Quick answer
About 10 million US households keep freshwater fish and about 2 million keep saltwater fish, according to the American Pet Products Association. Freshwater fish ownership grew 17% in 2025, one of the fastest gains of any pet.
- 77% of fish owners keep two or more fish.
- A third of saltwater owners run tanks of 126 gallons or more.
- Millennials make up 46% of saltwater and 38% of freshwater fish owners.
- Half of fish owners buy gifts for their fish.
A home aquarium is one of the easiest ways to bring a little nature indoors, and more families are doing it every year. Fish tanks are also getting bigger and more elaborate. Here are the newest 2026 aquarium and fish tank statistics, mostly from the American Pet Products Association’s Fish and Reptile Report and its 2026 State of the Industry data.
Key numbers at a glance
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Households with freshwater fish | About 10 million | APPA fish report |
| Households with saltwater fish | About 2 million | APPA fish report |
| Growth in freshwater fish ownership, 2025 | 17% | APPA 2026 |
| Fish owners with two or more fish | 77% | APPA fish report |
| Saltwater owners with 126+ gallon tanks | 34% | APPA fish report |
| Fish owners with an acrylic tank | 50% | APPA fish report |
| Saltwater owners who are Millennials | 46% | APPA fish report |
| US live ornamental fish sales, 2024 | About $1.68 billion | Tetra Guide study |
How many US households have an aquarium?
About 10 million US households own freshwater fish and about 2 million own saltwater fish, according to APPA’s 2025 Fish and Reptile Report (APPA fish report). Added together that is about 12 million households, the same figure a 2025 Tetra Guide study uses, though a few homes keep both kinds and are counted twice.
The hobby is growing. APPA’s 2026 State of the Industry data shows freshwater fish ownership rose 17% in 2025, behind only birds (25%) and reptiles (20%) among the fastest growing pets (APPA 2026). For comparison, about 95 million US households own some kind of pet; see our pet ownership statistics.
How many people live with a fish tank?
A November 2025 study by the hobby site Tetra Guide, built on APPA and Census household data, estimated 30 to 40 million Americans live in a home with a fish tank at any given time (Tetra Guide study). That is a lot of living rooms with a small underwater world in them.
How big are home fish tanks getting?
Bigger every year, especially for saltwater. 34% of saltwater owners now keep tanks of 126 gallons or more, up 17% from 2023, and another 44% keep 56 to 125 gallon tanks, up 10%. 43% of saltwater owners have custom built tanks, a 19% jump from 2023 (APPA fish report).
Fewer people keep a single fish in a bowl. 77% of fish owners keep two or more fish, up 7% since 2018, while single fish ownership fell 19%. Half of fish owners now have an acrylic tank, up 12% since 2018 (APPA fish report).
What equipment do fish tank owners use?
Lighting is now standard. 79% of saltwater owners and 70% of freshwater owners use aquarium lighting, up 36% and 32% since 2018. Plans to buy new lights are also soaring: 58% of saltwater owners and 31% of freshwater owners plan to buy lighting within a year (APPA fish report).
| Fish tank trend | Saltwater owners | Freshwater owners |
|---|---|---|
| Use aquarium lighting | 79% | 70% |
| Plan to buy lighting within a year | 58% | 31% |
| Buy gifts for their fish | 71% | 44% |
| Owners who are Millennials | 46% | 38% |
Who keeps aquarium fish?
Millennials lead the hobby. They make up 46% of saltwater fish owners, up 15% from 2023, and 38% of freshwater fish owners, up 9% (APPA fish report).
Fish owners are attached to their pets. Half buy gifts for their fish, a third have named a caretaker for their fish if something happens to them, and 23% have set money aside for their fish’s future care (APPA fish report).
Where do people buy aquarium fish?
Specialty fish stores are winning. 38% of fish owners buy fish from fish stores, and among freshwater owners that share is up 57% since 2018. Pet superstores supply 30%, down 14% from 2023 (APPA fish report).
For advice, 64% of owners rely on retailers. Fish stores and the internet are each used by 41%, and 32% use social media to find out what fish are available, up 39% from 2022 (APPA fish report).
How big is the aquarium fish market?
US sales of live ornamental fish reached about $1.68 billion in 2024 and were on pace to pass $1.8 billion in 2025, growing roughly 9% a year, according to the Tetra Guide study (Tetra Guide study). That figure is for live fish only and leaves out tanks, filters, food and lighting. Treat it as an estimate, since it comes from a hobby publisher combining public data.
Can a home fish tank help your garden?
Yes. Old aquarium water from a freshwater tank contains fish waste that houseplants and vegetable beds can use, which is the idea behind aquaponics. Skip water from saltwater tanks, since salt harms soil. If you garden, see our vegetable garden statistics and home composting guide for more ways to recycle what your home already makes.
How we gathered these numbers
Most figures come from APPA’s Fish and Reptile Report, released in September 2025, and APPA’s 2026 State of the Industry release covering 2025. Market size and people estimates come from a November 2025 Tetra Guide study that combines APPA, Census and market data. Growth figures marked as up or down are as APPA reports them. For other pets, see our dog statistics and cat statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many households have an aquarium in the US?
About 10 million US households keep freshwater fish and about 2 million keep saltwater fish, according to the American Pet Products Association’s 2025 Fish and Reptile Report. Together that is roughly 12 million fishkeeping homes.
Is fishkeeping growing in popularity?
Yes. Freshwater fish ownership grew 17% in 2025, according to APPA’s 2026 State of the Industry data, making it one of the fastest growing pet types after birds and reptiles. Tanks are also getting larger, especially for saltwater fish.
What size fish tank do most people have?
Among saltwater owners, 44% keep tanks of 56 to 125 gallons and 34% keep tanks of 126 gallons or more, according to APPA. APPA does not publish a size breakdown for freshwater tanks, which are usually smaller.
Who owns the most aquarium fish?
Millennials. They make up 46% of US saltwater fish owners and 38% of freshwater fish owners, according to APPA’s 2025 Fish and Reptile Report. Both shares grew compared with 2023.
How big is the US aquarium fish market?
US sales of live ornamental fish were about $1.68 billion in 2024 and on pace to top $1.8 billion in 2025, according to a 2025 Tetra Guide study. That covers live fish only, not tanks, equipment or food.
