Worst Aquarium Fish: The Most Challenging Species to Keep

Many types of fish can be found in an aquarium, but some may be more undesirable than others. Some poor choices for tank inhabitants include fish that require a lot of attention, such as plecos or corys; these fish typically get along poorly with other species and will likely cause issues if put in with them.

What Makes a Fish Challenging to Keep in Aquariums?

• Aggressive or territorial fish can be bad choices as they may ruin the tank environment and any other nearby tanks if allowed to live together.

• Poorly-groomed saltwater fish like common types like barracuda and more obscure fish, such as the ornate angelfish, are also not suitable for beginners as these fish often have scales that are hard to clean, which can lead to fouling and disease if you’re not an experienced aquarist.

• Fish that require high levels of water quality maintenance; might include fish with a reputation for being challenging to keep healthy or those that tend not to live very long in captivity.

• Fish from warm climates; many tropical aquarium fishes do not do well in cold environments, including some popular saltwater species.

Therefore, it is essential to carefully choose the fish that will live in your aquarium and ensure they are adequately maintained.

The Worst Beginner Fish

The most common type of fish that people purchase for their beginner aquarium is the pleco. Plecos are pretty easy to keep, but they can be challenging to get along with other tankmates and require a high level of care to avoid problems. Other types of fish that may make good starter pets include the following:

Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminckii)

The kissing gourami is a tropical fish that can be difficult to keep in captivity. They require high levels of water quality maintenance and often get along poorly with other species in the tank.

Therefore, if you are looking for a beginner fish, we recommend avoiding the kissing gourami. Additionally, they are not recommended for small tanks, as they can get quite large.

Freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

As with saltwater angelfish, freshwater angelfish can be challenging to get along with. They require high water quality maintenance and often have trouble adapting to new environments.

Additionally, they can be quite ornamental and may require a lot of room in the tank to correctly display their colors. For example, if you are looking for a beginner aquarium fish, we recommend steering clear of freshwater angelfish.

Oscar Cichlid (Astronotus ocellatus)

Oscar cichlids are one of the more popular types of fish for beginner aquariums, but they can be challenging to keep and require a lot of care to avoid problems.

Additionally, Oscars are often aggressive towards other tank mates, so carefully choosing your oscar before adding them to your tank is essential.

Fancy Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Goldfish are one of the most popular types of fish for beginner aquariums, however, they can be challenging to keep and often require much care to avoid problems.

Additionally, goldfish are prone to diseases, so it is essential to select your fish before adding them to your tank carefully.

Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus)

Clown loaches are one of the most challenging fish to keep in captivity. They require high water quality maintenance and often get along poorly with other tank mates.

Clown loaches are also quite ornamental but can be expensive to purchase. For example, if you are looking for a beginner aquarium fish, we recommend steering clear of clown loaches.

Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)

Firstly, pufferfish are very sensitive to changes in water quality. If the water becomes contaminated, pufferfish will become ill and may die. Additionally, they often have trouble adapting to new environments. Puffers can be challenging to feed and require much attention to thrive.

Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus)

Bala sharks are one of the more dangerous fish to keep in captivity. They can easily reach sizes of over 14 inches, and they possess some of the strong teeth in the animal kingdom. Therefore, it is essential to keep Bala sharks in a large enough tank to roam.

Additionally, they are known to be aggressive towards other fish and should not be added to an aquarium without first doing some research.

Tips When Caring for a Difficult Beginner Fish

When it comes to caring for the worst beginner fish, there are a few things that you will need to take into account. Firstly, ensure that your tank is correctly set up and prepared before adding these fish.

Additionally, regularly monitor the water quality and provide adequate food and habitat for them. Finally, be prepared to offer plenty of love and care for these fish to thrive.

How to Make It Work

So now that you know the worst beginner fish, how do you make it work in your aquarium?

• First and foremost, correctly set up your tank before adding any fish. This will include measuring the size of the tank and purchasing the correct type of aquarium water filter.

• Additionally, make sure to add a suitable substrate and decorate the sides of the tank as desired. Once everything is set up, it is time to add your new friends! However, be warned: these fish are quite sensitive and require a lot to thrive.

• The best approach is slowly introducing them to their new home by placing them in the tank one at a time and watching how they react. Ensure they have plenty of hiding spots, as these fish can become quite territorial when new members are added to their group.

• As long as you take the time to set up your aquarium correctly, introducing the worst beginner fish should be relatively easy. However, be sure to monitor their water quality and food requirements as well – Failure to do so could result in illness or death.

• Additionally, give your new pet plenty of love and attention for them to thrive. All in all, these fish are typically easy to take care of but do require a bit more effort than some others.

Remember: with patience and care, these fish can easily make a solid addition to your aquarium crew!