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Best 1 Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)
Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)

The Blue Tang is arguably the quintessential centerpiece fish for any reef tank. Renowned for its striking, electric blue coloration and graceful body shape, it is an active grazer that keeps algae in...

9.8 Brilliant
2 Tang (Acanthurus spp.)
Tang (Acanthurus spp.)

As a general category, Tangs (like the Yellow or Blue) are prized for their consistent, visible grazing patterns, which keeps algae growth under control. They are robust fish that adapt well to establ...

9.2 Excellent
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3 Anubias Nana (Anubias barteri var. nana)
Anubias Nana (Anubias barteri var. nana)
From $8-15 per pot (varies by seller and size)

Anubias Nana is another exceptionally hardy and low-maintenance plant, perfect for beginners. Similar to Java Fern, it's a rhizome plant that should be attached to hardscape rather than planted in the...

9.2 Excellent
4 White Cloud Mountain Minnow
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
From $2-5 per fish (varies by retailer and location)

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are a great option for beginners who prefer cooler water temperatures (60-72°F). These hardy fish are peaceful and thrive in schools. They are relatively small, reaching a...

8.9 Very Good
5 Platy
Platy
From $2-5 per fish, varies by color variety and size

Similar to guppies, Platies are livebearers known for their hardiness and ease of care. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, adding visual interest to any aquarium. Platies are peaceful and...

8.9 Very Good
6 Damselfish (Chromis spp.)
Damselfish (Chromis spp.)

Damselfish are incredibly hardy, small, and come in a dazzling array of colors and patterns. They are excellent schooling fish, which means they look best kept in groups of 6 or more. Their small size...

8.8 Very Good
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7 Zebra Danio
Zebra Danio

Zebra Danios are energetic and visually appealing fish that are incredibly hardy and easy to care for. They are active swimmers and thrive in schools of 6 or more. They are peaceful and compatible wit...

8.6 Very Good
8 Gobies (Gobiodon spp.)
Gobies (Gobiodon spp.)

Gobies are fascinating, small fish that spend much of their time near the substrate or attached to structures. They are generally hardy and excellent at keeping detritus and small organisms in check,...

8.5 Very Good
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9 Lemon Damsel (Pomacentrus moluccensis)
Lemon Damsel (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Lemon Damsels are hardy and visually appealing fish, known for their bright yellow coloration. They are relatively small, reaching a maximum size of 4 inches, and are suitable for most tank sizes. Whi...

8.5 Very Good
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10 Convict Tang (Acanthurus patchii)
Convict Tang (Acanthurus patchii)

A fantastic alternative to the Blue Tang, the Convict Tang offers a similar vibrant, deep blue hue but can sometimes be slightly more forgiving in varied reef conditions. They are active grazers, cont...

8.4 Very Good
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11 Harlequin Rasbora
Harlequin Rasbora

Harlequin Rasboras are peaceful and attractive schooling fish that are relatively easy to care for. They have a distinctive black wedge shape on their bodies, making them visually appealing. They pref...

8.4 Very Good
12 Cherry Barb
Cherry Barb

Cherry Barbs are small, peaceful fish known for the males' vibrant red coloration during breeding season. They thrive in groups of 6 or more and require a minimum of 20 gallons of tank space. They pre...

8.3 Very Good
13 Kuhli Loach
Kuhli Loach

Kuhli Loaches are unique-looking, eel-like fish that are peaceful and thrive in groups. They are bottom-dwellers and help keep the tank clean by scavenging for leftover food. They prefer a sandy subst...

8.3 Very Good
14 Tang (Dascyllus aruanus)
Tang (Dascyllus aruanus)

The Dascyllus aruanus, or Hawaiian Angelfish, is a smaller, highly resilient tang species. It is known for its consistent grazing and its ability to thrive even in slightly less-than-perfect condition...

8.2 Very Good
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15 Bacopa Monnieri (Bacopa monnieri)
Bacopa Monnieri (Bacopa monnieri)

Bacopa Monnieri is a hardy stem plant known for its ability to export nutrients from the water, helping to control algae growth. It's a moderate-growing plant that requires regular pruning to maintain...

8.0 Very Good
16 Rosy Barb
Rosy Barb

Rosy Barbs are active and colorful fish that thrive in schools. They are relatively hardy and easy to care for, but can be slightly nippy towards slower-moving fish. They prefer cooler temperatures (6...

8.0 Very Good
17 Damselfish (Pomaccus spp.)
Damselfish (Pomaccus spp.)

Pomaccus species are wonderful additions for adding a vibrant, schooling element without the aggressive tendencies of some other damselfish. They are generally robust, colorful, and thrive when kept i...

7.8 Good
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18 Surgeonfish (Acanthurus spp.)
Surgeonfish (Acanthurus spp.)

As a group, Surgeonfish are highly valued for their consistent, reliable grazing action, making them workhorses of the reef tank. They are generally hardy and come in many color variations, allowing h...

7.5 Good
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19 Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)

Yellow Tangs are vibrant and active fish known for their algae-eating habits. They can grow up to 8 inches, requiring a larger tank. They are reef-safe and help control algae growth. They are relative...

7.0 Good
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20 Damselfish (Chromis viridis)
Damselfish (Chromis viridis)

Chromis viridis is a fantastic, small schooling fish known for its striking green coloration. It is exceptionally hardy and adds a subtle, natural pop of color that contrasts beautifully with the blue...

6.8 Fair
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21 Damselfish (Dascyllus spp.)
Damselfish (Dascyllus spp.)

The general Dascyllus group provides reliable, small, and colorful schooling fish. They are incredibly hardy and are often used to fill out the mid-water column in mixed reef tanks where larger center...

6.0 Fair
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22 Convict Cichlid
Convict Cichlid

Convict Cichlids are hardy and adaptable fish, but their aggressive nature makes them less suitable for beginner aquarists. They reproduce readily and can quickly overpopulate a tank. They prefer temp...

5.4 Average
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