Petco Freshwater Fish Barbs

Petco Live Freshwater Fish

Setting up a freshwater fish aquarium can bring a serene nature scene into your home. Maintaining your live fish habitat is often a rewarding form of pet care that allows you to personalize your fish’s environment to suit your tastes and their needs.  

If you’re a new aquarist, consider what size aquarium you want and what types of plants and décor you would like to include. This can help determine which fish you choose and how many. Or, if you have particular freshwater fish pets in mind, be sure the aquarium and accessories you choose are right for them.  

Petco fish come in many colors and kinds—from slender rainbow sharks to showy neon guppies. When looking at live freshwater fish for sale, it’s very important to note their social needs and temperaments. You want to help create a peaceful environment, and some fish will get along better than others. Different fish breeds usually prefer different parts of the aquarium, too, so find the right types of fish at Petco for a balanced community.  

Compatibility is about more than personality when it comes to live fish. Freshwater and marine fish obviously cannot live in the same habitat, but not all freshwater fish thrive together either. Your freshwater fish pets who share an aquarium should all require similar elements like water temperature, pH balance, live plants and décor and food types. This ensures that they are each in an environment that is well-suited for them.  

Petco freshwater fish range in characteristics across social type, swimming areas, diet, level of care and water preferences. Some options include: 

• Cory Catfish often prefer the bottom of the aquarium and are usually natural and effective cleaners. They can thrive in schools and usually get along well with small- and medium-sized peaceful fish.  
• Betta These fish are popular for their vibrant coloring and graceful fins. Unlike cory fish, they prefer their own space with a comfortable place to hide.  
• Goldfish Perhaps the most common fish pet, goldfish are often the longest-living freshwater fish. When well cared for, they can live up to 15 years. They can be great community fish and will most likely do well with others of their temperament.  
• Cichlid This freshwater fish comes in many varieties, including firemouth, albino tiger Oscar and demasoni. They can be very interesting to observe but also can be territorial. It’s appropriate to keep different kinds of cichlids that don’t compete for the same food and space. Learn more with our Cichlid Family Care Sheet. 

Freshwater fish pets eat a variety of diets, depending on their species. Freshwater fish food is often in flake form, but pellets and tablets can also great options for some. Freeze-dried foods such as Hikari shrimp, blood worms and tubifex worms can help provide needed protein and minerals for some freshwater fish while sinking pellets are often suitable for bottom-dwellers. Many Petco fish food options are formulated to help enhance your fish’s natural vibrant hues.