For me it really depends on the type of fish you’re looking for. Paired fish are those that come in a pair, usually males and females of the same species. These pairs can be used to promote breeding purposes or if you'd like to have one companionably swimming around with your other fish. Unpaired fish are usually singular specimens and they can be quite interesting since you get to pick out which individual traits appeal most to you.
When it comes down to it, there is no definitive answer for whether paired or unpaired fish is better; it all depends on what kind of experience with aquariums and fish that you’d like to have! The more experienced aquarists might prefer unpaired fishes though as these will require added maintenance such as carefully monitoring each specimen's behavior when choosing who should breed together or how often they need separate food sources within the tank. Paired fishes however may offer convenience due their already predetermined mates making set up easier in some cases plus the likelihood for successful breeding can also be higher depending on compatibility between them both! Ultimately, the decision lies within each aquarist's preference depending on what kind of aesthetic, responsibility level, and end results they're hoping for from their setup.
