When setting up a new aquarium, one of the most exciting parts is choosing which fish to stock it with. With over 30,000 species of fish in the world, there are countless options to consider. While factors like water parameters, tank size, and temperament are all important, many aquarists choose fish based largely on appearance. When it comes to pure cuteness, certain aquarium fish really stand out above the rest. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the absolute cutest freshwater and saltwater fish that make excellent additions to home aquariums.
Small Freshwater Fish
Many of the cutest aquarium fish are small, peaceful freshwater species that exhibit playful behaviors. Here are some top picks in this category:
Guppies
Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater fish kept by aquarists around the world. Their vibrant colors and flowing fins make them undeniably adorable. Selectively bred for over a century, guppies come in a kaleidoscope of different color patterns and fin shapes. Common varieties like fancy guppies have elaborate dorsal fins that resemble veils or crowns. Other strains have been bred to enhance iridescent colors and patterns on the body and fins. Beyond their striking appearance, guppies have lively personalities and will interact with their tankmates. Males in particular are colorful and animated when courting females. Given their small size, peaceful temperament, and manageable care requirements, guppies are an excellent choice for beginner aquarists.
Dwarf Pufferfish
As their name implies, dwarf pufferfish are tiny cousins of the larger pufferfish species kept in aquariums. Despite barely growing over an inch long, these little fish are brimming with personality. They have cute round bodies and large, expressive eyes that will watch everything going on outside their tank. Dwarf puffers also have an endearing behavior of following one another around in tight schools. Care does need to be taken when housing dwarf puffers with other fish, as they can be aggressive toward tankmates. But when kept in a species only tank, their antics and expressions will put a smile on any aquarist’s face.
Celestial Pearl Danios
A more recently discovered species, celestial pearl danios originate from small streams in Southeast Asia. Their petite size and vivid color pattern makes them a standout addition to nano aquariums. These little beauties have a tan body scattered with a blue and red spot pattern. Two blue strips also run horizontally down their body. Despite growing under an inch long, celestial pearl danios are active swimmers that boldly explore every corner of the tank. They do best in groups of 6 or more fish. Under the right care and conditions, celestial pearl danios can even breed regularly in a home aquarium.
Golden White Cloud Mountain Minnows
Another minnow popular with aquarists is the golden white cloud species. As their name indicates, these fish have a bright golden-orange coloration contrasted by brilliant white fins and tails. They remain relatively small, maxing out around 1.5 inches in length. Golden white clouds are energetic swimmers that dart around the tank, often changing direction in tight schools. These hardy minnows can adapt to a wide range of water conditions. They also get along well with most tank mates, including other peaceful community fish and invertebrates. For an easy-care pop of color, it’s hard to beat these little beauties.
Ember Tetras
No list of cute aquarium fish would be complete without the ember tetra. Ember tetras have a compressed body shape similar to neon tetras but are red in color. They get their name from the vibrant reddish-orange hue that covers their body, reminiscent of glowing embers. These small fish have an almost translucent quality, with their spine and some internal organs faintly visible. Despite their delicate appearance, ember tetras are rather hardy fish that can tolerate a wide temperature range. They are extremely peaceful and make excellent tankmates for other community fish and shrimp. Groups of 6 ember tetras or more make a mesmerizing addition to planted nano aquariums.
Larger Peaceful Freshwater Fish
While small fish tend to be viewed as cuter, there are some larger freshwater species that are undeniably adorable as well. Some examples include:
Panda Corydoras
The cory catfish family includes many cute bottom dwellers. But the panda cory truly takes the cake in terms of cuteness. These catfish have a white body and head, contrasted by thick black patches around their eyes that resemble a panda’s markings. Panda corys grow to around 2.5 inches in length and prefer to live in schools of 5 or more. They use their barbels to forage food from the substrate and spend much of their time scavenging together along the tank floor. The amusing way they wiggle and swim in unison is a joy to watch.
AngelFish
With dramatic flowing fins and elegant movements, freshwater angelfish have an inherent beauty about them. Their oblong bodies are covered in thick vertical black and silvery-white stripes. Freshwater angelfish can also display color mutations like black or marble patterns. These cichlids grow fairly large, up to 6 inches tall, so need at least a 30 gallon aquarium. While not compatible with all community fish due to their size, angelfish get along well with medium-sized tetras, rasboras, and livebearers. When kept in mated pairs, angelfish form tight bonds and will often swim together in synchronized movements.
Discus Fish
For aquarists seeking a showstopper centerpiece fish, discus fit the bill. These large cichlids come from South America and have laterally compressed bodies shaped like a discus. Wild discus fish display mesmerizing patterns of brown, blue, red, and turquoise stripes and spots. Selective breeding has also produced stunning discus in solid colors like red, blue, and white. Beyond aesthetics, discus have playful personalities and interact with aquarists when they approach the tank. However, discus do have more particular water conditions and feeding requirements than most community fish. They need large, very clean tanks with soft acidic water to thrive. But for experienced aquarists, a small group of discus can make a truly unforgettable display.
Goldfish
Last but certainly not least for larger fish are goldfish. Fancy goldfish come in a variety of shapes like orandas, ranchus, and ryukins that showcase cute popping eyes and flowing fins. Common goldfish have a streamlined appearance but are energetic, trainable fish. Far from the dull feeder comets sold as fair prizes, high-quality goldfish thrive for decades in large aquariums when properly cared for. Their hardiness, interactiveness, and animated behaviors make goldfish a darling choice to anchor an aquascape. There are few things cuter than a pert little ranchu greeting you when you approach the tank.
Saltwater Fish
Marine aquariums also offer some adorable fish species. Here are some of our top picks:
Clownfish
Without question, clownfish are considered one of the cutest saltwater fish in the hobby. Their bright orange bodies coupled with bold white bands instantly calls to mind happy circus clowns. In anemonefish species like the true percula clown, those famous white bands are coupled with thin black lines for a striking look. Most clownfish don’t grow over 4 inches long, so pairs or trios can comfortably be housed in small nano reef tanks. Beyond aesthetics, clownfish have delightful personalities. They will greet aquarists at the tank front, swim through bubbles, and interact with anemones. The popularity of Disney’s Finding Nemo shines a bright spotlight on clownfish as cute home aquarium fish.
Pajama Cardinalfish
The pajama cardinalfish is aptly named for its cute striped pattern reminiscent of pajamas. These fish have vertical black and white stripes running down their laterally compressed bodies. They also have large, conspicuous eyes that dominantly stand out on their face. Pajama cardinals grow to around 3 inches in length and prefer to live in groups. When resting, they wedge themselves into tight crevices or caves together and emerge at night to hunt for food. Pajama cardinals rarely bother tankmates but make engaging additions to peaceful community reef tanks.
Mandarinfish
Easily one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean, mandarinfish translate extremely well to aquarium settings. These fish have an almost surreal appearance, with vivid colors and flowing fins that resemble delicate silk robes. Red, blue, orange, and green stripes cover their tiny bodies. Mandarinfish grow under 2 inches long, so nano tanks are an ideal habitat for them. They can be challenging to acclimate and feed initially but will readily accept frozen foods once settled in. Mandarinfish tend to be very timid and should only be mixed with other docile fish. When conditions are to their liking, these little tropical gems make an unforgettable living decoration.
Yellow Watchman Goby
Gobies represent some of the most personality-packed fish in reef aquariums. The yellow watchman goby in particular stands out as one of the cutest. These small fish grow to around 3 inches and burrow into the substrate, where they reside most of the time. When resting in their burrow, only the watchman goby’s adorable bulbous head stands out, swiveling side to side on the lookout for food. Watchman gobies will also associate with pistol shrimp, forming an endearing and mutually beneficial symbiotic pairing. The shrimp maintains the burrow while the watchman goby acts as a lookout.
Banggai Cardinalfish
Last but not least for saltwater cuteness are the Banggai cardinalfish. Native to Indonesia, these fish have a tapered body shape with large eyes. They are silvery-blue in color with prominent black bands and dots near the tail. At around 3 inches full grown, Banggai cardinals are another nano species perfect for smaller reef tanks. They may quarrel among each other but generally ignore other tank inhabitants. Given ideal care, Banggai cardinals can even breed regularly within a home aquarium. The fry take shelter in the father’s mouth until large enough to swim freely, adding an extra layer of cuteness.
Most Adorable Fish
| Fish Name | Type | Size | Care Level | Cuteness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guppies | Freshwater | 1-2 inches | Beginner | ***** |
| Dwarf Pufferfish | Freshwater | 1 inch | Intermediate | **** |
| Clownfish | Saltwater | 3 inches | Intermediate | ***** |
| Discus Fish | Freshwater | 6 inches | Advanced | **** |
| Panda Corydoras | Freshwater | 2 inches | Beginner | ***** |
Based on their appearance, behaviors, manageable size, and care requirements, some of the absolute cutest aquarium fish include guppies, clownfish, panda corydoras, and dwarf pufferfish. Guppies and panda corys are peaceful community species perfect for beginners. Dwarf puffers and clownfish have more specific needs but make delightful additions for intermediate aquarists. No matter your experience level, there are countless adorable fish species waiting to liven up your freshwater or saltwater aquarium. When stocking a new tank, be sure to thoroughly research your options and select fish that will thrive under your care. The end result will be a vibrant underwater world brimming with cute fishy characters.
Conclusion
With over 30,000 fish species on the planet, aquarists have no shortage of options when selecting the cutest fish for their aquarium. Small freshwater fish like guppies and celestial pearl danios wear their vibrant colors and lively activity levels on their sleeve. Larger species such as angelfish and discus fish impress with graceful movements and elaborate fins. Saltwater favorites like clownfish and mandarinfish pop against the coral backdrop with their vivid patterns and personalities. While beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, certain aquarium fish are universally beloved for their inherent cuteness factor. By understanding the care needs, tank size, and compatibility of various cute fish species, aquarists can curate an underwater collection that is both delightful to watch and healthy for its inhabitants. When it comes to stocking your tank, don’t be afraid to let sheer cuteness guide your way.
