Watching aquarium creatures is one of the best ways to reduce stress, but some owners crave actual interaction with their fish. Luckily, there are many intelligent marine species with huge personalities, capable of forming bonds with their owners. So, if you’re a beginner or experienced keeper and want to be more hands-on with your creatures, dive into the list below of seven types of interactive pet fish.
1. Angelfish Greet Their Owners
Size: 4 inches
Lifespan: 10 – 12 years
Care Level: Intermediate
Aquarium Type: Freshwater
The freshwater Angelfish is a super-intelligent creature with fascinating behavior. They have outstanding vision, form social bonds with humans, and often come to the top of the tank to greet their owners. Angelfish are super hardy mid-dwellers and active during the day. They are curious and need lots of plants and environmental enrichment in their aquarium.
Angelfish are easy to care for but can be territorial and aggressive, and beginner keepers may struggle to manage them. They need lots of space, ideally a 20-gallon tank (with a further 10 gallons per extra fish) to prevent them from fighting. They also need plenty of hiding places. Angelfish are omnivores and may eat smaller tank mates; keep them with fish similar in size and nature. Don’t keep them with nippy fish that may bite their flowing fins and tails.
2. Bettas Can Learn to Perform Tricks
Size: 2.5 inches
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Care Level: Beginner
Aquarium Type: Freshwater
The next entry on our list of interactive pet fish is the Betta. These creatures come in many vibrant colors and have impressively flowing fins and massive personalities. Bettas are super inquisitive, aware of their surroundings, and can even learn simple tricks. They recognize their owners, though you must ensure they don’t jump from their tank.
Bettas are hardy carnivores and fantastic for beginners but are one of the most aggressive pet fish species. Ideally, you should keep Bettas in a single-species tank. They are solitary fish and cope well alone, or you can keep a small group. You must only have one male per tank, as they are incredibly territorial. If you want to keep more than one male, you must ensure they have lots of space, around 10 to 15 gallons per fish.
3. Cichlids Have Big Personalities
Size: 1 – 15 inches
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Care Level: Beginner
Aquarium Type: Freshwater
Cichlids are renowned for having massive personalities, and there are over 100 species, each with unique care needs. They are super intelligent, striking-looking fish and provide hours of entertainment. The Flowerhorn and the Midas are particularly interactive with their owners. Cichlids are also incredibly hardy, so perfect for beginners.
The downside to keeping Cichlids is that they are territorial, and you should keep them alone. Some passive species, like the Bolivian and German Blue Ram, may do well in community tanks with fish similar in size and temperament if they have ample space. African Cichlids, however, are incredibly aggressive, and you must keep these in a single-species tank. In any case, you should never have more than one male Cichlid per tank.
4. Goldfish Have Excellent Memories
Size: 4 – 9 inches
Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
Care Level: Beginner
Aquarium Type: Freshwater
The humble Goldfish is the next entry on our list. A member of the carp family, the Goldfish is super intelligent and interactive, with an excellent memory. Studies show that these little guys have an emotional response similar to a five-year-old child, and they can remember events from a year ago.
Goldfish are super smart, hardy, adaptable, and perfect for first-time fish owners, which is why they are the most common domestic fish in the world. They are super curious and
good at problem-solving and need a stimulating environment, not just a bowl. Goldfish prefer living in single-species tanks but may cohabit with non-aggressive tank mates (such as Loaches) if they have enough space.
5. Gouramis Are Curious Freshwater Fish
Size: 2 – 17 inches
Lifespan: 2 – 10 years
Care Level: Beginner
Aquarium Type: Freshwater
Gouramis are curious, adaptable, low-maintenance fish for your aquarium. They come in many sizes and colors and have unique behavior: they can breathe from the surface! Gouramis are easygoing and have straightforward care needs, making them perfect for beginners. Dwarf Gouramis have a reputation for being the most interactive with their owners.
Gouramis need a minimum 10 to 30-gallon tank, depending on the species. Gouramis cohabit best with fish of a similar size and temperament, such as large Tetras, Barbs, and Danios. Honey and Sparkling Gouramis are the most peaceful species for community aquariums, and you should avoid keeping too many males.
6. Oscars: Known as “Water Pups”
Size: 3 – 12 inches
Lifespan: 10 – 20 years
Care Level: Beginner
Aquarium Type: Freshwater
Oscars, also known as water pups, are undoubtedly the most interactive pet fish on our list and are full of personality. Oscars are a type of Cichlid from South America, and they grow large and need plenty of space – a minimum 75-gallon tank. These unique fish are super confident, bond deeply with their owners, and follow them around the tank. Oscars are striking creatures and super expressive.
There are many Oscar species, with the Tiger Oscar being the most common. They are widely available, inexpensive, and adaptable, so well-suited to first-time owners. Oscars like to rearrange their tank decor and are aggressive, so ideally, you should keep them alone. Oscars may cohabit with large, peaceful fish in a large enough tank but will eat their smaller tank mates.
7. Freshwater Puffer Can Recognize Their Owners
Size: 1 – 20 inches
Lifespan: 3 – 20 years
Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Aquarium Type: Freshwater
The Freshwater Puffer is the last (but by no means least) entry on our list. They are unique tank creatures, famous for their fatally toxic venom and the ability to balloon their bodies. Puffers are fascinating creatures with fun and playful personalities – and they recognize their owners. They are super intelligent and deeply bond with their keepers.
Pufferfish are poisonous, aggressive, and territorial, so they do better in single-species tanks. The tank size depends on the species, but they need lots of space. The Dwarf Puffer, Figure-8, Leopard, and tiny Pea Pufferfish are the most popular species among fish owners.
