The Best Fish for Beginners: Top 10 Easy-to-Care-for Species

Retailers (Local Pet Stores vs. Online Retailers)

When buying aquarium fish, you have several options. Local pet stores are convenient and often offer affordable, beginner-friendly fish. However, their selection may be limited, and the fish may not receive the best care.

For more unique species, consider specialty aquarium shops. These stores focus on fish and provide expert advice, though prices tend to be higher. The fish quality and aftercare support are generally much better.

Alternatively, online retailers offer the convenience of shopping from home, often with next-day delivery. This option is great if you don’t have a local specialist. However, shipping fish requires extra care to avoid issues like temperature fluctuations, leaks, or oxygen shortages during transit.

It’s important to research the retailer’s shipping methods to ensure healthy fish arrive safely. While shipping costs can add up, buying a few at a time may help reduce the overall expense.

Signs of a Healthy Fish

When selecting fish for your new tank, look for these signs of good health:

• 1. Vibrant, bright colours with no dullness or fading, consistent with the species.
• 2. Active, smooth movement without signs of sluggishness.
• 3. Clear eyes and skin, free from cloudiness or lesions.
• 4. Clean, pinkish gills, not inflamed or slimy.

Red Flags to Look Out for

Be cautious if the fish show any of these warning signs:

• 1. White spots, red lesions, raised growths, or slimy patches on the skin, which may indicate injury or infection.
• 2. Sluggish behaviour, where the fish shows a lack of movement that’s unusual for its species.
• 4. Erratic swimming patterns, like swimming in circles, may suggest a neurological issue.
• 5. Floating at the top or sinking to the bottom can signal buoyancy problems.

1. White Cloud Mountain Minnows

A hardy cold-water fish that’s perfect for beginners. These vibrant, colourful fish do well in groups of six or more and are low-maintenance, making them a great choice for cold-water aquariums.

2. Cherry Barb

These schooling fish prefer to live in groups and are highly active, so they need ample space to swim. Known for their bright red colour, they thrive in freshwater and are peaceful with other tank mates.

3. Yellow Comet Goldfish

Goldfishes are some of the most commonly kept aquarium pets in the world. These freshwater fish are peaceful and easy to care for but may need a larger tank or pond as they can get quite large.

4. Zebra Danios

Zebra Danios are hardy, adaptable fish that are perfect for beginner aquariums. They can tolerate a range of freshwater conditions and are peaceful, with their distinctive horizontal stripes making them visually striking.

5. Platies

Platies are colourful, active fish that are very easy to care for. These peaceful fish thrive in community tanks and can tolerate a range of freshwater conditions, making them perfect for a diverse aquarium.

6. Bettas

These fish are very hardy and visually striking with their vibrant, long fins. Unfortunately they don’t play too well with tank-mates and are known as ‘fighting fish’ so best kept on their own.

7. Neon Tetras

Tetras are small, peaceful fish that are best kept in groups of 6 or more. Their bright blue and red colouration makes them a beautiful addition to tropical freshwater aquariums.

8. Corydoras Catfish

Cory Catfish are peaceful bottom dwellers that are easy to care for and do well in groups. They thrive in freshwater tanks and help keep the substrate clean, but make sure to provide sinking food for proper nutrition.

9. Bolivian Cichlids

Bolivian Cichlids are another great choice for aquarium fish for beginners. They are peaceful toward most other fish, and their yellow bodies with red markings make them visually appealing.

Maintaining a Healthy Tank

After reading this blog, you should have a better idea of which fish to choose. However, maintaining their health and ensuring good water quality is just as important.

Natural, fish-friendly treatments like Envii Aquarium Klear can help create a balanced environment by reducing algae, breaking down fish waste, and controlling ammonia with beneficial bacteria.

Using bacterial treatments can also minimise the need for frequent water changes, as they naturally improve water quality. When water changes are required, replace only a small amount at a time to avoid removing the beneficial bacterial communities.

Always use a dechlorinator, such as Aquarium Chlorine Klear, since chlorine is harmful to fish. Find out more about the effects of chlorine and how to make tap water safe for fish.