Top 10 Aquarium Fish for Beginners Singapore: PUB Tap Friendly
Soft, slightly acidic PUB tap water and ambient temperatures of 28-31°C make Singapore one of the easiest places on earth to keep tropical fish. The top 10 aquarium fish beginners Singapore tanks should consider are ranked here by hardiness first, colour second, and sourcing convenience third. This roundup from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park covers species that thrive without a chiller, accept GH 2-4 water straight from the tap, and are stocked across local fish shops and Carousell breeders. Each pick lists adult size, group requirement, price tier and a quirky detail that helps you spot quality stock.
1. Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Almost indestructible, the guppy tolerates pH swings between 6.8 and 8.2 and breeds in unheated 15-litre tanks. Adults stay under 4cm and a trio of one male to two females suits a 30cm cube. Iwarna and C328 Clementi list show-strain males at SGD 5-15 each, with imported Endler crosses pushing past SGD 25. Watch the gravid spot below the female anal fin — it darkens days before fry drop.
2. Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Platies sit a notch hardier than guppies because the shorter fins shrug off nipping. Mickey Mouse, sunset and wagtail morphs run 4-6cm and accept any community setup above 60 litres. Petopia and ANS price them at SGD 4-8. They eat algae willingly, which makes them a useful auxiliary cleaner. Choose females over males if you want larger, more uniformly coloured fish; males chase relentlessly.
3. Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)
Sri Lankan cherries colour up scarlet under tannin-stained water and stay peaceful enough for a betta tank. Adult size caps at 5cm, school of six minimum, 60-litre tank. Carousell breeders post home-bred lines at SGD 3-5; shop stock from Thomson runs SGD 4-7. Stock a dark substrate to deepen body colour within two weeks.
4. Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
The black triangle wedge against copper flanks defines this species. Adults reach 4.5cm; school of eight in a 75-litre minimum. Hardy in GH 2-8, pH 6.0-7.5. Iwarna and C328 stock them at SGD 2-4 each. Long-lived for the price — a healthy harlequin clears five years.
5. Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
Tiny ember-orange schoolers that show up brilliantly against green plants. Adult length 2cm, ideal nano companion, 30-litre tank handles ten. SGD 2-3 at most local shops. Pair with floating plants from the planted aquarium kit to dim overhead light and trigger schooling behaviour.
6. Corydoras Sterbai (Corydoras sterbai)
The one cory species that genuinely thrives at Singapore ambient temperatures — most other corys prefer cooler water. White-spotted black body, 6cm adult, group of six minimum on sand or smooth gravel. Iwarna prices captive-bred sterbai at SGD 8-15. They forage day and night and clean uneaten food efficiently.
7. Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
Peaceful labyrinth fish with sunset-orange males and silver females. Tops out at 5cm, suits 60-litre planted tanks, and breathes atmospheric air so a tight lid is essential. Petopia stocks them at SGD 8-12. Avoid pairing with dwarf gouramis — they carry iridovirus that decimates honey populations.
8. Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
The catfish that actually eats algae. Adults stay under 12cm, accept any community tank above 90 litres, and live a decade. Bristlenose at C328 and Carousell breeders run SGD 8-15 for juveniles. Add a QANVEE Bio Sponge Filter alongside an internal filter to handle the heavier waste load.
9. Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii)
Eel-shaped, banded, nocturnal — adult kuhlis reach 10cm but stay slim and need fine sand they can burrow into. Group of five minimum. SGD 3-6 each, widely available. Skip sharp gravel; barbel damage is the most common health issue.
10. Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii)
Centrepiece species for the larger beginner tank. 12cm adults, 120-litre minimum, peaceful enough to share with rasboras and corys. Iwarna prices them at SGD 15-25. Feed varied food from the fish food range to maintain the lacy mother-of-pearl spotting.
Related Reading
emilynakatani
Still Have Questions About Your Tank?
Drop by Gensou Aquascaping — most walk-in questions get answered in under 10 minutes by someone who has set up hundreds of tanks.
5 Everton Park #01-34B, Singapore 080005 · Open daily 11am – 8pm
