In the vastly “Tropical” dominated aquarium hobby, a lot of the more cold or cool water species get nudged out of limelight, pardoning Goldfish and Koi. Goldfish are still as immensely popular as ever, and come in many different varieties; a far cry from the natural drab wild form, which initiated the hobby to what it is today. An all Goldfish tank is still a very popular and beautiful practice, and the fish themselves are one of the most popular subjects in aquariums with a   Feng shui design aspect. A Goldfish aquarium gives an oriental touch to the living space, and like the fish itself, the hobby has advanced where keeping a community of some of the more delicate fancy varieties is now easily achieved.

As Goldfish have forever been a fix in the hobby, there are a few other cooler water species present in the hobby, though are sold as tropical fish like White Cloud Minnows, and certain Danios. Others have come and gone, as Tropical species became available, and more readily exported. Native North American species such as Black banded sunfish, and bluefin Killies once very popular with North American hobbyist, have bowed out to tropical species, but still are popular in some Old World countries. Native fish though are making a surging come back amongst North American aquarist, and some exhibit just as outstanding colouration and behavior as their tropical counterparts. NOTE: Special licensing acquired by the government is required to keep certain cool water or North American species.