You know what’s funny? I’ve been keeping fish tanks in my classroom for about eight years now, and I still remember that first disaster with the goldfish setup I inherited. Those poor fish swimming around plastic plants in what was basically a glass bowl with delusions of grandeur. The kids would press their faces against the glass every morning asking “Mr. Tom, why don’t the fish do anything?” And honestly? I didn’t have a good answer because those goldfish were about as exciting as watching paint dry.
That experience taught me something important though – not all fish are created equal when you’re just starting out. Some species will forgive your mistakes and actually give you something interesting to watch. Others… well, let’s just say I’ve had to explain to devastated seventh graders why their favorite fish went belly-up overnight more times than I care to remember.
After years of trial and error (mostly error, if I’m being honest), I’ve figured out which fish actually work for beginners. These aren’t just fish that survive – they’re species that’ll make you fall in love with this hobby instead of making you want to give up and get a pet rock instead.
Let me start with bettas, because honestly, they’re probably the reason half of us got into fishkeeping in the first place. Those flowing fins and attitude for days – it’s hard not to be impressed. I’ve got one in a 10-gallon tank in my classroom right now, a gorgeous blue and red male the kids named “Professor Bubbles.” He’s been with us for two years and has more personality than some of my students (don’t tell them I said that). The thing about bettas is they’re actually pretty forgiving if you mess up water changes occasionally, and they don’t need fancy equipment. Just give them at least five gallons – and please, ignore those tiny “betta bowls” at the pet store, they’re basically fish prisons – and they’ll reward you with interactive behavior that’ll keep you entertained for hours.
But if you want something that moves like they’re putting on a show, you can’t beat neon tetras. I swear these little guys are like living Christmas lights swimming around your tank. The first time I added a school of eight to my classroom tank, the kids literally applauded. They school together in this amazing synchronized way that makes it look like they’re following an underwater choreographer. They’re tough little fish too – survived a heater malfunction that stressed out everything else in the tank. Just remember they’re social creatures, so don’t try to keep just one or two. Six minimum, but honestly, get eight or ten if your tank can handle it.
Guppies are another story entirely. They’re like the golden retrievers of the fish world – friendly, colorful, and so enthusiastic about life it’s almost embarrassing. My daughter has a tank full of them in her room, and I swear they recognize her when she walks in. The males especially are little show-offs, constantly flaring their fins and trying to impress the females. Fair warning though – if you keep both sexes together, you’ll have baby guppies. Lots of baby guppies. I mean A LOT. My garage currently has three quarantine tanks full of guppy fry because my daughter’s tank turned into a nursery. They’re livebearers, which means they don’t lay eggs, they just pop out fully formed miniature fish. It’s amazing to watch but can become overwhelming quickly.
Mollies are similar to guppies in terms of hardiness and breeding habits, but they’ve got this elegant quality that I really appreciate. The black mollies especially look almost formal, like they’re wearing tiny tuxedos. They’re peaceful community fish that get along with pretty much everyone, and they’re forgiving of beginner mistakes with water chemistry. Some varieties can handle a bit of salt in their water too, which gives you more flexibility if you want to experiment with different setups down the road.
Now, if you want fish with serious energy, zebra danios are your answer. These guys are like aquatic race cars – always moving, always darting around the tank. I’ve had students literally get dizzy watching them swim back and forth. They’re incredibly hardy too. During my first year with planted tanks, I was still figuring out water parameters and probably stressed those poor fish out with inconsistent conditions, but the danios just kept trucking along like nothing was wrong. They’re also really affordable, which matters when you’re starting out and not sure if this hobby is going to stick.
Swordtails are another livebearer that’s great for beginners, and the males have this distinctive sword-like extension on their tail that makes them easy to identify. I’ve got a red male in my home tank that thinks he owns the entire aquarium. He’s not aggressive exactly, just confident in a way that’s amusing to watch. Like the other livebearers, they’ll reproduce readily if you keep males and females together, but the babies are easier to manage than guppies in my experience.
For the bottom of your tank, you absolutely need to consider corydoras catfish. These little guys are like having a cleanup crew that actually enjoys their job. They’re constantly sifting through the substrate looking for leftover food, and they do it with this endearing wiggling motion that never fails to make my students laugh. Cories are social fish, so keep at least three together, but they’re so peaceful they won’t bother anything else in your tank. I’ve never had a cory cause problems with tank mates – they’re too busy doing their own thing down at the bottom.
Platies deserve a mention too because they come in so many color variations you could probably stock an entire tank with just different types of platies. They’re hardy, peaceful, and like most livebearers, pretty much bulletproof when it comes to beginner mistakes. The sunset variety is particularly striking – looks like someone painted them with orange and yellow watercolors.
Cherry barbs might be my personal favorite schooling fish after neon tetras. The males get this intense red coloration that’s absolutely stunning, especially in planted tanks. They’re active but not hyperactive like danios, peaceful but with enough personality to keep things interesting. I’ve had a school of six in my home 40-gallon tank for three years now, and they still make me stop and watch them when I’m doing maintenance.
Here’s where I might lose some people – angelfish. They’re not the easiest fish on this list, and they definitely need a bigger tank (40 gallons minimum), but if you can provide the space and you’re willing to do your research, they’re absolutely worth it. I’ve got a breeding pair in my home setup that have raised multiple batches of fry, and watching their parenting behavior is better than any nature documentary. Just understand that they can be territorial, especially when breeding, and they will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouths.
The thing about all these fish is that they’ll forgive the mistakes you're going to make as a beginner. And trust me, you’re going to make mistakes – we all do. I once killed an entire tank by using soap residue on a piece of equipment (never use soap on anything that goes in your aquarium, by the way). These species are hardy enough to survive while you figure out water changes, feeding schedules, and all the other basics of fishkeeping.
What I tell my students – and what I wish someone had told me when I started – is that the fish you choose matter less than creating a stable environment for them. Get your tank cycled properly, maintain consistent water parameters, don’t overfeed, and most of these species will thrive. The nitrogen cycle isn’t just some abstract concept from a textbook; it’s the foundation that makes everything else work.
Start simple, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The aquarium community is generally pretty welcoming to beginners, though you might want to avoid the online forums until you develop thick skin – some of those folks can be a bit intense about water parameters and equipment choices.
After years of maintaining classroom tanks and helping students get excited about aquatic life, I can say with confidence that starting with the right fish makes all the difference between a hobby that brings you joy and one that becomes a source of stress and disappointment.
Tom teaches middle-school science in Portland and uses aquascaping to bring biology to life for his students. His classroom tanks double as living labs—and his writing blends curiosity, humor, and a teacher’s knack for explaining complex stuff simply.
