Examples of fish that can live in bowls include betta fish, blind cave tetras, dwarf pufferfish, ember tetra, and endler’s livebearers.
Aquariums are a popular addition to any home, and for good reason – they can be beautiful and provide a fun way to enjoy watching fish. However, for some people, keeping an aquarium poses a difficult challenge – finding fish that can live in bowls.
While there are many types of fish that can thrive in an aquarium with proper care, it can be tricky to find species that will do well in a bowl. Let’s explore some of the best fish for bowls and discuss the necessary care required for them to thrive.
Examples of Fish that Can Live in Bowls
1. Betta fish
| Scientific Name | Betta splendens |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia |
Betta fish are a popular choice for bowl aquariums because they are relatively small and easy to care for. Bettas require a minimum of 2.5 gallons of water, though 5 gallons is ideal. They should also have a filter and heater to maintain a consistent water temperature between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bettas are omnivorous and can be fed a variety of foods, including pellets, flakes, live food, and frozen food. It’s important to feed them a diet that is high in protein to help them grow and stay healthy.
Bettas are known for their vibrant colors and long fins, which make them a beautiful addition to any home. They are also relatively peaceful fish, which makes them a good choice for bowls that will be shared with other fish species.
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2. Blind Cave Tetras
| Scientific Name | Astyanax mexicanus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | throughout the southern United States, Mexico and into Guatemala while the other is found only in Mexico |
The blind cave tetra is a small, peaceful fish that is perfect for bowl aquariums. These fish are native to caves in Central America, and as a result, they do not have eyes. However, this does not affect their ability to navigate or find food. In fact, many aquarists believe that the lack of eyes gives them a more streamlined look.
Blind cave tetras are best kept in groups of 6 or more, as they are social fish. They prefer to live in water that is warm (between 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit) and slightly acidic (with a pH between 6.5 and 8.0). As for food, they will accept most aquarium pellets and flakes, as well as live and frozen foods.
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3. Dwarf Pufferfish
| Scientific Name | Carinotetraodon travancoricus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Kerala and southern Karnataka in the Western Ghats of Peninsular India |
One of the most popular choices for a fish bowl is the Dwarf Pufferfish. These little fish are very active and have a lot of personality. They are also very easy to care for, as they are not picky eaters and do not need much in the way of filtration or aeration.
The only downside to keeping Dwarf Pufferfish is that they are aggressive towards other fish, so they must be kept alone or with fish that are much larger than them.
4. Ember Tetra
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon amandae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Araguaia River basin of Brazil |
The Ember Tetra is a small, peaceful fish that originates from South America. These little fish are perfect for bowls, as they only grow to be about 1 inch in length. Ember Tetras are very active and love to swim around, so they need a lot of space to move. They also prefer to live in groups, so it’s best to keep at least 6 Ember Tetras together.
The biggest challenge when keeping Ember Tetras is providing them with the right water conditions. These fish come from slow-moving rivers and streams, so they prefer water that is soft and acidic. This can be difficult to replicate in a bowl, so it’s important to do your research and make sure you are providing the proper care for your Ember Tetras.
5. Endler’s Livebearers
| Scientific Name | Poecilia wingei |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Laguna de Patos in Venezuela |
Endler’s livebearers are small, colorful fish that are a popular choice for bowl aquariums. They are easy to care for and do well in bowls of all sizes. The only real challenge with Endler’s livebearers is finding them – they are not widely available in pet stores
6. Goldfish
| Scientific Name | Carassius auratus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Worldwide |
Goldfish are a popular choice for bowl fish because they are relatively easy to care for and can be very beautiful. However, goldfish require a lot of space to swim and grow, so they are not well suited for small bowls.
If you choose to keep goldfish in a bowl, it is important to have a large enough tank and to provide them with plenty of hiding places and places to swim.
7. Guppies
| Scientific Name | Poecilia reticulata |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Worldwide |
Guppies are one of the most popular choices for fishbowls because they are small and relatively easy to care for. These lively little fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, making them fun to watch. Guppies require a minimum of 2.5 gallons of water and should have their water changed every two weeks.
8. Mollies
| Scientific Name | Poecilia sphenops |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Southern United States down into Central America |
Mollies are a type of fish that can do well in both salt and freshwater, making them a good choice for bowls. They are also easy to care for and are available in a variety of colors. Mollies require a diet of live food, so be sure to provide them with plenty of small insects or brine shrimp.
9. Paradise Fish
| Scientific Name | Macropodus opercularis |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | across a considerably wide range of southeast Asia |
The paradise fish is a beautiful and unique species that does well in bowls. These fish are known for their long fins and vibrant colors. They are also relatively easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginner aquarists.
Paradise fish require a bowl with a minimum of 10 gallons of water. They also need a filter and regular water changes. It is important to provide paradise fish with plenty of hiding places, as they are known to be aggressive towards other fish.
10. Pea Pufferfish
| Scientific Name | Carinotetraodon travancoricus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Kerala and southern Karnataka in Southwest India |
The Pea Pufferfish is a small, peaceful fish that originates from freshwater streams in Asia. These little fish are perfect for bowls, as they only grow to be about 1.5 inches long. Despite their size, they are hardy creatures that can live for up to 5 years with proper care.
The Pea Pufferfish is a carnivore, so they will need a diet that consists mostly of meaty foods. Feed them frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. You should also supplement their diet with high-quality flakes or pellets designed for small carnivorous fish.
As far as care goes, the Pea Pufferfish is a fairly easy fish to keep. They prefer water that is slightly acidic with a temperature between 74 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to do regular water changes and maintain good filtration in their tank.
11. Pepper Cory
| Scientific Name | Corydoras paleatus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Suriname, and Uruguay |
The Pepper Cory is a small, peaceful fish that does well in groups. They are armored catfish, so they can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and do not require special care. However, they do best in an aquarium with plenty of hiding places and a sandy bottom where they can sift through the substrate for food.
12. Platy Variatus
| Scientific Name | Xiphophorus variatus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | southern Tamaulipas and northern Veracruz states in northeastern Mexico |
The Platy fish is a popular choice for bowls because of its vibrant coloration. This little freshwater fish is a peaceful community member and can do well in bowls as long as the bowl is at least two gallons. They should be kept with other small, peaceful fish and have plenty of plants to hide in.
13. Pygmy Corydoras
| Scientific Name | Corydoras pygmaeus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | mainly found in the Madeira River basin in Brazil, but populations are found across the South American continent |
The Pygmy Corydoras is a peaceful, hardy, and active little fish that does well in both community bowls and nano aquariums. It is a great beginner fish for people just starting out with keeping fish.
This species is native to South America and can be found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The Pygmy Corydoras is a bottom-dwelling fish and will often be seen scouring the substrate for food.
The Pygmy Corydoras is a small fish, reaching a maximum size of about 1.5 inches. It has a brownish-black body with light stripes running vertically down its sides. The Pygmy Corydoras is an omnivore and does well on a diet of pellets, flakes, freeze-dried foods, and live/frozen foods.
14. Salt and Pepper Corydoras
| Scientific Name | Corydoras habrosus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | the Upper Orinoco River basin in Venezuela and Colombia |
These little guys are perfect for bowls because they only grow to be about two inches long. They are peaceful and do well in groups, so you can keep several of them together. They are also easy to care for, as they are not picky eaters and do not require special water conditions.
15. Scarlet Badis
| Scientific Name | Dario dario |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | East India |
The Scarlet Badis is a beautiful fish that is perfect for bowl aquariums. These fish are very peaceful and do well in groups, making them a great choice for community tanks. They prefer to live in well-planted tanks with plenty of hiding places, so be sure to provide plenty of plants and caves for them to explore.
16. Six-ray Corydoras
| Scientific Name | Aspidoras pauciradiatus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the upper Araguaia River basin in Brazil |
This species of Corydoras is a good option for a bowl fish because it only reaches a maximum size of two inches. It’s a peaceful bottom-dweller that does well in groups, so be sure to purchase at least six of them. They should be fed a diet of small live or frozen foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp.
17. Sparkling Gourami
| Scientific Name | Trichopsis pumila |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Southeast Asia |
The sparkling gourami is a beautiful fish that is well-suited to life in a bowl. These fish are relatively small, reaching a maximum size of about 2.5 inches, and they are not known to be aggressive. Sparkling gouramis are also easy to care for, as they are not picky eaters and do not require a lot of space to swim.
18. White Cloud Minnows
| Scientific Name | Tanichthys albonubes |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | within the coastal province of Guangdong and Hainan Island in China, as well as in Quảng Ninh province in Vietnam |
White clouds are one of the best fish for a bowl because they’re small, peaceful, and hardy. They can live in a variety of water conditions and don’t require much in the way of care. However, because they’re such active little fish, they need a larger bowl – at least 10 gallons. They also prefer to be in a group, so plan on keeping at least two of them.
19. Zebra Danios
| Scientific Name | Danio rerio |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | India and Bangladesh |
Zebra Danios are one of the most popular fish for bowls because they are very hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. They are also relatively small, which makes them a good choice for smaller bowls. Zebra Danios should be kept in schools of at least four fish, and they do best with live plants in their tank.
Conclusion
There are a variety of fish that do well in bowl aquariums, including the Blind Cave Tetra, Corydoras Catfish, Dwarf Pufferfish, Endler’s Livebearer, and Betta fish. Each of these fish has its own unique requirements for water temperature and pH level.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.