the 10 best
pet fish to start your aquarium

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Yes, fish are very chill pets compared to dogs & cats, but setting up their environment can be tricky. So we rounded up the best freshwater fish based on how hard they are to take care of.

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NARONGRIT SRITANA

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BORISLAV

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BORISLAV

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eutoch

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isoft

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mirko_rosenau/getty images

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mirko_rosenau

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mirko_rosenau

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ADIL CHELEBIYEV

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slowmotiongli

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the 10 bestpet fish to start your aquarium

Yes, fish are very chill pets compared to dogs & cats, but setting up their environment can be tricky. So we rounded up the best freshwater fish based on how hard they are to take care of.

NARONGRIT SRITANA

1

BETA FISH

SIZE: 3"CHARACTERISTICS: AggressiveMAINTENANCE: LowHABITAT: 5+ gallon tankCOMPATIBLE WITH: Small, mellow fish like Pygmy CorydorasLIFE EXPECTANCY: 2-5 years

BORISLAV

2

CHERRY BARB

SIZE: 2"CHARACTERISTICS: ShyMAINTENANCE: LowHABITAT: 25+ gallon tankCOMPATIBLE WITH: Other barbs, Neon TetrasLIFE EXPECTANCY: 4-6 years

BORISLAV

3

CORYDORAS CATFISH

SIZE: 1-4"CHARACTERISTICS: FriendlyMAINTENANCE: LowHABITAT: 10+ gallon tankCOMPATIBLE WITH: Guppies or SwordtailsLIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 20 years

eutoch

4

fantail goldfish

SIZE: 6-8"CHARACTERISTICS: MellowMAINTENANCE: Low to ModerateHABITAT: 10-20+ gallon tankCOMPATIBLE WITH: Slow, calm fish like Cory CatfishLIFE EXPECTANCY: 5-10 years

isoft

5

guppy

SIZE: 2-3"CHARACTERISTICS: Social, activeMAINTENANCE: Low HABITAT: 10+ gallon tankCOMPATIBLE WITH: Molly Fish, Neon Tetras, Zebra FishLIFE EXPECTANCY: 2-3 years

mirko_rosenau/getty images

6

molly fish

SIZE: 4"CHARACTERISTICS: Adaptable, friendlyMAINTENANCE: Moderate HABITAT: 10+ gallon tankCOMPATIBLE WITH: Swordtails, GuppiesLIFE EXPECTANCY: 3-5 years

mirko_rosenau

7

NEON TETRA

SIZE: 1-2"CHARACTERISTICS: SocialMAINTENANCE: Moderate HABITAT: 20+ gallon tank for a schoolCOMPATIBLE WITH: Small fish, bottom dwellersLIFE EXPECTANCY: 5-10 years

mirko_rosenau

8

platy fish

SIZE: 1-2"CHARACTERISTICS: Easy-goingMAINTENANCE: Low HABITAT: 10+ gallon tank for a small groupCOMPATIBLE WITH: Platys, Guppies, & Zebra FishLIFE EXPECTANCY: 3-5 years

ADIL CHELEBIYEV

9

SILVER ANGELFISH

SIZE: Up to 6"CHARACTERISTICS: TerritorialMAINTENANCE: Low HABITAT: 30+ gallon tankCOMPATIBLE WITH: Peaceful medium-sized fishLIFE EXPECTANCY: 5-10 years

slowmotiongli

10

swordtail

SIZE: 4-6"CHARACTERISTICS: AdaptableMAINTENANCE: Low HABITAT: 15+ gallon tank for 1, 30+ gallon tank for 2+COMPATIBLE WITH: Swordtails, PlatyfishLIFE EXPECTANCY: 3-5 years

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the 10 best
pet fish to start your aquarium

SIZE: 3"
CHARACTERISTICS: Aggressive
MAINTENANCE: Low
HABITAT: 5+ gallon tank
COMPATIBLE WITH: Small, mellow fish like Pygmy Corydoras
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 2-5 years

SIZE: 2"
CHARACTERISTICS: Shy
MAINTENANCE: Low
HABITAT: 25+ gallon tank
COMPATIBLE WITH: Other barbs, Neon Tetras
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 4-6 years

SIZE: 1-4"
CHARACTERISTICS: Friendly
MAINTENANCE: Low
HABITAT: 10+ gallon tank
COMPATIBLE WITH: Guppies or Swordtails
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 20 years

SIZE: 6-8"
CHARACTERISTICS: Mellow
MAINTENANCE: Low to Moderate
HABITAT: 10-20+ gallon tank
COMPATIBLE WITH: Slow, calm fish like Cory Catfish
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 5-10 years

SIZE: 2-3"
CHARACTERISTICS: Social, active
MAINTENANCE: Low
HABITAT: 10+ gallon tank
COMPATIBLE WITH: Molly Fish, Neon Tetras, Zebra Fish
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 2-3 years

SIZE: 4"
CHARACTERISTICS: Adaptable, friendly
MAINTENANCE: Moderate
HABITAT: 10+ gallon tank
COMPATIBLE WITH: Swordtails, Guppies
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 3-5 years

SIZE: 1-2"
CHARACTERISTICS: Social
MAINTENANCE: Moderate
HABITAT: 20+ gallon tank for a school
COMPATIBLE WITH: Small fish, bottom dwellers
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 5-10 years

SIZE: 1-2"
CHARACTERISTICS: Easy-going
MAINTENANCE: Low
HABITAT: 10+ gallon tank for a small group
COMPATIBLE WITH: Platys, Guppies, & Zebra Fish
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 3-5 years

SIZE: Up to 6"
CHARACTERISTICS: Territorial
MAINTENANCE: Low
HABITAT: 30+ gallon tank
COMPATIBLE WITH: Peaceful medium-sized fish
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 5-10 years

SIZE: 4-6"
CHARACTERISTICS: Adaptable
MAINTENANCE: Low
HABITAT: 15+ gallon tank for 1, 30+ gallon tank for 2+
COMPATIBLE WITH: Swordtails, Platyfish
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 3-5 years