I love exploring the underwater world in my aquarium. Wild fish are especially amazing with their bright colors and unique behaviors. In this article, I’ll talk about the wild fish that make great additions to your tank, from friendly community fish to unusual ones.
Finding the right aquarium fish may seem hard, but I’m here to help. No matter if you’re new or have been doing this for a while, you’ll find tips on the top freshwater and saltwater fish. Let’s make your aquarium a beautiful home for best wild fish for aquarium.
Key Takeaways
- Discover a wide range of exotic fish varieties suitable for your aquarium, from peaceful community dwellers to unique aquarium oddities.
- Learn about the best practices for tropical fish care and fish tank setup to create a thriving and sustainable environment for your wild-caught fish.
- Explore the world of live plant aquariums and discover how they can enhance the natural beauty and health of your aquarium inhabitants.
- Gain valuable insights into aquarium maintenance tips to ensure the long-term well-being of your best wild fish for aquarium.
- Embrace the principles of sustainable aquarium practices and contribute to the conservation of these fascinating wild fish species.
Peaceful Community Dwellers
Cory Catfish are known for being peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish. They eat leftover food, which helps keep the tank clean. You can find them in many types, each with its own size, colors, and patterns.
Cory Cats are always moving, searching through the tank’s bottom layer. Watching them is interesting. Keeping them in groups of at least six makes them feel safer and act friendlier. They prefer living on a softer sand-like floor to prevent injuries. (First source:, Second source:)
Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
The Neon Tetra is famous in aquariums because of its mix of red and blue coloration. It’s a tiny fish, reaching about 1.5 inches. They do well in various water conditions, so they’re simple to take care of.
These fish are very friendly and work with many other species. In groups of six or more, their colors shine even brighter. They’re a top choice for a freshwater community tank. (First source:, Second source:)
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)
Cherry Barbs are named after the beautiful bright red color the males get. They stand out in tanks with lots of plants. Contrary to what many think of barbs, Cherry Barbs are mostly peaceful fish.
They usually get along well, but males might argue to establish ranking. This behavior isn’t harmful. (First source:, Second source:)
Livebearer Favorites
Guppies top the list as a favorite livebearer fish for many in the hobby. They are loved for their lively color variety and patterns. Plus, they are always on the move, adding life to any community tank. As livebearers, their babies are born swimming around pretty much right away.
This trait makes them one of the easiest to breed. Also, guppies are not too concerned with the exact conditions they live in. Because they are not too fussy about food, they fit well into community setups. (First source:, Second source:)
Then, there are Platies. They offer stunning color variety and patterns, just like Guppies. With several strains available, you can find your perfect match. Platies can live in temperatures ranging from 70°F to 82°F and can even handle 60°F.
These “water puppies” are not shy and love swimming up front. This makes watching them very entertaining. They are another solid choice for adding energy and color to a community tank. (First source:, Second source:)
Algae Control Warriors
The Bristlenose Plecostomus, also called the Bushynose Pleco, gets its name from the long dangly appendages on the faces of mature males. They come in different varieties and are loved in the fish hobby. This is because they don’t grow too big, only reaching 4-5 inches. This makes them a good fit for community tanks where many fish live together.
Bristlenose Plecos are known as “nature’s Roombas” because they eat diatoms and other algae types. They love both plants and animal foods. So, in addition to algae, they enjoy eating special fish wafers, pellets, and cooked veggies.
Vibrant Centerpiece Fish
The Dwarf Gourami is stunning and ideal as a centerpiece in smaller to medium-sized tanks. It’s available in various color varieties like Powder Blue, Neon Blue, and Flame Dwarf Gouramis. These fish grow to about 3.5 inches, perfect for a 10 to 20-gallon community tank.
They usually get along with many other fish. But, there might be some fighting if you keep too many Gouramis together. So, it’s best to have just one in a tank.
Nano Algae Eaters
Oto Cats, known as Otocinclus, are among the cutest algae-eating fish out there. They grow to be tiny, about 1.5-2 inches long, and do a great job of getting rid of brown algae in aquariums. Because of their size, they’re perfect for planted tanks, which they don’t disturb much.
These fish are shy by nature. It’s best to keep them in groups of at least six. When you add lots of live plants and hiding spots like hardscape, they feel more at home.
Best wild fish for aquarium
Celestial Pearl Danios, also known as Galaxy Rasboras, have eye-catching blue and orange patterns. They only grow up to about 1 inch. It’s best to keep them in groups of 10 or more. This makes them feel safe and keeps them from hiding. Also, they’re peaceful community fish that get along with others. Just make sure their tankmates won’t eat them because they’re so small.
Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus)
The Rummynose Tetra stands out with its bright red face and a bold black-and-white tail. A healthy tetra’s face is a vibrant red, but it can fade when the fish feels stressed. In a big group, they swim together very closely. This makes them a beautiful sight in a community tank. Also, they’re peaceful with other fish, ideal for a community setup.
Rummynose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Top-Dwelling Surface Dwellers
Among the top-dwelling fish and surface feeders in an aquarium, there are fascinating types. For example, the Brown Pencilfish moves in a unique way and the Silver Hatchetfish has a distinct shape. They add beauty and play important roles at the water’s surface.
Brown Pencilfish
The Brown Pencilfish, often called the Hockeystick or Diptail Pencilfish, is affordable and easy to care for. This fish is known for its unusual way of swimming near the top of the water. They eat small food like crushed flakes and baby shrimp. These fish should be with others of the same temperament. They do not like fast water at the top of the tank as it affects their behavior.
Silver Hatchetfish
Silver Hatchetfish look like shiny blades and can jump, so it’s vital to cover your tank. These fish need to be kept in a group of at least six because they come from the wild. Watch out for white spot disease by treating them in advance.
Golden Wonder Killifish
The Golden Wonder Killifish is both beautiful and tough, perfect for the top region. They need a secure lid and enjoy meals like bloodworms. This fish is best kept with other large fish and ensures to have safe spaces for them.
Unique Aquarium Oddities
The African Butterflyfish is a unique fish with aminiature arowana’s look. It has big “wings” and spiky fins. This fish can grow up to 5 inches. It needs a larger aquarium of 30-gallons or more.
This fish shouldn’t be with smaller fish. As an ambush predator, it likes slow waters and eats floating foods. It can be aggressive towards their own species.
So, keep only one or a small group together. Add lots of floating plants for them to hide in.
The Furcata Rainbowfish has bright blue eyes and yellow-tipped fins, like pom-poms. They are quick swimmers and may outcompete slower fish at feeding times.
They cost a bit more but live for 2-3 years. It’s best to get at least six. You can breed them by using spawning mops and a separate tank for the babies.
Popular Beginner Species
Betta Fish
Betta splendens, known as the Betta fish, is a top choice for beginner fish. They love swimming around, especially near the top. You can make them feel at home by adding places to rest at the surface. Things like a floating betta log, betta leaf hammock, or plants with large leaves work well.
Bettas should eat a mix of foods like frozen bloodworms and betta pellets. With a proper setup, they can live happily with other fish in a community aquarium.
Common Danio
Common danios, including zebra and leopard types, are excellent for beginners. They have a slim body and love being at the top, looking for food. Keep at least six of them together and in cooler waters, around 72-74°F.
Nano Fish for Experts
The Clown Killifish is a vibrant nano fish with bold vertical bands and bright, blue eyes. Its tail shines in hues of orange, yellow, or red. To keep them safe, a tight lid is crucial. They thrive in slightly cooler water, around 74-76°F. At just under 1.5 inches long, feed them tiny meals like micro granules and baby brine shrimp. It’s best to have them in groups of six to eight.
These fish live for about three years. For an interesting project, experts can try breeding them. Use a tank just for the species. Add spawning mops or floating plants to help. Clowns are not annual killifish, but they have a shorter life. This makes breeding them intriguing for skilled fish keepers. (Third source:)
Orange Hatchet Danio
The Orange Hatchet Danio stands out among danio species. Its belly is shaped like a hatchet, and it glows in bright orange. A line of black spots runs horizontally down its body. Danios like to swim near the surface, eat varied foods, and are fine in cooler water.
Keeping at least six Orange Hatchet Danios lets you see their playful dashes around the tank. (Third source:)
Halfbeak
Halfbeaks belong to a set of livebearing fish that are unique for their mouth shape. The lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. Some types need brackish water, so choose the freshwater ones, like the Celebes, Silver, and Golden Halfbeaks. They can eat smaller fish and their own young, so it’s smart to have lots of floating plants and hiding spots. This helps the fry survive and decreases fights among males.
Sometimes, halfbeaks don’t eat enough at the store. Make sure they get a good meal with daphnia and bloodworms. (Third source:)
Conclusion
This article has shown many cool wild fish that do well in home aquariums. For those who love calm fish, there are the Cory Catfish and Neon Tetras. If you prefer fish that give birth to live babies, you might like Guppies and Platies. The range of fish out there is really amazing for aquarium fans.
We also talked about fish that help keep your tank clean. The Bristlenose Pleco is an amazing algae fighter. Then there are colorful fish that stand out, like the Dwarf Gourami. Tiny algae eaters, such as the Oto Cat, and fish that stay at the top of the water, like the Brown Pencilfish and Silver Hatchetfish, were highlighted too.
For those who want something different, we talked about the African Butterflyfish and Furcata Rainbowfish. There were also tips on good starting fish, like Betta and Common Danio. Plus, we mentioned some really small fish for the experts, such as the Clown Killifish, Orange Hatchet Danio, and Halfbeaks.
No matter if you’re just starting out or an old pro, this article is full of tips to help your fish thrive. Dive into the world of wild fish and find the perfect ones for your tank.
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