Can beginners keep tropical fish?

Guppies, neon tetras, and corydoras are hardy and perfect for beginners. They can be kept in small tanks, and as long as you manage water temperature, it's relatively easy to get started.

How much do tropical fish cost?

Neon tetras cost 100-300 yen each, guppies 300-2,000 yen, bettas 1,000-10,000 yen, and premium discus 5,000-50,000+ yen depending on the species.

How long do tropical fish live?

Small tetras live 2-5 years, guppies 1-2 years, corydoras 5-10 years, and discus 10+ years, varying greatly by species.

What's the minimum equipment needed?

You'll need a tank, heater, filter, light, and water conditioner at minimum. A 30cm tank can house 5-10 small fish and doesn't take much space.

What should I check when buying tropical fish?

Check for vivid coloring, active swimming, and no signs of disease like ich. After purchase, acclimate carefully and avoid sudden temperature changes.

Tropical Fish Encyclopedia — 71 Species Directory

Encyclopedia of popular tropical fish species with care guides, traits, and water parameters.

Featured Tropical Fish

Ram Cichlid Endler's Guppy

All Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Schooling Small Planted tank Hardy Tetra Easy breeding Peaceful Colorful Algae cleaner Shrimp Ultra-small Unique Large Algae eater Red

Showing 9 of 71 species

Endlers Livebearer

Poecilia wingei

Beginner

Close relative of guppy with wild beauty. Small body with metallic coloring. Purists dedicated to maintaining bloodlines.

SmallMetallicEasy breeding

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus erythrozonus

Beginner

A small tetra whose translucent body is crossed by a single glowing orange line. Hardy, peaceful, and beautiful in a school, it is an easy entry-level characin.

BeginnerSchoolingSmall

Golden Honey Gourami

Trichogaster chuna var.

Beginner

Improved variety of Honey Gourami with vivid golden color throughout the body. More vivid coloration than the original species, popular for adding color to aquariums. Peaceful temperament suitable for community tanks.

GouramiGoldenSmall

Honey Gourami

Honey gourami

Beginner

A small gourami with warm honey-colored body. Gentle temperament ideal for community tanks.

Honey GouramiHoney colorGentle

Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia praecox

Beginner

A small rainbowfish shining in neon blue. Male morning flashing display is spectacular.

Neon DwarfNeon blueFlashing

Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

Beginner

The quintessential tropical fish. Beautiful neon blue and red coloring. Stunning when kept in schools. Hardy and beginner-friendly.

Beginner-friendlySchoolingSmall

Otocinclus

Beginner

Small catfish that eats algae on glass and plants. Peaceful and essential for planted tanks. More secure in groups.

Algae eaterSmallPeaceful

Rasbora

Beginner

Small schooling fish from Southeast Asia. Espei and harlequin rasbora most popular. Perfect for planted tanks.

SchoolingSmallPlanted tank

Sparkling Gourami

Trichopsis pumila

Beginner

A small gourami with jewel-like sparkle. Unusual fish that makes croaking sounds.

PygmyGouramiCroaking

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Tropical Fish FAQ

Can beginners keep tropical fish?: Guppies, neon tetras, and corydoras are hardy and perfect for beginners. They can be kept in small tanks, and as long as you manage water temperature, it's relatively easy to get started.
How much do tropical fish cost?: Neon tetras cost 100-300 yen each, guppies 300-2,000 yen, bettas 1,000-10,000 yen, and premium discus 5,000-50,000+ yen depending on the species.
How long do tropical fish live?: Small tetras live 2-5 years, guppies 1-2 years, corydoras 5-10 years, and discus 10+ years, varying greatly by species.
What's the minimum equipment needed?: You'll need a tank, heater, filter, light, and water conditioner at minimum. A 30cm tank can house 5-10 small fish and doesn't take much space.
What should I check when buying tropical fish?: Check for vivid coloring, active swimming, and no signs of disease like ich. After purchase, acclimate carefully and avoid sudden temperature changes.