5 Perfect Starter Fish For Your Family Aquarium

You’ve finally decided to take the plunge—your kids have been begging for a pet, and you think an aquarium might be the perfect compromise. Fish require less daily maintenance than dogs or cats, yet they still teach children responsibility and provide hours of entertainment. But which fish should you choose for your first tank?

The key lies in selecting hardy, low-maintenance species that can forgive beginner mistakes while still offering personality and visual appeal. Let’s explore five fantastic options that will set your family up for aquarium success.

Betta Fish: The Perfect Solo Act

Betta fish make excellent starter pets because they thrive in smaller tanks and require minimal equipment. These vibrant, flowing-finned beauties come in dozens of colors and patterns, making them instant conversation starters.

You can house a single betta in a 5-gallon tank with a simple filter and heater. They eat readily available pellet food and actually prefer calm water, so you won’t need expensive filtration systems. Just remember—bettas must live alone, as they’ll fight with other bettas and may harass smaller fish.

Goldfish: Classic Choice With Room to Grow

Goldfish earned their reputation as beginner fish for good reason. These hardy swimmers adapt well to various water conditions and can live for decades with proper care. Contrary to popular belief, goldfish need more space than most people realize—a single fancy goldfish requires at least 20 gallons.

Common goldfish grow quite large and produce substantial waste, so they need efficient filtration. However, they eat almost anything and rarely get sick when you maintain their water quality. Your children will love watching these interactive fish recognize feeding times and even learn simple tricks.

Guppies: Colorful Community Fish

Guppies bring incredible color variety to your tank while remaining extremely forgiving of water quality fluctuations. These small, peaceful fish do best in groups of five or more, creating a lively community that your kids will enjoy observing.

Male guppies display stunning tail patterns and bright colors, while females tend toward subtler silver and gray tones. Caring for guppies is quite easy, but keep in mind that they breed readily in home aquariums. Don’t panic—this can provide educational opportunities about life cycles, though you’ll need a plan for managing baby fish populations.

Neon Tetras: Schooling Spectacle

These tiny, electric-blue striped fish create mesmerizing displays when kept in schools of six or more. Neon tetras remain small (about one inch) and peaceful, making them perfect for community tanks.

They prefer slightly acidic water but adapt reasonably well to most tap water conditions. Feed them small flake food twice daily, and they’ll reward you with synchronized swimming patterns that captivate both children and adults. 

Platies: Hardy and Personable

Platies combine hardiness with personality, making them outstanding beginner fish. These chunky, colorful fish come in red, orange, yellow, and mixed patterns. They adapt to various water conditions and eat standard flake food eagerly.

Like guppies, platies breed easily and give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. They grow to about two inches and get along well with other peaceful species. Many platy owners report that their fish recognize them and swim to the front of the tank during feeding time.

Setting Your Family Up for Success

Start with just one or two species rather than mixing multiple types immediately. This approach helps you learn each species’ specific needs while reducing the complexity of water chemistry management.

Choose fish from reputable local pet stores where staff can provide ongoing support and advice. Many Oregon aquarium shops offer excellent beginner resources and can help you select compatible tank mates as your confidence grows.

With any of these beginner-friendly fish species, your family will soon discover the relaxing joy of aquarium ownership.