Types of Fish for Pets in Aquariums

Many people have an aquarium full of tropical fish in their home, which can be a soothing and relaxing experience. There are hundreds of types of fish to choose from when starting an aquarium. Fish make a great first pet for kids, and aquariums require less maintenance than many other pets. Some types of fish are hardier or easier to take care of than others, so new owners may want to research different types of fish to identify the easier ones.

  1. Goldfish

    • Goldfish are probable the most popular pet fish in the world. The reason for the popularity of goldfish is that they are beautiful to look at; they come in a wide variety of types, shapes, and colors; and they are the hardiest of all aquarium fish. Goldfish are thought to have originated in China and have spread across the world as their popularity grew, says the All About Aquarium Fish website.

    Guppies

    • Another very popular aquarium fish is the guppy. Like goldfish, guppies come in a wide variety of types, shapes and colors. They are also a very hardy fish that is easy to raise. Guppies are well known for their ability to breed in captivity--guppy owners have found themselves looking for fish shops that want to take baby guppies off their hands.

    Neon Tetra

    • Neon tetras are small, brightly colored fish that love to live in large schools. Not many fish can add the color and movement to an aquarium that a school of neon tetras can provide. Neon tetras should only be kept in tanks that have only neon tetras or small fish. The reason for this is that their small size will make them food for larger, more aggressive fish.

    Mollies

    • Mollies are a popular fish for many enthusiasts of freshwater aquariums. Mollies prefer hard water and need more live plants than other types of fish. If properly raised and given the proper environment, mollies are a beautiful fish with the numerous varieties that are available.

    Swordtail

    • A species of fish that is easy to care for and is very popular is the swordtail. These fish are popular due to their bright colors and distinctive tail. Swordtails are normally found in bright orange or red with the elongated portion of the tail being black. The one drawback of swordtails is that they can become aggressive, so they should not be kept with smaller fish such as neon tetras.