Starting and maintaining an aquarium or a fish tank takes time and a lot of hard work. Figuring out the easiest fish to take care of, especially if your are a beginner is quite crucial.
Some fish species are hardy and low maintenance, hence easier to take care of. Whether you want to keep freshwater fish or saltwater fish, there are so many species to choose from.
Starting an aquarium can be an exciting experience for a new fish keeper. The best fish for beginners should be easy to take care of and maintain.
Deciding on the species of fish you want to keep is one of the first things you need to do. We will guide you in selecting the easiest fish to breed.
Easy Freshwater Fish to Take Care Of
To prevent overloading yourself with numerous responsibilities, you need to choose easy freshwater fish to take care of. You need to understand that despite there being numerous low-maintenance freshwater fish, you cannot put a bunch of different fish species in the same tank.
Good fish for beginners should be able to survive in different conditions. They should fit perfectly in your aquarium or tank of choice. The fish you choose should also blend well with other fish if you want to keep multiple fish species in one tank.
Here are some of the fish that pass those criteria:
- Standard goldfish
- Betta fish
- Neon tetras
- Mollies and platys
- Zebrafish
Standard Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Are goldfish easy to take care of? This is one of the first questions I get from beginners in fish-keeping. The truth is that there are many varieties of goldfish.
Most fancy goldfish require more work to maintain but the Standard Goldfish can be a great choice for beginners. Goldfish are not only fun to watch but they quickly become sociable with their owners, making them a great choice for beginners.
A standard goldfish has a lifespan of about 20 years. Gold Comet fish, Common, Shunbunkin, and Fantail Goldfish all make for good tropical fish for beginners.
The standard goldfish are bright, inexpensive, and easy to maintain fish that are easy to take care of. They are cold-water fish that prefer a temperature between 65° – 72° F.
Whatever type of goldfish you choose, you should ensure that you have about 20 gallons of water per fish.
This type of goldfish has a length of 1 to 2 inches and can grow up to 6 inches in some cases. It has two sets of paired fins and 3 single fins. It does not have any scales on the head but has exceptionally large eyes.
The fish come in red, orange, blueish-grey, brown, yellow, white, and black colors.
Betta Fish
The Betta fish has a reputation of being the easiest fish to take care of but may need a few upgrades to have a long and happy life.
Betta fish need about a five-gallon tank minimum with a filter and heater. They should be kept at 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 28 degrees Celsius).
It is advisable to have a bigger volume of water to make it easier for your heater to keep a constant temperature. Invest in a quality thermometer to ensure the water is always at the right temperature.
The fish comes with long, delicate fins and overlapping scales, which come in vibrant colors like red, green, and blue. The fins are prone to be knocked about by quick flowing water thus you need the right size filter and turn the flow down.
You also need to use decor that is betta specific since their fins are easily torn on sharp decor items. They have a length of about 3 to 4 inches when they are grown.
See also: best freshwater puffer fish
Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi)
The Neon Tetras are small, brightly colored fish that are the best fish for beginners.
They are characterized by bright streaks of blue and red that make them a lively addition to your freshwater tank or aquarium. They are very easy going and their small size makes them among the easiest fish to take care of.
Neon Tetras can grow up to one to one and a half inches long. They like to stay in a group thus you will need to start with 3 to 5 individuals.
They have a turquoise blue line stretching between their eyes to their adipose fin, and a red stripe that runs from the middle of their body to the caudal fin.
Mollies & Platys (Live bearers)
The Mollies & Platys come in a variety of colors and are easy freshwater fish to take care of. Most liver-bearers owners start with only one fish. This is because there are higher chances that the fish you get is a pregnant female.
They can be kept in schools and grow to about one inch in length. It is advisable to first start with a common variety that is widely available. You can start with a 10-gallon tank but upgrade as your population increases.
See also: Killifish care guide
Zebrafish (Zebra Danio)
The Zebrafish (Zebra danio) are tiny fish with distinctive horizontal stripes along their bodies. They are among the easiest fish to care for. The fish like to stay in groups and make great beginner fish.
The Zebrafish prefer room temperature water of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21 degrees Celsius, unlike most pet fish that like warm, tropical temperatures.
During the winter, it is advisable to have a small heater to keep your tank from getting too cold. The fish come in a variety of colors and fin lengths. They have a length of one inch to one and a half inches.
Some of the Zebrafish can even be in special day-glow varieties, using genetic engineering with fluorescent jellyfish protein. The colors are more pronounced under a blue LED light.
See also: Flying fox fish and guppies
Saltwater Fish for Aquarium Beginners
If you prefer saltwater fish, several fish species are easy to take care of.
To make it easy for you to get started with keeping fish, we have identified some of the easiest fish to care for and have provided you with comprehensive information on what you should expect from each fish species.
Here is a review of some of the easiest fish to keep in your aquarium.
Clownfish
Clownfish make the top on our list of the easiest saltwater fish for aquarium beginners. They are characterized by a brilliant orange, white, and black coloration that is highly recognizable.
Clownfish are hardy, peaceful fish that reproduce easily. They are easy to maintain, thus they make a great choice for beginners. The tank-raised specimens which are highly recommended for this species are fairly easy to find.
Flame Angelfish (Japanese Pygmy Angelfish)
The Flame Angelfish also known as Japanese pygmy angelfish is a favorite for most aquarium owners.
It is one of the easiest fish to look after since it easily adapts well to captivity. The fish is best kept singly, or in mated pairs, with other less-aggressive fish.
Lawnmower Blenny
The Lawnmower Blenny will help keep your saltwater aquarium clean. They are algae eater and will keep your water clear and your tank shiny.
The Blenny is very low maintenance since most of its food is grown in the tank. It is therefore an ideal choice for beginners looking for easy fish to take care of.
Butterfly Fish
The Butterfly Fish comes in over 100 different species that vary greatly in color. Any of the species will be easy to take care of.
It is however necessary for you to check out the exact requirements for the species you choose. The tank requirements and food type can vary widely between species.
The Butterfly Fish is an attractive fish in your aquarium. It is a good fish for beginners who need easy maintenance fish.
See also: Are Panda Garra good algae eaters?
Chalk Bass
The Chalk Bass is the best choice for beginners who want to start with a smaller aquarium. They are small yet hardy fish that thrives under many different conditions. The fish easily resists illness, and feed on almost anything.
See also: Assassin snail care guide
We have provided you with a list of the easiest fish to take care of. Our list includes freshwater fish as well as saltwater fish.
There are so many fish species that are easy to take care of but we have selected those that are vibrant and low maintenance. If you are a first-time pet fish owner, you need to choose a fish that does not require so much work.
Knowing what to expect from each species of fish will make it easier for you to select the easiest fish to keep in your aquarium that suits your situation.
Reference
CANADA 4-H Manitoba: Aquarium Fish