Freshwater Fish
Shop freshwater fish for sale at Splashy Fish Store — hundreds of live fish for sale, from beginner-friendly schooling fish to bold centerpiece species, all hand-picked, quarantined, and shipped to your door with a live-arrival guarantee. Whether you're stocking your first 5-gallon tank or adding to a mature planted aquascape, this is the place to start browsing our full freshwater aquarium fish selection.
Shop Freshwater Fish by Species
Jump straight to the species you're after. Every collection below pulls from the same live, in-stock inventory as this page.
- Betta Fish — solo centerpiece fish in nearly every color and fin type, including Giant Bettas
- Tetra Fish — Neon, Black Neon, Silver Tip, Blue Emperor, and other classic schooling favorites
- Rasbora Fish — Harlequin, Chili, and Kubotai Rasboras for peaceful nano and community tanks
- Danio Fish — Zebra Danios and Celestial Pearl Danios, hardy and active schoolers
- Livebearers — Guppies, Platies, Mollies, and Swordtails
- Corydoras Catfish and other bottom-dwelling catfish (Otocinclus, Plecos)
- Gourami Fish — Dwarf Gourami and other labyrinth fish for planted tanks
- Angelfish — tall-bodied centerpiece cichlids for established community tanks
- Cichlids — Discus, Rams, Apistogramma, and African Peacock Cichlids
- Barbs, Loaches, and Rainbowfish
- Killifish, Minnows, and Fancy Goldfish
Freshwater Invertebrates & Tank Mates
Rounding out a freshwater aquarium usually means adding a cleanup crew or nano invertebrates alongside your fish:
- Freshwater Shrimp — Neocaridina, Cherry Shrimp, and other algae-grazing nano shrimp
- Freshwater Snails — Mystery Snails and Nerite Snails for algae control
- Freshwater Crayfish, Lobster, and Crab
Find the Right Freshwater Fish for Your Tank
Not sure where to start? Use these three pathways to narrow down our full live fish for sale selection before you shop by species.
Best for Beginners
These species tolerate common beginner mistakes (a missed water change, slightly off parameters) better than most, and are widely considered easy entry points into the hobby:
- Betta Fish — low-maintenance, no school required, thrives in a heated 3–5 gallon tank
- Neon & other Tetras — hardy schooling fish for a first community tank
- Guppies, Platies & Mollies — forgiving water-parameter range and constant activity
- Corydoras Catfish — peaceful bottom-dwellers that also help manage leftover food
- Zebra & Celestial Pearl Danios — fast, active, and very tolerant of temperature swings
New to the hobby? Read our guide to the best freshwater aquarium fish for beginners before you shop.
Shop by Tank Size
| Tank Size | Good Fits |
|---|---|
| Nano (5–10 gallons) | A single Betta, a small school of Chili Rasbora or Celestial Pearl Danio, or Neocaridina Shrimp and snails |
| Community (20–29 gallons) | Schools of Tetras, Rasboras, or Barbs, plus Corydoras and Dwarf Gourami |
| Larger (40+ gallons) | Angelfish, Discus and other cichlids, larger schools, and bigger bioloads |
These are starting guidelines, not hard limits — always research the adult size and school size of a specific species before buying, and remember that bigger tanks are generally more stable and forgiving than smaller ones.
Shop by Temperament
| Temperament | Examples |
|---|---|
| Peaceful community fish | Tetras, Rasboras, Corydoras, Danios, and most livebearers |
| Semi-aggressive & territorial | Many Barbs (fin-nippers in small groups), Angelfish, and most cichlids — give these species more space and fewer, carefully chosen tankmates |
| Best kept solo or in species-only groups | Betta Fish (especially males, which should not be housed with other bettas) and breeding pairs of larger cichlids |
Live Arrival Guarantee & How We Ship
Buying live fish online only works if the fish actually make it to you healthy — here's exactly how we handle that:
- Quarantine first: New arrivals go through a quarantine period before they're ever listed, so what you see for sale is fish we've already watched for health and behavior.
- WYSIWYG photos: Many listings are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) — the photo is the actual fish you'll receive, not a stock image.
- Careful, insulated packing: Every fish is bagged and packed individually to reduce stress and temperature swings during transit.
- Fast USA shipping: We ship freshwater fish for sale nationwide from our Virginia-based fish store.
- Live-arrival guarantee: Every order is backed by our live-arrival guarantee — contact us right away if there's ever an issue with your shipment.
Why Buy Freshwater Fish From Splashy Fish Store?
- Hundreds of freshwater fish for sale, organized by species, tank size, and temperament so you can shop faster
- Healthy, quarantined live fish backed by a live-arrival guarantee
- Expert support from hobbyists with over 10 years of aquarium experience
- WYSIWYG listings on many species, so you know exactly what you're getting
- Fast, insulated shipping nationwide from our Virginia-based store
Freshwater Fish Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which freshwater fish are best for beginners?
Betta Fish, Neon Tetras and other Tetras, Guppies, Platies, Corydoras Catfish, and Zebra Danios are all widely considered beginner-friendly — they tolerate a wider range of water conditions and don't require advanced equipment. See the "Best for Beginners" picks above to start browsing.
What size tank do I need for freshwater fish?
It depends on the species: a single Betta can live in 3–5 gallons, most nano schooling fish and shrimp do well in 5–10 gallons, a general community tank of Tetras, Rasboras, and Corydoras is comfortable at 20–29 gallons, and larger centerpiece fish like Angelfish or Discus need 40 gallons or more. See the "Shop by Tank Size" guide above for specifics.
Can freshwater fish live without a heater?
Most tropical freshwater fish require a heater to stay healthy, as they thrive in temperatures between 74°F and 80°F. However, some species like White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Zebra Danios, and Hillstream Loaches are more tolerant of cooler water. Always research the specific species you're keeping to determine the right temperature range.
Do you ship live fish nationwide, and what if something goes wrong?
Yes. We ship live fish for sale within the USA from our Virginia-based fish store, packed to reduce stress during transit. Every order is backed by our live-arrival guarantee — if there's ever an issue with your shipment, contact us right away so we can make it right.
How to clean a freshwater fish tank?
To clean your freshwater fish tank, follow these steps:
- Turn off electrical equipment (heater, filter, lights)
- Use a gravel vacuum to remove debris and uneaten food
- Perform a 20–30% water change weekly using dechlorinated water
-
Gently wipe algae from the glass and rinse the filter media in old tank water
Regular maintenance ensures healthy water conditions for your freshwater aquarium fish.
How often should I clean my fish tank?
You should perform partial water changes weekly and a thorough clean once every 2–4 weeks, depending on tank size and stocking levels. Overfeeding and overcrowding can lead to faster waste buildup, so monitor your water quality regularly to keep your freshwater aquarium pristine.
Let customers speak for us
I had never heard of these before but now they're one of my favorite community species! Their swim action is so cool to watch and they are very sociable.
Super Red Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
The congo tetras I purchased are healthy juveniles. They adjusted to my tank with no issues and are actively swimming and eating. I can’t wait until they grow so I can see them with all their color!
Great experience, workers were helpful and the quality of fish and plants were great.
Very knowledgeable staff. Great selection of shrimp.
Love her
What a beautiful beta. He was very active and lively from the moment I put him the tank! Very happy with my purchase.
Cobalt Blue Dwarf Gourami
Beautiful fish in excellent health.
It’s beautiful. It makes the tank look so good and the price was very reasonable.
My fish are healthy! Very happy with my little group of corys!
My fish are healthy and thriving!
Red Melon Swords Aquatic Plant
Rainbow Gourami
FA27 WYSIWYG B Grade Female Plakat Betta Fish
