For beginners in aquariophilia or those looking for fish that are easy to maintain, some species are distinguished by their resilience, their adaptability and their Tolerance environmental variations. These fish are perfect for a stable freshwater aquarium, even with minimal maintenance. Here is a selection of fish species easier to maintain.
1. The Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
The Guppy is one of the most popular fish among beginners in aquariophilia. Known for its bright colours and ease of rearing, the Guppy is an excellent option for a first aquarium.
Why the Guppy is easy to maintain:
- Tolerance under various water conditions : The Guppy adapts well to different temperatures and pH levels, making it very resilient.
- Easy reproduction : If you have a group of male and female Guppys, you will quickly see Guppy babies appear, adding life to the aquarium.
- Peaceful behaviour : The Guppy are peaceful fish that coexist well with other non-aggressive species.
Ideal parameters:
- Temperature : 22-28°C
- pH : 6,8-7,8
- Minimum aquarium size : 40 litres
2. Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
The Platy is another colorful and robust fish, perfect for beginners. It is very similar to Guppy in terms of maintenance and ease of reproduction.
Why the Platy is easy to maintain:
- Tolerance to various water parameters : The Platy easily adapts to different water conditions and supports maintenance errors.
- Colour varieties : They exist in several bright colours (red, yellow, blue), making it an aesthetic addition to any aquarium.
- Easy reproduction : Like the Guppy, Platys reproduce quickly, bringing life and dynamism to the aquarium.
Ideal parameters:
- Temperature : 20-26°C
- pH : 7,0-8,3
- Minimum aquarium size : 40 litres
3. Blue Neon (Paracheirodon innesi)
The Blue Neon, or Neon Tetra, is a very popular small aquarium fish due to its bright colors and peaceful nature. It is often kept in benches, which brings movement and beauty to the aquarium.
Why Blue Neon is easy to maintain:
- Small and not demanding : Neons are small fish that require little food and adapt well to medium-sized aquariums.
- Gregarious fish : Neons like to be in a group (5 to 10 fish minimum), making them even more captivating when swimming together.
- Quiet temperament : They are peaceful and coexist well with other non-aggressive fish.
Ideal parameters:
- Temperature : 20-26°C
- pH : 6,0-7,0
- Minimum aquarium size : 50 liters (for a small bench)
4. Molly (Poecilia sphenops)
The Molly is another easy to maintain species that offers many colors and varieties. It is robust, adaptable and well known for its ability to thrive under different water conditions.
Why Molly is easy to maintain:
- Adaptability : Molly can live in fresh, slightly salty water and in a variety of water conditions.
- Easy reproduction : Like Guppys and Platys, Mollys breed easily in the aquarium.
- Peaceful nature : They are calm fish that coexist well with other peaceful species.
Ideal parameters:
- Temperature : 24-28°C
- pH : 7,5-8,5
- Minimum aquarium size : 60 litres
5. The Betta (Betta splendens)
The Betta, or fighting fish, is famous for its beauty and bright colors. Although it is often kept alone because of its aggressiveness towards other males, it is an easy to maintain fish.
Why the Betta is easy to maintain:
- Requires little equipment : The Betta can live in small aquariums without a powerful filter or heating, although these facilities remain recommended for better health.
- Few space needs : The Betta does not need much space and can live in small aquariums, although more space is always preferable.
- Resilience : The Betta is robust and supports a variety of water conditions, although clean water and stable temperature are important for its longevity.
Ideal parameters:
- Temperature : 24-30°C
- pH : 6,5-7,5
- Minimum aquarium size : 20 liters (for a Betta only)
6. Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus)
The Corydoras is a peaceful groundfish, appreciated for its social nature and its ability to clean debris in the aquarium. It is often recommended for beginners because of its robustness.
Why the Corydoras is easy to maintain:
- Natural cleaner : It helps keep the bottom of the aquarium clean by searching the substrate to find leftover food.
- Gregarious fish : It must be kept in small groups (at least 3 to 6 individuals) to feel comfortable.
- Quiet temperament : Corydoras is peaceful and coexists well with almost all non-aggressive fish species.
Ideal parameters:
- Temperature : 22-26°C
- pH : 6,0-7,8
- Minimum aquarium size : 60 litres
7. The Danio Rerio (Danio rerio)
The Danio Rerio, or zebra fish, is a small, resistant and active fish that is ideal for beginner aquariophiles. It is appreciated for its dynamic behaviour and its ability to adapt to various water conditions.
Why the Danio Rerio is easy to maintain:
- High tolerance to water parameters : The Danio Rerio can survive under different temperature and pH conditions, making it perfect for beginners.
- Active fish : It is a very dynamic fish that likes to swim in a group and brings movement to the aquarium.
- Peaceful temperament : He lives well with other peaceful fish.
Ideal parameters:
- Temperature : 18-24°C
- pH : 6,5-7,5
- Minimum aquarium size : 50 litres
8. The Gourami Nain (Trichogaster lalius)
The Gourami Nain is a colorful and peaceful fish, perfect for small and medium aquariums. It is relatively easy to maintain and can live in different freshwater conditions.
Why the Gourami Nain is easy to maintain:
- Peaceful temperament : It is calm and well understood with other peaceful species.
- Low oxygen requirement : The Gourami Nain has a labyrinth organ, which allows it to breathe air on the surface of the water, making the aquarium less dependent on high oxygenation.
- Bright colors : It brings a colorful and aesthetic touch to the aquarium.
Ideal parameters:
- Temperature : 24-28°C
- pH : 6,0-7,5
- Minimum aquarium size : 60 litres
Summary table for easily maintained fish
| Species | Ideal temperature | ideal pH | Minimum aquarium size | Main characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guppy | 22-28°C | 6,8-7,8 | 40 litres | Tolerant, peaceful, easily reproduces |
| Platy | 20-26°C | 7,0-8,3 | 40 litres | Coloured, easy to maintain, resilient |
| Blue Neon | 20-26°C | 6,0-7,0 | 50 litres | Gregary fish, small, quiet |
| Molly | 24-28°C | 7,5-8,5 | 60 litres | Robust, adaptable, easily reproduces |
| Betta | 24-30°C | 6,5-7,5 | 20 litres | Resilient, aesthetic, can live alone |
| Corydoras | 22-26°C | 6,0-7,8 | 60 litres | Groundfish, peaceful, help cleaning |
| Danio Rerio | 18-24°C | 6,5-7,5 | 50 litres | Active, tolerant to variations in parameters |
| Gourami Nain | 24-28°C | 6,0-7,5 | 60 litres | Peaceful, bright colors, low oxygen requirement |
These aquarium fish species are ideal for beginner aquariophiles or for those looking for easy-to-maintain fish. Their robustness, their tolerance to variations in parameters and their peaceful behaviour make them perfect companions for a stable and harmonious aquarium.
