The best types of fish for first-time owners are fuss-free, easy to maintain, and hardy. But just because they might be a dream to look after, it doesn’t mean they’re dull.
In fact, many of the top-finned friends for newbie aquarists are quite the opposite. Packed full of color, character, and intrigue, these easy-to-look-after under-the-water creatures still require all the basic usual fish care — like the best fish food, a strict cleaning schedule, and enough space to swim around in the best fish tanks.
They’ll also need the right water temperature, pH level, and filtration system. But apart from that, these aquatic additions won’t ask for much.
So, if this is your first time owning an aquarium, dive into our guide to the best fish for first-time pet parents.
32 best types of fish for first-time owners
1. Slender Danios
Easy to look after? Tick. Inexpensive to keep? Sure. Able to tolerate most water temperatures? Absolutely. Slender Danios, or Zebrafish as they’re often called, are a hardy addition to any tank, they are especially suitable for most beginner aquarists. Famed for their striped zebra-like appearance, while away the days by watching these active fish swim from one side of the tank to the other.
2. Guppy
Whether you know the humble Guppy by its various other nicknames, like its more formal name, Poecilia Reticulata, Million Fish, or Rainbow Fish, this freshwater species is one of the most well known tropical fish in the world. Their stunning and colorful appearance might have you thinking these pets are hard to keep. But their mild temperament, ability to get along with other similar-sized fish, and power to thrive in lower temperatures say otherwise.
3. Danio Margaritatus
How beautiful is this Danio Margaritatus? Another fish that goes by various names — from the Galaxy Rasbora or Microrasbora — this active finned friend is a great option for first-time fish owners. Small in size, not too fussy about pH levels, and preferring cooler temperatures, these hardy additions are practically fuss-free. So they will feel right at home in one of the best small fish tanks. Their only vice? They are schooling fish, so feel most comfortable in a group of six or more.
4. Golden dwarf Barbs
Generally measuring in at around three inches in size, colorful, and coming with a shy persona, Golden Dwarf Barbs are peaceful fish who love living in shoals. These tiny little gems thrive in well-filtered water and love nothing more than being surrounded by plants and their own species. Feed them the best fish food money can buy, like flakes or micropellets, and they’ll love sharing your home with you.
5. Neon Tetras
Looking for a colorful species to add to your aquarium? Then look no further than the aptly named Neon Tetra. These colorful tropical fish are one of the easiest at-home aquarium fish to keep, but they do get lonely. Another type of schooling fish, Neon Tetras thrive when they’re roaming the waters with at least six or more of the same species. Providing you enrich their aquatic environment with the likes of plants, sand, and low lights, they can live up to three years.
6. Pygmy Corydoras
Coming with a small stature, peaceful demeanor, and interesting coloring, Pygmy Corydoras joins our list of the best fish for beginner pet parents for more reasons than one. Corydoras Pygmaeus or Pygmy Catfish is a type of freshwater fish, and as long as you welcome at least 10 of these little beauties into one of the best tropical fish tanks with plants and soft or sandy substrates, these water-based babies will feel right at home.
7. Betta Fish
With their more informal name, Siamese Fighting Fish, you might be thinking Bettas aren’t easy to look after. But that’s far from the truth. In fact, as long as you give these finned friends enough space to roam and explore in the tank, they’re beautiful to watch and easy to care for. So, once you’ve learned how to care for a betta fish, these majestic creatures could live for up to five years.
8. Dwarf Gourami
If you’re looking for a peaceful fish, then the Dwarf Gourami ticks all the boxes. As its name suggests, this smaller-than-usual species typically reaches a maximum length of 2.5cm and has a red and orange body with beautiful iridescent blue fins. They are generally peaceful creatures with their relatively undemanding nature. But just know: male gouramis can be territorial, so it’s wise to only keep one male in a tank at any one time.
9. Rasboras
New to fishkeeping? Then make these active and easygoing fish one of your go-to options. Not only is looking after these Rasboras simple, but these laidback creatures can coexist and share their aquatic world with other species like Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, and Black Phantom Tetras. And just look how stunning they are!
10. Glowlight Danios
So, you’ve heard how easygoing Slender Danios and Danio Margaritatus can be. But now Glowlight Danio joins this list! Hardy, as they can tolerate various water conditions, are easy to breed (if that’s what you’re looking for), and are peaceful — Glowlight Danios make for peaceful and active creatures, so are ideal for community fish tanks.
11. White Cloud Mountain Minnows
You might not have come across these delicately-named schooling fish before. But any fishkeeping newbie will want to get to know these small-sized fish because they are pretty inexpensive, undemanding when it comes to tank size, and as long as there is enough room for them (and their school) they make for an easy species of fish to look after.
12. Swordtails
Otherwise known as one of the best beginner community fish species, these tropical creatures are available in various colors and can be kept in a freshwater tank as small as 10 gallons. So if you’re short on space but still keen on adding an underwater ecosystem to your home, Swordtails are the perfect pets to consider.
13. Southern Platyfish
Whether you’ve been keeping fish for years, or you’re new to the aquatic scene, these easy-to-watch (and loved) pets don’t ask for much. They love a higher pH level in the water and can be friendly neighbors to a whole host of other species. So maybe you’re considering investing in other small Tetras, Rasboras or Cory Catfish — a Southern Platyfish will be the perfect addition to your collection.
14. Molly Fish
As long as you provide Mollies with enough hiding places so they can get some respite, some high-quality food, and these warm water-loving finned friends make for an easy pet to keep. Just remember, these are schooling fish so they love spending time in the company of their own species.
15. Corydoras
Peaceful, entertaining, and easy to breed are some words to describe the much-loved Cory Catfish, which are especially popular with beginner hobbyists. While these loveable creatures can survive the waters on their own, they much prefer living in a group of two or more. So if you’re keen to welcome these to your under-water world, be prepared to make room for at least two
16. Black Molly
Here's a fish you don't see every day! Black Mollies make for another low-maintenance fish that are peaceful and easy to care for. Swimming in a shoal, these beauties love being around their own kind, so they’re a real spectacle to look at in your tank.
17. Red wagtail platy
Vibrant red in color, these selectively bred variants of platies are native to Central America. Like other Platy breeds, the Red Wagtail is low-maintenance, and playful in nature and therefore makes life as a first-time aquatic owner a dream.
18. Otocinclus Catfish
Every newbie fish owner needs a resilient fish — and an Otocinclus Catfish or Otos, as they’re lovingly referred to, fit this bill. These extremely social and peaceful fish mix well with other small tank additions, like a Cory Catfish. They are non-aggressive by nature and in the wild, they live in shoals of thousands. So to keep them happy, experts recommend keeping around six in your tank at any one time. Who wouldn’t want a shoal of these beauties?
19. Cherry Barb
Aside from their bright and beautiful good looks and their ability to live in a wide range of water temperatures and conditions, one of the best things about the Cherry Barb is their ease of care. Ideally, you’ll want to keep a group of six of these bright beauties together while keeping their water temperature between 72–80°F and a pH level of 6.0-8.0.
20. Common Goldfish
Ask any pet lover what’s the best type of animal for beginner pet parents and the common goldfish is bound to be brought up every time. Whether you’ve got kids, or just have a love for fish, these vibrant and easy-to-love and look-after finned friends make for a great beginner pet for all. Wondering what do goldfish eat? Well, along with a good omnivore diet, these orange occupants will need at least one other aquarium mate and they can live peacefully in your company for up to 15 years.
21. Hypostomus plecostomus
Also known as suckermouth catfish, plecos are considered to be a good fish for beginners. Lovers of algae, these peaceful fish won’t demand any special water parameters to stay happy or healthy. Along with algae, this omnivorous species will feed on aquatic plants and small crustaceans
22. Bolivian Rams
These technicolored beauties are considered a good choice for beginner aquarium enthusiasts for a whole host of reasons. For starters, they are peaceful and they have the brilliant ability to adapt to a variety of environmental conditions. Along with being omnivorous, so will eat both plants and live food, they make great tank mates with Silver Dollar fish, Emperor Tetras, and Guppies.
23. Kuhli Loaches
Now here’s an under-water creature that will stand out! Beginner aquarists will want to open their hearts (and tanks) to a Kuhli Loach as these small, colorful fish are low-maintenance, interesting to look at thanks to their eel-like appearance and can thrive in freshwater aquariums.
24. Angelfish
Bright in color and coming in almost every hue of the rainbow, Angelfish are bound to brighten up any at-home tank. However, there are a few common health issues to watch out for as these little beauties can be susceptible to fin rot, anchor worm, and constipation. That said, with the right TLC, like a tank temperature of between 75F to 84F, Angelfish can live anywhere between 8-10 years.
25. Bristlenose plecos
After an algae eater who can hoover up piles of the green stuff? Then consider the beginner-friendly, unique-looking Bristle Nose Pleco (which can also be referred to as Bushynose Plecos) as the right fish for you. Whether it’s green spot algae or gold slime, depending on which type of flat-bodied fish you go for, these finned friends can keep your tank clean and require no special water parameter treatment.
26. Clownfish
Taking up little to no space, rarely swimming long distances, and happy to eat fresh, frozen, or dried foods, Clownfish or Anemonefish as they’re more formally called, are ideal for beginner aquarists who want the enjoyment of fish without the hassle of much upkeep. These little finned creatures will just keep swimming!
27. Congo Tetra
Who said fish for beginners are boring? These tropical beauties prove otherwise! Adding iridescent gold and silver flecks to your tank thanks to their rainbow coloring, aside from keeping an eye on the water quality (they prefer slightly softer and acidic H2O), these sparkly creations are very easy to care for.
28. Boesemani Rainbowfish
‘Mesmerizing’ is the only way to describe these vibrantly colored finned friends. There are many species of Rainbowfish available, but the Boesemani is by far the most recognizable thanks to the bluey/purple head with a sunset gold body. Like many of their other fish friends, the Bosemani Rainbowfish does well in groups. So give them plenty of room to swim in a school and they will be happy.
29. Silver Dollar
As you might expect from their name, the Silver Dollar is a tropical fish with a shiny metal-colored round body. Growing up to 6 inches tall, these peaceful species love hiding out of plain sight and will get along with other small finned babies.
30. Honey gourami
Another hardy pet for beginners? The peaceful, shy, and plant-loving Honey Gouramis. These golden-colored water lovers come with an oblong-shaped body and two ventral fins that look like trailing whiskers. They make for great community fish. But just like other gouramis, male Honey Gouramis can be aggressive towards one another.
31. Diamond Tetra
Diamond Tetras could be considered suitable for beginners because they only come with a handful of care conditions. For starters, their ideal pH level is between 5.5 and 7, they prefer a tropical climate, love live food, and will thrive in schools of six or more.
32. Yellow Tail Acei
If you’ve got a well-oxygenated environment, are happy to provide a balanced diet of both plant and animal-based foods, and have filled your aquarium with plenty of caves or hiding spaces, then the Yellow Tail Acei will feel happy in your under-water home.
