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Pet Fish breeds in India

In this article, we are going to explore what fish breeds we can keep as pets in India (though it will be applicable to many other countries too). We will also shed some light on their nature, physical traits, and idiosyncrasies of some popular fish breeds. Hopefully, it will help you adopt or buy a fish breed of your choice.

Warning

Whenever, you go to buy a fish, make sure that you buy the breeds that can live together. If you already have some fishes in your aquarium, then make sure that you do research on what fishes can live with them peacefully. Also, inform the fish seller about the fishes you already have. These guys know a lot about what fishes can be kept together. He will help you out. We will write a separate article on this topic.

Also, do inspect the fish to some extent. Make sure that it’s not infected by fungus, or is not on medication. Otherwise, it may infect other fishes in your aquarium too – as the saying goes “One Bad Fish Can Spoil the Whole Pond.”

Moreover, you should buy the fish as per the size of the fish tank you have. Buy smaller size fishes if your aquarium is small. Also, ask the shopkeeper the maximum size the fishes will attain once they grow up. If you will keep big fishes in small aquariums, then they will die soon.

Let’s begin.

Table of Contents
  • Common Pet Fish breeds in India
  • Which fish should I buy?
  • Cheapest Aquarium Fishes in India
  • Most Expensive Aquarium Fishes in India
  • Long living fish breeds
  • Aggressive Aquarium Fishes

Common Pet Fish breeds in India

Here’s some of the most popular fishes you will find in India.

Goldfish

They are one of the most popular fishes in India. If properly taken care of, they can easily live 15 to 20 years. Some gold fishes have been known to live till 25-30 years of age. fishes

It’s better to keep goldfishes in bare bottom tank. That’s because they eat a lot and make the tank dirty pretty soon. Bare bottom tanks are easier to clean. Make sure you remove the dirt from the water on a daily basis – for this you may need to change 10-20% of tank water daily.

Prices of various Goldfish varieties in India
  • Fantail goldfish - Rs. 40 to Rs. 100
  • Comet goldfish - Rs. 40 to Rs. 100
  • Black moor goldfish - Rs. 50 to Rs. 200
  • Shubunkin goldfish - Rs. 80 to Rs. 200
  • Telescope goldfish - Rs. 200 to Rs. 350
  • Pearlscale goldfish - Rs. 150 to Rs. 350
  • Lionhead goldfish - Rs. 350 to Rs. 500
  • Ranchu goldfish - Rs. 300 to Rs. 450

Betta fish

They are also as popular as Goldfishes, maybe even more. You do not need an oxygen pump for these fishes, as they can take oxygen directly from air by coming up to the surface of the water. fishes

So, they can live in small aquariums without oxygen pump. However, do ensure that the water filter is good. Water should be clean, i.e. no ammonia, no nitrate, no chlorine, no faeces.

Prices of various Betta fish varieties in India
  • Female Betta – Rs. 40 to 100
  • Veiltail Betta fish – Rs. 50 to 200
  • Deltatail Betta fish – Rs. 50 to 250
  • Plakat Betta fish – Rs. 200 to 350
  • Rosetail Betta fish - Rs. 200 to 350
  • Combtail Betta fish – Rs. 200 to 400

Gourami fish

Just like Betta fishes, you do not need an oxygen pump for these fishes, as they can take oxygen directly from air by coming up to the surface of the water. fishes

So, they can live in small aquariums without oxygen pump. However, do ensure that the water filter is good. Water should be clean, i.e. no ammonia, no nitrate, no chlorine, no faeces.

Prices of various Gourami fish varieties in India
  • Gold gourami - Rs. 40 to Rs. 80
  • Opaline gourami - Rs. 40 to Rs. 80
  • Kissing gourami - Rs. 40 to Rs. 80
  • Honey gourami - Rs. 50 to Rs. 100
  • Pearl gourami - Rs. 100 to Rs. 120
  • Neon blue dwarf gourami - Rs. 150 to Rs. 200
  • Chocolate gourami - Rs. 200 to Rs. 300
  • Giant gourami - Rs. 250 to Rs. 350

Molly fish

They are easy to maintain. So, these fishes are good for beginners. Just make sure you do not overfeed these small fishes. fishes

These small fishes should be kept in a group of 6-8. Molly fishes breed on their own. We need not do much.

Prices of various Molly fish varieties in India
  • Orange molly fish - Rs. 40 to Rs. 80
  • Platinum sailfin molly fish - Rs. 40 to Rs. 80
  • Dalmatian molly fish - Rs. 40 to Rs. 80
  • Red sailfin molly fish - Rs. 50 to Rs. 100
  • Platinum lyretail molly fish - Rs. 50 to Rs. 120
  • Creamsicle lyretail molly fish - Rs. 50 to Rs. 120
  • Dalmatian lyretail molly fish - Rs. 50 to Rs. 120
  • Marble lyretail molly fish - Rs. 60 to Rs. 150

Guppy fish

Just like Molly fishes, these fishes are also easy to maintain. So, these fishes are good for beginners. Just make sure you do not overfeed these small fishes. fishes

These small fishes should be kept in a group of 6-8. Guppy fishes breed on their own. We need not do much. Males are small and colourful, while females are larger and less colourful.

Prices of various Guppy fish varieties in India
  • Blue Moscow guppy fish - Rs. 80 to Rs. 150
  • Green Cobra guppy fish - Rs. 80 to Rs. 150
  • Platinum Albino guppy fish - Rs. 100 to Rs. 200
  • Dwarf Blue Panda guppy fish - Rs. 100 to Rs. 200
  • Blonde Platinum Double Sword guppy fish - Rs. 100 to Rs. 200
  • Magenta guppy fish - Rs. 120 to Rs. 250
  • Blue Grass guppy fish - Rs. 120 to Rs. 300

Angelfish

fishes

Prices of various Angelfish varieties in India
  • Zebra angelfish - Rs. 50 to Rs. 80
  • Golden angelfish - Rs. 80 to 200
  • Leopard angelfish - Rs. 80 to Rs. 200
  • Albino angelfish - Rs. 80 to Rs. 200
  • Blushing Angelfish Rs. 100 to Rs. 250
  • Black lace angelfish - Rs. 150 to Rs. 300
  • Blue angelfish - Rs. 200 to Rs. 400

Flowerhorn fish

fishes

Prices of various Flowerhorn fish varieties in India
  • Bonsai flowerhorn - Rs. 350 to Rs. 500
  • Red dragon flowerhorn - Rs. 500 to Rs. 800
  • Short body flowerhorn - Rs. 650 to Rs. 800
  • Pearl spots flowerhorn - Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,000
  • Super red dragon flowerhorn - Rs. 1200 to Rs. 1,500
  • Red golden flowerhorn - Rs. 1200 to Rs. 1,500
  • Magma flowerhorn - Rs. 3800 to Rs. 5,000

Some other famous aquarium fishes are:

  • Oscar fish – Rs. 200 to 400
  • Discus – Rs. 500 to 700 per piece. It is often known as the king of aquariums, as it looks really beautiful.
  • Red Cap Oranda – Rs. 500 to 1000 per piece.
  • Koi Carp – Rs. 50 to 100
  • Barb fishes, e.g. Tiger barb fish.
  • Sharks - Sharks live a longer life than many other fishes. Iridescent Shark can live upto 10-20 years. However, make sure that you keep them in a big tank, and the lights are kept dim.

Which fish should I buy?

There are too many options to choose from. Isn’t it?

If you are spoilt for choices and want our opinion, then here it is:

  • If you have a small fish tank, say 1 feet tank, then you can keep these fishes in it - Guppy fishes, Molly fishes, Betta fishes, Gourami fishes (smaller ones), small size Barb fishes (e.g. Tiger Barb), Swordtail, etc. These fishes are the best if kept in a group of 6-8. They are easy to maintain – even a single oxygen pump and sponge filter is enough. So, these fishes are good for beginners. Just make sure you do not overfeed these small fishes.

  • If you have a slightly bigger fish tank, say 2 feet tank, then you can keep these fishes in it – small-size Goldfishes (say 3-4), big size Gourami fishes, big size Barb fishes, Rainbow fishes, Tetras, etc. Again, make sure to keep smaller fishes in a group of at least 6-12.

  • If you have a slightly bigger fish tank, say 3 feet tank, then you can keep these fishes in it – large-size Goldfishes, small-size Arowana fishes, large-size Flowerhorn fishes, Angle fishes, Oscars (not more than 2), Discus (not more than 4-5), etc. If Arowana fish grows to 1 feet, then you need at least 4-5 feet tank for them.

As your tank-size gets getting bigger, your option keeps on increasing. Then you can keep, bigger fishes too - monster fishes, dragon fishes, etc. Hope, you get that idea.

Note

If you maintain your fishes well, then they will live much longer. Feed them regularly, change aquarium water frequently, keep them in large aquariums, do not put too many fishes in the same aquarium, give them medication whenever needed, maintain proper pH level of water, ensure proper temperature (heating), etc.

Cheapest Aquarium Fishes in India

Even if you are on a tight budget, you can have great fish breeds in your aquarium. Though most of the fishes are pretty cheap as compared to other pets, but here we will list down the cheapest among them.

Here’s a list of some famous fish breeds that will not make a big hole in your pocket. Most of them are in Rs. 50 price range.

  • Black Moor – Rs. 15 to 20
  • Gold fish – You will get some varieties of Goldfish in Rs. 50 range.
  • Female Betta – Rs. 40 to 100
  • Zebra angelfish - Rs. 50 to Rs. 80
  • Gold gourami, Opaline gourami, Kissing gourami - Rs. 40 to Rs. 80
  • Orange molly fish, Platinum sailfin molly fish, Dalmatian molly fish - Rs. 40 to Rs. 80
  • Red Cap Oranda – Rs. 80 to 100 a fish
  • Koi Carp – Rs. 80 to 120 a pair
  • Iridescent Shark (small size) – Rs. 50.
Note

The prices mentioned above are retail prices. So, they will vary from place to place and with time. If you live near a fish breeding centre or buy fishes from a wholesale market, these fishes will cost you even less.

Prices also vary based on the condition of the fish, and its gene quality. If someone is selling you a fish at very low price, then make sure that the fish is healthy.

Most Expensive Aquarium Fishes in India

If you can afford the higher-end of things and want to fill-up your aquarium with the most rare and exotic species, then you may explore the following fish breeds:

  • Platinum Arowana fish – In around Rs. 10,000 price range
  • Yellow tail Arowana fish - Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000
  • Flagfin Angelfish - Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 (It’s a marine water fish)
  • Blueface Angelfish - Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 8,000 (It’s a marine water fish)
  • Chocolate Tang – Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 8,000 (It’s a marine water fish)
  • Bellus Angelfish - Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 10,000 (It’s a marine water fish; males are rarer, and so are more expensive)
  • Orange Shoulder Tang – Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 (It’s a marine water fish)
Note

While in case of freshwater fishes we measure the size in inches, e.g. 1 inch fish, 2 inches fish etc. However, in case of marine water fish we measure the size in terms of S, M, L, XL, XXL, etc.

Long living fish breeds

Most of the people think that fishes die in 2-3 years. However, that’s not true for every fish.

Here’s a list of some fishes that are pretty hardy, and are known to live for many years.

  • Goldfish – 15-20 years. However, do not over feed them, or else they will die soon.
  • Iridescent Shark - 15-20 years
  • Oscar - Upto 10 years
  • Silver Dollar – Upto 10 years
  • Tin Foil Barb – 10 to 15 years
  • Neon Tetras – Upto 10 years
  • Koi fish - 10-15 years (these fishes live much longer in ponds, not in aquariums)
  • Jack Dempsy - Upto 10 years
  • Arowana fishes - 10-15 years
  • Clown and Weather Loaches - 10 to 15 years
  • Convict Cichlid - 15-20 years
Fishes that are very sensitive and can die suddenly

These fishes are very sensitive and die pretty soon if not properly cared for:

  • Cat fish or Sucker fish - They will die if their living conditions are changed suddenly, e.g. if temperature of water changes suddenly, pH level changes, or water quality degrades, etc.

  • Discus – Though they can live for 10-15 years or even more. But for that to happen make sure that they are properly taken care of. Otherwise, they tend to die soon.

  • Tiger Barbs – These are warm water fishes, and will not tolerate cold water at all. So, check for water quality, ammonia level in water, temperature, any signs of infection, etc.

  • Angel fishes – Especially black angle fishes, and white angle fishes. These are also warm water fishes, and will not tolerate cold water. Their mouth is also very small and they often cannot eat large food pellets that you put in the tank. So, once you throw the food in their tank, do monitor whether they are able to eat it or not.

  • Kissing Gouramis

  • Glow fish

  • Dyed Parrot fish

In fact, their sensitivity may vary, but even the strongest fish will die soon if not constantly taken care of.

Aggressive Aquarium Fishes

Here’s a list of some aggressive aquarium fishes, if you are one of those souls who like predator type breeds.

Do not keep these fishes with other gentle type fishes or else they may bully or harm them, or even kill and eat them. Most of these fishes attack the fishes that are smaller in size than them (i.e. those that look like potential prey).

  • Arowana - Called water monkeys, as they can jump above water to catch their prey, e.g. insects. These are South-American carnivorous fishes, that can eat other fishes that are smaller than their mouth.
Prices of various Arowana fish varieties in India
  • Silver arowana - Rs. 500 to Rs. 800
  • Platinum arowana fish – In around Rs. 10,000 price range
  • Yellow tail arowana fish - Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000
  • Redtail Catfish
  • Oscar fish – These are very territorial fishes, and try to dominate and even eat other fishes. For this they use suction technique.
  • Alligator Gar
  • Wolfish
  • Snake head
  • Vampire fish
  • Goliath Tiger fish
  • Red bellied Piranha
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