Fish Breeds That are Perfect for Kids For Caring Too

There are a number of factors by which a fish can qualify for inclusion in this select list of finned friends.

The first qualification for a fish to be a good beginner’s species is that it must be very hardy. The fish must be able to put up with less-than-perfect living conditions (a little overfeeding, sometimes a lack of feeding, infrequent water changes, some overcrowding and so on). This doesn’t mean I condone improper fish care. I’m just being realistic, and the fact is that folks starting out in the hobby may not always provide their fish ideal living conditions. Beginner fish need to be able to take this kind of treatment and survive.

To qualify for inclusion here, a fish must be peaceful — not only toward other fish species but its own, as well. Put simply, fish that are highly territorial (with two exceptions mentioned later) or just plain nasty and tend to pick on or actually do battle with other fish are not acceptable. We want everyone to get along.

Beginner fish must be able to thrive (not just get by) with a diet completely composed of dry, prepared fish foods. There are many excellent brands of prepared food on the market, with a wide variety of formulations. In addition, there are many other packaged “treats,” such as freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms and mosquito larvae. All of these provide a complete diet for most fish, but you still should feed a variety of the dry foods. This does not mean that you should refrain from feeding frozen or live foods, but these fish don’t need anything but prepared dry foods to do well.

Now, we start really getting into opinions. The phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” never applied more than to tropical fish. I’ve included fish I think are attractive.

One nice thing about the tropical fish hobby is you can enjoy it and find plenty of fish to choose from even if you limit yourself to those that have been raised commercially for the ornamental fish hobby. I’m not saying we should not keep fish that are caught wild, but there are so many species raised commercially there’s really no need to look further. Captive-raised fish are usually healthier and less stressed from capture and shipping, and buying them preserves wild populations, as well.

Keep fish that will do well in your tap water. Without getting into a discussion of the specifics of water chemistry, let’s briefly consider two things: pH and hardness. The pH is the measure of the acid/alkaline balance of water. Hardness is the measure of the dissolved solids in the water.




Platys are colorful fish that are very suitable for beginners. Since they are live bearing fish, many hobbyists start out with only a few fish which can quickly multiply into many fish. The Mickey Mouse platy is named for a very specific color pattern formed in the tail peduncle. The minimum tank size for this species is 10 gallons.



Guppies are a cornerstone of the small fish aquarium hobby. Another live bearing species, guppy tanks are often overrun with offspring from frequent breeding. The best skill any guppy owner can learn is to tell the difference between males and females to keep populations from exploding. The males are smaller and more colorful fish, while the larger females can have a colorful tail fin but the body is plain with a large white belly. The more guppies you have, the bigger your tank needs to be. For instance, if you have a 30-gallon tank, you can keep around 15 guppies, but if you have a 10-gallon tank, only about five of them can be kept in it.



One of the most common small freshwater aquarium species is the neon tetra. These fish are known for their colorful appearance with bright red and blue stripes. They are great community fish and school together in a vibrant wave. The cardinal tetra is another, very similar species. They are distinguishable from the more common neon tetra by their longer red belly bar that extends all the way to the head. The black neon tetra is a similar species with black and gold bars instead of red and blue colors. Depending on the type of tetra you get, you’ll need a 10- or 20-gallon tank at minimum.



These small, striped fish are one of the few in the aquarium hobby that don't require warm tropical temperatures. Zebrafish are peaceful, community players that love schooling in groups of five or more fish. There are multiple Danio species available in the pet market with a variety of colors and markings. There is a long fin variety of zebra danio, and this fish is also available in glow colors that were developed by adding fluorescent genes into the fish. You’ll need at least a 10-gallon tank for them.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What is the easiest fish to take care of ?
   Guppies and Zebra Danios are considered some of the easiest fish to care for. They tolerate small changes in water conditions and require basic feeding and maintenance.
2. Can beginners keep fish in a small tank ?
   Yes, beginners can keep fish in a small tank, but it’s important to choose suitable species like Betta fish or small community fish. Regular cleaning and proper filtration are essential for maintaining water quality.
3. How often should beginner fish be fed ?
   Most beginner-friendly fish should be fed once or twice a day in small portions. Overfeeding can dirty the tank and harm fish health, so feed only what they can eat in 2–3 minutes.
4. How many fish should a beginner a start with ?
   Beginners should start with 3–5 small fish in an appropriately sized tank (at least 10 gallons). Avoid overcrowding, as it can cause stress and water quality issues.