My Top 6 Must-Try Aquarium Fish after 20 Years of Experience

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Cory is preparing to reduce his fish room from 36 tanks to 10, and he starting thinking about which fish he wants to keep. Here is his list of must-have fish that he almost always has in his fish room because of their distinct characteristics and fun factor.
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At Aquarium Co-Op, we focus on your aquariums. We specialize in freshwater tropical fish, aquatic plants, and the overall betterment of the freshwater fish keeping hobby. Our goal is to help you with your first pet fish and graduate you to an advanced aquarium hobbyist. If you'd like to take it to the next level, subscribe to Aquarium Co-Op and check out our weekly videos.
Cory McElroy is employed by Aquarium Co-Op LLC. He also owns Aquarium Co-Op LLC. Therefore, all content is sponsored by Aquarium Co-Op.
#Aquariumcoop #Aquariumfish #Fishtank

[@AquariumCoop]

*What are your top 5 fish that you can't live without?* If you're curious what the top 20 bestsellers at Aquarium Co-Op are, check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmipgH2Nbp54idk

[@Qdub34]

Green laser Cory, pearl gourami, Odessa barb, cardinal tetra, galaxy betta

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

I'll put favorites, because I don't have them all right now. I love angels, albino corys, goldies, cardinals and red-tailed sharks.

[@Sc00t3rzzz]

Can't live without having some sort of Rainbowfish now. Have a school of Bosmani and Kamaka rainbows in my 75 gal. Neon dwarfs are great in smaller tanks. They're super curious and come out to say hello anytime I'm near the tank.

[@stuartreed37]

I haven't kept as many varieties as a lot of people probably being limited to 25 gal so far but my top 5 are: 5. Pygmy corydora 4. Neocaridina shrimp 3. Green neon tetra 2. Either of the phantom tetras 1. Rummynose tetra Top on my someday wishlist is rainbow shiners.

[@TheLiddojunior]

Medaka ricefish and betta fish

[@user-bw5xf3yr3m]

Listening to Cory talk lowers my anxiety, he’s so calm and cool. You look good Cory keep it up brother

[@edmorris1437]

I like that your Top 6 are all species that are generally available from most retailers, generally seen as ‘beginner fish’. I hate the way some people interpret ‘beginner fish’ to mean inferior, or something you need to progress from.

[@kissedbysun2517]

I really enjoy how down to earth you are. Sometimes aquarium keeping comes off like a competitive sport. Who has the biggest, meanest, or most delicate fish. But the lovely thing about aquarium keeping is there really is something for everyone...with no apologies or explanations. Enjoy what you enjoy! I've been doing this for over 50 years and I have my favorites that I keep coming back to, as well as still getting surprised by new fishy friends.

[@sharonjack8582]

I am so sorry to hear you say you lost both of your big puffers in the last year.

[@nathanhoveyaquatics]

Wait wait wait 🫷🏼 I knew about Murphy but Ladybird is gone ? 😢 If so I'm sorry man, I know Murphy was a huge loss. I cut Murphy out of the sponge filter box and hung it on my wall in the fishroom to show some more love to the fella.

[@whitneyr4296]

I came to the comments to see if i was the only one that didnt know!! I didnt know either!!

[@nathanhoveyaquatics]

@@whitneyr4296 yeah this really sucks. I know how much he loved those fish and how all of us fans loved them and enjoyed seeing them in videos and the Murphy camera.

[@Vasivers]

Murphy was awesome, cory used to have a livestream of his aquarium that you could watch on his website.

[@butkusfan23]

I have kept fish on and off for 30 years now, and I still go back to guppies constantly. The colors and variety keep me coming back.

[@AquariumCoop]

Always something new beving developed which is fun.

[@IvansGuppies]

Same! I just cant find that same kind of color variety in other fish. Maybe bettas but they take a little more effort to breed.

[@kenk8215]

My most beautiful fish is a Comet Goldfish. Got it as a 10¢ feeder from Petsmart. She's now about 7 inches and lives in my outdoor tub.

[@user-bw5xf3yr3m]

I got one as a gift someone won at a fair and gave it to me, after 7 months of me not knowing what I’m doing with the comet goldfish I decided to learn more about them and that how I got into the hobby of fish I love my comet

[@John-Ebsen]

I love clown loaches but they do get big over the years, but I've fallen in love with dwarf chain loaches. They are crazy little guys.

[@jawjagrrl]

If something happened too all my tanks, the dwarf chain loaches would be the very first fish I'd replace.

[@John-Ebsen]

@@jawjagrrl They have become my fish. They school with my rummynose tetras.

[@jordanhamann9123]

Shubunkins in the 800 gallon would be pretty incredible

[@Bobbybruner]

I love my ram cichlids they were my first egg breeding fish to spawn, so much personality. I also love angel fish so derpy and chill.

[@RicardoJunqueira]

Nice list, Cory. Thanks for all the insights. You're such a positive and enthusiastic influence in the hobby for me. I couldn't thank you enough.

[@thomashaapalainen4108]

If you get peapuffers, have tons of plants double whatever size you were told to keep them in. Also, before getting them, set up a 5 or 10 gallon separate aquarium as a bladder or pond snail farm. They are super picky eaters it took me 8 months before they would even attempt to eat any pellets or frozen food

[@katiewood6036]

I will always have a mutt guppy tank. I love the variety of color, pattern, and finnage.

[@nabokovfan87]

Very fun list! I would love to see one high PH and low PH. My water is very difficult to keep above 7.2 (or even 7.0) and I tend to stick to fish that fit that lower range. On the other side of the spectrum you have the 7.0-8.0+ fish that are commonly available. My personal top fish everyone should keep would be: 1. Amano Shrimp 2. White Cloud Mountain Minnows 3. Otocinclus (so special!) 4. Corydoras 5. Some type of barb, preferably tigers 6. Ricefish or livebearer of some kind 7. Panaque Pleco + Wood 8. Some type of Ram

[@Roseles89]

guppies will always be my pick

[@Kodygreen10k]

Love platys, I created a dark red peppered Platy Strain .

[@sharonjack8582]

My favorite fish are guppies, Bettas, Pea Puffers, Comet/Shubunkin Goldfish and Bristlenose Plecos. I also like Ramshorn snails and lots of live healthy plants.

[@tedtownsend8933]

I'm a huge fan of goldfish and I love Shubunkin!! I wish more breaders in the U.S. would start to breed the Bristol Shubunkin. IMO they are the most beautiful with that big heart shaped tail that is sturdy but not too long or veiled. Please get some Bristols, Cory!!! : )

[@DashDrones]

I never do water changes in any of my tanks, the fish, plants, shrimp all love it!

[@AlexS_983]

The newbie fish are popular for a reason and probably brought many of us into the hobby. At this point I prefer a new guppy variety to a new species, and while I sometimes come close to talking myself into some sort of amphibian, I then realize watching a goldfish is just as enjoyable to me and much easier

[@elizabethf5819]

I'm surprised to hear that you fairly regularly re-home fish. I always feel supremely guilty if I have to re-home any of my fish for whatever reason, so this perspective is super refreshing!

[@I_are_Tom]

I love the intro music! It really gets the spirit of adventure and curiosity stirred up in me. Bravo Sir!

[@nsane992002]

Great video! Some of my favorites that really got me hooked on the hobby at a young age and I still keep and breed are swordtails,guppies and mollies. Some of my bucket list ones I still want to try again are discus and German blue rams.

[@IvansGuppies]

I have always found guppies quite enjoyable and a fish I always went back to.

[@reneesmith1900]

Cory!!! You are the man!!! Always so cool and informative 🌿🦐🐟🐾 thank you!!!!

[@dinoguy6738]

I recently got some show quality guppies and man are they beautiful fish!

[@brianknapp8645]

My favorite fish are: (1) Moonlight gourami - mine is like a friendly puppy dog who eats out of my hand. Love the platinum silver color! (2) Filament Barb - my filament barbs are beautiful irridescent green and very friendly. They always come to the front of the tank and greet me. They also have four babies who are growing very quickly. (3) Roseline shark (barb) - I prefer to call them roseline barbs because they are not closely related to sharks. They are so beautiful and serene. (4) Threadfin rainbowfish - These lovely fish look like they are from an alien planet--just strange with their pointed mouths and long slim physique. They are incredibly peaceful and the males put on stunning displays when they puff out their fins. (5) Angelicus loach - These loaches are peaceful and each one has a unique pattern of spot and line on its body. Sometimes they forget that they are bottom feeders and the swim up to eat with the other fish.

[@elc2468]

I enjoyed this video, Cory. Thanks!

[@dtw1622]

Love these types of videos from you, Cory!

[@elvinsworld11]

Lovely. Appreciate the pictures and video of the fish

[@birder4life999]

Loved this video, it's important to think about what we actually enjoy and prioritize that, it is a hobby for most of us after all. My list is smaller and shorter, since I live in an apartment and can only keep 2-3 tanks plus a few outdoor patio ponds in the summer. It goes like this medaka, platies, snails shrimp and corys (lots of overlap with yours). I like smaller tanks and t have them all planted.

[@shereebarnes4158]

Thank you so much for all your tips and recommendations on all your videos ❤️ extremely helpful ❤️

[@andrewwhittaker2908]

I'm also starting to enjoy Australian Rainbows.

[@terrymartins2552]

Really enjoyed this video, love all the recommendations

[@formercityboy9772]

I have a spotted puffer fish. When guests come, I always pick up some snails from other tanks and let my guests watch how it cracks the shell to eat the snail inside. Everyone finds it funny.

[@OGBarry16]

Great start to my Friday

[@kurtbrutting5118]

Awesome Go 2 List! Clown Loaches were my 1st wet pet and they will forever have a special place in my heart.

[@brooksmiller5597]

6:47 - the blue platies looks so beautiful!

[@allenlewis1984]

Thanks for excellent information and video. 👍🙏

[@hlindeng]

I love my group of 6 pea puffers - half male but they have established a hierarchy in a heavily planted tank. They are afraid of adult cherry shimp, and the shrimp are very happy to clean out old bladder snail shells

[@LauraLizSmith]

This was a great list! You can hear the love in your voice especially with the clown loaches and thank you for mentioning the more difficult elements of their care! My favourite aquarium is my little kitchen planted aquarium with nerites and I'm about to add some cherry shrimp. It's like a little game of Where's Waldo everytime look at it 🤣🔥

[@lisacampbell9257]

I just got some blue eyed fork tail rainbowfish that are so fun. Every time I approach the tank, they rush to the frunt to say hi. I've never seen a tiny fish do that before. I also really love watching kuhli loaches when they get the zoomies at night. Snails are also alot of fun.

[@NinniAquariums]

My luminatus do the same. They're SO curious about what's going on. Love them!

[@sleepershark8816]

Thank you for great video

[@HeRo-qd6tk]

Good ideas with your experience ❤

[@judyschultheis]

I’m enjoying the Heinz 57 guppy world right now, along with blue neocardinia shrimp and snails. Thanks for the great video!

[@facemask734]

Love the video!

[@pattykake7195]

Can’t live without Honey Gouramis…just the cutest little things…🫶

[@RobDouglas3]

Thanks!

[@iSpongebob2017]

Awww pea puffer in the list ❤ Mine all get along with Amano shrimps.. they're really cute 🐡

[@Yellowswift3]

"Helicopters in the water" - loved that description. :)

[@cosmoplakat9549]

Oh please please please turn the 800 gal into a goldfish tank! Then run a Webcam on it so we can watch them 24/7. ❤❤

[@darrylmoore5847]

Awesome video

[@k0olmini11]

love these more personal videos

[@NinniAquariums]

Loved this video, and that you put in so much information about their behavior. Normally people just talk about how the fish looks, how big they get and what size of aquarium they need. I haven't kept fish nearly as long as you have, but I don't agree on your list :D For example I can't see myself ever having clown loaches, or pea puffers. Totally agree on shrimps, snails and guppies though! The way you described how you look at shrimps, when it's just interesting watching them and see what they're up to now, that's how I want my aquariums. I love shrimps. I also do love rainbowfish, especially the smaller ones, like the Pseudomugils. Yes, they're a bit expensive, especially since they don't breed easily and don't live that long. But they're fantastic. I also would say to people that they should try the threadfin rainbow (Iriatherina werneri). They're pretty new to me, but I really enjoy just sit and look at what they're up to. Just like the shrimps. Otherwise my list of "Fish I have to try" is way longer than "Fish I believe everyone should try" 😅 Next time I'm buying fish, it will be gouramis. Haven't tried that yet.

[@MrBasil33]

Love the shirt, and the list too! 🙂

[@John-Ebsen]

I'll always remember that clown loach aquarium you had in Conway, I wanted them so bad after that.

[@vampgaia]

As I was getting ready to move, I thought about this a lot. All my fish are in tubs outside now. I only have one nano tank inside and I’m currently growing out my betta spawn in it. I am planning to keep a large 6x2x2 of rainbows. I have a 100 gallon tub for my laprolofus multifasciatis with plans to add a rock dwelling lake tanganican fish later. Another 100 gallon is for my two Oscars that I grew up from around 1.5-2 inches. I plan to put some Kribs in the 50 gallon pond. I have one more 100 gallon that I want to be a huge community tank. I have one 40 gallon tank that I may turn into pea puffer land. Other than my Oscars, I prefer smaller community fish.

[@matthewsmith22]

I've been keeping fish for decades at this point and the favourite fish I've ever kept is a shubunkin! I posted a short of him on my channel, I've had him for 12 years or so

[@AquariumCoop]

They seems to high output in entertainment/beauty and relatively low maintenance.

[@matthewsmith22]

@@AquariumCoop thanks for the reply Cory, absolutely agree! I was breeding ranchus out of a 5ft aquarium and had a pretty catastrophic weekend as I lost them all one by one. I was ready to completely give up on the hobby, stripped the tank down ready to sell on. It was towards the end of the pond season and decided to bring the big guy in for the winter. I went really simple, undergravel filter using pvc pipe, running on a power head. The enjoyment I got from him over the winter kept me going in the hobby. I'm down to one set of shelves with planted nanos, but thoroughly enjoying the hobby again

[@SPNsherry]

I had thought my pea Puffer could see me better than the tiny chili rasbora's in the same tank, good to know they have great vision. Mine seems to be happy, seeing the same ones he came from at Piccaso aquatics and mine is twice as big as they are now.

[@jamesgrahamupey276]

I love my tetras. So many different colors and sizes...May not be the most popular choice but I love my red eyes. They are entertaining little fish.

[@SA39_inAZ]

Score point for goldfish making it on the list ❤

[@staceyhart7827]

Love the video Cory! I have never kept guppies the thought has been there but I always end up going a different route. One question can guppies live with flow like a hob or is sponge filter only a better set up for them?

[@luciad5988]

Hi Cory! My hub is an experienced fish keeper. For my birthday, he is going to help me set up a 10 gallon freshwater aquarium. I plan for the star of the tank to be a beautiful betta. But I’m hoping to have some tetras with him, and maybe a few bottom cleaners. Wish us luck, I’ve learned lots from you!

[@aisyahomar]

I tried keeping a betta with tetras in a 9 gallon. It was a disaster. I had to move the betta out. I did not have better luck with a dwarf gourami either. I'm having a pair of apistos & chilli rasborasa now and they are so fun to watch

[@MPfish578]

I’m pretty close 1)tamasaba goldfish, 2)dojo loach, 3)rice fish, 4) hillstream loach, 5) shrimp

[@josephgadway8950]

Shubunkins are my most favorite fish. I don't own any because of their size. Beautiful fish

[@heldersanches]

1. Sparkling Gouramis 2. Ancistrus 3. White Cloud Mountain Minnows (golden) 4. Boraras Urophthalmoides 5. Neocaridinas (any color)

[@barryj3266]

Been keeping fish since the 70s. I am currently keeping endlers and teacup platys

[@nickh3064]

I guess im off to get the x2973! I heard there pretty good.

[@andrewwhittaker2908]

Just gotten into rabbit snails after 20years in the hobby. Actually finding myself enjoying the snails more than my fish.😅

[@landonw8982]

I have really grown to appreciate snails too I have Nerites and Mystery snails in a variety of colors they just add more detail to the aquarium !

[@NavajoNaturals_56]

Snails are the best

[@billcoleman782]

For an alternative to Clown Loaches try Angelicus Loaches. Same goofy behavior, Don't get very big, very hardy, eat the same as Clowns. I've had a group of 7 for 9 years in a wide range of temps from 62- 80° f with no illnesses.

[@AquariumCoop]

I like Angelicus loaches as well. I just haven't kept as many or as for long as clown loaches. I love the colors on clowns a lot, but love zebra and angelicus loaches also.

[@brianknapp8645]

Cory I think that you should put barbs in your 800 gallon tank. Filament barb, mascara barb, roseline shark, aurulius barb, etc. Of course being a barb lover I am just slightly biased. Of course it might be a bit of a challenge to find these barbs. They are not very common in the aquarium trade.

[@NIGEL-MORGZZ1100]

Sup dude you in Canada I like the content

[@Cal619Guy]

where did you get that fireplace heater?

[@mikefisher4834]

Mickey Mouse platies have always been my favorite🐠💙🔥

[@madhatterjones4781]

Sorry for the loss of ypur amazing giant puffers. Must have been so tough

[@MindestensDreiZeichen.]

1) Panda Gara 2) Siamese algae eaters 3) Hillstream loaches 4) Cherry barbs 5) Amano shrimps

[@TheRocketpony22]

Love my shubunkins but i just lost my 8 year old one so im down to one in my 75, lost others in the last few years. Definitely seems like i cant do more than 3 adults in a 75 otherwise i start to encounter problems at somepoint within a year. Would love to see them in an 800 gallon tank. Wish i had the space for a 125 gallon so that i could have 4-5 of them as the centerpiece of my living room.

[@naegwut]

Great av

[@baldrek62]

Betta, Dojo Loach (illegal where I live now), Clown Loach, Dwarf Gourami.

[@onlywei]

Dojo loaches are definitely a food item to try before you die.

[@baldrek62]

I don't eat pets.

[@onlywei]

@@baldrek62 when you eat a dojo loach you’re not eating someone’s pet. You’re eating from the restaurant’s stock.

[@garbagegremlin1507]

i just want a singular dragon puffer but i've heard they're less interactive than other puffers but would still be a cool dude for a single ocupant 40 b

[@vb2377]

You should really try Bristol Shubunkins

[@law19859]

Serious question, how do you play with fish? I thought environmental enrichment like my live plants and different food throughout the week for variety is pretty much all you can do. I didn't know fish actually had play behaviors. It's interesting hearing you say they do play

[@shard8305]

Do you think female betta sorority will work with guppies? I’ve seen it on KZbin but wonder if that’s an abnormal that worked

[@ezwaters5847]

I think you just talked me into clown loaches. What temperature was the 800 gallon at when it had clowns and tiger barbs?

[@masterbetta6874]

I'm thinking about doing a clown loach tank, any recommendations for tankmates at 85°?

[@aperm2698]

I love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ur content

[@HelenT-xv6zm]

I prefer peaceful aquariums too. I have tried lots of different fish and many cichlids as I love their personalities but I have gotten so that I enjoy just watching fish peacefully going about their business. I have a 125 that I am going to set up and I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions will be gratefully considered?😊

[@NinniAquariums]

Try some rainbowfish! Are you going for small or big fish? I tend to think that small fish in a big, planted aquarium is the most interesting, but know that everyone is different :p I'm currently starting up a 53 gallon aquarium, and will have 3 different types of smaller rainbows in it, and some shrimps and snails. (Then I will probably add something, but I don't know what yet)

[@laurabustos6560]

My biggest dream for a big tank, which I can't keep for health issues, not mobile enough to do maintenance on big tanks😮‍💨, is a big tank full of large groups of nano fish. I love my few different Rasbora species and wish I could keep huge numbers. Chili Rasbora and Green Kubotai, maybe some Galaxy and add 30+ Pygmy Corydoras and a huge cohort of shrimp in a big planted tank! 😍

[@HelenT-xv6zm]

@@laurabustos6560 That sounds like a fun tank. I will seriously consider it. Thanks!

[@nabokovfan87]

Cory, have you ever kept Zebra Loaches long term in your home aquarium? How do you think they would do with ladybird? How do they compare to the clowns in behavior? (Loaches are awesome!)

[@AquariumCoop]

I have kept them and love zebras also. I haven't tried them with a Mbu puffer though. So I don't know if they're a problem specifically. But In general any fish that also likes clams/shrimp have been a problem at feeding time. Clowns were also a problem when not feeding. They're too friendly and my mbu puffers didn't like being sat on by clowns.

[@amberb071]

Cory, do you know anyone else who has lost a Mbu puffer? I wonder if it's the source of the clams?

[@catherinesanchez1185]

That’s what I thought cuz it happened so close together . The clams might have been contaminated in some way .

[@Vasivers]

Murphy was the best fish.

[@earshad2622]

Guppies are my first love. and will always be

[@MJW173]

WAIT LADYBIRD DIED??!?!?!?!?!?!

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

I have 5 shubunkin and 2 fantails in a 55-gallon planted tank. At 4-6 inches, they are going to need to be moved to a future 75-gallon in a few months. I have a 29-gallon with dwarf frogs, white clouds, cardinal tetras, cherry barbs, albino corys and yoyo loaches. This is my issue. I only bought the loaches to eat some bladder snails that came in with some floating plants. I've heard they can get aggressive with smaller fish as they grow. I was going to move them to the 55 when the goldfish left and make a betta sorority, but heard they go after flowing fins. Would a 2" loach be fast and big enough to be safe if they stayed with the goldfish in the 75?

[@AquariumCoop]

Sounds like the answer might be returning the yoyo's to the pet store. They get quite large as well, like 7 inches. Some can be mean, but usually decent laid back. However long fins, could be a problem. I'd just bring them back to the shop and keep what you are truly interested in today.

[@its_elser]

id love to try pea puffers but they are "gatekept" in Australia by stores cashing in. Its pathetic, but the entire aquarium industry is that way here

[@shereebarnes4158]

I’m finding that too, I was looking at doing pea puffers but the price for them here in Australia is disgustingly expensive it’s ridiculous

[@zjoncoleman3218]

They're all genuinely captive bred in Australia that's why.

[@its_elser]

@@zjoncoleman3218 they should be cheaper then, they aren't hard to breed and there is no import cost

[@joseph7105]

Careful what you say, Big Aqua will come for you

[@its_elser]

@@joseph7105 🤣

[@TheFishGeek]

I wish to have youtube succes like you

[@Eree0101]

I have pea puffers as well, so hard to get them to eat anything that isn't pest snails. They never eat flake or pellet food and only sometimes eat frozen bloodworms.

[@RobynAuditoreNicol]

Try live blackworm or brine shrimp - live foods is the way to go with them!

[@catherinesanchez1185]

I’ve heard a lot if fish get picky if they get used to live food , they turn their noses up at everything else . Which is why my fish almost never get live food !! lol!!

[@sharonjack8582]

Please tell us what Murphy and Lady Bird died from. I am just so sorry to hear this. I used to watch their videos over and over. Boohoo RIP both sweet Puffers.

[@carlosseptiencuevas1613]

The fans would like you and Master Dean to set up a huge frontosa tank in your store entrance!🎉❤😊

[@tomaszbaszczak5423]

What are the names of those 2 fishes (16m:44s - 16m:52s)? (one is some type of cory that's unknown to me, a other one is some yellowish/golden fish).