Let's take a look at the 10 best freshwater fish for your aquarium, Neon Tetra. Probably one of the best-known freshwater species on this list, the Neon Tetra is a small, slim and easy-to-care fish that is ideal for new owners. Angelfish are one of the most beautiful species you can find for your freshwater aquarium. Comes in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Angelfish are naturally seen in South America, in many rivers, including the Amazon. There are many types of rasboras, but our favorites are the harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and the rasbora lambchop (Trigonostigma espei). Known for their bright orange color and distinctive black triangular patch, these quiet nanofish only grow about two inches long and are easily available at most pet stores. Other scratches include the tiny neon green rasbora (Microdevario kubotai) and the larger scissor-tailed rasbora (Rasbora trilineata).
Get a school or six or more of the same species of rasbora and they'll have an impressive display in your community tank. For more information on caring for your rasboras, see our full care guide here. Veterans often warn new fish breeders to stay away from goldfish because they're so big, but they're still a great pet for beginners because they're so resilient and easy to care for. Common goldfish (Carassius auratus) grow between 12 and 14 inches, so they require 30 gallons of water per fish (or two goldfish in a 55 gallon aquarium).
Many people even put their goldfish in outdoor ponds once they reach their adult size. They love to eat spirulina, seaweed, vegetables, Repashy Super Gold, and other foods that are high in carbohydrates and proteins. Like rasboras, tetras are other small and very popular fish that come in tons of varieties, such as neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi), cardinal tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi), black neon tetras (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) and Congo tetras (Phenacogrammus interruptus). They are fairly easy to care for and prefer waters with a neutral pH of 7.0 to 7.8 (usually on the higher side for African tetras and lower for South American tetras caught in the wild).
As with most farm-age fish, keep them in groups of six or more because their numbers are safe. Tetras go very well with rasboras and other community fish on this list. You can find more information in our guide to neon tetra and cardinal tetra. The cory catfish is a fish that grows peacefully, like rasboras and tetras, but they live in the bottom of the aquarium.
Growing from one to three inches long, they love to rummage through the tank floor and look for crumbs, but you should specifically feed them a variety of foods that sink to ensure they get enough nutrition. So far, more than 160 species have been identified, but the most popular are the bronze and albino cory (Coryoras aeneus), the cory panda (Corydoras panda) and the emerald green cory (Corycora splendens). Keep them in a group of at least three or six of the same species to better enjoy their silly antics. Learn more by reading our Cory Catfish Care Guide.
Betta fish are the king of beginner fish because of their vivid coloration, small size and simple care requirements. They can be kept alone in a 5-gallon aquarium with a gentle filter, or with a community of other fish in a 10-gallon or larger tank. Don't keep them with other betta fish because their nickname is “Siamese fighting fish” for some reason. As meat eaters, they like betta balls, frozen bloodworms and other small floating foods.
Find out how to set up a beautiful Betta fish tank by reading our guide. The spikes are a lively and action-packed addition to your community tank. With a height of between three and four inches (or more), the most popular varieties are tiger spikes (Puntigrus tetrazona), Odessa spikes (Pethia padamya) and cherry tines (Puntius titteya). Some species are considered semi-aggressive, so we recommend buying six or more to reduce pinching of the fins.
Good tank companions include rasboras, tetras and runners, but stay away from long-finned fish such as angelfish and betta fish. The Bolivian ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) is an excellent beginner cichlid from South America that closely resembles its colorful but less resistant cousins, the German ram. At three inches long, they are a great central fish for a medium-sized community aquarium due to their unique cichlid behavior, yellow and black coloration, and ease of reproduction. Bolivian rams appreciate a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 and temperatures between 72 and 79 °F, and can be raised with almost any community fish that meets these same requirements.
Kuhli lochas (Pangio kuhlii) will fascinate or frighten you because they look like small eels or 4-inch snakes. Like nocturnal fish, they tend to be a bit shy and hide behind the decor, so keep them in groups of at least three to six so they feel safe enough to go out exploring. Like runners, these bottom dwellers look for leftovers on the ground and among rocks, but you must feed them specifically to make sure they don't go hungry. Read more about them in our Kuhli loch care guide.
With its beautiful shape, distinctive fins and charming striped pattern, the striking angelfish certainly lives up to its name. Because they can grow to the size of a small saucer, keep them in 55 or more gallons of water (especially in vertically tall tanks). This large cichlid, a masterpiece, adapts well to rasboras, tetras and other fish in the community, but it's best to keep one to avoid territorial struggles between its own species. The most common varieties include marble angelfish, zebra, koi and veil.
We've compiled a list of 13 species of tropical freshwater fish that are perfect for both beginner and advanced anglers. Why 13? Your guess is as good as ours. These 13 tropical fish are beautiful, easy to find and perfect for beginning anglers. See our own Neon Tetra Care Guide for more information on this stunning fish (with more beautiful photos).
One of the toughest freshwater aquarium fish available for beginners is the Danios. Because of their strength, they are excellent fish for people who don't have much experience installing a tank. They can survive in a variety of different water conditions. Danios are generally very active and fun to watch.
As for their diet, they'll be more than happy with fish flakes. Our favorite Danios to keep are the Zebra Danio and the Giant Danio. A perfect fish for the community tank. Platies are very peaceful fish that coexist peacefully with any other non-aggressive fish.
There are many varieties to choose from, and they come in a variety of different colors, as a result of selective breeding. The dishes aren't demanding when it comes to diet. They will eat any type of food in flakes, as well as most live frozen foods. A colorful freshwater aquarium fish that is perfect for beginners are the Guppies.
Although behavior and characteristics tend to be the same from fish to fish, guppies come in a wide range of colors. They are resistant fish and can eat normal fish flakes. However, like many fish on this list, they can also eat frozen (or live) pickled shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. The fact that Guppies can go more than a week without eating demonstrates how resilient they are.
If you're interested in staying with Guppies, it's important to know the difference between a man and a woman. Guppies breed like crazy, so if you had to bring the two sexes together, you can expect a lot of Guppy babies. See our complete guide to caring for guppies for more information. Originally from the tropical region of Southeast Asia, the Kuhli locha is an eel-like fish that, due to its size, ability to adapt to water changes and the fact that it is peaceful, has entered our list of the best freshwater fish.
Feeding from the bottom of the tank, Kuhli's loaf eats almost any leftover food that has fallen to the bottom of the tank, including live foods such as worms and shrimp. Most of your diet should consist of fish granules in general. To keep them happy, you must have at least 3 at a time. Although they may take a while to install in your new fish tank, cherry beards are the perfect freshwater fish for a home aquarium for all the reasons mentioned above.
They can tolerate big changes in water parameters, are friendly (unlike their cousins Tiger Barbs, who lost long ago), only grow about 2 inches long and are generally an easy fish to care for. As one of the most endangered fish species in nature, the cherry pick remains a favorite among the fish farming community, thanks to its bright, striking colors and entertainment value. To make your Cherry Barb feel as stable and secure as possible, we recommend that you keep some plants alive, allowing them to hide when needed. It can take a while for the spikes to come out of their shells.
They are best kept in schools, so anything higher than 6 is preferred. Adult cichlids can grow to about 6 inches long and their diet can consist of regular flake foods. They are easy to care for and can be stored in tanks with at least 30 gallons of water, but like many other types of Gourami, they require space at the top of the tank to breathe air. Growing up to 5 inches long, they have a lifespan of up to 8 years under optimal tank conditions.
The closely related Pleco Bristlenose is also an excellent pleco fish option for beginners. Another peaceful fish that will live in harmony with most other fish is the Cory Catfish. With over 140 species to choose from, the Cory fish is the perfect complement to a beginner's fish tank (not to be confused with other catfish such as Pictus catfish). Because of the big difference between each type of molly fish, choosing the right water conditions can be difficult.
However, all mollies prefer warm water, so a temperature between 25 and 28 degrees would be optimal. With a length of up to 12 cm and with a low water demand, sword tails are perfect for new anglers. Keep in mind that they thrive better in communities, so it's always best to have more than one, preferably 5 or more. The optimal water temperature would be between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius, but they can also work well in cooler or warmer tanks.
Of course, there are thousands of knowledgeable and trustworthy fish store employees around the world whose knowledge you can sincerely trust, but for every knowledgeable staff member, you'll find 3 who don't really know what they're talking about (it's a made-up number, but you understand my point of view) The 13 freshwater fish that We just introduced you to them are just a drop in the ocean compared to the number of fish that can be found in aquariums around the world. If you're still interested in learning more about freshwater fish, why not check out our freshwater fish section before you set off? If you're feeling brave, you can also check out our article on the 5 best tropical fish for advanced aquarists to learn more about the hardest fish to keep. Selecting the best fish for a 10 gallon tank isn't as simple as it sounds. Successfully storing and maintaining a 10-gallon tank requires some important considerations, such as fish.
That said, they prefer a cooler environment than most tropical aquarium fish (68-75°F), so they tend to grow better in tanks that only contain goldfish. Male fish have a penchant for being more territorial and aggressive than female fish species, especially when mating. A commonly used rule for storing an aquarium is one inch of adult-sized fish per net gallon of aquarium capacity. Being aggressive eaters, these freshwater fish will be responsible for keeping your tank clean, thanks to their love for vegetative matter and algae that can accumulate at the bottom of domestic aquariums.
Therefore, aquarium decorations, such as rocks, caves, driftwood and other decorations, help define the territory for freshwater species, such as cichlids and other territorial fish. To get the best out of these pretty little fish, you need a reasonably sized aquarium with a tight-fitting lid to prevent these confirmed jumpers from jumping. Alison Page has been an avid angler for more than 35 years and has owned many different species of tropical freshwater fish, including bettas. Although small, these beautifully colored fresh water fish are sure to take advantage of all the space in the fish tank and are one of the easiest fish to care for.
Cichlids, loaches, razor fish and other territorial fish don't usually share aquarium space well with members of their own species or closely related fish species. It involves understanding what kind of lights plants need, as well as carbon dioxide and other nutrient flows that fish-only aquarium systems don't require. Although these fish can be kept in a community, they are a rather shy species and should not be raised with large or semi-aggressive fish. Eliminating the aggressive fish is another option, but the next fish in the order can assume the dominant role and continue the cycle of aggression.
Although not normally recommended as a beginner fish, due to their aggressive nature (they're not called Siamese fighting fish for nothing), betta fish are generally aggressive with other betta fish, so as long as you only have one, they should be fine. It's important to research the fish species you're considering before trying to supply your aquarium with them. . .
