A home aquarium is relaxing to watch and a great way to bring a little nature indoors. The trick to success is starting with fish that are hardy and peaceful, so you can learn the ropes without heartbreak.
One important note before you shop: always cycle your tank first. That means running the filter for a few weeks so good bacteria can build up and handle fish waste. Ask your local fish store to test your water before you add anyone.
Here are 12 of the easiest freshwater fish for beginners.
1. Guppies
Guppies are colorful, active and forgiving. Males have flashy tails. Just know they breed quickly, so keep only males if you don’t want a tank full of babies.
2. Platies
Platies come in tons of colors and are as easygoing as fish get. They’re peaceful, hardy and happy in a community tank.
3. Zebra Danios
Danios are fast, tough little fish that handle a range of water conditions. Keep them in a group of at least six so they feel secure.
4. Neon Tetras
Their glowing blue and red stripes make neon tetras a classic. They do best in a group and in a tank that has been running for a while, since they’re a little more sensitive to changes.
5. White Cloud Mountain Minnows
These pretty little fish handle cooler water, so many setups don’t need a heater. They’re peaceful and do well in groups.
6. Corydoras Catfish
Cories are the adorable cleanup crew of the aquarium world. They spend their days snuffling through the sand for leftovers. Keep them in groups of five or more on a soft sand bottom.
7. Betta Fish
Bettas are beautiful and full of personality. Despite what you may have seen, they need at least a 5-gallon heated, filtered tank, not a bowl. Keep only one male per tank.
8. Mollies
Mollies are hardy, curious and come in many colors. They do best in slightly harder water, so check your water before choosing them.
9. Harlequin Rasboras
These peaceful schooling fish have a pretty copper body with a dark triangle near the tail. A group of eight or more looks stunning in a planted tank.
10. Cherry Barbs
Cherry barbs are calmer than most barbs and the males turn a beautiful deep red. They get along well with other peaceful fish.
11. Bristlenose Pleco
Unlike the common pleco, which can grow over a foot long, the bristlenose stays a manageable 4 to 5 inches. They help keep algae in check, but still need their own food.
12. Swordtails
Swordtails are hardy, active fish named for the long, sword-like tail on the males. They need a little more swimming room than guppies or platies.
Start small and go slow
Add just a few fish at a time, feed lightly and do a partial water change every week or two. A patient start is the secret to a healthy, happy tank.
Featured image: Paracheirodon innesi group by Brandy Dopkins, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)
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