Not sure which fish fits your aquarium? Take the Fish Finder Quiz for matches based on tank size, water type, experience, and care preferences.
Download free care guides for 30 fish available to U.S. aquarium keepers. Every guide is 15 pages and covers species-focused aquarium size and setup, feeding, lifespan, routine water changes, health warning signs, social compatibility, and reproduction where known.
This is a practical buyer guide, not a sales ranking. Availability varies by store and region.
Betta fish
Goldfish
- Common and Comet Goldfish — Download the 15-page Common and Comet Goldfish care guide (PDF)
- Fancy Goldfish — Download the 15-page Fancy Goldfish care guide (PDF)
Livebearers
- Guppy — Download the 15-page Guppy care guide (PDF)
- Molly — Download the 15-page Molly care guide (PDF)
- Platy — Download the 15-page Platy care guide (PDF)
- Swordtail — Download the 15-page Swordtail care guide (PDF)
Schooling and community fish
- Zebra Danio — Download the 15-page Zebra Danio care guide (PDF)
- White Cloud Mountain Minnow — Download the 15-page White Cloud Mountain Minnow care guide (PDF)
- Neon Tetra — Download the 15-page Neon Tetra care guide (PDF)
- Cardinal Tetra — Download the 15-page Cardinal Tetra care guide (PDF)
- Black Skirt Tetra — Download the 15-page Black Skirt Tetra care guide (PDF)
- Rummy Nose Tetra — Download the 15-page Rummy Nose Tetra care guide (PDF)
- Harlequin Rasbora — Download the 15-page Harlequin Rasbora care guide (PDF)
- Cherry Barb — Download the 15-page Cherry Barb care guide (PDF)
- Tiger Barb — Download the 15-page Tiger Barb care guide (PDF)
- Boesemani Rainbowfish — Download the 15-page Boesemani Rainbowfish care guide (PDF)
Bottom dwellers
- Corydoras Catfish — Download the 15-page Corydoras Catfish care guide (PDF)
- Bristlenose Pleco — Download the 15-page Bristlenose Pleco care guide (PDF)
- Common Pleco — Download the 15-page Common Pleco care guide (PDF)
- Kuhli Loach — Download the 15-page Kuhli Loach care guide (PDF)
- Clown Loach — Download the 15-page Clown Loach care guide (PDF)
Gouramis and cichlids
- Freshwater Angelfish — Download the 15-page Freshwater Angelfish care guide (PDF)
- Discus — Download the 15-page Discus care guide (PDF)
- Oscar — Download the 15-page Oscar care guide (PDF)
- Dwarf Gourami — Download the 15-page Dwarf Gourami care guide (PDF)
- Honey Gourami — Download the 15-page Honey Gourami care guide (PDF)
- Yellow Lab Cichlid (Electric Yellow) — Download the 15-page Yellow Lab Cichlid (Electric Yellow) care guide (PDF)
- Convict Cichlid — Download the 15-page Convict Cichlid care guide (PDF)
Marine fish
- Ocellaris Clownfish — Download the 15-page Ocellaris Clownfish care guide (PDF)
Before choosing a fish
- Set up and cycle the aquarium before buying fish; size the tank for adult size and group needs.
- Plan partial water changes regularly; a common starting routine is 10–25% weekly, adjusted to test results, stocking, and species.
- Compare temperature, water needs, adult size, and behavior before choosing tankmates.
- Never release fish, plants, snails, or aquarium water into waterways. Check local rules before buying or moving regulated species.
Tank sizes, lifespan, diet, and breeding vary by species and setup. The guides use cautious planning ranges and explain when no reliable universal figure is available.