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Best Fish Aquariums For 2022

Fish are beautiful, quiet, and won’t run away. Find them the right home

Fish make ideal pets. But keeping fish in ideal health is a responsibility you'll share with your aquarium, so it's important to choose the right tank. We've done a lot of the narrowing down for you. When you're ready to take the plunge, here are our favorite aquariums.

Marineland Portrait Glass LED aquarium Kit, 5 Gallons, Hidden Filtration
The lights simulate sunshine sparkling on the water for daylight. At night it looks like moonlights. | Marineland

At five gallons, this black and glass aquarium is perfect for table and desktop display. The rounded corners let you see your fish from all angles. It adds color, motion, and interest to your office, kitchen, or den. We love how the adjustable motor, which can slow down to a pace of 35-gallons-per-minute (for Betta fish), and the filter system are both hidden in the back. The filter cartridges are easy to find and easy to replace. So much to enjoy, so little work.

Tetra LED Cube Shaped 3 Gallon Aquarium with Pedestal Base
Great for your first foray into fish, this tank also comes with the great feature of free online and phone support. | Tetra

The smallest of our selections, this attractive three-gallon aquarium is great for offices, kitchens, and dorms. The lid is a clear strong plastic that won't crack or shatter, and provides a little feeding hole. Over the lid is an LED light to appreciate your fish in the evening. We love the stylish black acrylic base supporting this seamless aquarium. The filter keeps your fish's habitat happy, and works for Betta, goldfish, or tropical species.

Tetra ColorFusion Aquarium 20 Gallon Fish Tank Kit, Includes LED Lighting and Decor
This complete set has a water heater and is made with scratch-resistant glass. | Tetra

The filter and pump are quiet and create a lovely swirl to the water, accentuating the movements of the two included plant packages and the beautiful blooming White Anemone. But what we really love is this color-changing light. It cycles through a rainbow of colors, and you can pause it on any of the hues you choose. The 20-gallon rectangular aquarium even comes with a small fish net.

Coralife LED Biocube Aquarium LED
Create a saltwater setting with this 16-gallon number. It's designed to host a whole biome of fish and coral. | Coralife

To grow coral, you need to have a strong pump to keep the coral fragments supplied with fresh water, and lighting that simulates the cycle of natural sun and moonlight. Just like in real life, you can time the moonrise/set independently from the sunshine. The sun is bright white LEDs, and the moon is simulated with blue LEDs. The pump has two intakes and an easy-to-adjust nozzle to change the flow. We love how easy this aquarium is to set up.

Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit with LED Lighting 20 High
Great for zebra, pearl, or leopard danios, or black skirt and mudfin tetras. | Aqueon

The high-quality heater is preset to maintain a tropical temperature, and there's a thermometer included, too. The patented QuietFlow filter lights up red when it needs to be changed. We love that you don't have to wonder anymore when to change the filter. Five layers of filtration, including an ammonia filter, make sure your fish stay healthy and full of energy. Follow the set-up guide and assemble everything you need, all in one box.

Cyndi Mathews is a contributing writer to Islands and recently published her first book and enjoys traveling to Florida in her sailboat. Islands is an award-winning brand founded in 1980 that speaks to international travelers who have an affinity for the Caribbean and beyond. The website showcases destinations, resorts, cruises, and recommendations by the Islands' staff.

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