What is the worst aquarium fish?

[Anders247]

In your opinion what is the worst aquarium fish?
I think it is the 'chinese' algae eater. They get too big and eat your fishes slime coat, killing the fish. Also not exactly the fish you want in a species only tank because they do not look that great.

 

[endlercollector]

Wild caught oto cats are the absolute worst in aquariums because so few survive. Please, everyone, don't buy these sad fish, so that there will be no market for them. Demand tank bred Otos instead and be willing to pay for healthy specimens.

 

[Coradee]

Wild caught oto cats are the absolute worst in aquariums because so few survive. Please, everyone, don't buy these sad fish, so that there will be no market for them. Demand tank bred Otos instead and be willing to pay for healthy specimens.

I agree, they're one of my favourite fish & can be tank bred if you give them the right conditions

 

[Junne]

NOT a fish but Malaysian Trumpet Snails!!!
I hate those things with a passion. I wish I had NEVER Gotten them.
They're creepy and they breed out of control ( and no, I only feed my fish every other day and don't overfeed or keep my tanks dirty ) <--------- I have loveshack water AND EVERYTHING breeds out of control in my tank BUT, MTS snails are GROSS!

 

[Duckweed]

I don't like neon tetras. Maybe I'm biased though as mine are horrible murderers of their own kind.

 

[Slug]

Blood parrots, Flowerhorns, and hybrids in general. Ruins the fish trade.

 

[cichlidman]

Blood parrots, Flowerhorns, and hybrids in general. Ruins the fish trade.

I disagree they make wonderful pets

Any way PACUS as they get way way to large for 99% of peoples aquariums

 

[lollipopkiller]

some of the worst ive seen are the goliath tiger fish. not a normal aquarium fish to begin with but they get huge and mean and I am seeing them now in the aquarium trade. they are just scary with longer than 3 inch teeth and the ability to jump and catch prey in the air and water eh they are amazing beasts but not good pets

 

[Dolfan]

I think the common pleco is one of the worst. They are sold so small, and every one thinks they need an algae eater, so hey good choice huh. Then they realize a few months later the thing can get almost 2 feet.

 

[Anders247]

some of the worst ive seen are the goliath tiger fish. not a normal aquarium fish to begin with but they get huge and mean and I am seeing them now in the aquarium trade. they are just scary with longer than 3 inch teeth and the ability to jump and catch prey in the air and water eh they are amazing beasts but not good pets

The same with this fish. I cannot believe anybody would ever keep these! https://www.flyfishingportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130430-1-600x398.jpg
Here is a pic of a goliath tigerfish. Wow that is horrible.

NOT a fish but Malaysian Trumpet Snails!!!
I hate those things with a passion. I wish I had NEVER Gotten them.
They're creepy and they breed out of control ( and no, I only feed my fish every other day and don't overfeed or keep my tanks dirty ) <--------- I have loveshack water AND EVERYTHING breeds out of control in my tank BUT, MTS snails are GROSS!

I take it this is why you have those docile assassin snails instead? Lol

 

[Jim]

I know you asked about fish but can I change it a wee bit? DUCKWEED!!! Somehow some got into my 40 and the stuff is insidious, can't get it all out, ever!! Thinking of using Weed-Be-Gone on it --- bad joke!!!

 

[Junne]

I take it this is why you have those docile assassin snails instead? Lol

Actually the Assassins are breeding out of control too! I've had about 300 of them but most have found new homes at the lfs now


Aren't those pretty though? The MTS snails are not exactly colorful, but have more shape to them than ramshorn snails.

Yes they are very nice looking but not when there is 100's of them!

 

[Anders247]

I had a problem getting that stuff to stay. My fish just kept eating it. I have gouramis and mollies.

Actually the Assassins are breeding out of control too! I've had about 300 of them but most have found new homes at the lfs now =QUOTE]

Aren't those pretty though? The MTS snails are not exactly colorful, but have more shape to them than ramshorn snails.

 

[Dempsey Dude]

Blood parrots, Flowerhorns, and hybrids in general. Ruins the fish trade.

Agreed, I can't stand blood parrots especially, they look really deformed IMO. As for otos, I've had a fairly decent success rate with the wild-caught ones (bought 6, had 2 die), and they're great at controlling algae and they're cute so I actually like them, but I like the idea of captive breeding them. Green terror is probably the most aggressive fish I've kept, the last one I had kicked the out of most of my other fish, so I'll say that's the worst fish I've had experience with.

 

[MJDuti]

sorry ahead of time, I do NOT intend to spark a debate, just a thought. While I understand the concept of not liking hybrids, how is it any different than the hundreds of species of dogs that people have breed into new species?

I also don't hate any fish, but some can just be annoying. I'll agree with the Chinese Algae eater. Goes from a tiny algae eater to a large useless-algae-eating punk that'll suck on slimecoats, and isn't much to look at. At least MTS and duckweed have purposes.

 

[Sarcasm Included]

I hate gold fish and always have, but I wouldn't call them the worst fish.
I nominate glofish as the worst since "painted" glass fish.

 

[eds48]

I disagree they make wonderful pets

Any way PACUS as they get way way to large for 99% of peoples aquariums

Agree!

Also flowerhorns and parrots are highly intelligent! I love my parrots!

 

[Stray]

I've seen a couple of places selling arapaima fry. 8+ feet, 400+ lbs as adults, and they're selling them to people with little tiny tanks;;; To me, that's the worst aquarium fish. No one should be trying to keep one of those as a pet. No one with a normal income, anyway.

 

[Adam55]

It's not a fish, but I vote for an octopus. They're never housed properly because their only proper home is the ocean. Also, most people that get them just get them as a status symbol of some sort.

 

[EUFolk]

NOT a fish but Malaysian Trumpet Snails!!!
I hate those things with a passion. I wish I had NEVER Gotten them.
They're creepy and they breed out of control ( and no, I only feed my fish every other day and don't overfeed or keep my tanks dirty ) <--------- I have loveshack water AND EVERYTHING breeds out of control in my tank BUT, MTS snails are GROSS!

The chelated copper is the good solution for any type of the snail in the tank. Lol

 

[Vongchanh25]

Chouqique is definitely the worst aquarium fish tried it with a juvenile once never again eats every thing and has quite the nasty temper

 

[Coradee]

Any tank buster, red tail cat, Pacu, pangasius etc.
Very few people have swimming pool size tanks & these poor fish end up stunted & living miserable shortened lives

 

[MJDuti]

wait, so you're saying don't put a red tail catfish in my 10G with my dwarf puffers?

 

[garikapc]

I second common plecostomus. You get them so small and they get so big!

 

[emmynk]

I know you asked about fish but can I change it a wee bit? DUCKWEED!!! Somehow some got into my 40 and the stuff is insidious, can't get it all out, ever!! Thinking of using Weed-Be-Gone on it --- bad joke!!!

Send some my way!!! Haha

I agree with common pleco.

 

[BeagleSan]

I hate gold fish and always have, but I wouldn't call them the worst fish.
I nominate glofish as the worst since "painted" glass fish.

Why? My fancy goldies are my favorite fish sure they get big but there are far worse.

I'm gonna have to say glofish :/ it's so sad..

 

[Angelbear]

I'm gonna have to say glofish :/ it's so sad..

Glofish are not dyed but descendent of genetically altered fish. The glofish now have had no alterations done to them. There is a whole article on it. They inserted the phosphorescent gene from jelly fish to get them to glow. There are studies being done on these fish to test water quality in remote areas. The fish themselves are sold for pets to further the cause.

 

[BeagleSan]

Glofish are not dyed but descendent of genetically altered fish. The glofish now have had no alterations done to them. There is a whole article on it. They inserted the phosphorescent gene from jelly fish to get them to glow. There are studies being done on these fish to test water quality in remote areas. The fish themselves are sold for pets to further the cause.

Oh! That's good! Thanks for telling me! Then probably CAEs..

 

[Micaela13]

I agree with the red tail cat and also the shovelnose catfish.. they are both soo adorable when they are babies everyone wants to take them home and doesn't realize they get HUGE. they get stunted and live a short sad life. Poor things

 

[Angelbear]

I agree with the red tail cat and also the shovelnose catfish.. they are both soo adorable when they are babies everyone wants to take them home and doesn't realize they get HUGE. they get stunted and live a short sad life. Poor things

The thing is it is not even the fish's fault if people would stop and read the tags, or do information and stop having ignorant fish sellers then they would be better off, though that does not stop some people who just don't care.

Same thing happen with goldfish and Bettas

 

[Coradee]

Glofish are not dyed but descendent of genetically altered fish. The glofish now have had no alterations done to them. There is a whole article on it. They inserted the phosphorescent gene from jelly fish to get them to glow. There are studies being done on these fish to test water quality in remote areas. The fish themselves are sold for pets to further the cause.

They were originally bred to test pollutants in water, zebra danios were the originals.
Now they've found a lucrative market for them they have done the same with White skirt tetras & barbs & will probably move on to other species, plus they market horrible little tanks not big enough to house those fish.
If they were so interested in the environment & fish welfare they'd educate people on the right way to keep the fish they produce, it's all about the money now glad we don't often see them here.
Rant over, sorry

 

[Angelbear]

They were originally bred to test pollutants in water, zebra danios were the originals.
Now they've found a lucrative market for them they have done the same with White skirt tetras & barbs & will probably move on to other species, plus they market horrible little tanks not big enough to house those fish.
If they were so interested in the environment & fish welfare they'd educate people on the right way to keep the fish they produce, it's all about the money now glad we don't often see them here.
Rant over, sorry

I never said they were ethical I can understand the rant, nor do I support them, I was just talking about the original reason and how they were not in fact dyed just mutated.

 

[Coradee]

I never said they were ethical I can understand the rant, nor do I support them, I was just talking about the original reason and how they were not in fact dyed just mutated.

I know, sorry, my rant wasn't aimed at you my apologies for any offence caused

 

[Sarcasm Included]

Glofish are not dyed but descendent of genetically altered fish. The glofish now have had no alterations done to them. There is a whole article on it. They inserted the phosphorescent gene from jelly fish to get them to glow. There are studies being done on these fish to test water quality in remote areas. The fish themselves are sold for pets to further the cause.

I am familiar with this fact, but it doesn't take away from the fact that they are now being produced enmass to create impulse purchases targeted at young individuals. The "painted" glass fish fit this niche many years ago. The target audience is to get people to buy them on the neat factor without knowing how to care for them. They are intended to die. BTW, painted glass fish were injected with dye long ago, now they have been replaced with a neater version.

Thus why I choose glofish as the worst fish in aquaria.

 

[hampalong]

sorry ahead of time, I do NOT intend to spark a debate, just a thought. While I understand the concept of not liking hybrids, how is it any different than the hundreds of species of dogs that people have breed into new species?

I also don't hate any fish, but some can just be annoying. I'll agree with the Chinese Algae eater. Goes from a tiny algae eater to a large useless-algae-eating punk that'll suck on slimecoats, and isn't much to look at. At least MTS and duckweed have purposes.

There aren't hundreds of species of dog. All domestic dogs are the same species. Once you start hybridizing you start creating genetic problems with the health of the offspring and further down the line (this has also happened to a degree with dogs).

 

[Witchydesign]

I'm not a fan of serpaes even though I have them. Theyve pretty much eliminated any other tank mates except the corys they live with now. Too nippy.

 

[emmynk]

I'm not a fan of serpaes even though I have them. Theyve pretty much eliminated any other tank mates except the corys they live with now. Too nippy.

I was gonna yell at you, because they're one of my favorites. But that might be because they're only in with other serpaes and black phantoms, which I just think are black serpaes. Haha. They are nippy though!

 

[Witchydesign]

I was gonna yell at you, because they're one of my favorites. But that might be because they're only in with other serpaes and black phantoms, which I just think are black serpaes. Haha. They are nippy though!

Lol. Id like them more if I could keep another fish with them, they are ok with the corys... now. At first they nipped, then the cories started stealing food literally out of their mouths so now they have their respect lol

 

[skar]

Mollies.. I don't know about the worst. But that's the worst I've had.

 

[fishingdeep]

In your opinion what is the worst aquarium fish?
I think it is the 'chinese' algae eater. They get too big and eat your fishes slime coat, killing the fish. Also not exactly the fish you want in a species only tank because they do not look that great.

My worse fish has always been the ones I buy on impulse before I investigate what they are. Then they become better because I have done a little research about them. How can I blame a fish when the owner should have been smarter? Just asking

 

[celizabethh3]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of goldfish. While I think they're cute, I don't think I could keep them because of how messy they are.

 

[psalm18.2]

Oscars and sharks. Poor things always end up back at LFS.

 

[Anthony10]

Common Pleco, Algae eaters, Pacu, Redtail cats, (Even though I really want to convert our swimming pool into a "pond" for them, same as shovel-nose catfish!)

 

[Adam55]

Common is an interesting thought, but it's not really anything of their own doing. Give a pleco 150 gallons and it's a great fish.

 

[Lyfeoffishing]

some of the worst ive seen are the goliath tiger fish. not a normal aquarium fish to begin with but they get huge and mean and I am seeing them now in the aquarium trade. they are just scary with longer than 3 inch teeth and the ability to jump and catch prey in the air and water eh they are amazing beasts but not good pets

Well although I agree here you have to know there are several different species of tiger fish (some stay around 2ft) and there are several people who have huge setups (1000's of gallons) that keep these animals and they are truly amazing creatures when in the right setup. But definitely shouldn't be in a regular aquarium store of any sort.

I've seen a couple of places selling arapaima fry. 8+ feet, 400+ lbs as adults, and they're selling them to people with little tiny tanks;;; To me, that's the worst aquarium fish. No one should be trying to keep one of those as a pet. No one with a normal income, anyway.

I have to 1+ these guys arapaima's get massive and have a tendency to be really skittish. They are raised for food in their native land and people have been seriously injured when they jump around trying to escape the nets.

 

[Micaela13]

The thing is it is not even the fish's fault if people would stop and read the tags, or do information and stop having ignorant fish sellers then they would be better off, though that does not stop some people who just don't care.

Same thing happen with goldfish and Bettas

Yes, I totally agree with you. It is not the fish's fault, it never is. It's the people that don't do the research or simply don't care.

 

[smee82]

Any hybrid fish or fish bred to have pronounced deformities.

 

[Anders247]

I've seen a couple of places selling arapaima fry. 8+ feet, 400+ lbs as adults, and they're selling them to people with little tiny tanks;;; To me, that's the worst aquarium fish. No one should be trying to keep one of those as a pet. No one with a normal income, anyway.

They are absolutely ridiculously large, no idea why anybody would ever do this.

Glofish are not dyed but descendent of genetically altered fish. The glofish now have had no alterations done to them. There is a whole article on it. They inserted the phosphorescent gene from jelly fish to get them to glow. There are studies being done on these fish to test water quality in remote areas. The fish themselves are sold for pets to further the cause.

Did you know that there is an actual jellyfish in the aquarium trade? It is the upside-down jellyfish.
You can actually buy them from liveaquaria!

 

[renthus]

The upside down jellys are actually probably okay for experienced Saltwater keepers. Most jellys, though... ugh. Most jellys need conditions that simply can't be replicated effectively in a tank, what with the kind of current they need, the importance of having no right angles (or really anything they can get caught on), etc.

 

[Anders247]

The upside down jellys are actually probably okay for experienced Saltwater keepers. Most jellys, though... ugh. Most jellys need conditions that simply can't be replicated effectively in a tank, what with the kind of current they need, the importance of having no right angles (or really anything they can get caught on), etc.

I was just saying that there is a true jellyfish on the market.