The Ultimate Guide to 10 Best Low-Maintenance Fish for a Beginner Aquarium in 2023

Introduction

Aquariums are becoming increasingly popular, not only as a hobby but also as a way to bring nature into your home. Whether you’re looking to create a relaxing environment or just want to admire the beauty of fish, an aquarium can be a great addition to any home. But if you’re a beginner, you may be overwhelmed by the thought of taking care of a complex setup. This is why it’s important to start with low maintenance fish that are easy to care for and won’t require a lot of time or effort. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 best low maintenance fish for a beginner aquarium.

Having an aquarium in your home can bring many benefits. For one, it can help reduce stress and create a peaceful environment. Watching fish swim and interact with each other can be very calming and can help you relax after a long day. Additionally, having an aquarium can improve air quality and increase humidity in your home, which can be especially helpful during dry winter months.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the 10 best low maintenance fish for a beginner aquarium. These fish are easy to care for and won’t require a lot of time or effort to keep them healthy and happy. Whether you’re looking for bright and colorful fish or simply want to create a peaceful and relaxing environment, you’ll find something on this list that fits your needs.

The 10 Best Low Maintenance Fish Types for a Beginner Aquarium

Guppies

1. Description: Guppies are small, brightly colored fish that are easy to care for and are a popular choice for beginner aquariums. Theycome in a variety of colors and patterns, making them a great addition to any aquarium. Guppies are active and playful, and their small size makes them perfect for smaller aquariums.

2. Care requirements: Guppies are hardy fish and don’t require much maintenance. They can be kept in a variety of water conditions, as long as the water is clean and free of chemicals. They do best in aquariums that are at least 20 gallons and have plenty of hiding spots and plants. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Guppies are peaceful fish and get along well with other similarly sized fish. They can be kept with other small, peaceful fish like tetras, danios, and platies. It’s important to keep a close eye on the size of your aquarium and the number of fish you have, as overstocking can lead to aggressive behavior and poor water quality.

Mollies

1. Description: Mollies are another popular choice for beginner aquariums, due to their hardiness and attractive appearance. They are available in a variety of colors, including black, silver, and gold, and have a unique body shape that makes them stand out in any aquarium. Mollies are also active and playful, making them a fun addition to any aquarium.
2. Care requirements: Mollies are relatively easy to care for, but they do require slightly higher water conditions than some other low maintenance fish. They prefer water that is between 74-80°F and slightly basic, with a pH between 7.5 and 8.5. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Mollies are generally peaceful fish, but they can become aggressive with other fish if their water conditions are not optimal. They do best in aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and plants, and get along well with other similarly sized, peaceful fish like guppies, tetras, and platies.

Platies

1. Description: Platies are similar to guppies and mollies in their hardiness and attractive appearance, making them another great choice for a beginner aquarium. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and are known for their playful and active behavior. Platies are also relatively small, making them a good choice for smaller aquariums.
2. Care requirements: Platies are hardy fish that are easy to care for. They prefer water that is between 72-82°F and slightly basic, with a pH between 7.2 and 7.8. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Platies are peaceful fish and get along well with other similarly sized, peaceful fish like guppies, tetras, and mollies. They do best in aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and plants, and should not be kept with larger or more aggressive fish.

Neon Tetras

1. Description: Neon tetras are small, brightly colored fish that are well known for their vibrant, glowing appearance. They come in a variety of colors, including blue, green, and red, and are a popular choice for beginner aquariums. Neon tetras are also active and playful, making them a fun addition to any aquarium.
2. Care requirements: Neon tetras are hardy fish that are easy to care for, but they do require slightly higher water conditions than some other low maintenance fish. They prefer water that is between 72-82°F and slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Neon tetras are peaceful fish and do well in community aquariums with other similarly sized, peaceful fish. They do best in aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and plants, and should not be kept with larger or more aggressive fish. It’s important to note that neon tetras are sensitive to changes in water conditions and can become sick easily, so it’s important to maintain good water quality in their aquarium.

Betta Fish

1. Description: Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are well known for their beautiful, vibrant colors and unique flowing fins. They are small, hardy fish that are popular for both their beauty and their personality. Betta fish are also relatively easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginner aquariums.
2. Care requirements: Betta fish are relatively low maintenance and can be kept in smaller aquariums. They prefer water that is between 74-82°F and slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods. Betta fish are also sensitive to changes in water conditions and require regular water changes to maintain good health.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Betta fish are highly territorial and can become aggressive with other fish, so they should not be kept in community aquariums. They are best kept in single-fish tanks, or in tanks with a few non-aggressive tank mates like snails or shrimps.

Swordtails

1. Description: Swordtails are another popular choice for beginner aquariums, due to their hardiness and attractive appearance. They have a unique body shape and are available in a variety of colors, including green, red, and black. Swordtails are also active and playful, making them a fun addition to any aquarium.
2. Care requirements: Swordtails are relatively easy to care for and can be kept in a variety of water conditions, as long as the water is clean and free of chemicals. They do best in aquariums that are at least 20 gallons and have plenty of hiding spots and plants. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Swordtails are peaceful fish and get along well with other similarly sized, peaceful fish. They do best in aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and plants, and should not be kept with larger or more aggressive fish. It’s important to keep a close eye on the size of your aquarium and the number of fish you have, as overstocking can lead to aggressive behavior and poor water quality.

Harlequin Rasboras

1. Description: Harlequin rasboras are small, brightly colored fish that are well known for their vibrant, metallic appearance. They come in a variety of colors, including red, green, and silver, and are a popular choice for beginner aquariums. Harlequin rasboras are also active and playful, making them a fun addition to any aquarium.
2. Care requirements: Harlequin rasboras are hardy fish that are easy to care for, but they do require slightly higher water conditions than some other low maintenance fish. They prefer water that is between 72-82°F and slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Harlequin rasboras are peaceful fish and do well in community aquariums with other similarly sized, peaceful fish. They do best in aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and plants, and should not be kept with larger or more aggressive fish. It’s important to note that harlequin rasboras are sensitive to changes in water conditions and can become sick easily, so it’s important to maintain good water quality in their aquarium.

Angelfish

1. Description: Angelfish are a popular species of freshwater fish known for their beautiful and unique appearance. They have a tall and slender body, and their fins are long and flowing. They come in a variety of colors, including silver, black, and gold, and are a great addition to any aquarium.
2. Care requirements: Angelfish are relatively low maintenance fish, but they do have some specific requirements that must be met in order to keep them healthy. They should be kept in aquariums that are at least 30 gallons and have plenty of hiding spots and plants. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry, frozen, and live foods.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Angelfish are peaceful fish, but they can be territorial and may become aggressive towards other fish in the aquarium. They should not be kept with smaller or more passive fish, and it’s best to keep them with other similarly sized and peaceful fish. It’s important to note that angelfish are sensitive to changes in water conditions and prefer water that is slightly acidic, so it’s important to maintain good water quality in their aquarium.

Corydoras Catfish

1. Description: Corydoras Catfish are a small, peaceful species of fish that are great for beginner aquariums. They have a distinctive appearance, with a round and flat body and an armored plating along their sides. They come in a variety of colors, including brown, bronze, and green, and are known for their active and playful behavior.
2. Care requirements: Corydoras Catfish are low maintenance fish that are easy to care for. They should be kept in aquariums that are at least 20 gallons and have plenty of hiding spots and plants. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods, as well as some live or fresh vegetation to graze on.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Corydoras Catfish are peaceful fish and do well in community aquariums with other similarly sized, peaceful fish. They do best in aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and plants, and should not be kept with larger or more aggressive fish. It’s important to note that corydoras catfish are sensitive to changes in water conditions and prefer water that is slightly acidic, so it’s important to maintain good water quality in their aquarium.

Gouramis

1. Description: Gouramis are a species of freshwater fish known for their attractive appearance and peaceful behavior. They have a tall, slender body and long, flowing fins, and come in a variety of colors, including blue, green, and orange.
2. Care requirements: Gouramis are low maintenance fish that are easy to care for, but they do have some specific requirements that must be met in order to keep them healthy. They should be kept in aquariums that are at least 30 gallons and have plenty of hiding spots and plants. They also require a high-quality diet that includes a variety of dry and frozen foods.
3. Compatibility with other fish: Gouramis are peaceful fish and do well in community aquariums with other similarly sized, peaceful fish. They do best in aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and plants, and should not be kept with larger or more aggressive fish. It’s important to note that gouramis are sensitive to changes in water conditions and prefer water that is slightly basic, so it’s important to maintain good water quality in their aquarium.

Conclusion

Starting an aquarium can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s important to choose the right fish for your setup. These 10 low maintenance fish are great options for beginner aquarium enthusiasts and are known for their hardiness, attractive appearance, and peaceful behavior. Remember to always keep your aquarium clean and well-maintained, and to research each species before adding them to your tank to ensure that their specific care requirements are met. Happy fishkeeping!

You may also be interested in other articles in this blog, please check out An Ultimate Guide to Keeping Cold Water Fish For Aquariums 2023, The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up a Saltwater Aquarium, Everything You Need to Know About Keeping Danio Fish as Pets – A Complete Guide

References

1. American Association of Aquatic Animal Veterinarians (AAAV) – https://www.aaav.org/ This is a professional organization for veterinarians specializing in the care of aquatic animals, including freshwater fish. They provide resources and information on fish health, disease, and husbandry.
2. American Livebearer Association (ALA) – http://www.livebearers.org/ The ALA is a national organization dedicated to promoting the keeping and breeding of livebearers, which are a group of freshwater fish that give birth to live young. They provide information and resources on livebearer species, care, and breeding.
3. Aquatic Gardeners Association (AGA) – https://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/ The AGA is an international organization dedicated to promoting the art and science of aquarium plants and freshwater fish keeping. They provide information, resources, and events for aquarium hobbyists and professionals.
4. International Association of Fish Veterinarians (IAFV) – http://www.iafv.org/ The IAFV is a professional organization for veterinarians who specialize in the care of fish and aquatic animals. They provide resources, information, and continuing education opportunities for members.
5. North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) – https://www.nanfa.org/ The NANFA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and conservation of North American native freshwater fish species. They provide information, resources, and events for hobbyists and professionals interested in these species.

6. The Aquarium Club – https://theaquariumclub.com/ The Aquarium Club is a community for freshwater aquarium hobbyists. They provide information, resources, and a forum for discussion on freshwater fish keeping and aquarium maintenance.
7. The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) – https://www.ornamentalfish.org/ The OATA is a trade association for the ornamental aquatic industry in the UK. They provide resources, information, and support for businesses and hobbyists in the freshwater aquarium industry.
8. The Fish Health Section of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) – https://was.org/fish-health/ The Fish Health Section of the WAS is dedicated to promoting best practices in fish health management for aquaculture and freshwater fish keeping. They provide resources, information, and events for professionals and hobbyists in the industry.
9. Tropical Fish Keeping – https://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/ Tropical Fish Keeping is a website and community for freshwater aquarium hobbyists. They provide information, resources, and a forum for discussion on all aspects of freshwater fish keeping.
10. The Aquatic Experience – https://www.aquaticexperience.org/ The Aquatic Experience is an event for freshwater aquarium hobbyists and professionals. They provide a platform for education, networking, and showcasing the latest products and trends in the industry.

Praveen

I am a passionate aquarist with over 30 years of hands-on experience in fishkeeping. My journey began at a young age, collecting fish from the wild and learning through experimentation. Specializing in tropical fish, I bring a deep understanding of the hobby to FishKeepingMadeSimple. The site provides honest, detailed reviews of essential products and accessories to help fellow enthusiasts create the best environments for their fish.