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Having an aquarium full of freshwater fish at home is a thing of beauty. Keeping an aquarium in your home adds numerous benefits to your health, like reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. Freshwater tanks tend to be easier to be maintained than saltwater tanks, which is why they are more popular.
If it is a freshwater aquarium, then you may face it challenging to pick the right fish due to the plethora of options available, and some of them don’t quite mix well with others.
When choosing the best aquarium fish, it is important to consider how large your tank is and what other species you have lived there. For instance, if you already have a lot of tetras or catfish, you may want to choose a different type of fish with similar needs to prevent overcrowding and other potential problems.
If you are planning to make a freshwater aquarium, you might want to know about the most popular
Your freshwater fish tank is the perfect habitat for a variety of fish. Whether you’re just starting or you’re an experienced aquarist, there are several factors to consider when choosing your next pet. Factors such as water temperature, water chemistry, and tank size should be taken into account because they can all affect what kind of fish you can keep in your freshwater fish tank.
Important: Aquarium Care for Summer
List of most popular freshwater fish for aquarium
Here, we have listed the best freshwater aquarium fish with names, pictures, and prices in India.
Fish Name | Approximate Price Range (INR) |
---|---|
Goldfish Price in India | Rs. 100 to Rs. 1500 |
Guppy Price in India | Rs. 50 to Rs. 250 |
Molly Price in India | Rs. 100 to Rs. 500 |
Discus Price in India | Rs. 2000 to Rs. 10000 |
Neon Tetra Price in India | Rs. 50 to Rs. 150 |
Cory Catfish Price in India | Rs. 200 to Rs. 750 |
Killifish Price in India | Rs. 500 to Rs. 1500 |
Betta Fish Price in India | Rs. 50 to Rs. 300 |
Angelfish Price in India | Rs. 200 to Rs. 1000 |
Cherry Barb Price in India | Rs. 150 to Rs. 500 |
Oscar Price in India | Rs. 500 to Rs. 2500 |
Bristlenose Pleco Price in India | Rs. 300 to Rs. 1200 |
Zebra Danio Price in India | Rs. 50 to Rs. 150 |
Platy Price in India | Rs. 100 to Rs. 250 |
Pearl Gourami Price in India | Rs. 200 to Rs. 750 |
Rainbowfish Price in India | Rs. 200 to Rs. 1000 |
Swordtail Price in India | Rs. 100 to Rs. 500 |
White Cloud Mountain Minnow Price in India | Rs. 50 to Rs. 250 |
African Cichlids Price in India | Rs. 200 to Rs. 1500 |
Goldfish

Goldfish are probably the most popular freshwater fish for aquariums. These fish need constant maintenance, such as weekly water changes and filters. Goldfish can come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and breeds.
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Price in India: Rs. 30-50 per fish
Guppy

Guppies are is one of the world’s most widely available aquarium fish. They are peaceful, easy-going community fish and mix well with other non-aggressive fish species.
- Lifespan: 3-4 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 20-30 per fish
Molly

Molly fish have been popular among aquarium enthusiasts for many generations. These fish are known for their low-maintenance care requirements and wide selection of possible species to choose from.
- Lifespan: 2-5 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 5-15 per fish
Discus

Discus is one of the most famous exotic freshwater aquarium fish. Because of its wide gamut of color and intricate markings, the discus is one of the most popular tropical aquarium fish in the world.
- Lifespan: 10-15 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 500-1500 per fish
Neon Tetra

Neon Tetras are neat and enjoyable freshwater fish that can be found in the tanks of hobbyists all over the world. They’re very attractive, playful, easy to be taken care of, and peaceful.
- Lifespan: 3-4 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 20-50 per fish
Cory Catfish

The Cory catfish is one of the most recommended freshwater fishes for all experience levels. They look awesome, they’re easy to care for, and they are super friendly. Looking for a peaceful beginner-friendly fish with tons of personality? Then cory catfish are best for you.
- Lifespan: 4-5 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 40-50 per fish
Killifish

Killifish are not well known in the mainstream aquarium hobby and are seldom seen in local fish stores, but they are some of the most colorful freshwater aquarium fish in existence.
- Lifespan: 2-5 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 400-500 per fish
Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish)

One of the coolest freshwater aquarium fish, the Siamese fighting fish, or betta, is a vibrantly-colored fish often seen swimming solo in brandy sniffers and ornamental vases in both the office and home. They are often called ‘bettas,’ and are part of the gourami family. They are well known for being territorial fish and ‘fighting’ if two are placed together or they see their reflections. These fish are not for beginners and require special expertise.
- Lifespan: 2-5 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 50-200 per fish
Angelfish

Possibly the most renowned freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby, angelfish belong to the family Cichlidae. Famous for their majestic swimming style, angelfish make gorgeous additions to large aquariums.
- Lifespan: 10-12 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 10-20 per fish
Cherry Barb

Cherry Barbs are brightly colored fish and one of the most popular in their family. Their bright colors and schooling nature are adored by aquarists of all levels. They are hardy fish which makes these fish perfect for experts or beginners.
- Lifespan: 6-7 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 50-100 per fish
Oscar

Oscar fish (also known as velvet cichlids) are very popular freshwater fish in the community. They’re beautiful and their mannerisms make them quite fun to watch. But, these fish are very aggressive and can quickly cause problems if you intend on keeping them with other fish. That’s why we always recommend that you have some experience as an aquarist before owning one.
- Lifespan: 10-15 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 200-300 per fish
Bristlenose Pleco

Bristlenose Plecos (sometimes called the Bushy Nose Pleco or Bristlenose Catfish) are an incredibly unique and fun fish breed that is quite popular in freshwater tanks. They are pretty relaxed. They’re obedient fish that lives well with other peaceful creatures. Because Plecos spend their time at the bottom of the tank, they probably won’t even pay attention to other fish in the aquarium.
- Lifespan: 5-10 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 300-500 per fish
Zebra Danio

Zebra Danios are very popular and entertaining freshwater fish to keep in your aquarium. Their fascinating colors, low-maintenance care requirements, and high activity level makes them a great fit for just about any aquarium enthusiast. Danios are a very durable and social species making them the perfect fish for any beginner and will add a spark to any community aquarium. They can be found in lots of different color variations and as a shoaling species, they add diversity and animation to your tank.
- Lifespan: 2-5 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 10-20 per fish
Platy

A colorful, hardy fish that’s easy to breed and looks great with live plants, Platies have always been one of the favorites among both beginner and veteran aquarium enthusiasts. These mesmerizing fish have a bright coloration. Many breeds and hybrids within the platyfish species come in as many colors as the rainbow.
- Lifespan: 3-4 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 20-40 per fish
Pearl Gourami

One of the rare freshwater aquarium fish, Gourami is a popular group of fish and one of the most popular varieties is the pearl. They have a beautiful collection of white spots across their body and large delicate fins; all of this makes a very attractive fish for your aquarium. You should have a little experience when keeping these fish. They can easily cause you to make some mistakes.
- Lifespan: 4-5 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 100-200 per fish
Rainbowfish

Rainbow Fish is a new addition to the aquarium community, but there are many colorful breeds, and they are quite peaceful fish. Despite these striking colors when mature, young are often overlooked in stock tanks as they tend to be late bloomers.
- Lifespan: 4-8 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 500-700 per fish
Swordtail

The Swordtail is extremely popular and one of the prettiest aquarium fish and very hardy. In the wild, it has an olive green body with red and yellow along the sides and sometimes colorful speckles on its fins. With this coloration, it is most commonly called the Green Swordtail or the Red Swordtail. However, in captivity, it has been bred into the fabulous colors that make it so highly prized today.
- Lifespan: 3-5 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 100-200 per fish
White Cloud Mountain Minnow

The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a striking little fish that originated from China. They reflect a stunning array of colors off their scale. These Minnows are wonderful beginner-friendly fish. They are easy to care for, not too messy, and work very well in community tanks. But it’s important to understand their fundamental requirements before rushing out to buy one
- Lifespan: 5-7 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 100-200 per fish
African Cichlids

African cichlids are a larger species of freshwater fish that originate in Africa, Asia, and South America. These fish tend to be a popular pet among aquarists, due to the large range of colors that you can keep, even if you don’t have a saltwater tank. Each different kind has slightly varying temperaments as well and is resilient in captivity. African cichlids are an extremely active group of fish, making them an aquarium favorite for viewing. Though they require special care, many different types can be good for beginning aquarium owners because of their toughness.
- Lifespan: 8-10 years.
- Price in India: Rs. 800-2000 per fish
Tips to Choose Fish for Freshwater Home Aquarium
Here are a few pointers when you go shopping for fish:
- Make sure to avoid the male and female of the same species or you might just end up becoming a breeder.
- Do not pick fish that are hostile towards their juvenile.
- Buy the right-sized tank to ensure that your fish are comfortable and have enough space.
- Make sure that you pick fish that are active and swim well.
- Understand the water conditions that different fish require. Do not mix fish that thrive in cold water with fish that need warm water.
FAQs
What is the best freshwater fish for an aquarium?
Goldfish is the best and most popular freshwater fish for an aquarium.
What freshwater fish can I put together in a tank?
Guppies, Tetras, Swordtails, and Danios are just some of the most peaceful fish species that can coexist in aquariums.
Which fish can be kept in the home aquarium?
Guppies and Goldfish are hugely popular aquarium fish thanks to their wide variety of colors and patterns, as well as their easy-going temperament.
What is the easiest pet fish to take care of?
Goldfish and Guppies are the most beginner-friendly fish for freshwater aquariums.