All pets / Fish

What pet fish cost

4 pet fish priced the same way: what each costs to get, set up, the first year, a typical year and over its life. Cheapest to keep: Goldfish, about $120 a year. Priciest: Neon tetras, about $170. More are added every day.

• GoldfishTwo fancy goldfish (such as orandas or fantails) in a filtered 40-gallon tank; prices cover both fish$120 a year, $2,000 over its life
• GuppiesA group of 5 male guppies in a heated, filtered 10-gallon tank; prices cover the whole group$130 a year, $600 over its life
• Betta fishOne betta in a heated, filtered 5-gallon tank$130 a year, $700 over its life
• Neon tetrasA school of 10 neon tetras in a heated, filtered 20-gallon tank; prices cover the whole school$170 a year, $900 over its life