When choosing an aquarium fish, there are many factors to consider like tank size, water parameters, dietary needs, and temperament. For beginner fishkeepers looking for an easy, colorful freshwater fish, small species like guppies, platies, mollies, and bettas are great options. These fish are hardy, readily available, have minimal care requirements, and come in a variety of bright colors and fin shapes. With a properly set up and maintained aquarium, they can thrive for years.
Guppies
Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish for beginners. Here are some key facts about guppies:
| Scientific Name | Poecilia reticulata |
| Adult Size | 1.5-3 inches |
| Lifespan | 1-3 years |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 gallons |
| Temperature | 72-82°F |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Guppies come in almost every color imaginable, with frilly, large flowing tails and fins. Selective breeding has created many unique strains. They are livebearers that can reproduce rapidly, having up to 50 fry per month, so only keep 1 male to 2-3 females. Guppies are peaceful community fish suitable for community tanks. They have minimal care needs, adapted to a wide range of water conditions. Feed them a variety of flakes, pellets, live or frozen foods 2-3 times daily. With simple requirements, guppies are great for beginners looking for a colorful starter fish.
Platies
Platies are another excellent beginner fish, similar in care to guppies. Here are some platy fish facts:
| Scientific Name | Xiphophorus maculatus |
| Adult Size | 2-3 inches |
| Lifespan | 2-3 years |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Temperature | 68-82°F |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Platies come in many bright colors like red, yellow, blue, and white. Selective breeding has produced many unique tail and finnage varieties. They stay smaller than guppies at 2-3 inches. Platies are livebearers breeding readily in tanks, so keep ratios low. They are very peaceful and mix well with guppies and mollies. Platies aren’t too picky on water parameters and will accept most foods like flakes, pellets, freeze-dried, frozen, veggies. Moderate care is needed by doing weekly water changes and filtering the tank. Overall, platies are exceptional starter fish.
Mollies
Mollies are larger than guppies and platies but have very similar care. Here are some mollies facts:
| Scientific Name | Poecilia sphenops |
| Adult Size | 3-5 inches |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Temperature | 70-80°F |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Mollies come in solid, mixed, and metallic color morphs, with short fan-shaped fins. Some popular varieties include black, gold dust, and Dalmatian. They tolerate a wide range of water conditions. Mollies are livebearers that breed easily in tanks. Keep males and females in a 1:2 ratio. They are community fish but need more space than guppies or platies. Give them a varied diet with flakes, pellets, frozen and live foods. With their hardiness and minimal care needs, mollies are a good starter fish.
Bettas
Bettas are a popular fish for beginners given their bright colors, flowing fins, and ease of care. Here are some betta facts:
| Scientific Name | Betta splendens |
| Adult Size | 2-3 inches |
| Lifespan | 2-4 years |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 gallons |
| Temperature | 75-80°F |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Male bettas are the most colorful, with long flowing fins in varieties like veiltail, delta, and crowntail. They come in almost every color, with popular ones like red, blue, green, and purple. Bettas do best in a species only tank due to aggression towards other fish. Have only 1 male per tank, and a heater is recommended to keep water temperature steady. They eat mostly meaty foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and pellets. Bettas have a labyrinth organ allowing them to breathe air from the surface. With proper aquarium conditions, bettas are a vibrant, hardy fish for beginners.
Tank Setup
Here are some general guidelines for setting up an aquarium for guppies, platies, mollies or bettas:
– Tank size: Minimum 5-10 gallons for a pair or small group, up to 20-30 gallons for more fish.
– Filtration: Hang-on-back power filter sized for tank volume, with adjustable flow. Sponge filters also work well.
– Heater and thermometer: Submersible 50-100 watt heater to keep tank 75-80°F. Have a thermometer to monitor temperature.
– Decorations/plants: Have plenty of live plants like java fern, anubias, floating plants. Add smooth decor rocks, driftwood, artificial plants. Give bettas broad leaf plants to rest on near the surface. Have several hiding spots.
– Substrate: Small grained gravel or sand substrate 1-2 inches thick. Barebottom also works.
– Lighting: Standard fluorescent aquarium lighting on 6-10 hours per day. Have ambient room lighting.
Easy colorful fish like guppies, platies, mollies and bettas do not require advanced setups. Focus on the basics like filtration, heating, live plants, and regular water changes to keep fish healthy. Test water parameters weekly and use water conditioner. This provides the ideal home for starter fish to thrive in.
Maintenance
To keep your fish tank clean and care for guppies, platies, mollies or bettas:
– Perform 25% weekly water changes using gravel vacuum to remove waste. Replace with dechlorinated, temperature matched water.
– Check filter monthly, rinsing media as needed to remove gunk and maintain flow.
– Test water 1-2 times monthly with liquid test kit. Check pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.
– Adjust temperature and tank conditions as needed if parameters are outside the ideal range.
– Use algae scrubber and magnet cleaner to wipe down tank walls and decor.
– Prune live plants to remove dead leaves and trim overgrowth. Fertilize as needed.
– Inspect fish daily and look for signs of disease like spots, ragged fins or abnormal behaviors. Quarantine sick fish.
– Feed a high quality varied diet in small portions 2-3 times daily. Remove uneaten food after 5 minutes.
Simple weekly maintenance like water changes, tank wipe downs, and filter checks helps maintain good water quality and healthy fish. Test parameters regularly to catch any issues.
Conclusion
Guppies, platies, mollies and bettas are great starter fish for beginner aquarists. They come in a huge variety of bright colors and flowing fins. These fish are very affordable and available at most pet stores. They are hardy, have minimal care needs, and can adapt to a wide range of water conditions. Proper tank setup with filtration, heaters, live plants, along with weekly maintenance provides them an ideal home. Easy breeding fish like livebearers should be kept in controlled ratios. Bettas need species only tanks due to aggression. By following their basic care guidelines, these fish can bring years of aquatic beauty and enjoyment for fishkeeping beginners. They are the easiest colorful freshwater fish to take care of.
