Whats the easiest saltwater fish to keep for beginners

[Annabanana728]

Hi!
whats the easiest saltwater fish to keep for beginners? Im looking at starting a saltwater tank, I've only ever kept fresh water.

 

[veggieshark]

I am in the same situation. I think damselfish (not da selfish as my autocorrect thinks) are a good choice.

 

[Luckyscale2003]

you can practice with mollys but i would suggest damselfish or some pajama cardinal fish

 

[ryanr]

Hi,
It kind of depends whether they are wild caught, or captive bred. Captive bred will tend to do better in aquariums.

But as a general rule, damsels (including clowns such as percula or oscellaris) are quite hardy, some cardinals such as the PJ and Bangaii.

 

[fish 321]

Clowns would be good for a beginner

 

[Toothy]

Damsels are super hardy but most of them are nasty and don't make good tank mates. Clowns are a good choice and inexpensive. If you see a group in a store that came together try to pick a large and small one to improve your chances of a pair. the small one will be the male.

 

[NotSoAggressiveAquatics]

I think I’ve heard damsels are like little demons but I could be confusing it with another fish. I’m not a saltwater person

 

[Jesterrace]

I am in the same situation. I think damselfish (not da selfish as my autocorrect thinks) are a good choice.

Damsels are a hardy choice to be sure but terrible community fish as a whole.

I think I’ve heard damsels are like little demons but I could be confusing it with another fish. I’m not a saltwater person

You are correct. Even the more peaceful ones are hit and miss with how they behave and the aggressive ones you might as well dedicate a tank to them.

 

[fish 321]

If I remember correctly clowns are in the same family as damsels.

 

[N13]

Most damsels are aggressive unless you mean ocellaris or percula clownfish

 

[Jesterrace]

If I remember correctly clowns are in the same family as damsels.

That is true, although clowns are generally better community fish. Can be territorial little buggers when established though.

 

[veggieshark]

As a beginner I would probably not go straight with a community. I would test the waters with a single species that is hardy and not too expensive.

How easy is it to return/rehome saltwater species if all goes well and one wants to move on to other species?