5 Most Popular Pets in the US

4. Freshwater fish 

Number of households: 11.1 million

Freshwater fish are generally more manageable and less costly to maintain than saltwater ones, placing them higher on the ranking of the 20 most popular pets in the US. Their tanks present fewer risks and do not have many salinity requirements. Since these fish are easier to care for, they’re recommended for beginners before they move on to saltwater breeds.