The joys of keeping freshwater aquarium fish as pets are well-known by amateur and experienced hobbyists alike. With a seemingly infinite variety of species, a novice fish keeper may be faced with some tough options. Which species of fish should I get? How many?
A good means of making your choices is to choose the species which have been proven to be appropriate beginner fish. Generally they are hardy, small in size, they aren't picky eaters, (some fish will not only eat "live" foods) they don't produce huge amounts of waste, have a harmonious disposition and will tolerate other fish. (Implying they are not particularly defensive) These traits make them easy to take care of.
It would be good to establish your freshwater aquarium in the appropriate environment that your fish are used to. For example, if you have lots of schooling fish, make sure to leave ample space for them to gather and swim. If you have a fish that is basically shy or secretive, give him a few hiding spots. Doing some research on the behavior of the fish you decide to keep will guarantee that your wet pets are happy.
Now, onto the types...
Tetras - These are perhaps the most general starter fish available. There are numerous kinds and all are very inexpensive. As they are considered "schooling" fish, they do well in groups of 6 or more.
Minnows, Danios, Rasboras, and Barbs - Very hardy. They come in multiple colours and design patterns. Attractive, if not endearing schooling behavior.
Gouramis - Generally peaceful, they have an interesting appearance and come in various colors. There is also a category of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Definitely these fish can add a bit of personality to your aquarium.
Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails - Very colorful and have unique features. They stay small. (Usually, no more than 3 inches) Very peaceful and thrive in a community atmosphere.
Loaches, Cory Cats, Plecostomus and other bottom feeders - Let's start with loaches. These fish have a distinctive look as they have a bottom oriented proboscis. Good for supporting your snail population, if you happen to have a trouble with it. Usually secretive and nocturnal, these would do well in pairs.
Cory Cats are named aptly so because they have what appear to be whiskers. They use these to sift the bottom for excess food. These guys are dynamic and appear to have lots of energy.
Plecostomus are a good addition because they mostly feed on algae and surplus food. They have tough scales and have a suction cup mouth. They are quite attractive to watch when feeding. There are some rare 'plecos' which do cost more, but the regular ones are widely available and fairly cheap.
One important aspect you must remember, is the size of your tank (it is usually worthwhile to have no less than 10-15 gallons) will determine the number of fish that are proper to have. A general guideline is one inch of fish for each gallon of water. Do not make the common blunder of overpopulating your starter tank. If you do, you will soon find the levels of dangerous chemicals (produced by waste) will quickly get out of hand.
Keep your freshwater aquarium fish happy and healthy and they will put you in an interesting, if not relaxing view into their world.
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