If you are a new fish keeper without experience, keeping a group of fish alive can be a bit overwhelming because maintaining an aquarium requires time and care.
That is why you should start with the hardest fish to kill. If you don’t know where to begin, this list of the top 10 hardest fish to kill is for you.
Let’s get right into the details!
Top 10 Hardest Fish to Kill
#1. Platy
- Size: From 2 to 3 inches
- Lifespan: From 3 to 4 years
- Recommended tank size: at least 20 gallons
- Feeding schedule: 3 times a day for juveniles and 1 time a day for adults.
Platy is an ideal aquarium fish for beginners because they have been a favorite for decades and come in various colors. They give birth to live baby fish, as opposed to egg layers.
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#2. Neon Tetra
- Size: From 1 to 1.5 inches.
- Lifespan: From 5 to 10 years.
- Feeding schedule: From 1 to 2 times a day.
- Recommended tank size: 15 gallons or more,
Neon Tetra is a variation of tetra fish and an excellent choice for kids. They are small fish, but they are lovely with blue and red stripes, and you will usually see a school of them.
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#3. Kuhli loach
- Size: 3-4 inches.
- Lifespan: 7-10 years.
- Feeding schedule: 2 times a day.
- Recommended tank size: at least 20 gallons.
This fish is loved by children because of its eel-like appearance with Halloween colors of brown and orange.
They have an eel-like appearance but are not technically eels, as they feature little fins. So they will require a safe hiding place somewhere in your tank.
Despite the spooky vibes, Kuhli loaches are a bit shy.
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#4. Kribensis
- Size: From 3 to 4 inches
- Lifespan: Roughly5 years
- Feeding schedule: 3 times per day
- Recommended tank size: at least 20 to 30 gallons
Kribensis are also popular for beginners. They are not overly demanding and rarely disturb plants or tank mates. Therefore, they are perfect for community aquariums with many quite aggressive fishes.
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#5. Dwarf Gourami
- Size: From 3.5 to 4.5 inches
- Lifespan: From 4 to 6 years
- Feeding schedule: 1 to 2 times a day
- Recommended tank size: at least 5 gallons
Dwarf Gourami is available in many colors and varieties and is also a loved option for beginners. These fish live in harmony with their tank mates in most cases.
#6. Corydoras (Cory) catfish
- Size: From 1 to 4 inches.
- Lifespan: From 3 to 5 years.
- Feeding schedule: From 1 to 2 times a day.
- Recommended tank size: at least 10 gallons.
Corydoras catfish is an aquarium staple that does a great job of cleaning the tank substrate (the sand or gravel at the bottom of aquariums).
These fish are hardy, peaceful fish that will coexist well with other fish. We recommend keeping at least three at a time, as they are a schooling species.
#7. Siamese Fighting Fish (Or Betta)
- Size: From 2 to 3 inches.
- Lifespan: From 2 to 5 years.
- Feeding schedule: 2 times per day.
- Recommended tank size: at least 3 gallons.
Siamese fighting fish, or bettas, have a dramatic and delicate look. They can be ideal pets for any first-time fish owner.
These hardy, colorful fish do best and do not require a large tank. But they favor a heated aquarium as they are “tropical” species originating from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
#8. Candy Cane Tetra
- Size: From 1 to 1.5 inches
- Lifespan: From 3 to 5 years
- Feeding schedule: 2 times per day
- Recommended tank size: At least 15 gallons
These quarter-sized fish have an overall pink color with highlights of white and red, resembling the colors of candy canes.
If you consider adding these hardy, candy-colored pets to your aquarium, know that you will likely gain a small school. But that does not require more jobs than raising one fish.
#9. Bushy Nose Plecostomus (Or Pleco)
- Size: From 3 to 5 inches.
- Lifespan: At least 5 years and can live up to 12 years in captivity.
- Feeding schedule: From 1 to 2 times a day.
- Recommended tank size: 25 gallons or more.
If you want to get help cleaning your aquarium, you won’t go wrong with Plecos.
These fish eat algae that grow in the aquarium, which is handy for cleaning decorations and aquarium glass. But they still need food other than algae.
#10. Comet Goldfish
- Size: From 8 to 12 inches.
- Lifespan: From 5 to 14 years.
- Feeding schedule: From 2 to 3 times per day.
- Recommended tank size: 50 gallons or more.
Comet Goldfish are excellent starter fish. They are available in various colors and patterns. They swim around constantly, requiring a big area to move around in. That is why these fish typically thrive in bigger aquariums.
FAQs
What Is the Hardest Fish to Keep?
Here are fish that are bad options for beginners:
- Goldfish.
- Oscars.
- Tinfoil Barbs.
- Clown Loaches.
- Freshwater Sharks.
- Common Plecostomus.
- Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish).
Which Fish Is Best for Beginners?
The hardest fish to kill are ideal for beginners.
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What Is the Most Intelligent Freshwater Aquarium Fish?
- Crowntail Betta
- Goldfish
- Neon Tetras
- Galaxias
- Guppy Fish
What Are Hardest Marine Fish to Care For?
- Moorish Idol
- Pipefish
- Ribbon Eel
- Achilles Tang
- Flashlight Fish
- Stingrays
- Regal Angelfish
- Garden Eels
- Shrimpfish
- Sharks
What Is the Strongest Fighting Fish?
Here are the 10 toughest fighting fish in the ocean:
- Blue Marlin
- Bluefin Tuna
- Black Marlin
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Swordfish
- Striped Marlin
- Wahoo
- Sailfish
- Albacore
- White Marlin
Conclusion
As a first-time fish owner, you won’t go wrong with any fish on this list. They are “hardest to kill,” meaning the mistakes the beginners might make won’t kill them.
They can live healthy and happy for a long time, even in less ideal aquarium conditions. Thank you for reading!
