Most Purchased Aquarium Fish in Singapore in 2026
The most purchased aquarium fish in Singapore on FishyHub are small, affordable fish: guppies, tetras and rasboras in the water column, and corydoras, loaches and algae eaters on the bottom. Koi, kept in ponds rather than tanks, sit in the same very high purchase tier. Neocaridina shrimp and snails sell just as strongly, and for most of these the island's buyers take up stock faster than sellers can list it.
Key Findings
- FishyHub data shows guppies, rasboras and tetras are among the most purchased freshwater fish in Singapore.
- FishyHub data shows corydoras, loaches and algae eaters are purchased at a very high level in Singapore, as keepers add a clean-up crew to nearly every tank.
- FishyHub marketplace activity shows koi are among the most purchased fish in Singapore, even though they sit in the upper mid-range price tier.
- FishyHub data shows neocaridina shrimp and freshwater snails are bought as often as the most popular fish in Singapore.
- FishyHub data shows a wide "also popular" tier in Singapore that includes angelfish, discus, goldfish, halfmoon bettas, mollies, oscars, platies and puffers.
- FishyHub data shows that for tetras, rasboras, algae eaters and neocaridina shrimp, purchases in Singapore clearly outpace the stock listed.
- FishyHub data shows purchases of tetras, loaches and algae eaters are cooling in Singapore, while guppy and platy activity is rising.
The Most Purchased Tier
FishyHub groups fish by how often they are bought. These are the fish and invertebrates in the very high purchase tier in Singapore, listed alphabetically:
| Group | SG price tier | Demand vs supply |
|---|---|---|
| Algae eaters | Entry-level / budget | Demand clearly outpaces supply |
| Corydoras | Mid-range | Demand ahead of supply |
| Guppies | Upper mid-range | Balanced |
| Koi | Upper mid-range | Demand ahead of supply |
| Loaches | Entry-level / budget | Demand ahead of supply |
| Neocaridina shrimp | Entry-level / budget | Demand clearly outpaces supply |
| Rasboras | Entry-level / budget | Demand clearly outpaces supply |
| Snails | Entry-level / budget | Demand clearly outpaces supply |
| Tetras | Entry-level / budget | Demand clearly outpaces supply |
Why small fish sell the most
Most Singapore keepers live in HDB flats or condos, where a compact tank on a cabinet or shelf is the norm. That favours fish that stay small and look best in groups: rasboras such as chilli and harlequin, neon and cardinal tetras, and guppies. Schooling fish are bought several at a time, so each tank set-up generates a larger order.
The local aquascaping scene matters too. Planted nano tanks are popular in Singapore, and the fish that suit them - rasboras, small tetras, shrimp - are the ones that sell. FishyHub data shows aquarium plants are also bought at a very high level, which fits the same picture.
Guppies: Singapore's everyday favourite
Guppies sit in the very high purchase tier and have very high supply. Singapore has a long history of guppy breeding, and fancy strains with full tails and solid or metallic colours are widely bred on the island. Guppy prices on FishyHub are trending up, which suggests buyers are paying for better strains rather than the cheapest fish.
Bottom dwellers and the clean-up crew
Corydoras, loaches and algae eaters are bought almost as a matter of course. Corydoras are peaceful, sociable and sift the substrate; kuhli and other loaches suit planted tanks; and algae eaters such as otocinclus help keep glass and leaves clean. Snails and shrimp play the same role, which is why they appear in the same tier.
Koi: the pond exception
Koi are the outlier on this list. They are larger, pricier, and kept in outdoor ponds, mostly at landed homes. Even so, FishyHub data shows koi purchases are very high and koi prices are trending up. A very wide price spread reflects the gap between pond-grade fish and show-grade fish with prized patterns.
Also Popular
Another group of fish has high purchases on FishyHub in Singapore. Listed alphabetically:
- Angelfish
- Barbs
- Discus
- Goldfish, especially orandas and ryukins
- Gouramis
- Halfmoon bettas and mixed betta lines
- Killifish
- Minnows
- Mollies
- Oscars
- Platies
- Plecos
- Puffers
- Rainbowfish
This tier spans the price range. Barbs, gouramis, minnows, platies and rainbowfish sit in the entry-level / budget tier. Angelfish, goldfish, mollies and oscars are mid-range. Discus, plecos, puffers and halfmoon bettas sit in the upper mid-range. Crabs, clams and turtles also have high purchases, which shows Singapore buyers extend well beyond fish.
What Singapore Buys Less Often
Collector fish are bought far less often. Most arowanas, stingreys, wolf fish and most rare betta lines such as Alien, Api Api and Giant Halfmoon Plakat have limited purchases on FishyHub in Singapore. These fish sit in the collector / premium price tier, need large tanks or specialist care, and are bought by a smaller circle of keepers. Their limited purchases do not mean they lack admirers; channa, for example, draws very high buyer interest but only moderate purchases.
How Buying Is Shifting
FishyHub compares new listings and orders against the year before:
| Direction | Groups |
|---|---|
| Rising | Angelfish, bettas, discus, goldfish, guppies, platies, rainbowfish |
| Steady | Corydoras, koi, mollies, oscars, plecos, rasboras |
| Cooling | Algae eaters, danios, loaches, neocaridina shrimp, snails, tetras |
Cooling here does not mean these fish have fallen out of favour - they remain in the very high purchase tier. It means activity has levelled off compared with the year before, while guppies and larger centrepiece fish such as angelfish and discus are where buying is growing.
Methodology
This page is based on FishyHub marketplace activity in Singapore over the period from October 2024 to October 2026. We looked at completed orders, active listings, listed prices and how they are moving, wishlists, likes and "my tank" saves, and new listings and orders compared with the year before. All findings are reported as tiers and directions, not figures, and fish within a tier are listed alphabetically, not in order of popularity.
The data covers livestock sold through independent merchants on FishyHub. It does not measure the wider Singapore aquarium market, sales at retail shops or direct sales by fish farms, and it does not measure how many people in Singapore keep fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular fish to buy in Singapore?
On FishyHub, guppies, rasboras and tetras are among the most purchased freshwater fish in Singapore, alongside corydoras, loaches, algae eaters and koi.
Why are small fish so popular in Singapore?
Most homes are HDB flats or condos with room for compact tanks, and planted nano tanks are popular. Small schooling fish suit both, and they are bought in groups.
Are koi popular in Singapore?
Yes. FishyHub data shows koi are in the very high purchase tier in Singapore, mainly for outdoor ponds, and their prices are trending up.
Which aquarium fish are hard to find in Singapore?
Tetras, rasboras and algae eaters sell faster than sellers list them on FishyHub, so popular varieties can sell out. Collector fish such as arowanas have limited supply.
How to Cite This Page
Source: FishyHub, "Most Purchased Aquarium Fish in Singapore in 2026" (2026), https://fishyhub.com/sg/blogs/blog-detail/most-purchased-aquarium-fish-in-singapore-in-2026
