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Modern fish aquarium tanks have evolved from ponds in gardens and simple glass jars to a vast range of aquatic specialized systems. Their sizes can range from a small container housing only one individual ornamental fish to huge enclosures as large as buildings that contain whole aquatic ecosystems.

One method of classifying aquariums is by water salinity. Freshwater aquariums are the most common and popular due to the low cost of fish, equipment and upkeep. Marine aquariums, in contrast , require more complex and expensive equipment to build and maintain. This latter type, however, can be much more interesting than simple freshwater fish aquarium tanks because they are able to contain corals and other invertebrates as well as fish, and the range of interesting species of these organisms are astounding. A reef aquarium is a subtype of the marine aquarium that sustains corals. Lastly, brackish aquariums are at the middle of the freshwater and marine water types. Fish species suitable for this type of aquarium typically live in water with varying degrees of salinity like estuaries and mangrove areas.

Aquariums can also be classified according to the range of the temperature of its water. Lots of aquarists keep tropical aquariums because of their wonderful colors. The so-called coldwater aquariums, on the other hand, are generally restricted to goldfish. It can, however, also include temperate fish species as well as native fishes.

Fish aquarium tanks may be subdivided according to the species they maintain . The first is the community tank, which is the most common. This type holds numerous species that are peaceful and unaggressive. They live together side by side without any problems. In such aquariums, the animals and plants most probably do not come from the same habitat or geographic location; however, they live in the same water conditions.

In contrast to the community tank, aggressive tanks can only house a few species because of their aggressive nature. Species capable of withstanding aggression are also suitable for this kind of aquarium. Most marine aquariums and cichlid aquariums belong in this category. Specimen tanks are another category based on species. These are aquariums wherein only one species of fish can possibly dwell due to its inability to coexist with species different from its own. Such tanks may have plants and other features found in the natural habitat of the fish species in question. The electric eel is an example of a specimen tank species. Specimen tanks have also been used to keep breeder adults.

Biotope aquariums, alternately named ecotope or ecotype aquariums, are also based on the species being kept. In this aquarium type, the ecosystem itself is simulated. It will thus have fish, plants, invertebrates, water conditions, and appearance similar to that found in nature. This type of fish aquarium tanks is the most complex, sophisticated and difficult to keep, and requires much specialization and skill. Biotope aquariums can be small and kept in the home, or can be large, such as public aquariums as big as houses and buildings. Biotope aquariums have the look and feel of wild conditions. They have the best possible artificial conditions captive aquatic organisms can have.