Why keep tropical fish?

Tropical fish are colourful and lively. Available in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, many are hardy enough for beginners, as long as the aquarium is properly cycled and heated to between 24-27°C.

A good starter aquarium should include:

  • A reliable heater and filter to maintain safe conditions
  • Live or artificial plants for both shelter and oxygen
  • Peaceful, community-friendly fish
  • A mix of fish that swim at different levels

If you're looking at setting up, check out our guide How To Set Up An Aquarium For Tropical Fish.

Tip: Let your aquarium run with the equipment on for at least a week before adding any fish. This allows the beneficial bacteria to establish, preventing harmful spikes in ammonia.

Understanding tank zones

Every fish has an area of the water they prefer. Stocking fish across these zones creates a balanced, visually active aquarium. These zones include:

  • Top dwellers (eg: Guppies and Mollies): feed at the surface and prefer open swimming space
  • Middle dwellers (eg: Rasboras and Tetras): schooling fish that bring constant movement to your aquarium
  • Bottom dwellers (eg: Corydoras and Plecos): forage from the substrate, keeping it clean

Tropical aquarium with fish, aquatic plants, wood and rocks
Stocking fish in all aquarium zones is the key to a vibrant community tank with plenty of movement

Recommended tropical fish for beginners

Here's a brief explanation to different fish that are both beginner-friendly and compatible in a peaceful community.

ZoneSpeciesMinimum VolumeTemperamentExperience LevelNotes
TopGuppy - Poecilia reticulata40LPeacefulYesHardy, easy to breed, vivid colours
Molly - Poecilia sphenops60LPeacefulYesAdaptable to slightly salty water
Dwarf Gourami - Trichogaster lalius60LPeacefulYesNeeds calm waters
MiddleHarlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma heteromorpha50LPeacefulYesSchooling fish
Black Widow Tetra -Gymnocorymbus ternetzi60LPeacefulYesHardy, active, and thrives in groups
Tiger Barb - Puntigrus tetrazona75LSemi-aggressiveModerateBest kept in large groups, may nip fins
BottomCorydoras Catfish - Corydoras spp.50LPeacefulYesIdeal clean-up crew, keep in shoals
Kuhli Loach - Pangio kuhlii75LShyModeratePrefers hiding spots and soft substrate
Bristlenose Pleco - Ancistrus spp.80LPeacefulYesGreat algae eater, stays small

Tip: Avoid adding all your fish in one go. Introduce hardy fish first, such as Guppies, Danios, or Rasboras, to allow your filter to mature before adding others.

Guppy in a tropical tank.
Guppies make a great early addition to a new tank, adding movement and colour

Beginner starter fish and why we recommend them

Rasboras

Harlequin and scissortail Rasboras are a great start for beginners. Peaceful and active, they do best in schools of 8-10 and prefer well planted aquariums. They tolerate a range of water conditions, which makes them ideal for new setups.

Harlequin Rasbora in an aquarium
Harlequin Rasboras are a peaceful addition to a community aquarium

Black Widow Tetras

Black widow tetras are hardy, lively, and stand out with their distinctive dark fins. They do best in groups of 4 or more with plenty of hiding spaces and a varied diet of flakes, brine shrimp, and daphnia. They also handle some fluctuations in water quality, making them perfect for beginners.

Tiger Barbs

These fish are very hardy, but can nip fins if kept in small groups. In groups of 6 or more aggression is diffused. Green or albino varieties make for a more peaceful community setup.

Platies

Platies are colourful, peaceful, breed readily, and are simple to look after. Available in shades of red, orange, yellow, and blue, these fish are great for beginners who want active fish.

Corydoras Catfish

These gentle bottom dwellers sift through the substrate, keeping it clean. They should be kept in groups of 6 or more, and are ideal for beginners as they are compatible with almost all peaceful fish.

Plecos

Bristlenose Plecos are great at eating algae, helping to keep the environment clean. They are more suitable for smaller tanks than the Common Pleco, which grow very large. Add Plecos a few weeks after your first fish, once you begin to notice algae naturally grow.

Pleco in a tropical aquarium feeding from a leaf
Plecos naturally feed on algae in your aquarium, keeping the tank clean

At Swell UK, we sell a range of fish online, delivered right to your door. Shop our selection of tropical fish today for inspiration.

Feeding your fish

A varied diet is important for keeping your fish healthy and colourful. Try combining:

  • Floating flakes or pellets - for surface feeders
  • Slow sinking granules - for mid water species
  • Algae wafers or tablets - for bottom dwellers

You can also supplement their diet with high protein freeze-dried foods including bloodworm, brine shrimp, tubifex, or krill.

Explore our range of fish food today, for granulated, flake, frozen, or live food.

Aquarium fish flakes in front of a tropical aquarium
Be sure to never feed more than can be consumed in a few minutes

Maintaining your aquarium

Keep your system running smoothly with frequent maintenance. A suggested routine is:

  1. Test your water regularly for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate
  2. Change 20-25% of water every week
  3. Clean filter media weekly using water taken from the tank, not tap water
  4. Remove any uneaten food

Consistent care reduces stress and helps your fish to live longer and healthier lives, it also helps your water stay clear.

Shop our range of aquarium maintenance and accessories to keep your tank in the best condition.

Ready to stock your tank?

Stocking a tropical aquarium is simple with the right planning, patience, and the right mix of fish. Don't forget to start with adding hardy, peaceful species, then begin to add fish that occupy different parts of the tank, and soon you'll have a vibrant aquarium to enjoy. The key to success is balance, compatibility, and consistent care.

Shop our selection of aquatic products today so you have everything you need to stock your tank.