There isn't one single "friendliest" fish, but Guppies, Corydoras Catfish, and Neon Tetras are consistently cited as very friendly, peaceful, and great for community aquariums due to their calm nature and ease of care. In the ocean, the Eastern Blue Groper and Maori Wrasse are known for their curious and interactive personalities with divers.
Betta fish
They are smart and can recognise their owners; so much so that they often swim to the front of the fish tank, as if greeting them, when they see their owner.
If there was ever a pair who lives, breathes and eats teamwork, the French Angelfish are it. In fact, it's extremely rare to find a French Angelfish alone. The species form monogamous bonds that often last until the end of their lives, preferring to hunt, sleep, travel and fend off predators together, at all times.
Oscars are intelligent and can recognize their owners, they are also known for their playful and curious nature. They love to interact with their owners and will often swim up to the side of the tank to greet them. Another very interactive freshwater fish are the Bettas, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish.
To name your fish, consider its color (Goldie, Ruby, Onyx), personality (Bubbles, Fin, Flash), popular choices (Nemo, Sushi, Blue), or funny/unique names (Fishy McFish, Captain Morgan, Swim Shady). Think about what stands out to you—is it bright, shy, big, or does it remind you of something else entirely.
Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus)
Oscars often eagerly greet their humans and have been known to “sulk” when their caregiver is not around. If not for their large size (Oscars can get over 12” long), they would probably be the number one pet fish.
Dragon Fish/ Arowana
Believed to ward off negative energy, the Arowana brings success and financial growth to its owners. It is ideal for business owners and leaders for confidence and long-term progress. Ideal Placement: Large, well-filtered outdoor pond or spacious indoor aquarium with a minimum size of 946 litres.
Greenland sharks are the longest-living vertebrates in the world. The oldest known individuals recorded by scientists have been about 400 years old, though with the large margin of error, it's possible that they could live for more than 500 years.
Did you know Koi fish can recognize their owners and even learn to eat from your hand? It's true! These colorful swimmers are not just beautiful, but they're also quite smart.
The researchers found that fish, which lack the sophisticated visual cortex of primates, are nevertheless capable of discriminating one face from up to 44 new faces.
The #1 rarest fish is often considered the Devil's Hole Pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) due to its incredibly small habitat in a single Nevada cavern, though some sources cite the Red Handfish as rarer, with only around 100 individuals left in Tasmania; both face critical endangerment, but the Pupfish lives in the smallest known home for any vertebrate.
They were also able to adjust their behavior when obstacles were added to their tanks, relying on learning and memory. While a definitive determination cannot be made, fish have performed as well or better than dogs on some intelligence tests.
While it's true that fish can hear sounds, they can't necessarily hear the specifics of your conversation. A casual conversation won't send fish fleeing in terror, but a loud or sudden noise will spook them.
Barracudas are long, fast fish with sharp teeth that can cause serious injuries to humans. They are known for their aggressive behavior, especially when they feel threatened. Barracudas have been known to attack humans, though such encounters are rare.
The tubeworm Escarpia laminata that lives in deep sea cold seeps regularly reaches the age of between 100 and 200 years, with some individuals determined to be more than 300 years old. Some may live for over 1,000 years.
Bobi (Portuguese pronunciation: [bɔˈβi], 11 May 1992 – 21 October 2023) was a male purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo dog cared for by Leonel Costa of Conqueiros, Leiria, Portugal. Bobi was claimed by his caretaker to be the oldest dog to ever live and the first dog on record to reach 30 years.
That pales in comparison to this cold-water, ultra-surviving shark species. When scientists say the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is the oldest living vertebrate on Earth, they aren't exaggerating.
Arowana: The Prosperity Fish
According to Vastu Shastra, the Arowana brings wealth, good fortune, and success into the home. Its majestic presence is said to attract positive energies, especially when placed in the southeast corner of your house.
Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to support belly fat loss. Omega-3s help reduce inflammation in the body, increase metabolism, and promote fat burning.
You can bury fish in the garden although make sure you bury it deep enough to stop foxes digging it up, or cats. If your local fish store has asked to see the corpse keep it in the freezer as dead fish rot and smell very quickly.
And sometimes, when jokes or clichés are repeated often enough, people start to think they're true. But it turns out that this so-called fish fact is false.
It's little wonder then that French angelfish are one of the few fish species believed to be monogamous for life. Every day is Valentine's Day for French angelfish who are rarely seen alone. This pairing helps them travel, hunt and defend their territory from other species.
Because there are so many good-looking species to choose from, let's highlight some of our favorites that possess the most amazing kaleidoscope of colors.