Just getting started in the aquarium hobby and not sure which fish to start with? Choosing the right beginner fish can make all the difference in how smooth (and fun) your first tank experience is. Here’s a list of some of the best beginner-friendly fish that are hardy, easy to care for, and perfect for new fish keepers.
Betta Fish
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Semi- Aggressive
• Tank Size: 5+ gallons (not bowls!)
• Pros: Gorgeous, interactive, hardy, no need for air pump, wide variety of morphs
• Note: Keep solo or carefully house with peaceful tankmates in a tank size no smaller that a 20 gallon
Guppies
• Availability: Common
• Temperament:Very peaceful
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Very hardy, colorful, active, livebearers, wide variety of morphs,
• Note: Breed fast—start with one sex or manage population.
Endler’s Livebearers
• Availability: Common
• Tank Size: 5–10 gallons
• Temperament: Very peaceful
• Pros: Easy to breed, super active, great for nano & shrimp tanks
• Notes: Breed fast—start with one sex or manage population.
Platies
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Peaceful, hardy, colorful, great for community tanks, wide variety of morphs
• Note: Also livebearers—same breeding situation as guppies.
Zebra Danios
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Super hardy, fast, active, peaceful.
• Note: Keep in groups of 5+ to reduce aggression
Corydoras Catfish
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
•Tank Size: 15+ gallons
• Pros: Peaceful bottom dwellers, great in groups, fun personalities.
• Note: Best kept in schools of 4–6 minimum.
Neon Tetras
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Peaceful, colorful, good for planted/community tanks.
• Note: Need stable water—don’t add to brand new tanks too soon.
Ember Tetras
• Availability: Readily Available
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Peaceful, colorful, good for planted/community tanks.
• Note: Need stable water—don’t add to brand new tanks too soon.
Mollies
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 20+ gallons
• Pros: Hardy, social, comes in many colors, wide variety of morphs
• Note: Prefer slightly harder water and can live in brackish water too, Also livebearers—same breeding situation as guppies.
Swordtails
• Availability: Readily Available
• Temperament: Semi- Peaceful
• Tank Size:20+ gallons
• Pros: Hardy, social, comes in many colors, wide variety of morphs
• Note: can sometimes show mild aggression, in certain situations
White Cloud Mountain Minnows
• Availability: Readily Available
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Cold water tolerant, peaceful, very hardy.
• Note: Great for unheated tanks.
Cherry Barbs
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 15+ gallons
• Pros: Peaceful, great color, active but not aggressive.
• Note: Males are bright red—females more subtle but great in groups.
Harlequin Rasbora
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Extremely hardy and beginner-proof, Great schooling behavior in mid-water
• Notes: Best in schools of 6+, adapts to a wide range of water conditions
Galaxy Rasboras
• Availability: Uncommon
• Temperament: Shy but peaceful
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Stunning nano fish with starry patterns
• Notes: Best in schools of 6+, Thrive in well-planted, calm tanks with small tankmates
Glowlight Tetras
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 15–20+ gallons
• Pros: Bright, glowing stripe; schooling behavior
• Notes: Keep in groups of 6+, look great under subdued lighting
Dwarf Gourami
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful and shy
• Tank Size: 10+ gallons
• Pros: Small, calm, good centerpiece fish for smaller tanks
• Notes: Can be kept solo or in peaceful community setups
Bolivian Ram
• Availability: Readily Available
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 20+ gallons
• Pros: One of the easiest cichlids to care for, compatible with most tankmates.
• Notes: Prefers sandy substrate and plants; pairs well in peaceful setups
Neocaridina Shrimp
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 5+ gallons
• Pros: Hardy and beginner-friendly, Easy to breed, Constantly grazing on algae, detritus, and biofilm—great tank cleaners, Colorful and active
• Note: Avoid copper-based medications—it’s toxic to shrimp, They molt regularly—ensure there’s enough calcium and hiding spots, Do not mix multiple color varieties in one tank unless you’re okay with mixed offspring (they’ll revert to wild brown/clear types over generations), Feed high-quality shrimp pellets, blanched veggies, and occasional protein for breeding boosts.
Otocinclus Catfish
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful algae-eaters
• Tank Size: 20+ gallons
• Pros: Stay small, great for algae control
• Notes: Need mature tanks with lots of biofilm, keep in groups of 3–6
Bristlenose Pleco 
• Availability: Readily Available
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 30+ gallons
• Pros: stays small 4-6 in, peaceful, great at cleaning algae, easy to care for, lives long 5-10 years
• Note: Needs drift wood ( helps with digestion), needs a lot of hiding spots, active at night, can not survive strictly off of algae will need protection(shrimp pellets or bloodworms) and veggies (zucchini or cucumber)
African Dwarf Frogs (not a fish, but popular)
• Availability: Common
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 5+ gallons
• Pros: Fun and interactive
• Notes: Must surface to breathe; don’t mix with large or aggressive fish
Paradise Gourami
• Availability: Uncommon
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Tank Size: 20+ gallons
• Pros: Beautiful, hardy, labyrinth breather like Bettas
• Notes: One per tank or with calm tankmates
Pearl Gourami
• Availability: Readily Available
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Size: 30+ gallons
• Pros: not a picky eater, pairs well with other fish, beautiful appearance, low maintenance
• Note: house with all female or 1 male and 1-2 females, can be shy at first, prefers low water flow and avoid fin nippers like barbs or aggressive tetras.
Starting with the right fish can make all the difference in building confidence and enjoying the hobby. Stick with hardy, peaceful species at first, and you’ll be well on your way to a thriving, low-stress aquarium.