Home › Rankings › Low-mess pets: little fur or smell

1. 1
   Freshwater angelfish

   An elegant, disc-shaped cichlid from the Amazon with long, sweeping fins. It needs a tall tank and grows big enough to eat small tankmates such as neon tetras.
   Mess 1/5
2. 2
   Axolotl

   A Mexican salamander that stays aquatic and keeps its feathery larval gills for life. It loves cold water, so in warm climates temperature control is the heart of axolotl care.
   Mess 1/5
3. 3
   Ball Python

   A gentle African python that curls into a tight ball around its head when nervous. Adults rarely exceed 1.5 m, making it the most manageable python, though long fasts and humidity can test new owners.
   Mess 1/5
4. 4
   Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish)

   A Thai labyrinth fish with flowing fins and a surprisingly bold personality. Males must live alone, and despite the cup-sized myth, a heated, filtered tank keeps them healthy.
   Mess 1/5
5. 5
   Cherry Shrimp

   A tiny red freshwater shrimp that grazes algae and leftovers all day and breeds readily. It is forgiving once settled but very sensitive to sudden changes and copper.
   Mess 1/5
6. 6
   Corn Snake

   A slender rat snake from the southeastern United States, docile, a reliable eater and forgiving of temperature swings, which makes it the go-to first snake. Its one big flaw: it is an escape artist.
   Mess 1/5
7. 7
   Corydoras catfish

   Small South American armoured catfish that shuffle across the bottom, sifting sand with their barbels. Bronze and panda corys are classic choices, best kept in a group.
   Mess 1/5
8. 8
   Crested Gecko

   An arboreal gecko named for the fringed crests above its eyes. It lives happily at room temperature and eats a powdered complete diet, which makes it a favorite with busy keepers.
   Mess 1/5
9. 9
   Guppy

   A small, hardy livebearer from South America that comes in endless colour strains. Easy to keep, but it breeds so fast that population control needs a plan from day one.
   Mess 1/5
10. 10
    Horned Frog (Pacman Frog)

    A round South American frog that seems to be half mouth, sitting buried in substrate to ambush whatever wanders past. It barely moves, so a small enclosure is enough.
    Mess 1/5