What animals make the best/worst pets?
When people think about the best pets, they usually imagine dogs or cats—animals that bark, wag their tails, or demand walks at inconvenient times. My pets do none of those things. Instead, I live with Frankie the goldfish, Angel the freshwater angelfish, and six hardworking snails I call the musketeers. Together, they quietly run the living room like a tiny underwater kingdom.
Frankie is the most energetic member of the group. Every time he sees me, he swims around like I personally invented fish food. He also gently pokes the snails with his mouth until they fall off the glass. Then they slowly climb back up again as if this is just part of their daily job description. At this point, I think Frankie sees himself as the official gatekeeper of the aquarium. He checks everyone. No one enters. No one is leaving too, that’s right.
Angel, on the other hand, has the personality of someone who pays taxes early and never forgets appointments. He moves slowly and gracefully, like he is supervising the entire tank and quietly judging everyone else’s decisions. He doesn’t trust anyone yet.
The six snails are the real employees. While Frankie is busy policing the tank and Angel is maintaining elegance, the snails are cleaning algae off the glass like a tiny maintenance department that never complains or asks for a raise. Guys, that’s why they are the Musketeers!
Fun fact: Frankie also appears to enjoy watching SpongeBob SquarePants. I have caught him several times hovering near the front of the tank, completely focused on the screen. I’m not saying he understands the plot, but I am saying he clearly respects the aquatic representation.
Together, these two fish and six snails prove that the best pets are not always the loudest or most dramatic ones. Sometimes the best pets are the ones that quietly teach you responsibility while also decorating your living room like a moving art installation. However, fish and snails can also be the worst pets for people who think “low maintenance” means “no maintenance,” because someone still has to clean the tank—and that someone is always me.
In the end, my angelfish and goldfish are ideal pets for someone patient and observant, though they might not suit someone looking for a jogging partner or emotional support. Still, they make my space more peaceful, lively, and aesthetically pleasing. They also don’t bite or fight me, at least. Best of all, I never have to take them outside on a leash or sneak them into a bag when I leave the house, which I believe is a significant advantage in the pet world.
