Most Popular Aquarium Fish by U.S. State

FishyHub does not track purchases state by state, so there is no data-backed list of the single most popular fish in each US state. What FishyHub can show is which fish are most widely listed and most wanted nationally: guppies, tetras, discus, American cichlids, goldfish, plecos and shrimp have very high supply, and halfmoon and halfmoon plakat bettas draw the strongest buyer interest. This guide goes state by state and matches those nationally popular fish to the water, climate and traditions that make them a natural fit in each place.

Key Findings

• FishyHub has no state-level purchase data for the US; this guide pairs national FishyHub listing tiers with each state's tap water and climate.
• FishyHub data shows halfmoon plakat bettas attract very high interest from US users and halfmoons high interest, the clearest signal FishyHub has of what US buyers want.
• FishyHub data shows giant halfmoon plakat bettas have demand clearly outpacing supply in the US, with limited listings.
• On FishyHub, guppies and tetras combine very high US supply with entry-level prices, which makes them easy first fish in any state.
• FishyHub data shows discus and American cichlids have very high US supply, with discus in the upper mid-range price tier.
• FishyHub data shows African cichlids have high US supply in the mid-range price tier, a good match for hard-water states.
• FishyHub data shows goldfish have very high US supply and a very wide price spread, from everyday fish to show-grade fancy breeds.

How to Read This Guide

Two things decide which fish do best in a state. The first is tap water: hard, alkaline water suits livebearers and African cichlids, while soft water suits tetras, rasboras, discus and many shrimp. The second is climate: it affects heating costs in winter, cooling in summer and whether an outdoor pond is practical. Water varies within states too, so treat each entry as a starting point and test your own tap.

States are grouped by broad region, using the same regional names as FishyHub's delivery zones.

Midwest & Central

• Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota: Cold winters mean every tropical tank needs a heater, and long indoor seasons keep the hobby busy. Plecos, corydoras and other catfish are long-time favorites in the region's aquarium clubs, and goldfish and koi suit summer ponds.
• Michigan and Ohio: Moderately hard water across much of both states makes livebearers such as guppies, mollies and platies forgiving choices, and African cichlids do well.
• Indiana, Iowa and Missouri: Hard well and municipal water favors rift lake cichlids and livebearers. Barbs, which have very high US supply on FishyHub, are hardy community choices here.
• Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and the Dakotas: Hard water and big temperature swings reward sturdy fish: American cichlids, plecos and goldfish kept indoors.

East Coast & Northeast

• New York and New Jersey: Soft city water, notably in New York City, suits tetras, rasboras and shrimp, and apartment living favors bettas and nano community tanks.
• Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island: Generally soft water makes tetras, corydoras and Neocaridina shrimp easy keepers.
• Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire: Long, cold winters make coldwater goldfish tanks appealing, and heaters are essential for tropicals.
• Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia: Water ranges from soft to moderately hard, so community tanks of tetras, danios and livebearers are flexible picks. Angelfish, which have high US supply, are a classic centerpiece.

South & Southeast

• Florida: The heart of US tropical fish farming. Livebearers and cichlids raised in outdoor ponds are part of local life, and swordtails, mollies and guppies are natural choices. Warm weather keeps heating costs low.
• Texas: Hard, alkaline water through much of the state suits African cichlids and livebearers, and American cichlids from Central America are another strong fit. Summer heat means watching tank temperatures.
• Georgia and the Carolinas: Often softer water makes tetras, rasboras, gouramis and corydoras good choices, and halfmoon bettas suit smaller homes.
• Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky: Warm summers and generally moderate water suit hardy community fish, gouramis and plecos, and outdoor goldfish ponds work for much of the year.
• Arkansas: A notable fish-farming state, mainly for food and bait fish. Hardy barbs, danios and livebearers fit its varied water.

West Coast & Mountain West

• California: Water is softer in parts of Northern California and harder in much of Southern California, so community choices vary. Statewide, reef keeping is strong, and clownfish (very high US supply) are the classic first saltwater fish.
• Oregon and Washington: Soft water from mountain sources makes the Pacific Northwest a natural home for discus, tetras, rasboras and shrimp. Cooler summers make temperature control easier.
• Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico: Very hard water and desert heat point toward livebearers, African cichlids and other hard-water fish, kept in cool rooms away from windows.
• Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming: Cold winters and moderately hard water suit goldfish, plecos and hardy community fish; bettas need a reliable heater.

Alaska, Hawaii & Territories

• Alaska: Long winters, long shipping routes and high heating needs favor hardy fish such as bettas, goldfish and plecos.
• Hawaii: Warm all year, which makes tropicals easy to keep, but Hawaii has strict rules on bringing in live animals. Check what is allowed before ordering.
• Puerto Rico and other territories: Warm climates suit tropical community fish without heaters; the main challenge is getting livestock delivered safely.

The Nationally Popular Fish Behind the Picks

Fish	FishyHub US supply	FishyHub US price tier	Best suited to
African cichlids	High	Mid-range	Hard-water states
American cichlids	Very high	Mid-range	Hard and moderate water
Bettas (halfmoon)	High	Upper mid-range	Apartments, every state
Clownfish	Very high	Upper mid-range	Reef keepers anywhere
Discus	Very high	Upper mid-range	Soft-water states
Goldfish	Very high	Mid-range	Cooler states, ponds
Guppies	Very high	Entry-level / budget	Hard and moderate water
Plecos	Very high	Upper mid-range	Every state
Tetras	Very high	Entry-level / budget	Soft-water states

Why These Fish Travel Well Across States

The fish on this list are popular nationally for practical reasons. Most are bred in large numbers, so they reach keepers in every state at sensible prices. Guppies and tetras are small, ship well and sit in the entry-level tier. Plecos and catfish solve algae and cleanup jobs. Discus and halfmoon bettas reward keepers who want a showpiece. And everything FishyHub tracks in the US is gaining momentum, so the choice in each state is widening rather than narrowing.

Methodology

This guide uses FishyHub's US marketplace over the 2026-2027 period: active listings (supply), listed prices and price spread, wishlists, likes and "my tank" saves, demand relative to supply, and momentum (new listings, recent year against the one before). Findings are tiers and directions, not figures.

FishyHub does not report state-by-state figures. Its US data has no order history in this period and is not broken down by buyer state, so the state entries above are not FishyHub popularity results. They combine the national tiers with general hobby knowledge about tap water, climate and local traditions. Water hardness varies within states and between towns, and readers should test their own water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular aquarium fish in my state?

FishyHub does not measure popularity by state. Nationally, guppies, tetras, discus, American cichlids, goldfish, plecos and shrimp have very high supply, and halfmoon plakat bettas draw the strongest buyer interest.

Which fish are best for hard tap water?

Livebearers such as guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails, and African rift lake cichlids. Hard water is common in Texas, the Southwest and much of the Midwest.

Which fish are best for soft tap water?

Tetras, rasboras, discus, corydoras and many shrimp, a good fit for the Pacific Northwest, New York City and much of New England.

Can I keep tropical fish in a cold state?

Yes. Keep the tank indoors with a reliable heater, and order livestock in weather when couriers can protect boxes with heat packs.

Can I order aquarium fish to Hawaii?

Hawaii has strict rules on importing live animals, so check which species are permitted before buying. Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and the territories is also generally harder than to the mainland.

How to Cite This Page

Source: FishyHub, "Most Popular Aquarium Fish by U.S. State" (2027), https://fishyhub.com/us/blogs/blog-detail/most-popular-aquarium-fish-by-us-state