10 Best Freshwater Fish for Beginners

Choosing the right first fish makes the difference between a rewarding hobby and a frustrating one. Here are ten species known for tolerating the natural ups and downs of a new aquarium.

1. Guppies

Colorful, active, and easy to breed, guppies are practically the mascot of beginner fishkeeping. They tolerate a wide range of water conditions and add constant motion to a community tank.

2. Betta Fish

Betta fish are hardy, don’t need a large group, and display stunning fin colors. Read our full Betta Fish Care Guide for tank size and tank mate recommendations.

3. Platies

Platies are peaceful livebearers that come in nearly every color imaginable and rarely show aggression toward tankmates.

4. Corydoras Catfish

These small bottom-dwelling corydoras catfish are social, peaceful, and help keep the substrate clean of leftover food.

5. Mollies

Mollies adapt well to both freshwater and slightly brackish setups and breed readily once settled in.

6. Zebra Danios

Fast-swimming and extremely hardy, danios are often recommended as one of the very first fish to add during fishless cycling.

7. Swordtails

Swordtails are active, colorful livebearers closely related to platies and mollies.

8. Harlequin Rasboras

A peaceful schooling fish, rasboras look best in groups of six or more and rarely bother other tankmates.

9. Cherry Shrimp

Not a fish, but an excellent hardy addition — see our shrimp selection and our Complete Guide to Shrimp Keeping.

10. Plecostomus (Dwarf Varieties)

Small plecostomus varieties are excellent algae control and add interesting bottom-tank activity.

Before You Buy

Make sure your tank has completed the nitrogen cycle first — see How to Cycle a New Aquarium — and always research adult size and temperament before combining species.