15 Low-Maintenance Freshwater Fish for Beginners With Pictures
Use the gravel vacuum to remove leftover food and debris from the gravel. Along with water changes, this will reduce nitrate levels in the tank and keep your fish healthy. Maintaining a freshwater aquarium can sometimes feel like a balancing act. This section highlights common challenges like water cloudiness and fish health. Heaters maintain the ideal temperature to suit specific fish species.


Whether you’re looking for colorful displays or easy maintenance, these fish have something for everyone. Also, the Stripe-Necked turtle is shy, which is not the best trait for a centerpiece. But don’t mistake its shyness and habitat preference with a peaceful temperament because this species may bite you if you get too close. Keep a reasonable distance and monitor their body language, and you’ll be fine.
This might signal high ammonia or nitrite levels, which means it’s time for a water change and proper filtration. Regular water changes are necessary for a balanced aquarium environment. Also, limit the light duration to reduce algae growth, creating a balanced environment for your aquatic life. Regular use of a gravel vacuum helps pick up uneaten food and fish waste, which can lead to harmful ammonia levels. Adjustable heaters are a good investment since you can tweak the temperature if needed.
These shoaling fish are easy to care for and can thrive in cooler water temperatures, which makes a heater not always necessary for their care. Betta fish are one of the most popular freshwater fish due to their low-maintenance nature and flowing, colorful fins. They have a labyrinth organ, which allows them to breathe surface air in low-oxygen environments. They have simple feeding requirements and will be happy in a tank with plants, a heater, and plenty of space to swim.
Being a cold-water fish, the White Cloud Mountain Minnows can comfortably carry on in an aquarium even if it has no water heater. Having floating plants in the tank will give even more confidence to the fish, which in turn makes their behavior super entertaining. The Lambchop Rasbora fish do not require very soft water, but they do come from a habitat that’s a little on the softer end. These aquarium kits are beginner-friendly and come with almost all the needed equipment to start (except a heater).