Top 5 Best Exotic Fish and Corals for Beginners

Fish make both beautiful and entertaining pets. If you want them as a pet, choose one that appeals to you, not only in its appearance but personality-wise as well.

Guarantee that they are comfortable and healthy by getting the appropriate size tank and adding suitable decorations and plants. Fish can live a long time, so setting a cleaning and feeding routine will make it more fun and less stressful.

Here are the top five best exotic fishes and corals for beginners!

#1. Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

With its bright colors, the Neon Tetra blends perfectly with the rest of the aquarium. Although small in size, these beautifully colored, freshwater fish will take advantage of every bit of space in your tank. They love being in groups, so the larger the group, the happier they will be.

This fish is an omnivore. Their diet is manageable, and they can be fed essential fish flakes, although they do enjoy the odd bloodworm or brine shrimp now and then.

If you want to feed them with live food, then you can try black worms and fruit flies. Local pet stores usually carry these, and Tetras absolutely love them, so feed them sparingly.

#2. Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

This colorful and lively fish can adjust to a kind of water conditions, which is one of the reasons they are so popular. They are also one of the easiest to take care of. You should keep guppies in sets of threes, and an excellent guide for the tank size is 1 gallon of water per guppy.

The ideal water temperature for guppies is 50℉ – 84℉ (10-29℃), but the most critical factor is that the temperature is kept consistent.

They are an active fish, and they can eat regular fish flakes. They can also eat frozen (or live) brine shrimp, bloodworms, and Daphnia. The fact that Guppies can go over a week without food shows how hardy they are.

Guppies should be fed a blend of plant and animal-based foods, and you might even consider making your own – it’s easier than it sounds.

#3. Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)

Swords are another beautiful species that will grow to about two inches in length. They’re very peaceful, though reasonably active.

With their elongated “swords” on their tails, you can tell the males apart from the females.

A side note, you may notice the male relentlessly harassing the female. It’s just the way of the male of showing the swordtail love, but it can be reasonably stressful for the female.

In the wild, swordtails would typically be found in fast flowing water, so if you can emulate this by keeping a steady flow of water somewhere in your tank, they will be grateful and will feel more at home.

#4. Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus)

Oscars are considered to be one of the most brilliant aquarium fish available and are one of the few kinds that can be trained to do tricks. However, they are not a community fish, they should be kept in a species only tank, and they can grow enormous, fast.

Due to being a carnivore and the amount of waste they create, they need a lot more maintenance than other fishes.

They are one of some species you can hand feed, and they will usually eat food from between your fingers. They also thrive when kept in pairs, or group of 5 or more, and should be housed together from a young age.

#5. Betta (Betta splendens)

The Betta or Siamese Fighting Fish is typically not recommended as a beginner due to its aggressive nature. But the Betta fish will generally be aggressive toward other Betta fish, as long as you keep only one, they should be fine.

They are one of the most striking tropical fish you can keep. The long colorful fins will catch the eyes of anyone having a peek in your tank.

Betta fish are also easy to take care of, and they will eat most types of food including fish flakes, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. For a treat, try offering some live food to the tank.

Which are the best corals for a beginner?

Below is a list of the easiest to keep Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals which should be chosen by the beginner. Ensure to accommodate the coral over an appropriate period. These are generally a beginner coral, and as you become more experienced, almost all of them, are open to being tried rather than SPS.

 

The Open Brain (Trachyphyllia geoffroyi)

The Open Brain Coral is one of the best beginner corals. The Open Brain coral gets its name from its unique shape, related to that of the human brain. It has bright colors, and it needs adequate light. They can be kept on the substrate and should have enough distance among other corals. They also have tentacles that come out at night and attack neighboring corals!

Candy Cane Coral (Caulastrea furcata)

This coral is called the Candy Cane Coral because of its orange to red and white striped coloration. They can often be purchased for a meager price, and this should be taken advantage of. The Candy Cane Coral is an excellent beginner coral.

Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea Curvata)

It’s shaped like a small trumpet, and they have iridescent feelers that come out when it’s feeding time. Choose a coral with at least three heads that are brightly colored and responds well to light changes and water movement.

Plate Coral (Fungia Repanda)

This coral can also be a little aggressive to other corals. They do best when placed on the substrate of the aquarium. Guarantee that there is ample distance between the coral and its neighbors. They come in some striking colors—green being the most common—and gradually rise in price. They enjoy shallow, brightly lit aquariums and are easy to keep for beginners.

Bubble Coral (Plerogyra Sp.)

The bubble coral may have a gentle and soft appearance, but it is aggressive toward other corals. Keep it at a reasonable distance away from all other corals. The Bubble Coral has large tentacles that extend out at night and attack neighboring corals. Apart from this, they are generally easy to keep and add movement to the tank.

If you’re new to fish-keeping and corals, you should start slowly adding a few fish at a time. This method will give you a chance to understand how to care for each species of fish before you add another. You should also research thoroughly what requirements you might need to take care of exotic corals.