Fish themselves can be very budget-friendly. How much you’ll need to spend often depends entirely on the species of fish you’d like to keep – some can be more expensive than others. 

There are significant costs associated with aquarium purchase and set up. This is often more costly than buying the actual fish. It is important to research aquarium requirements for the species of fish you wish to purpose. Different types of fish will have different requirements and costs associated with them. For example, marine aquariums are more costly to set up than fresh water aquariums. 

When you do choose the type of aquarium you want, it’s also a good idea to think about which species can live together and find out whether you’ll need to buy more than one. Some fish, like barbs and tetras, need to be in groups because they’re schooling fish. Others can do well on their own. If your chosen fish type is happier living in company, you need to budget for buying a few at once. 

The equipment required for your aquarium will vary slightly dependent upon the type of fish you choose to keep. It is important to identify the correct aquarium set up to keep that species healthy. Our store colleagues will be happy to assist you if you have questions or require guidance. 

It’s important to think about the aquarium itself. While a smaller aquarium might be cheaper, your fish may grow a lot bigger during their lifetime and might need a larger aquarium once fully grown. Smaller aquariums are also more difficult to maintain. It’s worth keeping the type of fish you’d like to have in mind when budgeting for an aquarium.  

When setting up your aquarium you need to consider:  

• An aquarium cover and a light 
• An air pump 
• A filter system 
• Fish-friendly substrate and decorations 
• A thermometer 
• A heater (a must for many tropical and marine fish) 
• Marine/aquarium salt – Do your chosen species require salt water or fresh? 
• Water testing kits 
• A net 
• Tank cleaning equipment (like algae scrubbers and siphons) 
• A bucket (one that you’ll only use for your fish tank) 

These will vary dependent on the aquarium and fish you have selected.  

• Water testing – Regular water changes help to remove waste and keep your fish healthy. Water testing is a key step in this process to ensure the water is safe for your fish. Test kits are an ongoing expense although you can take water samples into any Pets at Home store to be tested for free too. 
• Aquarium maintenance and replacement parts - You may need to make some replacements to your tank over time. As time passes you may need to replace parts of your aquarium if they break or malfunction. For example, you may need to change lightbulbs or filter cartridges. 
• Veterinary care - There may be times when you need to treat your fish for illness and disease. While not always expensive, it’s worth keeping this in mind when you plan your budget. 
• Fish food – Your fish will need feeding regularly with a suitable diet for their species. This will be an ongoing cost. 
• Aquarium decorations – You may wish to change or replace decor, this will result in additional costs. 
• Time – Not a monetary expense but an especially important part of fish ownership. Do you have the time to commit to your fish. Regular cleaning and water testing can be more time consuming than you might think but, they’re essential for making sure your fish stays healthy, happy and comfortable. 
• Electricity costs: your aquarium will need lights and some species require a heater. 

• Barbs - The barb group’s made up of a huge range of species, and there are some stunning colours and patterns among them. Species such as the rosy barb don’t cost very much to buy and are usually great if you’re just starting out. It’s worth bearing in mind that they can grow to six inches, so you’ll need to begin with a large enough tank to cater for them. 
• Tetras - Great looking and low maintenance, this freshwater species can make a wonderful addition to your home. There’s a number of different varieties within the group, but many of them are budget-friendly and great for beginners, including the popular neon tetra. 
• Swordtails - With uniquely shaped fins and vibrant colours, swordtails can be a lovely addition to any community tank. They can be a great choice if you’re planning your first aquarium, and they don’t cost much to buy. They tend to be quite tolerant of their environment too and don’t need any specialist equipment beyond keeping their water filtered, treated and at the right temperature. 
• Molly fish - These tropical fish are very versatile and tend to be quite undemanding, making them a great fish to keep as part of your community. They also can be quite low cost, although it’s worth bearing in mind that sailfin mollies can grow quite large and may need a big tank right from the beginning. 
• Algae eaters - With the exception of the Chinese Algae Eater, these helpful fish make a great addition to tanks with hardy fish. While they’re not great for beginners, they are inexpensive and help to keep your tank’s algae in check, keeping your aquarium healthy and looking great. 
• Bettas - Also known as Siamese fighting fish, these exquisite fish have beautiful flowing fins and vibrant colours. They’re not the sturdiest fish so you need to conduct regular maintenance, but they are very budget-friendly depending on the variety you choose. Always remember that you can never have two bettas in the same tank - they’re called fighting fish for a reason. 
• Danios - Danios come in a wide variety of colours and can make a stunning addition to your fish tank. They tend to be very cost effective, but they do enjoy being in a community tank with fish of the same species, so it’s a good idea to introduce three or more to help keep them happy. 

Yes. Pets at Home stock a range of fish and our colleagues will be happy to advise you about fish and fish care to help you make the right choice for you.