Freshwater Aquarium Statistics 2026
Freshwater fish hold the larger share of FishyHub's US livestock listings in 2026, and activity is rising in every freshwater family the marketplace tracks. Most community fish, from tetras and rasboras to corydoras and shrimp, sit in the entry-level price tier, while discus and plecos sit in the upper mid-range and arowana, flowerhorn and datnoids in the collector tier.
Key Findings
- FishyHub data shows freshwater livestock holds the larger share of US listings, ahead of marine livestock.
- FishyHub data shows new US listings are rising in every freshwater family it tracks in 2026.
- FishyHub data shows discus, American cichlids, tetras, barbs, catfish, plecos and freshwater shrimp all have very high supply in the US.
- FishyHub data shows small community fish as a group sit in the entry-level price tier in the US, including danios, hatchetfish, mollies, platies, rasboras, swordtails and tetras.
- FishyHub data shows plecos sit in the upper mid-range price tier in the US with a very wide spread, from common bristlenoses to rare imported species.
- FishyHub data shows arowana, flowerhorn, datnoids and monster fish as a group sit in the collector tier in the US.
- FishyHub data shows halfmoon plakat bettas draw very high interest from US users, while giant halfmoon plakats see demand clearly outpacing supply.
Freshwater at a Glance
Freshwater keeping is the entry point for most American hobbyists and the backbone of the US market. A freshwater tank runs on treated tap water, needs simpler equipment than a reef, and can be stocked with hardy, inexpensive fish. FishyHub's US listings reflect that: freshwater livestock makes up the larger share, and its families cover every budget.
Freshwater Families on FishyHub
The table below lists freshwater groups alphabetically, with their US supply tier, price tier and how widely prices range between varieties.
| Group | Supply | Price tier | Price spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| African cichlids | High | Mid-range | Moderate |
| American cichlids | Very high | Mid-range | Wide |
| Angelfish | High | Mid-range | Moderate |
| Bettas | High | Mid-range | Wide |
| Catfish | Very high | Entry-level / budget | Wide |
| Discus | Very high | Upper mid-range | Narrow |
| Flowerhorn | High | Collector / premium | Very wide |
| Goldfish | Very high | Mid-range | Very wide |
| Guppies (named strains) | Very high | Entry-level / budget | Narrow |
| Koi | Moderate | Mid-range | Narrow |
| Plecos | Very high | Upper mid-range | Very wide |
| Rams | Moderate | Entry-level / budget | Narrow |
| Rasboras | High | Entry-level / budget | Very wide |
| Shrimps | Very high | Entry-level / budget | Moderate |
| Tetras | Very high | Entry-level / budget | Wide |
Community Fish
Tetras, rasboras, danios, barbs and livebearers are the core of a US community tank. They are farm-bred in large numbers, travel well and suit beginners, which keeps them in the entry-level tier. Tetras and barbs have very high supply. Rasboras have a very wide price spread: common harlequins are inexpensive, while newer or rarer species such as some micro rasboras cost more.
Livebearers are also widely available. Guppies have very high supply in their named-strain listings, and mollies, platies and swordtails all sit in the entry-level tier.
Cichlids
Cichlids are one of the deepest freshwater families on FishyHub's US marketplace. American cichlids and discus have very high supply, and African cichlids and angelfish high supply. Prices follow effort: rams sit in the entry-level tier and African cichlids in the mid-range, while discus sit in the upper mid-range because raising them to size takes clean, warm, soft water and frequent water changes.
Water chemistry matters here. Hard, alkaline tap water, common in much of the Midwest and Southwest, suits African rift-lake cichlids. Softer water suits discus, angelfish and rams, though many keepers adjust their water to match.
Bottom Dwellers
Plecos and catfish have very high supply in the US. Catfish sit in the entry-level tier, while plecos sit in the upper mid-range with a very wide spread: a common bristlenose and a rare zebra pleco are worlds apart in price. Corydoras, loaches, gobies and algae eaters are all in the entry-level tier.
Shrimp and Snails
Freshwater shrimp have very high supply and sit in the entry-level tier, and Neocaridina shrimp have high supply with a wide spread between color grades. Snails have high supply and entry-level prices. These are the stock of the planted nano tank, a growing style in US apartments.
Bettas and Guppies
Bettas are the one freshwater group where FishyHub has enough US buyer interest to report. Halfmoon plakats draw very high interest, halfmoons high and giant halfmoon plakats moderate. Demand clearly outpaces supply for giants, runs ahead of supply for halfmoon plakats, and is balanced for halfmoons.
Monster Fish and Collector Species
Monster fish as a group sit in the collector tier, as do arowana, flowerhorn and datnoids. These fish grow large, live long and need tanks far beyond the beginner range. Not every big fish is costly, though: oscars and knifefish sit in the entry-level tier, because juveniles are sold small.
Trends for 2026
Every freshwater family on FishyHub's US marketplace shows rising listings against the year before, a reflection of a young, growing market. The more telling signals are where supply is deepest (cichlids, community fish, plecos, shrimp) and where demand runs ahead (show bettas). Searches add color: shoppers look for wild bettas, pea puffers, rice fish and killifish as well as the classics.
Methodology
This page uses FishyHub marketplace activity in the US over the period from October 2024 to October 2026: active freshwater listings, listed price tiers and spreads, buyer interest from FishyHub users (wishlists, likes and "my tank" saves), new listings over time, and search terms. Findings are reported as tiers and directions, not figures.
The US marketplace is new and has no order history in this data, so it cannot show which freshwater fish sell most. Buyer interest is reported only for bettas. Search terms combine the US and Singapore markets. FishyHub does not measure total freshwater ownership or spending in the US; notes on water chemistry and care draw on general hobby knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are freshwater aquariums more popular than saltwater?
On FishyHub, freshwater livestock holds the larger share of US listings, and every freshwater family shows rising activity in 2026.
What freshwater fish are cheapest?
Tetras, rasboras, danios, guppies, mollies, platies, corydoras, loaches and freshwater shrimp all sit in FishyHub's entry-level tier in the US.
What are the most expensive freshwater fish?
On FishyHub's US marketplace, arowana, flowerhorn, datnoids and monster fish as a group sit in the collector tier.
Why do pleco prices vary so much?
Plecos range from common, farm-bred bristlenoses to rare wild-caught species with striking patterns, so FishyHub shows a very wide price spread for them.
How to Cite This Page
Source: FishyHub, "Freshwater Aquarium Statistics 2026" (2026), https://fishyhub.com/us/blogs/blog-detail/freshwater-aquarium-statistics-2026
