Best small starter fish?

i want to add a fish to my home and i want a SMALL fish- like able to live in a bowl or a 5 gallon aquarium. no i don't want one to 'liven up' my house my dad says that i could get a fish- or at least look into it. i have owned 4 fish. but they were wild and i set them free the next day or two. and only one fish.