BTAs are not beginner nems. They have specific light and flow requirements and can do very poorly in an immature tank where water parameters are difficult to maintain stable. Always exceptions, of course, but you see numerous posts about people's deflating/detaching BTAs, and it often becomes evident that some requirements aren't met.
@vetteguy53081 gave me a lot of guidance in the early days that finally led me to having success with BTAs.
RFAs are much more forgiving. Do well in a variety of lighting, are fine as long as the flow isn't blowing their skirts over their heads and are generally quite peaceful. Generally hardy once they put their foot down and typically stay put unless getting stung by others (lookin' at you, torch!) Or something else happens that irks them--I had an autofeeder that went berserk and dumped like 50 pellets that all landed on one of my RFAs and caused it's demise.
No experience with maxi minis, but others swear they are as easy as RFAs.
I think RFAs are the perfect beginner nem, and you can't complain about the color, either!
