Cultivating a thriving freshwater aquarium is something to be proud of, but it isn’t quite so simple as it may look. Different species of aquarium fish have different needs, and some of them are more difficult to care for than others. If you are just getting started in the aquarium hobby, you should consider stocking your first tank with low-maintenance species. Keep reading to learn about the best freshwater aquarium fish for beginners.
What are the Best Freshwater Fish for Beginners?
There are thousands of different species of freshwater aquarium fish out there, but not all of them are beginner-friendly. When you are stocking your very first freshwater tank, you want to focus on species that are hardy and easy to care for. It will take some trial and error for you to learn how to control the water chemistry in your new tank, so you’ll want to keep fish that are adaptable to changing tank conditions as well as fish that are likely to get along with other species.
To help you choose the best fish for your first freshwater aquarium, here is an overview of some of the best beginner-friendly freshwater aquarium fish:
Fancy Guppies – In addition to being very hardy, fancy guppies are also some of the most colorful freshwater fish out there. Guppies generally grow no more than 2 ½ inches in length, and they can safely be kept in aquariums as small as 20 gallons. These fish breed prolifically, however, so consider a larger tank – especially if you plan to keep several of them. (As a side-note these are also a great starter fish to try, if you’re make a few extra bucks to support your hobby)
Zebra Danios – These small, active fish are named for their striped pattern, and they are some of the best beginner-friendly fish for freshwater aquariums. Danios grow up to 3 inches long, and they can tolerate a range of tank temperatures and are also hardy in poor water quality. These fish should be kept in small schools, and they do well with other fish of similar size.
Swordtails – These fish come in a variety of different colors, and they are what is known as a live-bearing species – they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Swordtails grow up to 4 inches long, and the males of the species develop an elongated sword-like projection at the base of their tail.
Black Skirt Tetras – Available in both a short-fin and long-finned variety, the black skirt swordtail grows up to 2 ½ inches, and it is a hardy species that does well in a community tank. These fish should be kept in small schools, and they prefer a tank that is decorated with plants and rockwork to provide hiding places.
Corydoras Catfish – These fish are a type of bottom-feeder which simply means that they inhabit the lower level of the tank and typically eat food that sinks to the bottom. There are many species of corydoras catfish, but they are all hardy and peaceful species that are well suited to beginning aquarium hobbyists – the bronze corydoras is a good example.
Mollies – Another live-bearing species like the swordtail, mollies come in a variety of different colors and patterns, but they are all peaceful schooling fish. Mollies can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, and they are hardy enough that they can even survive in brackish water. This is a good choice if you want to cultivate a community tank with a variety of species.
White Clouds – White cloud mountain minnows are usually just called white clouds, and they are a small species of fish that are particularly well adapted to cooler tank temperatures. These fish should be kept in schools with six or more of their own species, and they do well with other community fish. They also stay very small, growing to no more than 2 inches in length.
In addition to being hardy and easy to care for, the fish listed above are also what aquarium hobbyists call “community fish.” This means that they are gentle species that tend to get along well with other peaceful fish. You want to avoid stocking your tank with aggressive or even semi-aggressive species, especially when you are first starting out because they are more difficult to care for.
Tips and Tricks for Novice Aquarium Hobbyists
The key to maintaining a thriving aquarium is to set it up correctly in the first place. When you are first getting started, you’ll have to think about everything from the size of your tank down to the last piece of equipment. What many beginning aquarium hobbyists don’t know is that larger tanks are actually easier to maintain than smaller tanks. It all has to do with water quality.
Like any living thing, aquarium fish produce waste, and there are beneficial bacteria in your tank water that help to break down the waste. A side effect of the process, however, is ammonia which is toxic to fish. Luckily, there are other bacteria which convert ammonia into less harmful substances that can be removed from the tank by performing weekly water changes. If you have a larger tank, those toxins will be more diluted than they would be in a smaller tank, so they are less likely to have a negative impact on your fish.
Another tip for creating a thriving tank environment is to invest in a high-quality filtration system. Your tank filter is responsible for removing solid wastes from the water column and, depending on the type of filter you choose; it may also help to filter out dissolved wastes and toxins. Having a lighting system installed in your tank primarily serves an aesthetic purpose unless you fill your tank with aquatic plants in which case the light provides energy for your plants to grow. You’ll also want to equip your tank with a heater to help maintain the right tank temperature for your fish.
Plan it & go!
If you want to give your tank the greatest chance for success, you need to take the time to do some research and planning before you head to the pet store. Think carefully about how large you want your tank to be and then choose your aquarium equipment accordingly. Once your tank has been set up and has been running for a few weeks, you can add some of the beginner-friendly fish listed above.