Easiest Fish To Take Care Of for Beginners

Maintaining a fish tank can be a fun and exciting hobby, but for beginners, it can seem daunting. There are so many different types of fish to choose from, and each comes with its own set of unique care requirements. On this page, we’ll take a look at some of the easiest fish to take care of for beginners, and provide tips on how to care for them. So if you’re just starting out in the fish-keeping world, read on.

Easiest Fish To Take Care Of for Beginners

Betta Fish

The Betta fish (View Price) is one of the easiest fish to take care of for beginners. They are one of the most beautiful freshwater fish and can be found in a wide assortment of colors like blue, yellow, white, purple, red, and now you can even find Betta GloFish for sale online and in stores. Bettas should be kept in water temperatures between 75-86° F and they prefer a pH range from 6.0-8.0. Best of all, you don’t need much space to keep them since betta fish can be kept in tanks as small as 4 gallons. Related: Best Betta Tank With A Filter (Click Here)

Platies

The Platy (View Price) is a popular fish for beginners because it is easy to take care of and has a peaceful temperament. They come in many different colors, and they can grow up to 2 inches long. Platies are omnivorous, so they will eat both plants, algae brine shrimp, and tropical fish food. Plus they are easy to breed since they are livebearers, which means they give birth instead of laying eggs. They prefer water conditions that are 64-77° F with a pH of 7.0-8.2. And a 10-gallon tank is large enough to keep a small school of 3 to 5 platies.

Swordtail

The Swordtail (View Price) is one of the easiest fish to take care of for beginners, and they are peaceful and can be kept in a tank with other fish of similar size and temperament.

Swordtails are livebearers and they are mostly available in orange and red varieties and can reach up to 4″ in size.

Swordtails are omnivores and will eat most foods offered, but should have a diet that includes some plant matter or algae for optimal health.

In general, swordtails prefer water conditions on the cooler side- 64-82° F, and they do best in moderately hard water with a 7.0-8.3 pH. And the minimum tank size for keeping swordtails is 20 gallons.

Bloodfin Tetras

The Bloodfin Tetra (View Price) is a small but beautiful fish that can be found in the wild in Peru. This fish is a peaceful, easy-to-care-for member of the Characidae family and makes a great addition to any community tank.

The bloodfin tetra has striking blue, red, and silver markings and should be kept in groups of at least six individuals.

These fish are omnivorous and will eat almost anything they’re given, but prefer a diet of meaty foods. They do best in warmer water conditions between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and have a pH range of 6.6 to 7.0.

The maximum size for this little guy is 1½ inches long, and a 30-gallon tank will be needed to keep a school of these active swimmers.

White Cloud Minnows

The White Cloud Minnow (View Price) is a small, peaceful fish that is easy to care for and breed. The white cloud minnow makes an excellent addition to any community tank and will thrive in water conditions ranging from 64-72° F, with a pH of 6.5-7.5. These fish typically grow no larger than 2″, making them an ideal choice for smaller tanks. Best of all, the white cloud minnow is inexpensive and easy to breed, making it a popular choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists alike.

Celestial Pearl Danios

Celestial Pearl Danios (View Price) are some of the most popular aquarium inhabitants due to their bright colors and peaceful nature. They originate from Asia, but they are now mostly bred in captivity for the aquarium trade. Celestichthys margaritatus is an omnivore that will readily feed on most flake, pellet, and frozen foods. They grow to a size of 1″ and should be kept in tanks of 10 gallons or more. And due to their small size, Celestial Pearl Danios should not be kept with larger, fast-moving fish since they are very shy.

Bolivian Cichlids

The Bolivian Ram (View Price) is a unique fish that can be found in the wild in Bolivia, Brazil, and other South American countries. This peaceful fish thrives in a tank with plenty of plants and rocks, making it a great addition to any home aquarium.

The color of the Bolivian Ram can vary depending on its environment, but it typically has a tan or light brown body with dark markings. The diet of this fish is omnivorous and includes both plant and animal matter.

Bolivian Rams are a little more challenging to keep and require stable water parameters: 72-79° F, KH 0-10, pH 6.5-7.5.

Bolivian Rams reach a maximum size of 3 inches long and should be kept in at least a 20 or 30-gallon tank

Fire Mouth Cichlid

The Fire Mouth Cichlid is a small, Central American cichlid that is semi-aggressive and can grow up to 6 inches in length.

This cichlid prefers a pH range of 6.0-8.0 and a temperature range of 70-82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The diet for the Fire Mouth Cichlid should include both flake food and pellet food, as well as frozen and live food options.

The Fire Mouth Cichlid is semi-aggressive and they will get along well in a community tank, but they should only be kept with other semi-aggressive cichlids or larger livebearers and tetras in at least a 30-gallon tank.

Mollies

Mollies (View Price) are a popular fish for both freshwater and saltwater tanks. They are livebearers and have a very peaceful temperament which makes them an excellent addition to a community tank. These fish come in different colors including black, gold, spotted, and pure white. They eat both plant and meat-based foods and thrive in water temperatures between 68-82° F with a pH level around 7.0-7.8. Mollies will grow up to 3″ long and they need to be kept in at least a 30-gallon tank. Plus, unlike most fish, they can live in either freshwater or saltwater when properly acclimated.

Goldfish

Goldfish (View Price) are a popular choice for both beginner and experienced fishkeepers alike. They are hardy, peaceful fish that come in a variety of colors and can be kept in a wide range of water conditions. There are many different varieties of goldfish, but the most common types include the comet, fantail, shubunkin, and oranda. Goldfish can be red, white, or any other color and can grow up to 10 inches long. They need to be fed a diet made up of primarily plant matter and live in water conditions between 65-75° F and pH 6.5-7.5.

Neon Tetra

Neon Tetras (View Price) are a popular fish and they are considered easy to care for. They have a peaceful temperament and need to be housed in groups of six or more. They are also one of the most striking freshwater fish since they have an iridescent blue body with a bright red tail, but they can also change colors under different lighting conditions.

Neon Tetras are omnivores, and they will eat most foods that are offered to them including flake food, freeze-dried bloodworms, and tubifex worms. Neon Tetras prefer water conditions between 68°F-78°F with a pH range from 5.0-7.0. They grow to be about 1¼” long and need to be kept in at least a 10-gallon tank.

Cherry Barb

The Cherry Barb (View Price) is a peaceful and hardy fish that can be kept in a community aquarium with similarly sized fish. They are native to Southeast Asia and are bred in captivity, making them easy fish to find at pet stores. Cherry barbs prefer soft water with a pH of 6.0-8.0 and a temperature range of 60-75°F. They will eat small flake or pellet foods as well as small frozen or live foods. In general, they make a good addition to any community tank due to their small size and peaceful nature.

Angelfish

The Angelfish (View Price) is a popular fish that is known for its vibrant colors and semi-aggressive temperament. They are native to the Amazon River in South America, but they are now captive-bred all over the world. This species can grow up to 6 inches long and they prefer a tank size of at least 30 gallons.

They are one of the easier cichlids to care for and come in a variety of colors, including orange, gold, black and white. Angelfish should be kept in groups of at least three individuals, and they are omnivores and will eat most types of food, though they prefer meaty items. Just be aware that Angelfish require stable water conditions to remain healthy, which means you might need to do more water changes to keep nitrates at acceptable levels.

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Danios

The Zebra Danio (View Price) is a popular aquarium fish that is known for its peaceful temperament and easy care level. This schooling fish comes in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, white, and yellow. It is an omnivore that will eat most kinds of food but should have a diet that includes both meaty and vegetative matter. The zebra danio can grow up to 3 inches long and does well in water with a pH range of 6.5-7.5 and they need to be kept in at least a 10-gallon tank.

Bushy Nose Pleco

The Bushy Nose Pleco (View Price) is one of the easiest fish to take care of for beginners. This particular species of pleco has an orange, red, or brown body and they have a very peaceful temperament. The diet for this type of pleco consists mainly of leftover food and algae, but they will also eat other types of food along with some wood. They max out at 5″ in size and should be kept in tanks that are at least 30 gallons.

Rasboras

The Harlequin Rasbora (View Price) is one of the easiest fish to take care of, making it a great choice for beginners. This fish is a schooling fish, so it should be kept in groups of at least five, and the maximum size for Harlequin Rasboras is 2 inches, so they are perfect for smaller tanks.

They prefer a well-planted tank with areas of dense vegetation and moderate to low lighting. They are peaceful fish and can be housed with other community fish.

Harlequin Rasboras require a water temperature between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH level between 6.0 and 8.0. They will eat most types of flake food, but should also be given live or frozen brine shrimp or bloodworms as a treat.

Corydoras

Corydoras (View Price) are one of the easiest fish to take care of and make a great addition to any community tank. These small, peaceful fish come in black or yellow varieties, and love to swim around in groups. They are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, but should have a mostly plant-based diet. Corydoras thrive in water temperatures between 72-79° F and prefer soft water with a pH range from 5.8-7.0. They grow to be about 2½” long and do best when housed in tanks at least 30 gallons in size.

Jack Dempsey Cichlid

The Jack Dempsey Cichlid (View Price) is one of the easiest cichlids to take care of and makes a great addition to any home aquarium. This aggressive fish can grow up to 10 inches in length and comes in a variety of colors, including black, blue, clear, green, and tan. The Jack Dempsey Cichlid is a carnivore that prefers a diet of live food but will also eat flakes or pellets. The minimum tank size for this species is 55 gallons, and they are very aggressive, which means they make great additions to large predator tanks.

Guppies

Guppies (View Price) are one of the easiest fish to take care of and make a great beginner pet for anyone interested in starting a tank. They come in many different colors and have a peaceful temperament, making them an ideal choice for any home aquarium. They will grow up to 2″ long and should not be kept with other aggressive fish species, but they will reproduce easily, so with some luck they can quickly become an established population in your tank.

Dwarf Otocinclus

Otocinclus (View Price), also known as the ‘Oto’ or ‘Algae Eater’, is a small freshwater fish that is great for removing algae from your tank.

Otocinclus can be kept in a tank with other small fish, but it’s best to avoid keeping them with aggressive or larger fish that may eat them.

Otocinclus should be fed a diet of mostly algae pellets or wafers, but they will eat algae off glass, rocks, decorations, and plants. That makes them a perfect fish for anyone who wants an easy-to-care-for fish that will also make short work of any unsightly algae growing in their tank.

Otocinclus can grow up to 4 inches in size and need to be kept in at least a 10-gallon tank

Dwarf Gourami

The Dwarf Gourami (View Price) is one of the easiest fish to take care of and they make a great addition to any community tank. This peaceful fish comes in two colors, blue and orange, and can grow up to 2 inches long. They are omnivores that will eat most things offered, making them easy to care for. The Dwarf Gourami does best in water with a pH range of 6.0-8.0 and a temperature range of 72-82° F. They can be kept in tanks as small as 10 gallons, but they are semi-aggressive, so they need enough space to stake out their territory.

Kuhli Loach

The Kuhli Loach (View Price) is a popular fish for both beginner and experienced aquarists alike. They are peaceful fish that can be kept in community tanks with other small, non-aggressive fish. They come in a variety of colors, including red and tan, and will grow to a maximum size of 4½”, and they should be housed in tanks that are at least 50 gallons in size. Their diet consists mainly of meaty foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp, but they will also eat vegetative matter if it is available. They prefer water temperatures between 79-86° F, pH 6.0-6.5, and hardness levels between 3-5 KH.

Black Skirt Tetra

The Black Skirt Tetra (View Price) is a peaceful fish that originates from South America. It grows to be about 2 1/2 inches long and typically has a black and white color pattern. This fish is a schooling fish and requires a tank size of at least 10 gallons.

Easiest Saltwater Fish To Take Care Of For Beginners

Clownfish

Clownfish (View Price) are one of the easiest saltwater fish to take care of for beginners because they are very hardy and can adapt to a wide range of water conditions.

Another reason why clownfish make a great choice for beginners is that they are very colorful and interesting-looking fish, and they tend to stay quite small, which means they don’t require a lot of living space. Clownfish also aren’t that picky when it comes to food and they will eat most things you feed them.

They are peaceful fish that can live in tanks as small as 20 gallons and they come in beautiful colors like black, orange, and white, which makes them a visually appealing addition to any saltwater tank.

Pajama Cardinal

Pajama Cardinals (View Price) are small fish that typically grow to only about 2 inches in length. They have a bright red body with black stripes, and they are popular among aquarists for their lively personality and charming appearance.

Pajama Cardinals do best when kept in an aquarium with a depth of at least 18 inches and plenty of live rock for hiding places. They can be maintained in water temperatures from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and best of all they are reef safe.

Firefish

The Firefish (View Price) is an easy saltwater fish to take care of for beginners. They grow to a maximum size of 3 inches long and have an easygoing temperament that makes them perfect for nano tanks. Their bright colors – orange, red, white, yellow – make them a popular choice for those looking for an affordable yet beautiful fish.

The Firefish’s diet consists mainly of carnivore fare such as meaty frozen foods and live feeder shrimp. They are reef compatible and should be housed in tanks that are at least 20 gallons.

Jawfish

The Blue Dot Jawfish (View Price) is one of the easiest saltwater fish to take care of for beginners, making it a great option for those just starting in the hobby. This fish is semi-aggressive and requires a tank size of at least 30 gallons. The Blue Dot Jawfish will eat a wide variety of foods, including both meaty and plant-based items. It is reef compatible, and they don’t require a lot of attention or maintenance.

Lawnmower Blenny

The Lawnmower Blenny (View Price) is an excellent choice for those just starting out keeping a saltwater tank because they are easy to take care of and have a peaceful temperament. Another plus is that they come in assorted colors, so you can choose one that will brighten up your tank. These fish like moderate water conditions and prefer to eat herbivore food. They can grow up to 5″, so make sure you have a tank large enough before adding one of these blennies to your home aquarium.

Watchman Goby

The Watchman Goby (View Price) is one of the easiest saltwater fish to take care of for beginners. They are peaceful and can be kept in tanks as small as 30 gallons. Watchman Gobies are carnivores and should be fed a diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and frozen krill. Best of all, the watchman goby is reef compatible and can be housed with other invertebrates and coral.