25+ Best Freshwater Aquarium Fish
Choosing the right freshwater fish for your aquarium can be overwhelming—especially if you’re new to the hobby. This guide helps you discover 25+ of the best freshwater fish, grouped by size, temperament, and experience level. Whether you’re looking to stock a nano tank, a peaceful community setup, or a larger centerpiece display, this article introduces species you can explore further through our in-depth guides.
Important Tips:-
Before selecting fish, research their compatibility to ensure they can live together without aggression or stress.
How to Use This Guide
This page gives a quick reference to many popular freshwater aquarium fish. It’s not a full care guide. Instead, you’ll find brief highlights of each fish’s behavior, care level, and tank size with links to detailed care articles for deeper research.
Use this as your go-to list to compare species and plan your tank, and click through to learn more about each fish individually.
Small & Beginner-Friendly Freshwater Fish
Ideal for 5–20 gallon tanks, peaceful communities, and beginners.
Betta Fish
Bright, colorful, and easy to care for, bettas are often kept solo but can live with select tank mates. They thrive in warm, calm tanks with gentle flow.
➡️ Full Betta Fish Care Guide →
Guppies
Hardy, colorful, and peaceful, guppies are perfect for new aquarists. They’re prolific breeders and add lively motion to any community tank.
Neon Tetras
Small and peaceful, neon tetras love to school in planted tanks. Their bright stripes stand out in any aquarium setup.
Mollies
These active fish adapt to a range of conditions, including brackish water. Best kept in groups, they bring energy to community tanks.
Platies
Platies are colorful, peaceful, and thrive in varied water conditions. A great match for guppies, mollies, and corydoras.
Swordtails
Easygoing and social, swordtails are excellent for mid-level swimmers in a peaceful setup. Males have distinct tail extensions.
Zebra Danios
Extremely hardy and fast swimmers, zebra danios are ideal for beginners. They prefer groups and love open space to dart around.
Corydoras Catfish
Bottom-dwelling scavengers that keep the substrate clean. Peaceful, social, and happiest in groups of three or more.
Dwarf Gourami
Vibrant and shy, dwarf gouramis are best suited to planted tanks with mellow tank mates. They thrive in stable water conditions.
Harlequin Rasbora
These copper-toned schooling fish are peaceful and low-maintenance. Perfect for adding movement to a planted aquarium.
Medium-Sized & Community-Friendly Fish
Perfect for 20–40 gallon tanks with peaceful fish mixes.
- Cherry Barb → Cherry Barb Care
- Rainbowfish → Rainbowfish Guide
- Otocinclus → Otocinclus Care
- Kuhli Loach → Kuhli Loach Care
- White Cloud Mountain Minnow → White Cloud Minnow Guide
- Bolivian Ram → Bolivian Ram Guide
- Ram Cichlid → German Blue Ram Care
- Black Skirt Tetra
Large & Advanced Freshwater Fish
For experienced aquarists with tanks over 50 gallons.
- Angelfish → Angelfish Care Guide
- Discus Fish → Discus Fish Guide
- Peacock Cichlid → Peacock Cichlid Guide
- Oscar → Oscar Fish Guide
- Plecostomus → Pleco Care Guide
- Clown Loach → Clown Loach Care
- Tiger Barb → Tiger Barb Guide
- Goldfish → Goldfish Care Guide
Read also:
15 Best Small Aquarium Fish for Nano Tanks
15 Easiest Fish to Take Care for Aquariums
FAQs
What is the best freshwater fish for beginners?
Guppies, Betta Fish, Neon Tetras, and Platies are easy to care for and beginner-approved.
What is the easiest freshwater fish to take care of?
Zebra Danios and Guppies require minimal care and are very hardy.
Which freshwater fish can live together peacefully?
Corydoras, Harlequin Rasboras, Dwarf Gouramis, and Tetras make great community fish.
What size tank do I need for freshwater fish?
It depends—Tetras can live in 10 gallons, while Oscars need 75+ gallons.
Can I keep different types of freshwater fish together?
Yes, but make sure their size, temperament, and water needs match.
What freshwater fish require the least maintenance?
White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Mollies, and Betta fish are low-maintenance picks.
