The Easiest Beginner Fish
A list of the easiest-to-care for fish, their habitats and how to get started
The easiest fish to care for are those that are hardy, adaptable, and do not require complex or specialized care. Here are a few examples:
Betta Fish - These fish are small, easy to care for, and can survive in small aquariums or bowls.
Guppies - Guppies are colorful and active, and they do well in community tanks.
Goldfish - Goldfish are hardy and can survive in a wide range of water conditions, making them a good choice for beginners.
Platies - Platies are hardy and easy to care for, and they do well in community tanks.
Corydoras Catfish - These small catfish are peaceful and easy to care for, and they help keep the tank clean by eating leftover food and debris.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows - These small, peaceful fish are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.
So now that we know which fish are the easiest to care for, we need to ask ourselves, "How do we set up tanks for each of these?" Well, look no further because we have compiled a list down below for on what you need for each of these easy to care for fish!
Setting up a betta fish tank requires a few key elements to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for your fish. Here are the basic steps to set up a betta fish tank:Choose the tank: Betta fish can live in small tanks, but they do require at least 2.5 gallons of water. A larger tank will provide more space for your fish to swim and explore. Make sure the tank has a cover to prevent the fish from jumping out.
Install a filter: A filter will keep the water clean and provide oxygen for your fish. Choose a filter that is gentle and doesn't create a strong current, as betta fish don't like strong water flow. You may need to baffle the filter to reduce the current.
Add a heater: Bettas are tropical fish and require a water temperature of 78-82°F. A heater will ensure that the water temperature stays within this range. Choose a heater that is appropriate for the size of your tank.
Decorate the tank: Bettas like to have hiding places and plants in their tank. Live plants like java moss or anubias can provide cover and help keep the water clean. Avoid sharp or rough decorations that can tear the fish's delicate fins.
Fill the tank: Fill the tank with clean, dechlorinated water. Bettas prefer water that is slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Test the water parameters regularly to ensure that they are within the appropriate range.
Add the fish: Once the tank is set up and the water has been conditioned, it's time to introduce your betta fish. Float the bag containing the fish in the tank for about 15-20 minutes to acclimate the fish to the water temperature. Then, release the fish into the tank.
Setting up a betta fish tank can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. With the right equipment, decorations, and care, your betta fish can thrive in their new environment.
Setting up a guppy tank requires a few key elements to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for your fish. Here are the basic steps to set up a guppy tank:Choose the tank: Guppies are small fish and can be kept in a tank as small as 5 gallons, but a larger tank will provide more space for your fish to swim and explore. Make sure the tank has a cover to prevent the fish from jumping out.
Install a filter: A filter will keep the water clean and provide oxygen for your fish. Choose a filter that is appropriate for the size of your tank. Guppies prefer a gentle water flow, so choose a filter that won't create a strong current.
Add a heater: Guppies are tropical fish and require a water temperature of 75-82°F. A heater will ensure that the water temperature stays within this range. Choose a heater that is appropriate for the size of your tank.
Decorate the tank: Guppies like to have hiding places and plants in their tank. Live plants like java moss or anubias can provide cover and help keep the water clean. Avoid sharp or rough decorations that can tear the fish's delicate fins.
Fill the tank: Fill the tank with clean, dechlorinated water. Guppies prefer water that is slightly alkaline, with a pH between 7.0 and 8.0. Test the water parameters regularly to ensure that they are within the appropriate range.
Add the fish: Once the tank is set up and the water has been conditioned, it's time to introduce your guppy fish. Float the bag containing the fish in the tank for about 15-20 minutes to acclimate the fish to the water temperature. Then, release the fish into the tank.
Feed the fish: Guppies are omnivores and can be fed a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms. Feed your fish a small amount of food 2-3 times a day.
Setting up a guppy tank can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. With the right equipment, decorations, and care, your guppy fish can thrive in their new environment.
Setting up a goldfish tank requires some planning and effort to ensure that the environment is safe and healthy for your fish. Here are the steps you can follow to set up a goldfish tank:Choose the right tank size: The size of the tank depends on how many goldfish you plan to keep. For one or two goldfish, a 20-gallon tank is recommended. If you plan to keep more than two goldfish, you will need a larger tank.
Select the right location: Choose a location for the tank that is away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Goldfish prefer cooler water temperatures, and direct sunlight can lead to algae growth and temperature fluctuations.
Add a filtration system: Goldfish produce a lot of waste, so a good filtration system is essential to keep the water clean and healthy. A hang-on-back filter or a canister filter can be used.
Choose the right substrate: Gravel or sand can be used as the substrate for the goldfish tank. Make sure that the substrate is thoroughly washed before adding it to the tank.
Decorate the tank: Goldfish love to explore their environment, so provide them with hiding places and areas to swim through. You can use decorations like plants, rocks, and driftwood.
Fill the tank with water: Fill the tank with water and add a water conditioner to remove any harmful chemicals. Test the water to ensure that the pH and hardness are within the appropriate range for goldfish.
Introduce the goldfish: Wait a few days before adding the goldfish to the tank to allow the water temperature to stabilize. Start with only a few goldfish and monitor their behavior and health.
Maintain the tank: Perform regular water changes, test the water regularly, and clean the tank and filter as needed.
By following these steps, you can create a healthy and comfortable environment for your goldfish.
Setting up a platy tank is a fun and rewarding experience. Here are the steps you can follow to set up a platy tank:Choose the right tank size: The size of the tank depends on how many platies you plan to keep. For one or two platies, a 10-gallon tank is recommended. If you plan to keep more than two platies, you will need a larger tank.
Select the right location: Choose a location for the tank that is away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Platies prefer cooler water temperatures, and direct sunlight can lead to algae growth and temperature fluctuations.
Add a filtration system: A good filtration system is essential to keep the water clean and healthy. A hang-on-back filter or a canister filter can be used.
Choose the right substrate: Gravel or sand can be used as the substrate for the platy tank. Make sure that the substrate is thoroughly washed before adding it to the tank.
Decorate the tank: Provide the platies with hiding places and areas to swim through. You can use decorations like plants, rocks, and driftwood.
Fill the tank with water: Fill the tank with water and add a water conditioner to remove any harmful chemicals. Test the water to ensure that the pH and hardness are within the appropriate range for platies.
Introduce the platies: Wait a few days before adding the platies to the tank to allow the water temperature to stabilize. Start with only a few platies and monitor their behavior and health.
Maintain the tank: Perform regular water changes, test the water regularly, and clean the tank and filter as needed.
By following these steps, you can create a healthy and comfortable environment for your platies.
Setting up a corydora catfish tank requires some planning and effort to ensure that the environment is safe and healthy for your fish. Here are the steps you can follow to set up a corydora catfish tank:Choose the right tank size: The size of the tank depends on how many corydora catfish you plan to keep. For a small school of 3 to 5 corydoras, a 20-gallon tank is recommended.
Select the right location: Choose a location for the tank that is away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Corydoras prefer cooler water temperatures, and direct sunlight can lead to algae growth and temperature fluctuations.
Add a filtration system: A good filtration system is essential to keep the water clean and healthy. A hang-on-back filter or a canister filter can be used.
Choose the right substrate: Sand or fine gravel can be used as the substrate for the corydora catfish tank. Make sure that the substrate is thoroughly washed before adding it to the tank.
Decorate the tank: Provide the corydoras with hiding places and areas to swim through. You can use decorations like plants, rocks, and driftwood.
Fill the tank with water: Fill the tank with water and add a water conditioner to remove any harmful chemicals. Test the water to ensure that the pH and hardness are within the appropriate range for corydoras.
Introduce the corydoras: Wait a few days before adding the corydoras to the tank to allow the water temperature to stabilize. Start with only a few corydoras and monitor their behavior and health.
Maintain the tank: Perform regular water changes, test the water regularly, and clean the tank and filter as needed.
Feed the corydoras: Feed your corydoras a varied diet that includes sinking pellets, frozen or live food, and vegetables. Make sure to feed them only what they can eat in a few minutes.
By following these steps, you can create a healthy and comfortable environment for your corydora catfish.
Setting up a white cloud minnow tank is relatively simple, and these fish are hardy and easy to care for. Here are the steps you can follow to set up a white cloud minnow tank:Choose the right tank size: A 10-gallon tank is suitable for a small school of white cloud minnows.
Select the right location: Choose a location for the tank that is away from direct sunlight and heat sources. White cloud minnows prefer cooler water temperatures, and direct sunlight can lead to algae growth and temperature fluctuations.
Add a filtration system: A good filtration system is essential to keep the water clean and healthy. A hang-on-back filter or a canister filter can be used.
Choose the right substrate: Fine gravel or sand can be used as the substrate for the white cloud minnow tank. Make sure that the substrate is thoroughly washed before adding it to the tank.
Decorate the tank: Provide the white cloud minnows with hiding places and areas to swim through. You can use decorations like plants, rocks, and driftwood.
Fill the tank with water: Fill the tank with water and add a water conditioner to remove any harmful chemicals. Test the water to ensure that the pH and hardness are within the appropriate range for white cloud minnows.
Introduce the white cloud minnows: Wait a few days before adding the white cloud minnows to the tank to allow the water temperature to stabilize. Start with only a few white cloud minnows and monitor their behavior and health.
Maintain the tank: Perform regular water changes, test the water regularly, and clean the tank and filter as needed.
Feed the white cloud minnows: Feed your white cloud minnows a varied diet that includes flake food, frozen or live food, and vegetables. Make sure to feed them only what they can eat in a few minutes.
By following these steps, you can create a healthy and comfortable environment for your white cloud minnows.