Find here the essentials and best sellers for our pond owners.
Find here the essentials and best sellers for our pond owners.
Freshwater aquarium keeping is a captivating hobby that can bring a real touch of nature and life into your home. If you are embarking on this adventure for the first time, choosing the fish is a crucial step. The selection should not be done randomly, it is important to choose appropriate fish to populate your aquarium.
In this article, we present 10 aquarium fish that are perfectly suited for beginners. You will discover their characteristics, their specific needs, and the reasons why they are the ideal companions for those who are starting out in the world of aquarium keeping.
This article was written by Léon Barbot, passionate about freshwater aquariums and creator of the blog Aquarium Facile .
Ah, the guppy! Who could resist its shimmering colors and graceful movements? Native to the fresh waters of South America, this little treasure is a true star of aquarium keeping . It is undoubtedly one of the most popular aquarium fish for beginners!
It is not only their beauty that seduces, but also their lively and sparkling behavior. They like slightly alkaline water, with a pH between 6.5 and 8. As for the temperature, a water of 22 to 25°C suits them perfectly.
Temperament-wise, they are sociable and peaceful by nature . These little companions don’t just stay at the bottom or the surface; no, they happily swim at all levels of your aquarium, bringing life and vibrancy to every corner. Another plus? Their hardiness. They adapt well and reproduce easily, making them perfect for those who are just starting out on an aquatic adventure.
But be careful! If you decide to take in guppies, think about their offspring. In a suitable environment, adults can reproduce at a crazy speed! You will therefore need to ensure that the population is controlled .
If you are looking for a small fish that radiates energy and color, let me introduce you to the platy. Coming straight from the fresh waters of Central America, it exudes a natural elegance that will charm any observer. To make it feel at home, opt for slightly alkaline water with a pH between 7 and 8. A temperature between 22 and 26°C will be its little corner of paradise.
Looking for roommates for your other fish? Platies are outgoing, curious , and love to explore their new habitat while bonding with their swimming neighbors. The great thing about platies is their resilience. They acclimate well to different environments, making life a little easier for beginners in aquarium keeping.
But remember: like all fish, they like good things. Offer them a varied and rich diet, and make sure their water is clean to see them flourish fully.
Imagine a silvery glow running through your aquarium, brightened up by bright touches of red... This is the “poor man’s neon” . A discreet beauty originating, as its name “Chinese Minnow” suggests, from the fresh waters of China and Thailand. To feel truly at home, it needs water with a pH between 6 and 7.5 . A cosy climate of 18 to 22°C is ideal for it.
Did you know that it is also very sociable? Indeed, these fish love company. You will often see them swimming together, forming beautiful schools, bringing a touch of serenity to your aquarium.
Perfect for a community tank of temperate water , its peaceful temperament will make the other inhabitants happy. And for those who are overflowing with enthusiasm but lack experience, good news! Chinese neons are resistant and their maintenance remains easy.
Ah, Panda Corydoras ! With their distinctive black spots around their eyes, they are like the little masked bandits of the aquarium. These charming creatures come from the balmy waters of South America. To feel their best, they like slightly acidic to neutral water, a pH between 6 and 7 , and a temperature of 25°C . The fun thing about them is their sociable nature and their love for the bottom of the aquarium. Watching them painstakingly dig around in the soil will open up a whole new dimension to aquarium keeping.
For those looking for easy-going companions to start out in the aquatic world, Panda Corydoras are perfect. Just remember to provide them with a variety of food and some discreet nooks where they can curl up and feel safe.
These are aquarium fish that any beginner will enjoy!
When it comes to dazzling with color, the cardinal tetra (or red neon) is an undisputed star of the aquarium. Native to the captivating waters of South America, they proudly display a striking blue stripe, which makes them irresistible, placed above a red stripe.
For them to also shine with health, they need mildly acidic water, with an acidic pH between 5 and 6.5, as well as a cosy temperature between 24 and 28°C . But it is not only their colour that makes them so special. They have a gregarious nature and love to swim together, forming mesmerising colourful schools that dance through the water, offering a real spectacle to any observer.
If you are new to the aquarium world, the cardinal tetra is a popular choice. Peaceful in nature , it will allow you to get started without any hassle. But remember, to keep them in top shape, healthy water that is suited to their needs is essential.
When you think of a fish that combines elegance and a wide range of colors, mollies are probably what comes to mind. These jewels from Central America stand out for their parade of colors and graceful silhouette. To make them feel at home, think of alkaline water with a pH between 7.5 and 8.5 , and water heated to between 22 and 25 ° C.
Their curiosity drives them to explore every corner of their habitat, adding a dynamic to the entire aquarium. For anyone who is just starting out and wants to add a splash of color without the stress of complex maintenance, mollies are a great option. Just like platys and guppies, be careful not to overpopulate ! Their breeding habits are (very) intensive.
When we talk about delicacy in the aquatic world, we can't help but think of the Dwarf Gourami. Native to the waters of Southeast Asia , this little treasure is distinguished by its sparkling shades and delicately drawn fins. For it to flourish, it needs water that oscillates between acidity and neutrality, with a pH around 7 , and a gentle warmth between 22 and 28°C .
If you've ever dreamed of an aquarium where each fish has its own personality, the Dwarf Gourami is for you. Despite its sometimes territorial temperament, it remains relatively peaceful and coexists well with other species. Not the easiest aquarium fish for beginners, but still affordable.
With them, small sparks of bright red cross your aquarium: here are the cherry barbs. These sparkling fish are native to the fresh waters of Sri Lanka and India . They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral water, with a pH between 6 and 7 , and a welcoming temperature between 23 and 27°C.
With their lively appearance and their taste for group life, the cherry barbs liven up the pond, offering a colorful ballet that will enchant young and old alike. They are not only beautiful, but also easy to handle.
It is well known that South Asia offers us real aquatic treasures, and among them, the Zebra Danio stands out for its striped elegance and liveliness. As if they were wearing party clothes, these fish proudly display stripes that sparkle with every movement. To make them feel at home, choose gently alkaline water, a pH between 6.5 and 8 , and a mild aquatic climate of 18 to 25°C.
Watch them zigzag enthusiastically, taking over every corner of your tank and transforming the aquarium into a space full of life and energy. For those who are new to aquatic adventure, the Zebra Danio is a spectacle in itself. A word of advice: give them space to express all their joy of life, and make sure their water is clear.
How else to conclude this list than with the fighting fish? It is a fish whose color and the beauty of its fins are as impressive as its character is assertive. In terms of habitat, they like slightly acidic to neutral water, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 , and appreciate a temperature between 24 and 26°C . However, the beauty of these fish is accompanied by a particular temperament: they are solitary and territorial. Above all, you should avoid keeping two males together, at the risk of seeing clashes break out.
If you are new to aquarium keeping, the idea of welcoming a Betta may appeal to you. But be careful: they require special attention. It is essential to emphasize that the small "balls" often sold for bettas are absolutely not suitable. Indeed, for the well-being of these majestic fish, it is recommended to keep them in an aquarium of at least 30L . This volume allows them to evolve serenely.
Click here to learn more about the ideal aquarium for bettas.
Each fish we have featured here has its own personality, specific needs, and brings a unique touch to an aquarium. But as with any living being, their well-being depends largely on the quality of care we give them . If you are new to aquarium keeping, these fish are excellent choices to start your adventure, but it is essential to remember that they are not simply decorative elements.
It is therefore essential to learn in depth about each of them before welcoming them into your home. Ultimately, aquarium keeping is a wonderful hobby that, when practiced with passion and respect, offers a unique window onto the aquatic world, while creating a space of relaxation and serenity in your home. A real pleasure 😉!
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