The White Cloud Mountain Minnows are some of the best cold-water fish for pets if youre a beginner who is starting out with an unheated aquarium. They can survive in water temperatures as low as 50F which means you can keep them in tanks without a heater (if it works with the rest of your setup). Our free guide can help keep your tank clean and your fish healthy. This species is quite vibrant and will add a whole new visual dynamic to any aquarium theyre kept in. An adorable type of catfish that thrives in a cold water tank, the Pandy Cory is a lovely inhabitant to have in your communal tank. However, I think Meteor Minnows look overall better and I never see them suggested for cold water aquariums. Another reason WCMM fish suit a beginner is that they dont take long to acclimatize to different aquarium conditions. My name is Adam, I have been a Aquarium nerd for the past 8 years. Unless you are planning on putting it into a pond, avoid the one cold-water species known as the Chinese High-Fin Banded Shark, also called the Wimple Carp, or the Freshwater Batfish(Myxocyprinus asiaticus),referencing its high triangle-shaped dorsal fin and black banding on young fish. Almost extinct in its native China due to pollution, this is one of the easiest fish to care for. The Least Killifish is also the worlds smallest fish that bears live young, and if your tank conditions are just right, they can produce many baby fry at a time. Since guppies are tropical fish, they enjoy warm waters with a temperature tolerance of up to 68F (20C). Their yellow-gold coloring is only amplified when swimming with a school of other Gold Barbs, as they prefer to be housed with six to eight friends. However, if you can find one theyre quite easy to keep. Thus, all you need is a small 10-gallon tank to keep them healthy. These fish are best for well-planted aquariums. One of the reasons these fish are so popular is their versatility. Anyway, not many aquarists are familiar with the Rubber Lips Pleco when it comes to algae demolition so it is not as yet popular as I believe it should be. Zebrafish like cooler temperature water (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21 degrees Celsius), but you may still need a small heater to keep your aquarium from getting too cold in the winter. Keeping cold-water aquarium fish takes heating out of the equation, however, some people tend to oversimplify it. Our coldwater fish are healthy and well-fed and have been kept in the best environment to ensure their wellbeing and the highest quality of fish for aquatic enthusiasts. The comet goldfish has a long, single tail and is usually found in the golden coloration, but can also occur in white, orange and white, and black, orange and white coloration. The Scarlet Badis are not an easy cold-water fish to keep as you need to diligently maintain their diet and water parameters. Dr. Saint-Erne is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. These freshwater fish are members of the second-largest fish genus in North America named Notropis. The Gold Barb is a really popular choice for cold water aquariums due to its hardy nature and beautiful bright colors. They have an excellent ability to adapt to water acidity in the range of 6.5 and 8.0. These fish are known for having an aggressive nature, but can still cohabitate with other species, as long as the others are placid in temperament and are able to put up with the more feisty Paradise fish. Simply drop in some plants and youll be just fine! Read on for further information on the practice of fishkeeping that will help you outfit and fill your cold water aquarium swimmingly well. The Zebra Danio, same as the Glowlight Danio and Celestial Pearl Danio, comes from the Danio genus. This coldwater aquarium fish comes in various shapes and sizes. Its recommended to keep this fish in a school, so thats why they cant get away with super small tanks. Any aquarium containing gold barbs should maintain a moderate current. The Pygmy Sunfish is a very pretty species thats one of the best fish for cold water aquariums. We only source coldwater fish from trusted breeders . Some even claim that it may help prevent obesity and its complications. The Zebra Danio has a loyal following in the freshwater aquarium community. It can tolerate pH of 6.8 to 8.0, moderate water hardness, and of course cooler waters. Variatus Platies happens to be some of the best cold-water fish I can recommend for beginners because they are hardy and not so picky about water parameters. These qualities make the red Shiner fish beginner-friendly in terms of care level as they are very easy to look after in an unheated aquarium. Originally from South Asia and incredibly easy to care for in captivity, you can find these adorable little fish in most pet stores or fish suppliers. Chlorine makes the water safe for people to consume, but is highly toxic for your fish. These small, schooling fish sport gorgeous colors that are reminiscent of a small trout, and are ideal for small, planted cold water tanks. These fish are often compared to Neon Tetras since they look rather similar. However, as fishkeepers and aquarium enthusiasts alike are well aware, having fish in your house not only provides a sense of companionship, but they also contain very unique and individual personalities. He has made MANY mistakes throughout his fishkeeping journey and thus learned A LOT. The Glowlight Danio is an active fish, especially when in a group of not less than 6 companions. You are correct ideally, youd want to give them some time to acclimate if they were kept at higher temps in the pet store. These are one of the most beginner-friendly fish out there. The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a great freshwater fish that can thrive in colder temperatures. And while tropical fish are increasingly popular, what sorts of fish can you fill your cold water tank with? This is why so many people consider them one of the best pond fish. The rapidly falling temperatures during the night could induce a cold-shock, and eventually lead to a weakened immune system in fish and, consequently, disease. Though they are one of the most common choices for a cold water tank, this doesnt take away from the Fancy Goldfishs elegant and adorable contribution to your aquarium setup. Make sure, however, that their aquarium water is always clean. The Paradise Fish, also known as a Paradise Gourami, from the Macropodus genus is one of the members forming the Gourami family. In their natural habitat, they put up with temperatures as low as 41 F or 5 C. The Variatus Platy is a species within the Xiphophorus genus, which inhabits Mexican and northern Central American waters. When the happiness is too much, they do jump out so make sure the aquarium has a lid on it. When it comes to water temperature, consistency is the key. Coming from the Tanichthys genus distributed in China and Vietnam, the White Cloud Mountain Minnows are almost extinct in their native habitat. They also get along well with other kinds of fish. Celestial Pearl Danios, also known as Galaxy Rasboras, are a reasonable choice for small subtropical freshwater fish that do not require a heater in their aquarium. Hailing from Papua New Guinea and Australia, this fish has a captivating appearance. As long as you know their fundamental requirements you shouldnt have any trouble keeping this fish. They are a schooling fish that requires about six other friends to group with. The Java Fern is one such plant and you can check its profile and care guide by visiting this link. Weve been fans of them for years and love the versatility their hardy nature provides. This species goes by two names, the Medaka Ricefish and the Japanese Ricefish. These little critters are one of our favorite freshwater catfish species to keep in cold tanks. Technically speaking, cold water fish can survive in a tropical tank, but it is generally not advised. As you can see, there are a number of fish that can thrive in cold water aquariums. Some of them are quite popular, and others are under the radar. At times the best way to keep them is in their own fish tanks. When I first started out I found it difficult to find all the information I needed so I started this website to compile all the useful information I can think of. An eye-catching fish that likes to swim in a large group with others of its kind, the Odessa Barb needs at least five others to be happy in your tank. Marigold Variatus Platy 2. Hillstream Loach Make sure to give them hides and plants to tuck themselves away in. The reason Hillstream Loaches have a low and flat body comes from their natural habitat. Make sure to add plenty of hides and plants for them to take refuge in. They are tough, attractive fish that can survive temperature fluctuations and changes in location. This is why theyre also called the Bushy Nose Pleco. A 10-gallon tank can do because these fish are relatively tiny. This way youll avoid encouraging conflicts over territory. If the species naturally prefer temperatures below 70F to 75F, they are typically considered cold water fish and thrive in those conditions. Counter to its name, this barb has no barbels at all. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Although these fish are not often seen in pet shops, individuals can be found for sale from time to time. Why Do Betta Fish Flare Their Gills? Grows to 2.5 inches in length Click For Best Price Buy On Petco Online Scientific Name: Corydoras panda Adult Size: 2 inches Care Level: Easy-moderate Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons Temperament: Peaceful Diet: Omnivore, feed sinking dried foods, live and frozen supplements Origin: Peru Length: 8-12 inchesPhysical Characteristics: Elongated bodies with a single tail fin in common, comet and shubunkin varieties. With red and tan markings and striking white, black, and orange edges to its bright red fins, its a delightful addition to your tank. Hailing from India and Bangladesh, these catfish are found in slow-moving streams. Far from sulking and looking withdrawn as some odd-looking people do, this fish is relatively active and enjoys schooling. Livebearers like to swim in medium-sized schools, and they mix well with other types of fish, being peaceful in temperament and easy to care for. Im not an expert on them, but I know that Meteor Minnows eat very little food so make sure you give them high-quality offerings, supposing this is true. They originally hail from the waters of South and East Asia, and as algae eaters they can help keep your aquarium clean. The warm water conditions of a tropical tank is not ideal for a cold water fishs digestive tract or metabolic system, so living there will impact their health and shorten their lifespan considerably. A cheerful fish that originates from the waters of Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the Rosy Barb is the hardiest of the wider barb family. And with most cold water aquarium fish being easy to keep and a joy to watch in their day-to-day lives, adding an aquarium filled with any of the previously mentioned species to your home can be a great choice. Many species of coldwater marine fish are available in the aquarium fish trade. List includes best pond fish for small ponds, large ponds, farm ponds, and wildlife ponds. Since they enjoy a plant-based diet, they are also known to nip other plants in the fish tank, although it is not their established habit. It is not bothered by lower oxygen levels and seamlessly adapts to a wide range of water conditions, which makes caring for it easy. They share a lot of the same traits as other goldfish, they just look different. This hybrid, sometimes sold under the name Rocky Mountain White tilapia, is one of the most popular varieties for small scale aquaculture systems. While were including them on our list of the best cold water aquarium fish, theyre technically salamanders. Enjoy! Prices for cold water fish at Pets at Home start at around 3 for goldfish and increase to 30 or more for koi. Fish should always be kept at the temperature that is best for their particular species, whether that is cold water or tropical conditions. In fact, most of the aquarists who know about them are ones who like keeping cold tanks. Red Shiners are natives of the U.S. and are extremely adaptable they tolerate very low temperatures (14 C or 57 F) but also temperatures as high as 35 C which equals 95 F. It is better to go for less nervous tank-mates like large tetras, giant danios, or some of the larger Plecostomus species. Anyway, they have beautiful coloration, which comes out better against a dark substrate and in a heavily planted tank. These fish are available in a variety of colors, including blue, gold, and teal. Some argue that this fish should technically be considered part of the killifish family or not. With that being said, they can show a little bit of aggression when put in the wrong situation (or with the wrong tank mates). Their safety is subject to debate, though. Theyll be just fine! Out of all the fish we recommend to our readers, this could be the species we suggest the most. Peaceful omnivores, they are easy to care for and are quite hardy. Minimum Tank Size: At least 10 gallons or a larger nano tank. These fish are very active and are almost always in motion. Gold Barb 10. I suspect this happens when the tank runs out of the algae, in which case you should feed them on algae tablets to help them deal with their addiction. It thrives in cool subtropical water conditions and doesnt need a heater in its aquarium. Hence it is not appropriate for most aquaria. On their head and nose area, they have a series of appendages that protrude in various directions. BOYU LZ Replacement LED Light Tube - White - 10w, 15w, 16w, 20w Available. Aquarium fish are cold-blooded creatures and the thermal environment they live in plays a significant role in their well-being and development. How Long Till Tap Water Is Safe For Fish? Omega-3 fatty acids are known as an essential fat. Fancy goldfish are a popular type of goldfish that tend to have more of an elaborate aesthetic than some of the standard variations. Typical Fish Size: 3 to 5 inchesif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'kingsoftheaquarium_com-box-4','ezslot_15',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kingsoftheaquarium_com-box-4-0'); Commonly added to a tank as algae eaters, the Bristlenose Pleco is a great fish in its own right. Therefore, if you own a subtropical fish tank without a heater and it has algae issues you can invite an RL Pleco for dinner. Types of feshwater pond fish which can live in outdoor ponds. Nilesh Heda/ Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain. Let's now check out the 13 most easy coldwater aquarium fishes for hobbyists. Theyre peaceful which gives you a lot of options when it comes to tank mates as well. Loaches have a series of appendages that protrude in various shapes and sizes care guide visiting! 20W available that can thrive in colder temperatures care guide by visiting this link acclimatize... 10W, 15w, 16w, 20w available why they cant get away with super small.... 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