betta fish hardiest aquarium fish for beginners

12 Hardiest Aquarium Fish For Beginners To Start With

If you have just started an aquarium hobby and are afraid of your fish dying, then you should definitely look for the hardiest aquarium fish that can withstand water parameters fluctuations and survive even if you forget to feed them for a few days.

I have compiled this list of the 12 hardiest aquarium fish for beginners. If you have just started with the aquarium hobby, then it is best to start with these fish as they will survive in a wide range of water parameters and are very easy to care for.

1- Zebra Danio

Zebra Danio hardiest aquarium fish

Zebra Danio is a hardy aquarium fish that is easy to care for and maintain in the home aquarium. It can live for up to five years with proper care and feeding. Many people choose Zebra Danios as the first fish they put in their new tank because they are easy to feed and difficult to kill.

Zebra Danios are also very resistant to disease if you take care of them properly. They need a stable environment that is not too warm or cold, and they like to be kept in schools with their own kind. To keep your Zebra Danio healthy, make sure you keep it with at least 6 other Danios, feed it high-quality food, and do not change the water temperature by more than 5 degrees in any 24 hours.

2- Siamese Fighting Fish ( Bettas)

Siamese Fighting Fish hardiest aquarium fish

Siamese Fighting Fish is a great beginner fish for aquarium hobbyists because they are one of the hardiest aquarium fish around. They are also referred to as Betta fish, which is another good name to know them by when shopping for supplies at the pet store.

When it comes to tropical fish that can survive in less than ideal conditions, they are still very popular in the aquarium hobby. This is because they can handle the usual beginner mistakes such as overstocking the tank, not changing the water weekly, or feeding too much too often.

The males of this species do well living alone, but do not put two males in the same tank or you will be fighting them for real! Females can live together in groups of six or more and if you want to breed them you will need at least two females for every male. 

The lifespan of this species is on average two years though some people have reported their Siamese Fighting Fish living up to five years!

They require only a small amount of space to live and thrive so they are a great choice for those with limited space available. A gallon tank is what they need and they can live comfortably in a smaller container if needed. It is important that you keep their tank clean and change their water regularly.

3- Lemon Tetra

Lemon Tetras hardiest aquarium fish

Lemon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) is a freshwater fish that belongs to the Characidae family. This is also a hardy tropical fish, which is perfect beginner fish, because it is easy to keep, and will not die easily.

It has a long lifespan and fewer diseases, so Lemon Tetra can be kept by beginner aquarists. The scientific name of Lemon Tetra is Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis. It was first described in 1882 by Dr. Franz Steindachner, who was an Austrian ichthyologist. The common names are Black Neon Tetras and Neon Fish. The Lemon Tetra can be found in the wild areas of South America such as Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. They live in shallow water with a slow current near the shoreline of rivers with sandy bottoms.

4- Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Gourami hardiest aquarium fish

Dwarf Gourami is a great choice for beginners who have little experience keeping aquarium fish. It is one of the most popular freshwater tropical fish for small to medium-sized aquariums. Dwarf Gourami is an active, peaceful fish that is easy to keep and easy to breed.

There are many different species of Dwarf Gouramis available in the hobby and they all come from different areas around the world. Most species are very colorful and can be quite feisty. However, most species are also very small and some can be somewhat difficult to keep alive in captivity.

Dwarf Gourami is very active but they tend to be more peaceful than some other types of Gouramis. They do not get along well with other aggressive fish, so it’s best to keep them with other non-aggressive species, such as Cory Catfish or Endler’s Livebearers.

5- Harlequin Rasbora

Harlequin Rasboras hardiest aquarium fish

Harlequin Rasboras are one of the most popular aquarium fish for beginners. Their ease of care makes them a perfect choice for the first-time fish tank keeper. They are moderately priced and hardy when cared for properly. They are attractive, colorful, and active fish that will liven up your tank and make it the perfect addition to any home or office.

There is no other tropical fish that can equal them when it comes to making your aquarium a beautiful focal point in your home or office. Harlequin Rasboras are very easy to breed and they will live a long life of 10 years or more if you give them the proper care. They have fewer diseases than some other species of aquarium fish and they are very resistant to many diseases that affect other kinds of aquarium fish.

6- Bushy Nose Plecostomus

Bushy Nose Plecostomus hardiest aquarium fish

The Bushy Nose Plecostomus is one of my favorite aquarium fish to keep. They are a smaller variety of Pleco, which is a type of tropical catfish. I love them because they are gorgeous and interesting to look at, and are also very easy to keep.

Bushy Nose Plecos have a long lifespan compared to other aquarium fish. They can live for 10-15 years in most cases. If you take good care of them, then you’ll get many years of enjoyment from your pet fish!

Bushy Nose Plecos have fewer diseases than other species of fish, which makes them ideal if you’re just starting out with owning aquariums or don’t want to deal with the hassle of treating sick fish all the time. Some people find it difficult to maintain their tanks because they don’t want to take care of sick animals so this may be an option worth considering before deciding what kind of pet is right for you!

7- Rosy Tetra

Rosy Tetra hardiest aquarium fish

Rosy tetras are also one of the best beginner fish because they are hardy, have a long lifespan, and contract fewer diseases than other species. Rosy tetra thrives in a fish tank with many other species and stays healthy even when the environment is not ideal.

Rosy tetras live for about five years, making them a great choice for a beginner who hopes to keep their aquarium for a long time without constantly replacing fish that die too early. Finally, rosy tetras are naturally resistant to many of the diseases that plague other types of aquarium fish.

8- Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras Catfish hardiest aquarium fish

Corydoras Catfish are an ideal fish for both beginners and experienced aquarists. They are small and colorful, have a long lifespan, and are relatively easy to care for in the fish tank. 

The Corydoras Catfish is a favorite among many catfish enthusiasts because they can be kept in groups and will often interact with each other. They are also very active, curious fish that love to explore the bottom of their environment.

One of the advantages of these fish is that they are so hardy and resistant to disease. They tolerate a wide range of temperature changes and thrive in most aquariums. Another benefit is that they have a very long lifespan, up to ten years. If you want to raise them from fry, you can breed them yourself by purchasing a pair at your local pet store.

9- Pearl Gourami

Pearl Gourami hardiest aquarium fish

Pearl Gourami is a wonderful choice for beginners who want to have a beautiful, interesting fish that is also easy to care for. It is a hardy and long-lived fish, which makes it perfect for people who are new to keeping aquariums. It’s also a very disease-resistant species, so even if you don’t have the most perfect tank setup (or maybe your maintenance schedule isn’t as disciplined as it could be), the Pearl Gourami will usually survive without too much trouble.

The Pearl Gourami can grow to about 2.5 inches in length and has a typical lifespan of about five years. In rare cases, the fish can live up to ten years—but even five years is quite good for a tropical fish. These guys will get along with most other species of peaceful community fish, and they’re compatible with most water conditions (including soft water). They prefer a little bit of vegetation in their tank but don’t need much more than that to thrive. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance aquarium fish that will grow along with your skills as an aquarist, this might be the one for you!

10- Cherry Barb

Cherry Barb hardiest aquarium fish

When it comes to hardy aquarium beginner fish, the Cherry Barb is second to none. It’s easy to see why this type of aquarium fish is so popular: it has a long lifespan (5-7 years), requires minimal maintenance, and has fewer diseases than most other barb species. The cherry barbs are also very active and social, making them ideal companions in a community tank with other fish like tetras or corydoras catfish.

However, there is one thing you should watch out for with these little guys—they’re very sensitive to water conditions, so if you don’t keep your tank clean enough they may develop a disease called “black spot” that can kill them off quickly. If you’re new to keeping aquariums then this may sound scary – but don’t worry! We’ve got all the information you need right here on how to avoid this problem before it even becomes an issue by taking proper care of your water quality.

So if you’re looking for a really nice-looking tank that will last for years without much maintenance on top of being easy on the eyes – then look no further than the Cherry Barb! These fish will add color and personality to any environment where they live as well as give their owner something beautiful to enjoy.

11- Tiger Pleco

Tiger Pleco hardiest aquarium fish

The Tiger Pleco is one of the most popular plecos in the fishkeeping hobby. They are also known as the Syno Catfish, Sailfin Pleco, and Hypostomus punctatus. The Tiger Pleco can adapt to a wide variety of aquarium conditions, so it is a good choice for beginners.

It is important to provide plecos with plenty of hiding places in their aquariums. Driftwood is an ideal substrate for these fish. They need lots of places to hide because these fish are nocturnal, which means they are active at night and sleep during the day.

One of the best things about Tiger Plecos is that they have a long lifespan for a tropical fish: about 15 years if they are well cared for. These fish usually measure about 18 inches when fully grown, although sometimes they can grow even larger.

Tiger Plecos have very few diseases, which makes them good choices for beginning aquarists. If your Tiger Pleco has any issues, you should treat him with antibiotics right away before his health problems get worse.

12- Kuhli Loach

Kuhli Loach hardiest aquarium fish

Kuhli Loach is a wonderful aquarium fish for beginners. The first reason that Kuhli Loach is a great fish for beginners is that it is hardy and easy to take care of. If you are new to the aquarium hobby, you are likely to make mistakes. A Kuhli Loach will not only tolerate these mistakes but also help you learn from them. They are a peaceful species that does not harm other fish or plants. If you do not want to spend too much money on this hobby, a Kuhli Loach is inexpensive and will live for years if properly cared for.

A second reason why a Kuhli Loach is an excellent choice for your first aquarium fish is its long lifespan. A typical Kuhli Loach lives between 5 and 15 years depending on its caretaker. This means that you will be able to enjoy the company of your fish longer than if you had gotten a short-lived species like Molly Fish or Siamese fighting fish (Betta). If you are worried about being able to commit to caring for another living thing, then getting a long-lived fish can help relieve some of those concerns!

A third reason why this type of freshwater aquarium fish makes an excellent choice for beginners is their ability to resist disease.

Which Is My Favorite One?

betta fish hardiest aquarium fish for beginners

Betta fish are also called Siamese fighting fish. They are some of the most beautiful and hardiest fish to start with because they can live in a small bowl, require less maintenance than other fish, and are inexpensive. I believe that if you’re just starting out in the aquarium hobby, bettas are the best place to start. You can find them almost anywhere, and because they’re so popular, there’s a lot of information on keeping them healthy and happy.

They are also affordable and don’t require much food. Most people who own this type of fish feed them a pellet or two a day. Betta’s come in many different colors, having different patterns on their bodies, like stripes or spots. Most people who own these types of fish name them, just like a cat or dog, and see them as part of their family. If you have never had a pet before you might consider getting one of these fish as your first pet.