential that you acclimate your fish before putting them in your tank. Also, fish are very susceptible to stress.

By the time you buy new fish at a fish store, those little guys have endured the stress of transportation, been kept in cramped conditions in a store’s display tank, and then packed up and taken home with you.

Before adding the fish to your tank:

  • Turn off the tank lights.
  • Let the bag containing the new fish float on the surface of the water for ten to 15 minutes to allow the water temperature to equalize. During that time, open the top of the bag and fold it over to allow air to enter so the fish doesn’t suffocate.
  • Check the pH of both the tank and bag water. If the difference between the two is less than 0.3, add half a cup of aquarium water to the bag every 15 minutes for an hour. If that difference is.4 to 0.8, keep doing it for two hours.
  • Scoop the fish out of the bag with a net and carefully place them in the tank, discarding the water in the bag.

AQUARIUM MAINTENANCE

Once your tank is set up, you need to keep it clean and in good repair.

Keep an eye on the water temperature to make sure your heater is working properly and check the water chemistry every few days. Ammonia and nitrite levels should be zero and nitrate levels should not exceed 20 ppm (parts per million). Levels that are too high could indicate a problem with your filtration system or a possible overstock in the tank.

Every week, perform partial water changes of up to 30% and vacuum the substrate to remove fish waste, food scraps, etc. Use an aquarium magnet to clean algae off the glass, remove dead leaves, and trim plants as needed.

Once a month, clean the filter system and replace cartridges as needed.

29 COOLEST FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISH

So, here are our 29 favorite freshwater aquarium fish that any hobbyist would love to have in their collection!

1. GloFish Danio

  • Maximum size: 2.5 inches
  • Life expectancy: 3 to 4 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 10 gallons
  • Water temperature: 64° to 75° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy

GloFish Danios are the brightest freshwater fish you can get! These impressive minnows are the ideal starter fish for a kid’s tank or an eye-catching specialty aquarium.

These captive bred danios are available in super bright red, green, orange, blue and purple. The colors are completely natural and are produced through genetics, rather than artificial dyes, so the color won’t fade.

The GloFish danio is omnivorous, thriving on a staple diet of tropical flakes and frozen meaty foods. Keep these peaceful fish in small schools in species-only tanks or with other non-aggressive companions.

2. NEON TETRA

  • Maximum size: 1.25 inches
  • Life expectancy: 3 to 4 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 10 gallons
  • Water temperature: 68° to 78° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy

Neon tetras are considered the jewels of the fishing hobby. With their brilliant iridescent blue color and bright red tail, these beautiful little fish look absolutely stunning when kept in schools of six or more individuals.

Neons do best in a densely planted tank with dim lighting and plenty of hiding places such as caves, driftwood, etc. Also provide plenty of open water, as these fish like to hang out in the midwater area of ​​the aquarium creating a stunning display of shimmering colors as they congregate. Neon tetras are peaceful little fish that can be kept in a community setting with other small, non-aggressive tank mates.

Neons are omnivores, thriving on a diet of tropical flake foods and micro-pellets, supplemented by frozen foods, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. When fed a good quality diet and kept in the right conditions, these fish reproduce easily.

3. Golden Wonder Killifish

  • Maximum size: 4 inches
  • Life expectancy: 3 to 4 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 20 gallons
  • Water temperature: 72° to 75° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy

Golden Wonder Killifish are native to the brackish and freshwater streams, swamps, and ponds of Africa, and their name, Killy, is taken from the Dutch for channel or ditch.

These carnivorous fish are brightly colored with a blue to yellow body coloration augmented by bright orange stripes and spots. Killifish are easy to care for and tolerate a wide range of water conditions, although they prefer soft, slightly acidic water and are happiest in a heavily planted tank.

Golden Wonder Killifish are carnivorous, eating most live foods including tubifex, white worms, and brine shrimp, and will also accept some frozen and flake foods.

Four.kuhli LOACH

  • Maximum size: 4.5 inches
  • Life expectancy: up to 14 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 50 gallons
  • Water temperature: 79° to 86° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Moderate

The Banded Khuli loach is one of 100 species belonging to the Cobitidae family. These fish are mainly carnivorous, living in the substrate and feeding on carrion. Loaches are scaleless fish and that can leave them susceptible to attack by parasites and some bacterial diseases as well.

Loaches are shy fish that need an environment with plenty of hiding places and thick vegetation. These nocturnal fish are peaceful and get along well with other benign species in the community.

Feeding these fish can be a challenge, as they prefer a live diet, although they will accept freeze-dried tubifex and bloodworms, and will take frozen meaty foods as well. If you spend time training your loaches, they will eventually learn to accept tropical flake foods as well.

5. American Flagfish

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  • Maximum size: 2.5 inches
  • Life expectancy: 2 to 3 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 10 gallons
  • Water temperature: 66° to 72° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy
  • The American Flagfish is an easy-care killifish that is well known for both its algae-eating services and its stunning colors.

    The fish is named after the American flag, with alternating creamy red and green stripes running horizontally across its body and shiny scales reminiscent of the stars on the flag. American flagfish thrive in community tanks and even small outdoor ponds, preferring the dense planting and cover provided by floating plants.

    These beautiful fish with their patriotic coloring feed on a diet of live foods, including white worms, brine shrimp, tubifex, frozen meaty foods, and tropical flakes. If you don’t have a lot of algae growing in your tank, you’ll need to supplement the American flagfish’s diet with algae wafers.

    6. Indian Glassfish

    • Maximum size: 5 inches
    • Life expectancy: 8 years.
    • Minimum tank requirement: 30 gallons
    • Water temperature: 72° to 80° Fahrenheit
    • Care level: Moderate

    The Indian glassfish comes from the clear forest streams of Myanmar. These unusual, almost transparent fish are reasonably easy to care for, although they do need to live in a school in a well-oxygenated tank with excellent filtration and plenty of room to swim in open water.

    Glassfish are fairly peaceful characters, although they have been known to eat smaller tetras, so stock your tank with that in mind. These eye-catching fish are omnivorous and eat a variety of aquarium fish staple foods, including tropical flakes, pellets, fresh or frozen foods.

    7. PEACOCK GUDGEON

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  • Maximum size: 2.5 inches
  • Life expectancy: 4 to 5 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 15 gallons
  • Water temperature: 72° to 77° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy
  • The Peacock Gudgeon is one of our favorite and coolest aquarium fish to enjoy in your home tank.

    These beautiful little fish are a riot of colour, as well as being very easy to care for. Peacock Gudgeons are peaceful by nature, they do well in a community facility, biotope, or planted tank. Also, you can breed these egg-laying fish relatively easily, as long as the tank is well decorated and has excellent filtration. Once the eggs are laid, you can enjoy watching the male fish guard them until the fry hatch.

    The Peacock Gudgeon is omnivorous, enjoying a diet of flake foods, frozen and freeze-dried meaty protein foods, including brine shrimp and bloodworms.

    8. BRISTLENOSE PLECOSTOMUS

    • Maximum size: 5 inches
    • Life expectancy: 5 years.
    • Minimum tank requirement: 30 gallons
    • Water temperature: 74° to 79° Fahrenheit
    • Care level: Easy

    The Bristlenose Plecostomus is a species of peaceful freshwater catfish that is a quirky addition to any large community tank. These fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, including black and albino.

    Plecos need a well-oxygenated tank with highly efficient filtration and good water movement. Provide plenty of hiding spots, rocks, driftwood, and heavy plants to keep these guys happy. You can breed Bristlenose Plecos in your home tank, and watching the male fish tending their eggs and fry is fascinating, especially to children.

    These omnivorous fish are not picky, getting much of the nutrition they need from algae and leftover substrate. That said, you should also supplement that diet with flake foods and algae wafers.

    9. Bolivian RamNERO BOLIVIAN

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  • Maximum size: 3 inches
  • Life expectancy: 4 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 30 gallons
  • Water temperature: 72° to 79° Fahrenheit
  • Care Level: Experienced Only
  • The Bolivian ram is also known as the red ram or butterfly ram. These peaceful social fish are a great addition to a large tank, but they are not the easiest to care for, so we recommend that only experienced hobbyists tackle this species.

    In the aquarium, these guys need plenty of open water swimming space, as well as plenty of lush plants and a few caves in which to spawn. Bolivian Rams mate for life, and can be encouraged to spawn in a home tank, provided conditions are right. Once the eggs are laid, both parents take turns raising the fry.

    These fish are omnivorous and consume a wide variety of foods, including flakes, frozen foods, freeze-dried bloodworms, and live brine shrimp.

    10. LIGHT BLUE DWARF GOURAMI

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  • Maximum size: 3.5 inches
  • Life expectancy: 4 to 6 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 10 gallons
  • Water temperature: 72° to 82° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy
  • Powder Blue Dwarf Gouramis is a color variant of the regular Dwarf Gourami. I have them in one of my tanks and they are my personal favorite.

    These peaceful labyrinthine fish make a great addition to a community tank, preferring lots of floating and planted plants as well, and are extremely easy to care for. That said, you do need an efficient filtration system and you need to keep the tank clean, as the Powder Blue Dwarf Gouramis will become stressed if conditions deteriorate.

    If the water temperature is kept at the upper end of the gourami’s preferred range, they will readily spawn, build bubble nests, and establish territories in the tank. The male fish take care of the eggs and raise the fry, which is fun to watch.

    These fish eat a mix of algae-based foods as well as meaty proteins like frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex .

    11. ROSELINE TORPEDO SHARK

    • Maximum size: 4.5 inches
    • Life expectancy: 4 to 6 years.
    • Minimum tank requirement: 50 gallons
    • Water temperature: 60° to 77° Fahrenheit
    • Care level: Easy

    The Roseline Torpedo Shark is also known as the Denison Barb and the Red Lined Torpedo Shark. Unlike some of the other barb species, these are peaceful characters that make a nice addition to a large community tank.

    Keep these fish in small schools in a tank that has a tight-fitting lid, as they jump. You’ll need a setup with a decent flow to replicate the fast-moving currents that the Roseline Torpedo Shark finds itself in in the wild, and dissolved oxygen levels in the water need to be high.

    These active freshwater sharks enjoy an omnivorous diet of flake foods and meaty proteins in the form of frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, and the like.

    12. Crowntail Betta Fish

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  • Maximum size: 2.5 inches
  • Life expectancy: 4 years.
  • Minimum Tank Requirement: Nano Tank
  • Water temperature: 75° to 86° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy
  • If you want to enjoy keeping a fish with striking features that has the personality to match its good looks, you need a Crowntail betta fish!

    Betta fish don’t need a huge tank to be happy, but these intelligent creatures do need plenty of stimulation in the form of toys, plants, caves, and other decorations. Bettas are sensitive to sudden fluctuations in temperature and need an efficient filtration system to keep the water clean.

    You can’t keep two male betta fish together, but most individuals will do just fine if kept in a peaceful community of fish of similar size. Bettas are labyrinthine fish and they also build bubble nests. I kept a small sisterhood of female bettas with my male raventail, and they bred easily in my tank, which is good news if you fancy breeding bettas.

    These fish are primarily carnivorous, although mine also liked to graze on algae. Feed your betta fish high-quality flake foods, as well as freeze-dried and frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae.

    13. KOI ANGELFISH

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  • Maximum size: 6 inches
  • Life expectancy: 10 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 30 gallons
  • Water temperature: 75° to 82° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy
  • Koi angelfish are a stunning variety of angelfish that are unique in color and pattern.

    These fish are happiest when kept in small schools and will mate as they mature. As a semi-aggressive fish, Koi Angelfish are best kept in single species setups or with other fish of a similar size and nature.

    Angelfish are quite large and need plenty of room to swim, as well as rocks, driftwood, and plants in their setup. The flow through the tank must be moderate and you will need to keep the water pristine for these guys to thrive.

    Koi angelfish are omnivorous and feed on a variety of foods, including meaty proteins, tropical flakes, frozen and live foods, including bloodworms and brine shrimp.

    14. ROYAL WHIP TAIL CATFISH

    • Maximum size: 6 inches
    • Life expectancy: 4 years.
    • Minimum tank requirement: 50 gallons
    • Water temperature: 73° to 79° Fahrenheit
    • Care level: Moderate

    The Royal Whiptail catfish is an armored catfish with a long, thin tail and an elongated nose. These totally fresh fish have a suction cup mouth that they use to feed on algae, which helps keep plants and decorations clean. These helpful fish are peaceful creatures that make a great addition to a community setup.

    You need a large tank for these guys that has plenty of hiding places, including plants, rocks, and driftwood. These omnivorous bottom-dwelling fish eat fish scales, freeze-dried bloodworms, sinking herbivore pellets, algae, and food scraps that fall from above.

    15. AGASSIZ’S DWARF CICHLID

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  • Maximum size: 3 inches
  • Life expectancy: 5 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 30 gallons
  • Water temperature: 77° to 82° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Moderate
  • If you are a fan of cichlids, you will agree that the Agassizii dwarf cichlid is a stunner.

    These beautiful little fish need a tank that is densely planted and has a stable environment with very good water quality. A large amount of open swimming space is also preferred, along with hiding spots and a substrate of sand or fine gravel. If you want to encourage spawning, you will need to include caves in your tank decorations.

    Although these fish can be kept in a community, they are a fairly shy species and should not be kept with large or semi-aggressive fish.

    Agassizii dwarf cichlids eat flake foods, pellets, frozen bloodworms, Mysis shrimp and the like.

    16. HONEY GOURAMI

    • Maximum size: 2 inches
    • Life expectancy: 4 to 8 years.
    • Minimum tank requirement: 10 gallons
    • Water temperature: 72° to 82° Fahrenheit
    • Attention level: Difficult

    The Honey Gourami is a close relative of the Dwarf Gourami. These are labyrinthine fish that enjoy life in a densely planted tank that includes floating plants. Honey Gouramis are peaceful fish that are good community residents, although they can become territorial when spawning.

    These fish are not the easiest to keep healthy and for that reason we do not recommend them for beginning hobbyists. The Honey Gourami is an omnivore that eats plant and algae-based foods as well as meaty proteins, including frozen and freeze-dried tubifex, bloodworms, and brine shrimp.

    BOESEMAN’S RAINBOW FISH

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  • Maximum size: 4 inches
  • Life expectancy: 5 to 8 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 30 gallons
  • Water temperature: 72° to 77° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy
  • The Boesemani Rainbowfish is a beautiful fish that looks absolutely beautiful when displayed on a school in a densely planted aquarium with a dark substrate and lots of rocks. Give these fish plenty of room to swim in a long tank and you’ll create an amazing show. Rainbow fish are peaceful creatures that can also do well in a community tank.

    Despite their exotic appearance, these omnivorous rainbow fish are very easy to care for and will also spawn easily given the right conditions and the right diet. Like all rainbow fish, Boesemanis have very large mouths, but their throats are narrow. For that reason, you should offer your fish food that is small enough to swallow easily. Feed tropical flakes, live and frozen meaty foods.

    18. RED WAGTAIL PLATY

    • Maximum size: 2 inches
    • Life expectancy: up to 3 years.
    • Minimum tank requirement: 10 gallons
    • Water temperature: 64° to 77° Fahrenheit
    • Care level: Easy

    The Platy is a popular favorite that is great for beginners, easy to care for and extremely quick to breed in the home tank. Red Wagtail Platys is a variation that adds a splash of bright color to a peaceful community aquarium. These fish are ideal for children’s pets as they do not need a huge tank and are tolerant of a variety of water conditions.

    These lively and social fish can be kept in large schools in a larger tank to create a spectacular and colorful display. And thanks to its rapid rate of reproduction, it could start with a few fish and raise its own livestock.

    Platys are omnivores that thrive on flake foods, algae, and a variety of live, frozen, and freeze-dried meaty foods, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex.

    19. boraras brigittae

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  • Maximum size: 2 inches
  • Life expectancy: up to 3 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 10 gallons
  • Water temperature: 72° to 77° Fahrenheit
  • Care level: Easy
  • Boraras brigittae is a variety of rasbora that is one of the less common varieties of these popular tropical fish.

    These peaceful omnivores should be kept in schools of eight to ten individuals and make a good addition to a community setup of similarly sized minnows. Boraras Brigittae likes a mature setting that has lots of plants but also includes open swimming areas.

    If fed a good quality diet of tropical flakes, freeze-dried and frozen proteins like bloodworms, brine shrimp and tubifex, these pretty rasboras will show up in your tank.

    20. GLASS CATFISH

    • Maximum size: 4 inches
    • Life expectancy: up to 8 years.
    • Minimum tank requirement: 30 gallons
    • Water temperature: 75° to 80° Fahrenheit
    • Care level: Moderate

    Ghost glass catfish are such cool fish! These strange creatures are completely transparent, allowing you to see the internal organs and skeleton of the fish.

    This is a peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with other species of similar size and temperament. That said, Ghost Crystal Cats are fish that must be kept in a group of at least five individuals to thrive. If kept alone, these fish will become stressed, stop eating, and die.

    These fish prefer to stay in low light conditions and are most lively at dusk and dawn. Provide the ghost catfish with plenty of caves, coves and hiding places, as well as abundant and dense planting.

    These fish are omnivorous and prefer a diet of tropical flakes and frozen foods, as well as freeze-dried treats from tubifex and bloodworms.

    21. CYRTOCARA MOORII

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  • Maximum size: 9.8 inches
  • Life expectancy: up to 8 years.
  • Minimum tank requirement: 75 gallons
  • Water temperature: 73° to 82° Fahrenheit
  • Attention level: intermediate
  • In the wild, Cyrtocara Moorii is a semi-aggressive carnivorous predator and as such is not suitable for life in a community tank unless kept with other

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