Top 10 Beginner-Friendly Fish for New Aquarium Owners

Blessings Aquarium
Jun 18
2 min read

Starting your first aquarium is exciting, but choosing the right fish can make or break your experience. At Blessings Aquarium, Pune’s trusted aquarium gallery, we guide beginners every day. The key is to begin with hardy, peaceful fish that are easy to care for.

Here are our top 10 picks of beginner-friendly fish that are ideal for starting your aquarium journey.

1. Guppies

Why beginners love them: Guppies are colorful, lively, and come in hundreds of patterns. They adapt easily to different water conditions and breed easily.

Tank size: Minimum 10 gallons
Diet: Flakes, pellets, live/frozen foods
Temperament: Peaceful

2. Platies

Why they're beginner-friendly: Platies are hardy, easygoing, and come in bright colors like red, orange, and yellow. They are livebearers like guppies.

Tank size: 10+ gallons
Diet: Omnivorous
Best kept with: Other peaceful fish like mollies and tetras

3. Mollies

Why they’re a good choice: Mollies adjust well to a range of conditions, including slightly brackish water. Their personalities are playful yet calm.

Tank size: 20+ gallons
Diet: Herbivorous with occasional protein
Note: They prefer planted tanks with open swimming space

4. Zebra Danios

Why beginners love them: Hardy, fast swimmers, and low maintenance. Danios are great for community tanks and active setups.

Tank size: 10+ gallons
Behavior: Schooling fish, keep in groups of 5 or more
Temperature: Cooler water is acceptable (18-24°C)

5. Swordtails

What makes them great: With a striking sword-like tail, these fish add beauty to any beginner tank and are peaceful community dwellers.

Tank size: 20 gallons
Diet: Flake and frozen foods
Fun fact: Males have the “sword,” females don’t

6. Corydoras Catfish

Why we recommend them: Cory's are bottom dwellers that help clean leftover food. They are gentle and thrive in groups.

Tank size: 15+ gallons
Keep in: Groups of 4-6
Bonus: Excellent tank cleaners

7. Neon Tetras

Perfect for planted aquariums: These tiny glowing fish love to swim in groups and add a pop of neon blue and red to your tank.

Tank size: 10 gallons
Best in: Schools of 6 or more
Note: Keep water conditions stable

8. Cherry Barbs

Colorful and calm: Unlike other barbs, cherry barbs are non-aggressive and suitable for beginner tanks.

Tank size: 15 gallons
Temperament: Peaceful
Ideal habitat: Lightly planted tanks

9. Bristle nose Pleco

Why they stand out: Unlike the common pleco, this smaller version is great for algae control and doesn't grow too big.

Tank size: 20 gallons
Benefit: Keeps tank glass clean
Care tip: Needs hiding spots

10. White Cloud Mountain Minnows

Often overlooked but excellent: These are great for small tanks and can tolerate a range of temperatures, even without a heater.

Tank size: 10 gallons
Behavior: Peaceful schooling fish
Ideal for: Unheated setups

Ready to Start Your Aquarium in Pune? Visit Blessings Aquarium!

At Blessings Aquarium, we help beginners set up the perfect fish tank — from selecting the right fish to providing expert care tips. Whether you're in Pune or shopping online, we offer: