The aquarium world teems with tropical fish, each species boasting unique beauty and captivating behaviors. While many fish species can add a touch of tranquility or spark curiosity in our homes, only a select few truly earn the title of “pet fish.” What defines a “pet fish”? It’s that special fish deserving of a nickname – a Mr. Bubbles, a Spot, or a Finny McWhiskers. These aren’t just living decorations; they become members of the family, much like a dog or cat. This list highlights ten such species, fish that stand out for their pet-like qualities. While not exhaustive, it includes some of the most universally loved and “name-worthy” aquarium inhabitants that are considered Good Pet Fish.
10. Freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)
The Freshwater Angelfish, a classic in home aquariums, is instantly recognizable with its elegant extended fins and disc-shaped body. These graceful fish bring a regal presence to any tank. Often starting small, around the size of a quarter, Angelfish can grow to a 3-4 inch body diameter with fins extending over a foot in height. While they might blend into the background in a large school within a massive aquarium, a solitary Angelfish or a pair in a smaller setup often develops a distinct personality, earning them a special name. Known for their engaging nature, they often swim to the front of the tank to greet their owners and interact playfully with tank mates. As members of the cichlid family, their intelligence and interactive behavior are not surprising, and you’ll find more cichlids featured on this list of good pet fish.
Alt text: Graceful freshwater angelfish swimming in a planted aquarium, showcasing its extended fins and elegant body shape, a popular good pet fish.
9. Fancy Guppies (Poecilia sp.)
Fancy Guppies, another cornerstone of the aquarium hobby, have been captivating fish keepers for over a century. Generations of selective breeding have resulted in a stunning array of fin shapes and vibrant color patterns. While a tank filled with dozens of guppies can be visually striking, keeping just a few often leads to stronger individual connections, making them good pet fish candidates. Their constant, lively swimming, sociable nature, and dazzling colors endear them to many aquarists. The unique coloration that often develops in individual guppies makes them easily distinguishable, a key trait for naming and recognizing your finned friend. Their high activity levels mean they require quality nutrition. A premium flake food like Aqueon Tropical Flakes provides a solid base, but supplementing with small pellets rich in fats, proteins, and vitamins, helps maintain their vibrant energy and health, ensuring they remain active and engaging pets.
Alt text: Vibrant fancy guppies with flowing tails swimming actively in an aquarium, highlighting their diverse colors and energetic nature as good pet fish.
8. Mollies (Poecilia sp.)
Mollies, closely related to guppies, are another excellent choice, particularly as good pet fish for beginners. Black Mollies, with their velvety appearance, were often the first fish many hobbyists ever kept. The males, distinguished by their impressive sail-like dorsal fins, and the females, known for giving birth to live young – miniature replicas of themselves – have ensured the Molly’s enduring popularity. Molly fry are relatively large for livebearers and can immediately consume finely crushed Aqueon Tropical Flakes. Their active and social behavior, both amongst themselves and with their human caretakers, makes them truly “name-worthy.” Mollies are naturally herbivorous, thriving on a diet rich in plant matter. Aqueon Pro Herbivore pellets and Aqueon Algae Rounds perfectly cater to their dietary needs, keeping them healthy and vibrant additions to your aquarium.
Alt text: Sleek black molly fish swimming gracefully amongst aquarium plants, demonstrating their elegant fins and suitability as good pet fish for beginners.
7. Tiger Barbs (Puntigrus tetrazona)
Tiger Barbs are small fish with big personalities, often quickly winning over their keepers. These dynamic little fish are frequently seen at the front glass of the aquarium, eagerly observing anyone passing by. They strike a perfect balance between the constant motion of danios and the calm demeanor of angelfish. Their engaging activity and bold stripes make them visually appealing and fun to watch. If it weren’t for their preference for groups, which can make individual recognition challenging, they might rank even higher as good pet fish. It’s important to be mindful that Tiger Barbs can sometimes nip at the fins of slower or more delicate fish. Keeping them with robust tank mates is key.
Alt text: Energetic group of tiger barbs with distinctive stripes swimming together in an aquarium, showcasing their active nature as good pet fish.
6. Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus)
Oscars, the second cichlid on this list, are renowned for their intelligence and popularity. They are among the most interactive of aquarium fish, capable of learning simple tricks and displaying problem-solving abilities that many interpret as emotions. Oscars often enthusiastically greet their owners and are even known to exhibit signs of “sulking” when their favorite person is absent. Their large size, reaching over 12 inches in length, is the main factor preventing them from being the top good pet fish. A minimum 75-gallon tank is essential for an Oscar, with a 125-gallon tank being even more ideal to accommodate their adult size and activity. While some hobbyists feed Oscars feeder goldfish, this practice is costly, can introduce diseases, and is nutritionally unbalanced. A far healthier and more economical approach is to feed them a varied diet of high-quality pellets and freeze-dried foods, such as Aqueon Cichlid Pellets and Aqueon Monster Fish Medley, ensuring they receive complete and balanced nutrition to thrive as interactive and intelligent pets.
Alt text: Impressive large Oscar fish with vibrant colors swimming in a spacious aquarium, known for their intelligence and interactive nature, making them good pet fish for experienced keepers.
5. Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
The Ocellaris Clownfish, the sole marine representative on this list, is instantly recognizable. Often simply called “Nemo” after the famous movie character, Clownfish have become the most popular saltwater aquarium fish. The majority available today are captive-bred, and a variety of color variations are available. While saltwater tanks require more specialized equipment and attention compared to freshwater setups, keeping Clownfish is not overly complicated, especially with readily available resources and beginner-friendly saltwater aquarium kits like the Coralife Biocube. For families with young children, a Clownfish is almost a must-have addition to a small marine aquarium. For those new to saltwater aquariums, resources are available to guide you through the initial setup and care.
Alt text: Beloved pair of ocellaris clownfish, “Nemo” fish, swimming happily amongst anemones in a vibrant coral reef aquarium, popular good pet fish for saltwater enthusiasts.
4. Convict Cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata)
Another cichlid making the list is the Convict Cichlid. Though small in size, they possess a bold and feisty personality. While only one species is specifically mentioned, any of the Amatitlania species from Central America would qualify as good pet fish due to their engaging personalities. Despite being a fraction of the size of an Oscar, they exhibit the same spirited attitude and territorial behavior as their larger cousins. They confidently defend their space, even against their owners’ hands entering the tank, making them fascinating to observe. Convict Cichlids breed readily, and watching them care for their fry is a captivating experience. However, be prepared, finding homes for the numerous offspring can be challenging. A diet of Aqueon Mini Cichlid Pellets is perfectly formulated to meet their nutritional needs and support their energetic lifestyle.
Alt text: Protective convict cichlid pair fiercely guarding their fry in a home aquarium, showcasing their dedicated parental care and bold personalities as good pet fish.
3. Mbuna Cichlids (Various genus and species)
Mbuna, pronounced “mm-boo-na,” are a diverse group of cichlids originating from Lake Malawi in eastern Africa. These cichlids come in a stunning array of colors and sizes, ranging from a few inches to around 8 inches long. Their active swimming habits and engaging personalities make them excellent pet fish. However, it’s crucial to note that Mbuna cichlids are best kept in species-specific tanks with other African cichlids. They require harder, more alkaline water conditions than many rainforest species and can be highly aggressive towards non-cichlid tank mates and even each other. Within a Mbuna community tank, it’s often easy to identify the dominant male, who often becomes the recipient of a nickname. Being herbivores, Aqueon Pro Herbivore formula provides the ideal diet for Mbuna, supporting their health and vibrant colors.
Alt text: Assortment of vibrantly colored mbuna cichlids swimming actively in a rocky African cichlid aquarium, known for their energetic nature and suitability as good pet fish in species-specific setups.
2. Fancy Goldfish (Carassias auratus)
Few fish are more deserving of a name than the goldfish. Whether won at a carnival or purchased from a pet store, goldfish are often the first fish many people keep. They are attractive, relatively easy to care for, and possess an endearing personality. However, like Oscars, goldfish can grow surprisingly large, necessitating a larger aquarium as they mature. While a few juvenile goldfish can be temporarily housed in a 10-gallon tank, anticipate needing to upgrade to a much larger tank or even an outdoor pond as they grow. Beyond the common “Comet” variety often won at fairs, numerous fancy goldfish breeds exist, showcasing unique body shapes and colors developed through selective breeding over centuries. These fancy goldfish are intelligent and interactive, often recognizing and responding to their owners, solidifying their place as excellent good pet fish.
Alt text: Ornate fancy goldfish with flowing fins and vibrant colors swimming gracefully in an aquarium, highlighting their beauty and endearing personalities as good pet fish.
And #1. The Betta (Betta splendens)
No fish is nicknamed more often than the Betta, also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish. This is largely due to their solitary nature and common practice of keeping them individually in smaller tanks. Male Bettas are fiercely territorial, making it impossible to house males together. They often even show aggression towards females. Their inherent solitary instincts make them ideally suited to individual housing. This unique behavioral trait has crowned them the undisputed king of the desktop aquarium, making them immensely popular pets for homes and offices. Many Bettas display active personalities, eagerly swimming to the front of their tanks for feeding time, especially for Aqueon Betta Food or Aqueon Betta Treats. At other times, they may appear as still as a sunken leaf, adding to their quirky charm. While Bettas are tropical fish, they can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures (around 70°F), but they thrive in warmer water, ideally between 78-82°F. If your home temperature is consistently cooler, a small Aqueon Betta heater or Flat Heater can gently raise the water temperature to their preferred range, ensuring their comfort and activity as good pet fish.
Alt text: Vibrant and colorful betta fish with flowing fins elegantly swimming in a small desktop aquarium, the undisputed number one good pet fish for individual tanks.
We hope you enjoyed this overview of top “pet” fish. For more detailed information on these and other fascinating aquarium fish species, explore our comprehensive care guides or visit your local trusted aquarium store.
