An illustrated field guide
Fish
From the betta to the reef tank — the common aquarium species.
30 entries
A home aquarium is really a small managed ecosystem: the ongoing work is water quality — filtration, regular changes and stable parameters — far more than the fish themselves. Needs split sharply by water type. Coldwater species need no heater but still a properly sized, filtered tank; tropical fish need stable heat; marine set-ups are a clear step up in cost and complexity.
Temperament and social needs matter as much as looks: schooling species must be kept in groups, some males fight their own kind, and a calm community tank is a different project from a single aggressive specimen.
Browse all fish (30)
Freshwater (Coldwater) (3)
Freshwater (Tropical) (23)
Saltwater (Marine) (4)
Find your fish
Set what you can offer — the tool ranks the fish live. temperament data partly incomplete → flagged honestly
What will one cost?
Every fish below carries its own cost snapshot, scaled to its weight and lifespan. For a full breakdown by life phase — setup, a few months, or a whole lifetime — use the calculator.