The Hardiest Breeds Of Fish That Your Kids Will Want In Their Tank

Having a pet is an excellent opportunity for kids to learn about responsibility. While a dog or cat might be too much for a child to take on, there are many species of fish that are suited for first time owners — including young ones. Not only do fish make entertaining pets for children, but they can also help improve mental wellbeing, as studies suggest that observing a fish tank can put people in a calmer and more relaxed state and help reduce anxiety.

With a fish tank, kids can still learn about what the care of a pet entails with less risk and hassle than some other types of pets. Goldfish, guppies, neon tetras, harlequin rasbora, and betta fish are some of the best options for beginners. If you teach your child how to look after them, they all make a great choice for a first tank.

One of the most popular and iconic pet fish out there, the goldfish makes for a great addition to a kids' fish tank. Goldfish are a robust breed, making them a safe bet for beginners, such as children, who may not be as knowledgeable about proper fish care. While goldfish are considered one of the easier breeds to own, they do have some needs that must be met, so it's important to educate your child.

There are many different varieties of goldfish, and you may wonder which kind is best suited for kids. For a child's first fish, stay away from the fancy types, and instead go for a comet goldfish. Comets are more tolerant of poor tank quality and common beginner mistakes. To take care of a comet goldfish, you need a proper tank, not a bowl, that's ideally 50 gallons or bigger, per The Spruce Pets. When it comes to nutrition, pellet fish food is typically the best choice for the comet goldfish. These fish need to be fed once or twice a day, so teaching a kid to get in the habit can help promote a sense of responsibility while still owning a pet that doesn't require a drastic amount of care.

Guppies are great fish for a kids' tank, not only because they are easy to care for, but because their bright colors and patterns make for a fun and amusing pet. Available in every hue of the rainbow, guppies are a truly hardy fish that won't be greatly affected by minor care mistakes a kid might make. They are community fish, so while you can own just a single guppy, they thrive when they have at least one other companion. Guppies are very amicable, and get along with many different species, so if your kid is interested in having more than one kind of fish in their aquarium, guppies are an excellent way to go.

When it comes to food, pellets are the best choice for guppies. Be aware that they are frequent breeders, and if you have male and females in the same tank, you could end up with more fish than anticipated, so it's best to only have one sex to prevent unwanted offspring. If having colorful fish in your kids' tank is important, opt for male guppies in particular, as they tend to be brighter than females.

Another vibrant and colorful fish, the neon tetra is a solid choice for a child's aquarium. Their name stems from the distinct, neon blue stripe that runs across their body. They are tiny, getting to be around 1.5 inches long. Neon tetras can provide entertainment for kids, as they are a schooling fish, requiring multiple of the same breed in the tank. They also get along well with other small and non-aggressive breeds, making them a good option for a diverse aquarium.

Neon tetras require their habitats to contain a lot of hiding spots and plants. Because of this, kids can enjoy the process of decorating the perfect home for their new fish. They also thrive with a diet consisting of many different types of food, including both processed and live, so there's no need to worry about what your kid decides to feed them. However, it's best to teach children to feed their neon tetras a variety of options so they can have a well balanced diet.

The harlequin rasbora is another durable fish that is well suited to beginners such as children. With their shiny, copper-colored bodies and signature black marking, these little fish have a unique look that's charming to both kids and adults alike. They are schooling variety, requiring a minimum of eight of the species per tank, according to The Spruce Pets. Gentle fish, they can be kept with other species as long as they are a similar size, and they even make good tank mates with another child-friendly favorite: the neon tetra.

Harlequin rasbora will eat any type of food, making them easy for a kid to feed and take care of. These fish are also a practical choice to keep in a child's room, as they only require a 10-gallon tank. The harlequin rasbora needs a habitat that contains live plants and plenty of open space for swimming. 

Walk into any pet store, and chances are you will see a display of bright and beautiful fish in individual containers. These fish are bettas, a gorgeous breed with an appearance that is sure to catch a child's eye, seen in a vast variety of different colors and patterns. They have unique flowy fins that make for an aesthetically pleasing and amusing pet. While bettas tend to be a popular fish choice for kids, they do have specific needs that must be met, so if your child doesn't have the patience to give them the care they require, you may want to opt for a different fish.

Betta fish need to be fed more often than some other types, and they also thrive on a live-food diet. For a first-time owner, it's best for a kid to only take care of one betta fish rather than have multiple. If your child ever decides to add more bettas to their fish family, make sure to avoid putting multiple males in the same tank, as they will fight, and it won't be pretty. However, some other kinds of fish may be able to live with male betta fish, as long as they are docile and small. An advantage of betta fish is that while they should be kept in a tank, they don't require a whole lot of space, only needing a 1-gallon tank, per PetMD.