The Best Fish to Start an Aquarium

When you're starting a new aquarium the types of fish you include can make all the difference. People who are new to caring for fish should start with hardy, low-maintenance fish. Many fish have beautiful colors and shapes but are unsuitable for certain temperatures.

  1. Goldfish

    • Goldfish are the most common starter fish and can grow to be 12 inches long. They are inexpensive and don't require a heater. A small tank, which is less than five gallons, should only have one goldfish. If more fish are placed in the tank, they will not have enough room to grow and thrive.

    White Cloud Mountain Minnow

    • The white mountain minnow is a good fish to start off with because they will eat any type of fish food. This type of minnow thrives in temperature lower than 65 degrees; however, they can be placed in water that is 55 to 75 degrees according to e-aquarium.com. The white mountain minnow is a schooling fish, and you should place at least three in a tank. Four or five can be placed in a four-gallon tank. They are considered clean fish because they require little maintenance to keep the water clear. Most of these minnow are fast swimmers and zip through the tank playing with each other.

    Betta

    • The betta fish is also another popular fish for new enthusiasts. They are tropical fish and require warm water, about 82 to 85 degrees, according to Healthybetta.com. Bettas are not schooling fish and they are considered loners. One betta can be happy in a tank all by itself, and they are also known for not getting along with other fish. Two males should never be placed in the same tank as they will try to kill each other.

    Corydoras Catfish (Cory)

    • Corys are growing in popularity with fish owners. Corys are small catfish that are friendly and playful with other fish. They normally get along well with other fish and are schooling fish. Because of this, Corys need to be in a tank with at least three other Corys. Three of these fish require a 10-gallon tank or larger. They are tropical fish that need the water temperature to be above 72 degrees but no warmer than 82 degrees. Corys, like other catfish, are bottom feeders and will eat any type of food.