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Freshwater Fish Tanks - Enormous Fish Species Meant For Starters
The joys of having freshwater aquarium fish as pets are recognized by amateur and experienced hobbyists alike. With a seemingly countless variety of species, a novice fish keeper may be challenged with some tough options. Which types of fish should I get? How many?
A good method of making your choices is to select the species which have been proven to be right beginner fish. Generally they are hardy, smaller in size, they aren't particular eaters, (some fish will not only eat "live" foods) they don't produce massive amounts of waste, have a harmonious disposition and will tolerate other fish. (This means they are not particularly defensive) These traits make them easy to look after.
It would be good to establish your freshwater aquarium in the appropriate setting that your fish are inured to. For example, if you have lots of schooling fish, make sure to leave ample space for them to group and swim. If you have a fish that is generally shy or secretive, give him a few hiding places. Doing some research on the characteristics of the fish you decide to keep will guarantee that your wet pets are happy.
Now, onto the species...
Tetras - These are perhaps the most common starter fish available. There are numerous types and all are very inexpensive. As they are thought as "schooling" fish, they do well in groups of 6 or above.
Minnows, Danios, Rasboras, and Barbs - Very hardy. They come in multiple colours and design patterns. Attractive, if not endearing schooling behavior.
Gouramis - Generally quiet, they have an interesting appearance and come in various colors. There is also a type of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Definitely these fish can add a bit of personality to your tank.
Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails - Very colorful and have unique features. They stay small. (Usually, no more than 3 inches) Very peaceful and flourish in a community environment.
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 snout. Good for taking care of your snail population, if you happen to have a problem with it. Usually secretive and nocturnal, these would thrive in pairs.
Cory Cats are named aptly so because they have what appear to be mustache. They use these to sift the bottom for extra food. These guys are dynamic and appear to have lots of energy.
Plecostomus are a good add-on because they mostly feed on algae and excess food. They have tough scales and feature a suction cup mouth. They are quite fascinating to watch when feeding. There are some rare 'plecos' which do cost more, but the usual ones are widely available and fairly low-priced.
One important aspect you must regard, is the size of your tank (it is usually sensible to have no less than 10-15 gallons) will decide the number of fish that are suitable to have. A general rule of thumb is one inch of fish for every gallon of water. Do not make the common error of overpopulating your starter tank. If you do, you will shortly find the levels of harmful chemicals (produced by waste) will quickly get uncontrollable.
Keep your freshwater aquarium fish happy and healthy and they will provide you with an interesting, if not peaceful view into their world.
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