Best Rainbowfish for Beginners: Hardy, Colorful Fish That Get Better With Age
Rainbowfish are some of the most rewarding fish a new hobbyist can keep. They’re hardy, active, peaceful, and they get more colorful the longer you own them — a male boesemani that looks plain at the store can turn into a living gradient of blue and orange once it settles into a stable tank. 🌈 This guide rounds up the best rainbowfish for beginners, what makes each one easy to care for, and how to set them up for success here in Cheyenne.
What makes rainbowfish great beginner fish? 🐟
Most rainbowfish are forgiving of the things that trip up new aquarists. They tolerate a wide pH and hardness range, handle the firm, mineral-rich water that comes out of most Cheyenne taps, and aren’t fussy eaters. They’re also schooling fish, so keeping a group of six or more brings out their best color and most natural behavior. If you want the full background on the family, start with our complete rainbowfish care guide.
The best rainbowfish for beginners
Here are our top picks, from full-size showpieces to peaceful nano species:
- Boesemani Rainbowfish – the classic. Half blue, half orange, hardy, and stunning in a group. Our favorite first rainbowfish — see the dedicated boesemani care guide.
- Turquoise Rainbowfish – shimmering blue-green and just as easygoing; details in the turquoise care guide.
- Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish – electric blue with red fins, tops out around 2 inches, perfect for smaller tanks.
- Paskai Red Neon Rainbowfish – a striking red-and-blue variant that stays compact and colorful.
- Threadfin Rainbowfish – delicate trailing fins and a peaceful nature; great for planted nano tanks. More in the threadfin care guide.
- Forktail (Furcata) Rainbowfish – a tiny, active blue-eye rainbow with yellow-edged fins, ideal for nano aquascapes.
Looking for the dwarf, peaceful end of the family? The Gertrudae (spotted blue-eye) care guide is worth a read too.
How many should you keep? 🐠
Rainbowfish are schoolers — always aim for at least six of a species so males display for each other and color up. Larger species like boesemani and turquoise reach 3–4 inches and appreciate a tank of 30 gallons or more, while the nano species (threadfin, forktail, dwarf neon) are happy in well-planted tanks of 15–20 gallons. Need stocking ideas around a rainbowfish school? See our best fish for a 55 gallon tank guide.
Water and tank setup 💧
Good news for local hobbyists: rainbowfish actually prefer harder, alkaline water, which makes them a natural fit for Cheyenne. If you’re unsure about your parameters, check our breakdown of how hard Cheyenne tap water is for aquariums, and our roundup of the best freshwater fish for hard water. Give them open swimming space up front and plant the back and sides — they show off beautifully in a planted layout, so our best fish for a planted aquarium guide pairs well here.
Feeding for maximum color 🍚
Rainbowfish are unfussy omnivores that color up best on a varied diet. Rotate a quality flake with color-enhancing and protein-rich foods, plus the occasional frozen treat. A good staple flake at every feeding keeps the whole school active and bright.
Shop rainbowfish
Browse our full rainbowfish collection to see what’s in stock and ready to ship.
The bottom line
If you want a fish that’s hardy, peaceful, and only gets more beautiful with time, rainbowfish are hard to beat for a first “wow” species. Start with a school of six boesemani or dwarf neons, give them stable water and a varied diet, and you’ll have a living rainbow in no time. 🌈