The underwater world teems with an astonishing array of tropical fish, each species boasting unique beauty and captivating behaviors. From the tranquil serenity they bring to aquariums to the natural curiosity they inspire, tropical fish are undeniably fascinating. While many species are visually stunning and intriguing to observe, only a select few truly qualify as exceptional “Fish Pets”. But what exactly defines a “pet” fish? It’s more than just a living decoration; it’s a fish that earns a nickname, becomes a member of the family in its own right, just like a beloved dog or cat. These are the fish that transcend mere aquatic display and become genuine companions.
This list highlights ten remarkable fish species that stand out as excellent pets. While not exhaustive, it represents a consensus among experienced aquarists regarding fish that are truly “name-worthy” and deserving of a special place in your home and heart.
1. Betta Fish (Betta splendens): The Undisputed King of Fish Pets
No fish is more frequently named and cherished as a pet than the Betta, also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish. Their solitary nature, a consequence of male Bettas’ fierce territoriality, ironically makes them ideal individual pets. It’s virtually impossible to house two males together, and even females can be challenging to cohabitate with males or other females long-term. This inherent need for solitude has crowned the Betta as the quintessential desktop aquarium inhabitant, a popular pet in homes and offices alike.
Many Betta owners can attest to their active personalities. They eagerly swim to the front of the tank at feeding time, anticipating their Aqueon Betta Food or Aqueon Betta Treats. However, they can also exhibit periods of inactivity, sometimes appearing as still as a sunken leaf, adding to their enigmatic charm. While Bettas are tropical and thrive in warmer waters (78-82°F), they are remarkably adaptable and can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, down to around 70°F. In cooler climates, maintaining the ideal temperature is simple with a properly sized Aqueon Betta Heater or Flat Heater. Their vibrant colors, flowing fins, and engaging personalities solidify the Betta’s position as the number one fish pet.
2. Fancy Goldfish (Carassius auratus): Classic and Endearing Fish Companions
The goldfish holds a special place in the hearts of many as the first fish they ever kept, often won at a fair or purchased from a pet store. Few fish are more deserving of a name and a place in the family. Their attractive appearance, ease of care (in their basic forms), and endearing personalities have made them enduringly popular. Like Oscars, however, goldfish can grow surprisingly large, necessitating a larger aquarium or even an outdoor pond as they mature. While a few young goldfish can temporarily reside in a 10-gallon tank, be prepared to upgrade their living space as they grow.
Beyond the common “Comet” goldfish, the variety typically won at fairs, a breathtaking array of fancy goldfish breeds exists. Selective breeding over centuries has resulted in unique body shapes, fin types, and color patterns, each variety possessing its own charm. These fancy goldfish are not only visually stunning but also exhibit engaging personalities, often interacting with their owners and even learning to recognize feeding times. Their gentle nature and responsiveness make fancy goldfish excellent fish pets for both beginners and experienced aquarists.
3. Mbuna Cichlids: Active and Colorful Personalities from Lake Malawi
Mbuna cichlids, pronounced “mmm-boo-na,” are a captivating group of cichlids hailing from Lake Malawi in eastern Africa. This diverse group showcases a stunning spectrum of colors and sizes, ranging from a few inches to around 8 inches in length. Known for their active swimming habits and vibrant personalities, Mbuna cichlids make engaging pets. However, it’s crucial to understand their specific needs and temperament.
African cichlids, including Mbuna, are best kept exclusively with other African cichlids. They thrive in water conditions that are slightly harder and more alkaline than those preferred by rainforest species. Furthermore, Mbuna cichlids can exhibit aggression, particularly towards non-cichlid tank mates and even amongst themselves. Within a Mbuna community tank, it’s often easy to identify the dominant male, the fish most likely to earn a unique nickname due to its prominent personality. As herbivores, they thrive on a diet formulated for their needs, such as Aqueon Pro Herbivore formula. For experienced fish keepers looking for active, colorful, and personality-rich fish pets, Mbuna cichlids are an excellent choice, provided their specific needs are met.
4. Convict Cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata): Small Size, Big Personality
The Convict Cichlid, another member of the cichlid family, proves that great pet potential comes in small packages. While the article focuses on Amatitlania nigrofasciata, it’s worth noting that other Amatitlania species from Central America also share the characteristics that make them excellent pets. Despite being significantly smaller than Oscars, typically about a quarter of their size, Convict Cichlids possess a comparable level of boldness and attitude.
These fish are known for their territorial nature, confidently defending their space even against their human keepers, sometimes resorting to pushing and nipping to deter perceived intruders. Their assertive behavior and dynamic interactions make them endlessly fascinating to watch. Convict Cichlids are also relatively easy to breed in an aquarium setting, and observing their parental care for their fry is a captivating experience. However, be aware that finding homes for the numerous offspring can be challenging. To ensure their health and vibrancy, a diet of Aqueon Mini Cichlid Pellets is highly recommended. For aquarists seeking a small fish pet with a large personality, the Convict Cichlid is a standout choice.
5. Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris): The Iconic Marine Fish Pet
The Ocellaris Clownfish, often simply called “Nemo” due to the popularity of the animated movie, is the sole marine species on this list and an instantly recognizable aquarium inhabitant. Clownfish have become the most widely kept marine fish, and today, the vast majority are captive-raised, with numerous color variations available. While marine aquariums require a more specialized setup and care regimen compared to typical freshwater community tanks, keeping clownfish is not overly complex, especially with readily available resources.
A small marine setup, like the Coralife Biocube, is an excellent starting point, and for families with young children, a clownfish is almost a must-have addition. Clownfish are known for their playful behavior, symbiotic relationship with anemones (though not essential in captivity), and hardiness, making them ideal for beginners venturing into saltwater aquariums. To learn more about getting started with a saltwater aquarium, read this blog post. Their bright colors, engaging antics, and manageable care requirements make Ocellaris Clownfish a fantastic entry point into the world of marine fish pets.
6. Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus): Intelligent Giants of the Aquarium
Oscars, the second cichlid on this list, are renowned as one of the most intelligent and popular aquarium fish. Their remarkable cognitive abilities have been demonstrated through training them to perform simple tricks and observing their problem-solving skills and behaviors that many interpret as expressions of emotion. Oscars frequently display enthusiastic greetings towards their owners and are even known to exhibit signs of “sulking” when their caregivers are absent, further cementing their “pet” status.
The primary factor preventing Oscars from claiming the top spot as the ultimate fish pet is their considerable size. They can grow to exceed 12 inches in length, demanding a substantial aquarium. A minimum of a 75-gallon tank is necessary, but a 125-gallon or larger is far more suitable for their long-term well-being. Feeding Oscars feeder goldfish, a practice sometimes adopted by hobbyists, is discouraged due to the high cost, potential for disease introduction, and nutritional inadequacy of goldfish. A balanced diet of high-quality pellets, such as Aqueon Cichlid Pellets, and freeze-dried foods like Aqueon Monster Fish Medley is significantly more economical and healthier for Oscars. For those prepared to provide the necessary space and care, Oscars offer an unparalleled interactive and intelligent fish pet experience.
7. Tiger Barbs (Puntigrus tetrazona): Active and Engaging Schooling Fish
Tiger Barbs are another species that frequently win over their keepers with their lively personalities. These small but assertive fish are often observed near the front glass of the aquarium whenever someone approaches, displaying a perfect balance of active swimming and graceful presence. They occupy a middle ground between the constant motion of danios and the more deliberate demeanor of angelfish. If not for their preference for living in groups, which can make individual recognition challenging, they might rank even higher on this list.
It’s important to note that Tiger Barbs can sometimes nip the fins of slower-moving or more vulnerable fish, so careful consideration of tank mates is necessary. However, their energetic behavior, schooling dynamics, and bold personalities make them captivating to watch and excellent fish pets for those who appreciate active community tanks.
8. Mollies (Poecilia sp.): Hardy and Lively Beginner Fish Pets
Mollies, belonging to the same genus as guppies, are another excellent choice for beginner fish keepers seeking engaging pets. Black Mollies, in particular, were among the first fish kept by many hobbyists. The males, distinguished by their sail-like dorsal fins, and the females, known for giving birth to live young miniature versions of themselves, have contributed to the species’ enduring popularity. Molly fry are relatively large for livebearers and can immediately consume finely crushed Aqueon Tropical Flake food after birth.
Their active behavior and social interactions, both with each other and with their human caregivers, contribute to their “name-worthiness.” Mollies are primarily herbivores in their natural diet and thrive on a plant-based diet. Aqueon Pro Herbivore pellets and Aqueon Algae Rounds are excellent food choices to meet their nutritional needs. Their hardiness, livebearing nature, and interactive personalities make mollies ideal fish pets for newcomers to the aquarium hobby.
9. Fancy Guppies (Poecilia sp.): Colorful and Gregarious Community Fish
Fancy Guppies, another classic aquarium species, have been a staple in the fishkeeping hobby for over a century. Generations of selective breeding have produced a dazzling array of fin shapes and color strains. While a large aquarium teeming with dozens of fancy guppies is visually stunning, many hobbyists keep just a few at a time, increasing the likelihood of individual fish earning names and becoming recognized as pets.
Their constant swimming activity, gregarious nature, and vibrant colors endear them to many aquarists. Many guppy strains exhibit unique color patterns on individual fish, facilitating quick recognition of specific individuals, a crucial trait for “naming” purposes. Their energetic swimming requires ample energy; a high-quality flake food like Aqueon Tropical Flakes, supplemented with small pellets containing extra fat, protein, and vitamins, helps maintain their vitality. For those who appreciate colorful, active, and easily recognizable fish pets, fancy guppies are a delightful choice.
10. Freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare): Graceful and Statuesque Aquarium Centerpieces
Freshwater Angelfish are among the most recognizable tropical fish, their extended fins and disc-shaped bodies lending an air of stately grace to any aquarium. Often purchased when their body size is small, around the size of a quarter or half-dollar coin, these fish can grow to a 3-4 inch diameter with fins that can make them over a foot tall. While angelfish might not always be individually named when kept in large groups in spacious tanks, a pair kept alone in a smaller aquarium or as part of a well-chosen community tank often earns individual names and recognition.
Angelfish possess engaging personalities; they frequently approach the front of the aquarium to greet their keepers and interact with each other in subtle ways. As members of the cichlid family, angelfish share some of the intelligence and interactive behaviors characteristic of this group, further enhancing their pet potential. Their elegant appearance, interactive nature, and manageable care make Freshwater Angelfish a popular and deserving addition to the list of top fish pets.
We hope you have enjoyed this exploration of “pet” fish. To delve deeper into the care of these and other fascinating aquarium species, we encourage you to explore our comprehensive care guides or visit your local trusted aquarium store for expert advice and supplies.
