10 Worst Fish for Beginners

Embarking on your aquarium journey can be an exciting yet daunting task, especially when it comes to fish selection. Dive into the world of fishkeeping by discovering the top 10 fish species to avoid as a beginner, ensuring a smooth-sailing aquatic adventure.

worst fish beginners

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Oscar Fish

Oscar Fish, although beautiful and popular among advanced aquarists, can pose numerous challenges for beginners. These South American natives are known for their aggressive nature and territorial behavior, making them difficult to keep in peaceful community tanks.

tiger oscar fish

  • Temperament: Aggressive
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Tank Size: Minimum of 75 gallons
  • Care Level: Intermediate to Expert
  • Lifespan: 10-12 years
  • Temperature: 74-81°F (23-27°C)
  • Adult Size: 12-14 inches (30-36 cm)

Oscars are best left to experienced fishkeepers who have ample time, resources, and knowledge to provide an optimal environment for these highly demanding fish.

 

Common Pleco

Common Plecos, often bought as algae-eaters, quickly outgrow their usefulness and become a burden for beginner aquarium keepers. This seemingly harmless fish can grow to an enormous size and requires a vast amount of tank space.

common pleco

  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Tank Size: Minimum of 125 gallons
  • Care Level: Intermediate
  • Lifespan: 10-15 years
  • Temperature: 72-86°F (22-30°C)
  • Adult Size: 18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Due to their large size and high bioload, Common Plecos are not recommended for beginners. Instead, opt for smaller algae-eating species such as the Bristlenose Pleco or Otocinclus Catfish.

 

African Cichlids

African Cichlids, while incredibly diverse and colorful, can be a handful for beginner aquarists. These fish are known for their aggression, which makes them difficult to keep in community tanks with other species.

african cichlids

  • Temperament: Aggressive
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Tank Size: Minimum of 55 gallons
  • Care Level: Intermediate
  • Lifespan: 5-10 years
  • Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)
  • Adult Size: 3-8 inches (8-20 cm)

With over 1,000 species of African Cichlids, it’s important to understand their unique care requirements and compatibility with other tank mates. Beginners should consider hardier, more community-friendly species before venturing into the world of cichlids.

 

Flowerhorn Cichlid

Flowerhorn Cichlids are vibrant fish known for their unique bulging foreheads, called kok, which can make them incredibly alluring. Despite their beauty, they can be a real challenge for beginner aquarists.

flowerhorn cichlid

  • Temperament: Aggressive
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Tank Size: Minimum of 75 gallons
  • Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
  • Lifespan: 10-12 years
  • Temperature: 80-86°F (26-30°C)
  • Adult Size: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)

Flowerhorn Cichlids are highly territorial and aggressive, which makes them not well-suited for most community tanks. Due to their complex requirements for care, tank setup, and diet, they are best left to more experienced fishkeepers.

 

Clown Loach

Clown Loaches are colorful and playful fish that may seem suitable for beginners, but their space and care requirements make them a less-than-ideal choice.

clown loach

  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Tank Size: Minimum of 75 gallons
  • Care Level: Intermediate
  • Lifespan: 10-15 years
  • Temperature: 75-85°F (24-29°C)
  • Adult Size: 12 inches (30 cm)

Clown Loaches grow quite large and prefer to be kept in groups, which means they require a substantially sized tank. Additionally, they are prone to ich (a common parasite) and have specific water quality and decoration preferences, making them better suited for experienced aquarists.

 

Bala Shark

Bala Sharks are sleek, eye-catching fish that may initially appear suitable for beginners. However, their size and activity requirements make them unsuitable for smaller tanks typically purchased by newcomers.

Bala Shark

  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Tank Size: Minimum of 150 gallons
  • Care Level: Intermediate
  • Lifespan: 8-10 years
  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
  • Adult Size: 10-14 inches (25-35 cm)

Bala Sharks grow quite large and need plenty of swimming space, so a spacious tank is necessary. Due to their size and propensity for jumping, they require considerable commitment and are better suited for more experienced aquarists.

 

Kissing Gourami

While Kissing Gouramis might sound affectionate due to their distinct lip-locking behavior, they can be quite aggressive and challenging for novice fishkeepers to handle.

kissing gourami

  • Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Tank Size: 55 gal (210 liters)
  • Care Level: Intermediate
  • Lifespan: 5-7 years
  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
  • Adult Size: 6-10 inches (15-25 cm)

Kissing Gouramis can become territorial and might bully other tankmates, which makes them less suitable for community tanks. Due to their aggressive behavior and care requirements, these fish are best left to more experienced aquarists.

 

Freshwater Pufferfish

Freshwater Pufferfish, with their fascinating appearance and intriguing personalities, can be tempting for beginner aquarists. However, they come with unique challenges that require experience and attentiveness.

spotted green puffer

  • Temperament: Aggressive
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Tank Size: 30+ gallons, depending on the species
  • Care Level: Advanced
  • Lifespan: 5-10 years
  • Temperature: 74-80°F (23-27°C)
  • Adult Size: Varies by species (2-8 inches; 5-20 cm)

Freshwater Pufferfish have specific dietary needs to maintain their beak-like teeth, and their aggressive nature makes tankmate selection challenging. Additionally, they have strict water quality requirements, making them better suited for advanced fish keepers.

 

Discus Fish

Discus Fish are often revered as the pinnacle of freshwater fishkeeping due to their stunning appearance. However, their sensitive and delicate nature makes them unsuitable for beginners.

discus fish

  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Tank Size: Minimum of 50 gallons
  • Care Level: Advanced
  • Lifespan: 8-10 years
  • Temperature: 82-88°F (28-31°C)
  • Adult Size: 5-6 inches (13-15 cm)

Discus Fish require pristine water conditions, a high-quality diet, and proper tankmates to thrive. They are susceptible to stress and illness in suboptimal environments, so only experienced enthusiasts with a dedication to providing exceptional aquarium care should attempt to keep Discus Fish.

 

Pictus Catfish

Pictus Catfish, easily recognized by their striking silver and black-spotted appearance, may seem like an attractive option for beginners. However, they have specific needs and behaviors that make them less than ideal for novice aquarists.

Pictus Catfish

  • Temperament: Peaceful, but predatory
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Tank Size: Minimum of 55 gallons
  • Care Level: Intermediate
  • Lifespan: 8 years
  • Temperature: 75-81°F (24-27°C)
  • Adult Size: 5 inches (12.5 cm)

Pictus Catfish are active predators that require abundant hiding spaces and may prey on smaller fish in the tank. Due to their care requirements and the need for compatible tankmates, they are better suited for experienced fish keepers.

Conclusion

Embarking on your fishkeeping journey should be a rewarding experience. By steering clear of these challenging species and focusing on hardier, beginner-friendly options, you will be better equipped to create a thriving aquatic environment. Feel free to share your fishkeeping experiences and insights below!

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