Freshwater Fish Price Guide in Singapore: What Affects the Cost of Aquarium Fish?
Freshwater aquarium fish prices in Singapore can range from $0.50 for common guppies to $5,000+ for champion-grade arowana. Most fish fall somewhere in between — but understanding what drives price helps you set realistic expectations and make informed buying decisions.
Factors That Determine Fish Price
1. Species Rarity and Wild Collection
Common, tank-bred species (guppies, platies, danios, neon tetras) are produced in enormous volumes globally — Singapore's own farms export millions of fish annually — and are priced accordingly: typically $1–5 per fish for standard varieties.
Wild-caught or regionally rare species command a premium:
- Wild-caught cardinal tetras from the Rio Negro
- Rare Apistogramma species from restricted import
- Wild betta species
- L-number plecos from specialist importers
2. Breeding Difficulty
Fish that are difficult to breed commercially are more expensive:
- Easy breeders (livebearers, danios): Very affordable — $0.50–5
- Moderate breeders (most tetras, corydoras): $3–15 per fish
- Difficult breeders (discus, wild bettas, some cichlids): $30–200+ per fish
- Commercially unbreedable (arowana): Premium pricing — $500–5,000+
3. Colour Grades and Selective Breeding
For species where colour variants are selectively bred, price is strongly tied to grade:
Betta fish:
- Common halfmoon betta: $8–20
- High-grade halfmoon with show-quality form: $60–200+
Crystal red shrimp (Caridina):
- Low-grade CRS (SS grade): $3–5 per shrimp
- High-grade (SSS, no-entry pattern): $20–100+ per shrimp
- Show-grade individuals: $200+
Guppies:
- Common guppy: $0.50–2
- Show-grade Moscow Blue or Platinum: $10–30 per fish
4. Size and Age
Larger, older fish are generally more expensive — they represent more feeding cost and time investment:
- Small angelfish (3–5 cm): $5–10
- Bred-up adult angelfish (8–12 cm): $20–60
- Adult discus (12–15 cm): $60–200
5. Import Status
Singapore imports fish from around the world. Import costs (freight, quarantine, acclimatisation time) add to retail price. A species imported directly from South American farms is typically more expensive than the same species bred locally.
Typical Price Ranges in Singapore (2026)
| Category | Price range per fish |
|---|---|
| Common livebearers (guppies, platies, mollies) | $0.50–5 |
| Common tetras (neon, cardinal, rummy nose) | $2–8 |
| Common rasboras (harlequin, lambchop) | $2–6 |
| Common corydoras | $4–12 |
| Fancy guppies (show grades) | $10–40 |
| Betta fish (standard) | $8–25 |
| Betta fish (high grade / show) | $50–300+ |
| German blue ram | $15–30 |
| Discus (intermediate) | $60–120 |
| Crystal red shrimp (standard) | $3–15 |
| Crystal red shrimp (high grade) | $30–200+ |
| Cherry shrimp (neocaridina) | $1–5 |
| Arowana | $500–5,000+ |
When to Pay More
Spending more on quality fish is justified when:
- You are building a show tank and colouration matters significantly
- The species is sensitive and a better-acclimatised, healthier individual survives longer
- You are buying a breeding pair where quality directly affects fry quality
- You want a fish that will anchor your display for years, not months
When Standard Grades Are Fine
- Schooling fish (tetras, rasboras) — viewed in groups; individual quality matters less
- Hardy community staples that will be replaced over time anyway
- Beginners' first fish — learn care on affordable species before investing in premium stock
Browse our freshwater livestock collection — transparent pricing with detailed species information, available for delivery across Singapore.