What could be more satiating than seeing happy fish swimming around in your Home Aquarium? Fishkeeping is undoubtedly a ‘very relaxing hobby’, but given the wide range of species available, it could be daunting to a beginner. That’s why we stepped in, to help you choose the ‘easiest fish to take care of’.
Importance of choosing the right fish for beginners
After entry into ‘fishkeeping’ as a hobby, beginners, more often than not, make the mistake of choosing fish that are too difficult to take care of. Doing this could spoil the fun, as it will lead to disappointment and frustration because of unnecessary expenses for equipment and supplies. By choosing the ‘easiest fish to take care of’ right during the start of your hobby, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable aquarium experience.
The benefits of low-maintenance fish
You don’t have to spend a fortune or a lot of time to enjoy having fish as pets. ‘Low-maintenance fish’ are easy and cheap to keep, and they don’t need much attention or expertise. Beginners who are busy but still want to learn about the fascinating world of aquariums might choose these fish.
Criteria for Choosing the Top 10 Easiest Fish to Take Care of
There are some crucial considerations to take into account while choosing fish for novices:
Factors to consider when selecting fish for beginners
Hardiness: It’s crucial to select fish that are hardy and can withstand fluctuations in water conditions. Hardy fish are more forgiving and can recover quickly from common beginner mistakes such as overfeeding or poor water quality.
Size: Beginners should choose tiny to medium-sized fish. Since they require less space and are simpler to maintain, smaller fish are perfect for aquariums with limited space.
Temperament: The temperament of a fish is another important fact to consider. The best fish for beginners are calm, non-aggressive fish because they are less likely to hurt other fish in the tank, thereby making the overall home aquarium environment peaceful.
Our rationale behind the selection of the ‘Top 10 Easiest Freshwater Fish to take Care of’
We have chosen the top 10 fish for beginners in a home aquarium that are the easiest to care for after taking into account the aforementioned qualities. Each fish’s hardiness, size, temperament, and appeal to hobbyists were taken into consideration. These fish are easy to maintain, and are amusing to watch too. The variety of fish species in our top 10 list are appropriate for various tank sizes and water quality levels.
Here comes our list of diligently chosen ‘Top 10 easiest fish to maintain in a tank’:
Betta fish: Betta fish are renowned for their beautiful fins and eye-catching colors. They are rather little, often reaching a length of 2 to 3 inches. Betta fish are a great choice for beginners because they require little maintenance and are simple to look after. Betta fish can easily survive in a tiny bowl or tank and don’t need a heater, filter, or air pump. But it is always recommended to keep a regular eye on water temperature and quality.
Behavior: Betta Fish are known for their aggressive behavior, especially the males. They are territorial and will fight with other male Bettas if they are kept in the same tank. It is recommended to keep only one male Betta in a tank, or to keep a group of females together. However, Betta Fish can also be quite playful and interactive, and they will often recognize their owners and swim up to the glass to say hello.
Breeding habits: Breeding Betta Fish can be a bit more challenging than keeping them as pets. It is recommended to have a separate breeding tank for Betta Fish, with plenty of hiding places and vegetation for the female to lay her eggs. The female Betta will lay her eggs in a bubble nest that the male Betta has constructed at the water’s surface. Male Betta fish will take care of the nest and protect the eggs until they hatch after the eggs have been fertilized.
Diet: Betta Fish are carnivorous and require a high protein diet. Pellets, flakes and frozen or live feeds like as bloodworms and brine shrimp can all be offered to them. Betta Fish should not be overfed because they are prone to obesity and can develop health problems as a result. A decent rule of thumb is to only feed them what they can finish in 2-3 minutes, twice a day.
Guppy: Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater fish species among beginners due to their vibrant colors and easy-going nature. Guppies are very adaptable and can live in a variety of water conditions. This makes Guppies a great choice for novice fishkeepers.
Behavior: Guppies are peaceful fish and can be kept with other non-aggressive fish species. They are active swimmers and enjoy having plenty of space to explore. Guppies are also known for their playful behavior, and may even jump out of the water to catch insects near the surface.
Breeding Habits: Guppies are livebearers, which means they don’t lay eggs but instead give birth to live young. If you have both males and females in your tank, be prepared for a population growth as breeding guppies is relatively simple and they reproduce quickly. Guppies are renowned for their unusual mating behaviors, in which the males will attempt to impress the females with their vibrant displays.
Diet: Guppies are omnivores, which means they will eat flake food, freeze-dried food, and live food such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. So to keep your guppies healthy and active, always feed them with well-balanced and diverse food.
Neon Tetra (Photo Courtesy: SOK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Neon Tetra: Neon tetras are popular freshwater fish that are known for their vibrant colors and active behavior. They typically reach a length of around an inch and are rather little. Neon tetras are low maintenance fish and can thrive in a variety of water conditions. They are also peaceful and get along well with other non-aggressive fish, making them an excellent choice for community tanks.
Behavior: Neon tetras are known for their active and lively behavior, which is a big part of what makes them such popular aquarium fish. It’s crucial to maintain them in schools where there are at least six to eight individuals since they are highly social and love to live in groups. It makes sense to recreate their natural habitat in their aquarium, which is a slow-moving stream or river with lots of vegetation. Neon tetras are a great option for community tanks because they are calm and get along with other non-aggressive fish.
Diet: Neon tetras like to eat different kinds of food, filling themselves with a lot of food sources, including but not limited to bugs, algae, and small shrimps. However, in captivity, they are not selective and demonstrate eagerness to indulge in most commercially available fish foods. Maintaining their well-being and preserving their vibrant coloration requires a well-balanced diet encompassing superior quality flake foods, freeze-dried or frozen foods, and living prey such as daphnia or brine shrimp.
Breeding Habits: Breeding neon tetras at home can be a bit fussy, as they need special water conditions and a lot of plants in their tank to make babies. Females are mostly larger and plumper than males, and will show a reddish or orange hue on their bellies when they are set to breed. After a pair procreates, the female will drop eggs in bunches on the leaves of plants, and the male will make them fertile. It’s important to take out the grown-up fish from the breeding tank after they have bred, as they may munch on their own eggs or fry. The eggs will pop open in about 24 to 36 hours, and the fry can be fed tiny food or store-bought fry food until they are big enough to eat grown-up food.
Platies: Platies are a bright and peaceful fish that are easy to look after and awesome for newbies. They are tiny in size, usually growing to about 2-3 inches long. Platies are sturdy fish and can handle a lot of water conditions. They do fine in group tanks and are peaceful fish that play nice with other non-aggressive fish.
Behavior: Platies are lively and friendly fish that love swimming around their tanks. They are known for their chill vibe and are often kept in group tanks with other non-aggressive fish. They tend to tolerate a variety of water conditions, making them a good pick for newbie fishkeepers.
Diet: In the wild, Platies are omnivores and nibble on a bunch of foods, including algae, small crabs, and insects. In captivity, they will happily eat most ready-made fish foods, such as flakes, pellets, and dried or frozen foods. To keep them healthy and lively, it’s important to feed them a varied diet that has both plant and animal-based foods.
Breeding Habits: Platies are extensive breeders, and females can pop out as many as 100 fry at a time. They are livebearers, which means that the females drop live babies instead of laying eggs. Breeding is pretty easy, and the females can keep sperm from a single mating session to make multiple batches of eggs. However, if you want to breed Platies on purpose, it’s best to keep males and females apart until you are ready to start the breeding process.
Mollies: Mollies are a sturdy and lively freshwater fish that are easy to look after and awesome for newbies. They are tiny in size, usually growing to about 3-4 inches long. Mollies are sturdy fish and can handle a lot of water conditions. They do fine in group tanks and are friendly fish that play nice with other non-aggressive fish.
Behavior: Mollies are lively and friendly fish that are known for their fun behavior. They are also sturdy and flexible, making them a great pick for newbie fishkeepers. They like to swim in groups and are not mean towards other friendly fish.
Diet: Mollies munch on all kinds of stuff. They like a mix of green and meaty things to stay happy and healthy. You can give them some good flakes, or some wiggly things like shrimps, bugs, or worms. You can even toss in some cooked veggies like zucchinis or greens.
Breeding Habits: Mollies are livebearers, which means that the females give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. They are prolific breeders and can produce several batches of fry in a single year. It’s important to provide plenty of hiding places for the fry to ensure their survival. Mollies can also interbreed with other species of livebearers, which can result in interesting hybrid offspring.
Swordtails: Swordtails are pretty and friendly fish that are easy to look after and great for newbies. They are tiny, usually growing to about this big (4-5 inches). Swordtails are tough fish and can tolerate diverse water conditions. They like hanging out with other fish and are nice fish that don’t fight with other friendly fish.
Behavior: Swordtails are active and social fish that are known for their peaceful temperament. They are typically found swimming in the middle or top of the aquarium, and enjoy having plenty of space to swim around in. Swordtails are also known for their playful behavior, and they often enjoy playing with toys and other aquarium decorations.
Diet: Swordtails eat all kinds of stuff, like green things, plants, and little bugs. When you keep them at home, you can give them some good flakes, or some dried or frozen things like shrimps or worms. It’s good to change up what they eat so they get all the good stuff they need to be happy and healthy.
Breeding Habits: Swordtails are livebearers, which means that they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Breeding swordtails can be relatively easy, as long as the water conditions are right and there is a male and female in the tank. Swordtails are prolific breeders, and females can give birth to dozens of fry at a time. To encourage breeding, it’s important to keep the water temperature between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and provide plenty of plants or other hiding places for the fry.
Cherry Barb: If you are new to fish-keeping, cherry barbs are a great choice and they are a great addition to community aquariums. They are small and pretty, grow up to two inches in length with bright colors that pop. They easily adapt to different kinds of water conditions. They are chill and friendly, and they won’t bother other fish that are non-aggressive.
Behavior: Cherry barbs are generally peaceful and get along well with other non-aggressive fish. They are active swimmers and like to explore their surroundings. Cherry barbs prefer to live in groups, and a school of six or more individuals is recommended for optimal health and social behavior.
Diet: Cherry barbs eat all kinds of stuff in the wild, like bugs, tiny shrimps, and plants. In your tank, they will gobble up any fish food you give them, but they will be happier and prettier if you mix it up a bit. Give them some good flakes, some live or frozen shrimps, and other small critters sometimes.
Breeding Habits: Cherry barbs can breed actively, throughout the year. You just need a small group of males and females in a tank with lots of plants and places to hide. During breeding season the males will compete for the attention of the females when they are ready to mate, and the females can drop up to 200 eggs at once. After that, you need to take the parents out of the tank so they don’t eat the eggs. The eggs will turn into baby fish in about two days, and you can feed them tiny bits of infusoria or baby shrimps.
Corydoras: Corydoras are small catfish that are super friendly and easy to keep. They are always on the move and have a fun personality that makes your tank more lively. They are tough fish that can handle different kinds of water. Corydoras like to hang out with their buddies, so get at least five of them, and give them some places to hide, like plants or caves. These fish eat stuff from the bottom of the tank, so make sure to give them sinking food like pellets or tablets. The most common kind of Corydoras is the bronze one, but there are lots of other kinds that can make your tank more colorful and fun.
Behavior: Corydoras are cool freshwater catfish that people love for their weird look and calm attitude. They are small fish, usually about 2-3 inches long. Corydoras are nice fish that don’t fight with other fish that are non-aggressive too, so they are great for tanks with lots of different fish.
Diet: Corydoras eat all kinds of stuff from the bottom of the water in the wild, like tiny shrimps, worms, and plants. In your tank, they are not fussy and will eat any fish food you give them. But they will be happier and healthier if you mix it up a bit and give them some good sinking pellets, freeze-dried or frozen foods, and live foods like shrimps or bloodworms sometimes.
Breeding Habits: Breeding Corydoras can be tricky, but it is achievable if you look after them well. They lay eggs and need a different tank with a soft bottom like sand. The tank should be clean and have the same temperature of about 77 degree Fahrenheit. To encourage spawning, you need to provide them with different kind of foods. After they lay eggs, you need to take the parents out of the tank so they don’t eat their own eggs. The eggs turn into baby fish in a few days, and you need to feed them tiny bits of powdered or liquid food many times a day.
Zebra danio (Photo Courtesy: Bob Jenkins)
Zebra Danio, Danio Reirio: Zebra danios are hardy and active fish that are perfect for beginners. They are easy to take care of and can coexist with other peaceful community fish. Zebra danios grow up to 2-3 inches in length and require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons with a balanced diet of flakes, small pellets, and live foods.
Behavior: Zebra Danios are an active and hardy fish that are well-suited for beginners. They have unique stripes like zebras and are usually kept in groups of at least 6 in tanks. Zebra Danios are schooling fish, which means they prefer to be in groups and will become stressed and aggressive if kept alone. They are also fast swimmers and enjoy swimming in open spaces. They are peaceful fish and get along well with other non-aggressive fish.
Diet: Zebra Danios eat all kinds of stuff in the wild, like bugs, larvae, and tiny shrimps. In your tank, they are not fussy and will eat any fish food you give them. But they will be happier and prettier if you mix it up a bit and give them some good flakes, freeze-dried or frozen foods, and live foods like shrimps or daphnia sometimes.
Breeding Habits: Zebra Danios can breed easily in your fish tank. They lay eggs on plants, gravel, or anything else in the water. To make them want to mate, you need to give them a good tank with lots of places to hide and plants. The mating process usually involves the male chasing the female, which makes her drop eggs. The male will then make the eggs into baby fish, and they will hatch in about 2-3 days. After they hatch, you need to take the parents out of the tank so they don’t eat the baby fish.
Kuhli Loach: Scientifically called Pangio kuhlii these fish are bottom-dwelling fish that are peaceful and easy to take care of. They are small, growing up to 3-4 inches in length, and prefer to live in groups. Kuhli loaches need a minimum tank size of 20 gallons with a sandy substrate and plenty of hiding spots. They feed on a varied diet of live, frozen, and flake foods.
Behavior: Kuhli loaches are small fish that are super friendly and have long bodies like eels. They like to stay at the bottom of the tank and hide in caves, under rocks or in plants. Kuhli loaches are friendly fish that like to hang out with their buddies, so get at least five of them, and they won’t bother other fish that are non-aggressive too.
Diet: Kuhli loaches eat all kinds of stuff in the wild, like bug larvae, tiny shrimps, and small worms. In your tank, they are not fussy and will eat any fish food you give them, including flakes, pellets, and frozen or live foods like shrimps, bloodworms, or daphnia.
Breeding Habits: Kuhli loaches lay eggs and making babies for them can be hard. They need very special water, like soft, sour water with a temperature of about 80 degree Fahrenheit. It’s better to keep them in a different tank where you can check and change the water as needed. After they lay eggs, they will hatch in about a day or two, and the baby fish will swim around in a week. The baby fish are fragile and need small, often feedings of baby shrimps or commercial baby food.
Tips for taking care of low-maintenance fish
Taking care of the aforementioned ‘Top 10 low-maintenance fish’ feels like a breeze for beginners while also enjoying the beauty of the aquarium. Do be mindful of the following quick tips for maintaining a healthy fish tank though.
Proper aquarium setup and maintenance
The first thing you need to do while taking care of low-maintenance fish is to set up the tank right. Pick a good tank size and think about the kind of filter that works best for your fish. It’s also important to keep the water clean by changing it often and using a water test kit to check levels of ammonia, nitrate, and pH.
Feeding schedule and diet recommendations
Low-maintenance fish are usually easy to feed, but it’s important to give them a good diet to keep them healthy. Most fish that are easy to maintain will be fine with a diet of good flakes or pellets, with some treats like frozen or live foods sometimes. Think about the specific food needs of your fish and change the feeding time as needed.
Common mistakes to avoid while caring for low-maintenance fish
Even though beginner fish don’t need as much care as other fish, it’s still important to avoid common things that can hurt your fish. Some common things include giving too much food, putting too many fish in the tank, and not changing the water enough. Be sure to learn about your fish and their specific needs to avoid these common problems.
If you are new to the fish world, picking the right fish is super important. You don’t want to deal with fish that are hard to look after or cause trouble in your tank.
To summarize, the top 10 easiest fish to take care of are Betta fish, Guppy, Neon tetra, Platies, Mollies, Swordtails, Cherry barb, Corydoras, Zebra danio, and Kuhli loach. All these fish share the common trait of being the easiest fish to take care of for beginners.
If you are a beginner who wants to start your own fish tank, we hope this article helped you out. Don’t forget the tips we gave you for setting up and taking care of your tank, what to feed your fish and when, and what to avoid doing.
