Establishing an aquarium can be a thrilling journey, but it can also be very overwhelming, particularly when it comes to fish selection. Without years of experience, you may worry as a beginner about maintaining the health and happiness of your fish. The good news is that certain fish require far less maintenance than others.
Ten of the most understated aquarium fish that are ideal for novices are presented in this post. These species are perfect for beginners to the hobby because they are hardy, low-maintenance, and adaptable to different water conditions.
Whether you’re starting a tank for the first time or want toadd some laid-back fish to
Fish Name | Why It"s Great for Beginners |
Betta | Hardy and easy to care for, can live in small tanks. |
Guppy | Colorful, adaptable, and breeds easily. |
Zebra Danio | Tolerant of a wide range of water conditions. |
Platy | Peaceful, lively, and comes in many colors |
- 1. Guppy
- 2. Pecilias
- 3. Mollies
- 4. Swordtails
- 5. Goldfish
- 6. Danio rerio
- 7. Sumatran Barb
- 8. Ternetia
- 9. Corydoras catfish
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1. Guppy
Deservedly regarded as the most common fish in aquariums. It should be noted from the outset that we are discussing selective varieties. In home aquariums, guppies that are direct descendants of their wild relatives are rare.
Varieties that are decorative stand out for their durability and modesty. Even though guppies favor hard, alkaline water, they can easily adjust to a more gentle, acidic habitat. They can survive, for instance, in regular tap water that has been settled and heated to room temperature. They consume nearly any food as long as it is the right size.
Numerous varieties with a wide range of colors, body patterns, fin shapes, and sizes have been bred through selection. However, while some females may appear quite elegant, the variegated body pattern is primarily characteristic of males.
Fish that are calm and serene. Get along with people and other animals. would rather be with others. Male competition is purely demonstrative in nature; males compete with one another for the attention of females and for a place in the intraspecific hierarchy. Aggression does not appear to be present.
Due to their viviparous nature, guppies are born as small, fully developed fish without the egg stage. They are widely available on the market because they reproduce easily and frequently, giving birth to a large number of offspring. Fry and grown fish are frequently given away for free.
5 Color, 4 Behavior, 5 Availability, 5 General, and 4.75 Unpretentiousness
2. Pecilias
The majority of platies that are kept in aquariums are either hybrids or selective forms of swordtails. Water that is high in pH and moderately hard is ideal for maintaining them. Although it is possible, staying in soft, acidic water will not have the best effect on coloring and growth rates.
To ensure that Pecilia is comfortable, remember to feed her every day, remove any accumulated organic waste on a regular basis, replace some of the water with fresh, and maintain high GH and PH levels.
Breeders have created a wide range of colors and body patterns for their varieties, which are distinctive to both males and females.
Despite competition between males for a place in the hierarchy, the fish get along well with one another. Compatible with all species of similar size that are not aggressive.
Pecilias are fish that are viviparous in nature. Replicate quickly and easily. Aquarists frequently give them away for free or at a symbolic price in an effort to reduce the overpopulation. Any online ad posting service will have offers. It will be easy to locate these fish at "bird markets" or pet stores.
Pecilias tie for second place with identical points due to their lower popularity compared to Guppies. There is an order of magnitude difference in the quantity of search queries on Yandex and Google, and the latter offers a far greater number of online integration services.
4 Coloring — 5 Behavior — 5 Availability — 5 General — 4.75 Unpretentiousness
3. Mollies
There are only three species of mollies found in aquariums, but many artificial varieties, including hybrids, have been bred due to the efforts of breeders. In aquariums kept at home, artificial forms are most common. These fish differ greatly from their wild cousins in terms of appearance and habitat needs.
Although they can survive in a variety of environments, mollies favor water with high pH and GH levels and require a diet high in plant-based ingredients.
Fish that have been artificially bred have a variety of coloring schemes, from monochrome to vibrant colors combined with variegated patterns. Both sexes have the same coloring, but males can be identified by their larger dorsal fin.
There is competition amongst the men over where they stand in the hierarchy. Male alphas will put in a lot of effort to stay in a position of dominance. Rivalry in small aquariums can occasionally become unduly hostile. The latter will receive too much attention if there are more males than females, which can be problematic in small tanks with few hiding spots. It is advised that novice aquarists keep their groups small and dominated by female fish.
Amiable to other fish and harmonious with numerous species of similar size.
Because Mollies reproduce easily, just like any other live-bearing fish, many aquarists are willing to share their fry for free or at a nominal fee. They can probably be ordered or bought from a variety of pet supply stores.
Presence of mind – 4 5 Coloring, 4 Behavior General Availability: 5; 4.5
4. Swordtails
Possess a comparable set of benefits to the GUPPI, Pecilia, and Mollinesias and are a related look. They are also regarded as humble, resilient fish that can easily adapt to a variety of environments. As long as the water has a moderate to high hardness, they can survive in a broad range of temperatures, pH levels, and GH values. They consume most common foods in frozen, live, and dry forms.
Swordtails are mostly found in selective or hybrid varieties in aquariums. The fish’s body patterns and colors vary widely. The color of males and females is same. However, the elongated lower rays on the caudal fin, known as the "sword," are unique to males only.
Calm and considerate of other animals. Men compete against one another. Rarely, when there isn’t enough room, rivalry can get extremely hostile. The females become the target of persecution if there are too many men. As a precaution, it is advised to keep them in groups of one male and multiple females in small aquariums.
They belong to the group of viviparous animals. There are plenty of offers for the sale of young Swordtails because they are easy to breed.
Presence of mind – 4 5 Coloring, 4 Behavior General Availability: 5; 4.5
5. Goldfish
The first species to be bred for aesthetics rather than utility was the goldfish.
The fact that they were successfully kept in artificial reservoirs for many centuries, long before the invention of contemporary filtration systems and other life support equipment for the aquarium, is evidence of their tenacity and modesty.
All of the above, though, only pertains to common Goldfish, which are essentially the same as a basic crucian carp. Numerous breeding varieties have maintenance requirements that are significantly higher.
When discussing a typical goldfish, its hue is conventional, consisting of golden tones with varying degrees of intensity in yellow.
Possess a serene and composed demeanor. Get along well with a wide variety of peaceful species. Able to live in a community or alone.
Goldfish are harder to breed than viviparous species, which is why fewer of them are available. However, because of its classic status and a well-established breeding and supply industry, you can find it in any city.
Inconspicuousness – 5; Color – 3 Conduct – 5 Accessible – Five Overall – 4.5
6. Danio rerio
Aquarias have long been home to Danio rerio fish. These fish have been living and reproducing in an artificial environment for many generations. They have adapted over this time to a variety of environments that differ significantly from their native habitat. However, the aquarist will have to keep the water’s composition and temperature within a certain range. The fish have a low tolerance for high stiffness and elevated pH levels, and they require warm water.
Feeding won’t present any issues. Popular dry foods in the right portion sizes can be a part of the diet.
This species is also known as zebra fish because of its pattern of contrasting blue stripes on a silver background.
Fish are frequently employed in lab studies. A fluorescent gene was inserted into the genome of a Danio rerio variety that was bred in 1999. The fish started to glow in the dark because of this gene. Subsequently, hybrids of blue, yellow, pink, and red neon hues were created.
Under the GloFish brand, commercial genetically modified fish are supplied.
No matter where it comes from, Danio rerio is still an amiable, lively fish that is best kept with its relatives. It is better for the school to be larger. For them, social interaction is crucial because, in isolation, they risk dying. In harmony with other non-violent animals.
For novice aquarists, breeding Danio can be challenging, but it is completely doable for seasoned tank owners. This is particularly evident in small towns where there are fewer offers for fish for sale from private sellers than from specialty pet stores. All the same, Danio is a mass fish that can be purchased easily, even the genetically altered GloFish.
4 Coloring – 4 Behavior – 5 Availability – 4 General – 4.25 Unpretentiousness
7. Sumatran Barb
One more member of the carp family, which is one of the most talked-about aquarium inhabitants, along with goldfish and Danio rerio.
There should be a little more focus on the content. The ideal water for the Sumatran Barb is mildly acidic, warm, and soft. Large swimming areas should be included in the aquarium’s design; a rectangular tank is ideal. Aquariums that are square or round should be avoided.
The body pattern of both males and females is striped, with wide, dark stripes set against a light background.
After Danio rerio, this species was the second to receive a fluorescent gene from scientists. It consequently gained the capacity to glow in the dark. The next stage involved a color shift, with neon pink, red, yellow, and blue Barbs emerging.
The fish are kept solely in a school because they require the companionship of their relatives due to their high level of activity. They may annoy their slower neighbors in the aquarium due to their excessive activity. Furthermore, the Sumatran barb’s behavior is disagreeable since it frequently nips other fish, injuring their long veil fins.
There aren’t many offers for this fish from regular aquarists because breeding takes experience. mostly bred on industrial fish farms and supplied to pet shops, "bird markets," and other retail establishments.
Four coloring, four behavior, four availability, four generality, and four unpretentiousness
8. Ternetia
Originating in South America, the fish can be found throughout river systems extending from Brazil to Argentina. Therefore, tropical and subtropical regions make up its natural distribution area. This implies that at room temperature, the Ternetia will feel fantastic in aquariums without a heater. Regarding the primary water parameters, GH and pH values that are gentle to slightly acidic will need to be supplied. Before adding water to the aquarium, the aquarist must treat the water if they reside in an area with hard water. Premium dry food, frozen food, and live invertebrates like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms are all acceptable to the fish.
The young have a very dark color. As people age, their black colors fade and their body’s silver or gray coloring shows more and more.
The Ternetia is not able to compete with more colorful viviparous species due to its natural coloring. But like the Sumatran Barb and Danio Rerio, it was one of the fish that scientists had genetically altered.
Under the GloFish brand, glow-in-the-dark Ternetia and artificially colored green, blue, red, pink, orange, and yellow are available for purchase.
A fish that is mobile and active. Relatives’ company is necessary. content from schools involving at least 8–10 people. It has been observed that when the Ternetia is present in small amounts or by itself, all of its leftover energy is directed toward its aquarium neighbors. Aggression symptoms may occasionally be seen. Even though a fish this small shouldn’t be expected to launch serious hostile attacks, barbs have the ability to harm other fish’s long veil fins.
The energy of the relationship does not extend outside the immediate family if the school is large.
There are far fewer offers from private sellers than for comparable viviparous species because breeding at home is a challenge. Commercial fish farms are the primary suppliers. Ternetia is sold by small vendors at "bird markets" and in numerous specialty stores.
Inconspicuousness – 4Color – 4Conduct – 4 Four are available. General: 4
9. Corydoras catfish
Catfish that are most popular are probably corydoras. They have endurance that is either on par with or better than Guppies. able to survive in a range of environments. In the wild, they frequently wind up in solitary bodies of water during the dry season, where there is a shortage of food, low oxygen levels, and other undesirable conditions. Over time, catfish have evolved to be able to withstand these harsh environments. They have even learned to breathe atmospheric oxygen by periodically suckling a bubble of air from the surface.
Although Corydoras come in over 180 species, the majority of them are a subtle gray or silver hue with black specks or stripes. They also have a reclusive lifestyle. One might reasonably wonder, why are they so popular?
They are known for their ability to clean aquariums.
Overfeeding, or giving aquarium fish more food than they can consume, is arguably the most frequent issue. Food scraps then emerged as the primary cause of contaminated water. Eventually, plain and unassuming Corydoras proved to be a useful remedy for this issue. Being omnivores, they gladly ate the leftovers of someone else’s food.
Such a pragmatic view of catfish is currently evolving. They purchase sinking goods and are fed alongside other fish.
They are amiable with other animals and relatives and have a calm demeanor. harmless, even to the tiniest fish in aquariums. would rather reside in a school.
The primary sources of Corydoras are typically specialized fish farms. Large cities have an abundance of catfish. There might be fewer species in small towns. Adult fish are often for sale on well-known internet classified sites.
Disregard for others – 5 Color – 2 Conduct – 5 Availability – 4 General: 4
It can be intimidating to begin aquarium keeping, but it is made much easier by selecting the right fish. All of the fish on this list are well-known for being resilient and thriving in a range of environments, which makes them perfect for novices. Because they require less upkeep, novice aquarists can concentrate on understanding the fundamentals of tank maintenance without having to worry as much about the health of their fish.
These humble species guarantee a vibrant and lively aquarium by providing an abundance of beauty and variety. From the colorful guppies to the serene tetras, every fish in your tank adds a special charm of its own. Not only are they easy to take care of, but they also make people happy to watch.
For novice aquarists, selecting the correct fish is essential. This article lists the top 10 common species that are hardy, low maintenance, and ideal for beginners. These fish not only flourish in a range of environments but also add beauty and vibrancy to your aquarium without requiring a lot of maintenance or specialized knowledge.