Keeping brightly colored freshwater fish is a popular hobby for many aquarium enthusiasts. The striking colors and active behaviors of these fish can make for an engaging aquarium display. When it comes to brightly colored freshwater aquarium fish, certain species stand out as particularly popular choices.
Guppies
One of the most popular brightly colored freshwater fish is the guppy. Guppies are a member of the Poeciliidae family and are native to South America, the Caribbean, and parts of North America. However, they have been introduced around the world and are a staple in the aquarium trade.
Male guppies in particular are prized for their ornate, splashy colors. Strains have been selectively bred to intensify colors and tail shapes. Common color variations include red, blue, yellow, orange, black, white, and multicolored “cobra” strains. The vibrant colors of male guppies stand out against plant life and aquarium gravel.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, guppies have other qualities that make them ideal aquarium residents. They are livebearers that breed readily in captivity. The small size of guppies, usually 1-3 inches, makes them suitable for small aquariums. They are peaceful community fish that can be kept with a variety of tankmates. Guppies are also hardy fish that can tolerate a range of water conditions.
Mollies
Mollies are another livebearing freshwater fish that has grow in popularity thanks to the availability of colorful strains. Like guppies, mollies come in a rainbow of colors, including gold, black, white, silver, green, orange, and yellow. Selective breeding has led to solid, mixed, and spotted color patterns.
The color variants of mollies are just one part of their appeal. These fish have a robust, large-bodied shape that adds interest to an aquarium. Their omnivorous diet that includes plant matter provides added versatility. Peaceful schooling behavior and compatibility with guppies and other community fish make mollies easy to combine in aquarium setups.
Mollies are in the Poeciliidae family along with guppies. They originate from Central America and parts of South America. In the wild, they inhabit freshwater and brackish environments. They are tolerant of some salinity, making them a good choice for brackish community aquariums.
Platies
Platies are yet another livebearer that has become a mainstay among colorful freshwater fish. Like mollies and guppies, platies come in a wide spectrum of colors. Selectively bred varieties include red, yellow, blue, white, orange, black, and multicolored strains.
In addition to their bright hues, platies have bodies shaped almost like a discus or pineapple. The unique body shape and color patterns create visual interest. Platies stay small, with a maximum size around 2-3 inches. They are active swimmers that regularly prowl all areas of the tank.
As livebearers, platies readily breed in aquarium settings. Fry can provide an engaging form of activity and interaction for aquarists. Hardy and adaptable, platies thrive in typical community aquarium conditions. They coexist well with small tetras, rasboras, danios, corydoras catfish, and other peaceful tankmates.
Bettas
No discussion of colorful freshwater fish would be complete without mentioning bettas. Betta fish are a member of the gourami family and are native to Southeast Asia. They are best known for the striking fins and brilliant colors of male bettas.
Through selective breeding, male bettas exhibit an incredible diversity of finnage and color patterns. Common tail types include crown, veil, delta, super delta, halfmoon, and rosetail. Available colors include vibrant reds, blues, greens, purples, oranges, yellows, pinks, whites, blacks, and multicolored varieties.
The beauty of male bettas has helped make them one of the most popular aquarium fish species. Fortunately, bettas possess other qualities that contribute to their popularity as well. They are labyrinth fish with the ability to breathe air directly from the surface. This anatomical adaptation allows them to thrive in low-oxygen environments. Bettas are also intelligent, interactive fish with bold personalities.
Rainbowfish
Originating from Australia and Southeast Asia, rainbowfish encompass a number of brightly colored freshwater species. Some of the most popular among aquarists include the red rainbowfish, turquoise rainbowfish, boeseman’s rainbowfish, dwarf neon rainbowfish, and Lake Eacham rainbowfish.
Rainbowfish get their name from their vibrant coloration. Shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple decorate the bodies of these fish. Horizontal stripes, spots, and other patterns often accent the background colors. Selective breeding has expanded the diversity of color morphs available.
In addition to coloration, rainbowfish appeal to aquarists with their active schooling and mid-level swimming behaviors. They are peaceful fish suitable for community aquariums. Most species grow 3-6 inches in length when mature. Hardy and relatively easy to care for, rainbowfish make excellent additions to brightly colored freshwater aquariums.
Killifish
Killifish comprise a diverse group of small freshwater fish found naturally in Africa, South and Central America, and parts of North America. They inhabit a range of aquatic environments including ponds, rivers, and seasonal waters. Aquarists have selectively bred many different color varieties of popular killifish species.
Some of the most brilliantly colored and patterned killifish kept in home aquariums include the golden wonder killifish, blue gularis killifish, gardneri killifish, lampeye killifish, lyretail killifish, and bluefin notho killifish. Colors represented include metallic yellow, orange, green, blue, red, silver, and more.
In addition to aesthetic appeal, killifish are popular species for nano aquariums thanks to their small adult size. Most color morphs grow no more than 2-3 inches in length. Hardy, adaptable, and easy to breed, killifish are suitable for beginning and experienced aquarists alike seeking to add a pop of color.
Neon Tetras
No aquarium color palette would be complete without neon tetras. Native to South America, specifically the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, neon tetras comprise one of the most recognizable aquarium fish. Their slender, torpedo-shaped silver-blue bodies are complemented by an eye-catching neon blue stripe running horizontally down each side.
Selective breeding has expanded color options for neon tetras. Today, aquarists can also choose from green, red, gold, and blue tetras with corresponding color strips. This allows for an aquascape with a continuous neon theme. Neon tetras require a school of 6 or more fish and thrive in planted community aquariums with other small, peaceful fish.
Glofish
Glofish are genetically modified zebra danios created originally for scientific research. They were not intended as aquarium fish. However, their brilliant fluorescent colors made them appealing for commercial sale. Today glofish come in a range of neon colors including red, green, orange, blue, purple, pink and yellow. The bright hues glow under blue aquarium lighting.
Controversy exists around glofish due to the genetic modifications. However, they remain one of the most vibrantly colored freshwater fish available. Glofish are social fish that require schools of 6 or more. They are peaceful, hardy, and adapt readily to a variety of water conditions. Their small size also makes them suitable for nano aquariums.
Conclusion
When it comes to brightly colored freshwater fish for aquariums, there are many popular options to choose from. Livebearers including guppies, mollies and platies come in almost every color. Bettas and killifish dazzle with their elegant fins and metallic scales. Tetras and rainbowfish shine in schools. And glofish literally glow. With proper care, any of these fish can add a spectacular pop of color to a home aquarium.
| Fish | Natural Habitat | Color Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| Guppies | South America, Caribbean, North America | Red, blue, yellow, orange, black, white, multicolored |
| Mollies | Central America, South America | Gold, black, white, silver, green, orange, yellow |
| Platies | Central America | Red, yellow, blue, white, orange, black, multicolored |
| Bettas | Southeast Asia | Red, blue, green, purple, orange, yellow, pink, white, black, multicolored |
| Rainbowfish | Australia, Southeast Asia | Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple |
| Killifish | Africa, Americas | Metallic yellow, orange, green, blue, red, silver |
| Neon Tetras | South America | Blue, green, red, gold |
| Glofish | Genetically Modified | Red, green, orange, blue, purple, pink, yellow |
