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Freshwater Aquariums - Great Fish Species Intended For Starters
The joys of having 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 choices. Which types of fish should I get? How many?
A good way of making your choices is to select the species which have been proven to be suitable beginner fish. Generally they are hardy, little in size, they aren't particular eaters, (some fish will not only consume "live" foods) they don't produce massive amounts of waste, have a harmonious temper and will tolerate other fish. (Implying they are not particularly territorial) These traits make them easy to look after.
It would be good to set up your freshwater aquarium in the appropriate atmosphere 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 habitually shy or secretive, give him a few hiding spots. Doing some research on the traits 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 types and all are very inexpensive. As they are thought as "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 nonviolent, they have an interesting look and come in various colors. There is also a category of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Surely these fish can add a bit of personality to your aquarium.
Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails - Bright and have unique features. They stay small. (Usually, not above 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 an exclusive look as they have a bottom oriented proboscis. Good for looking after your snail population, if you happen to have a difficulty with it. Usually secretive and nocturnal, these would flourish in pairs.
Cory Cats are named fittingly so because they have what appear to be facial hair. They use these to sift the bottom for excess food. These guys are dynamic and seem to have lots of energy.
Plecostomus are a good addition because they primarily feed on algae and surplus food. They have tough scales and have a suction cup mouth. They are quite interesting to watch when feeding. There are some rare 'plecos' which do cost more, but the usual ones are widely available and fairly inexpensive.
One important aspect you must regard, is the size of your tank (it is usually worthwhile to have no less than 10-15 gallons) will decide the number of fish that are suitable to have. A general guideline is one inch of fish for every gallon of water. Do not make the common mistake of overpopulating your starter tank. If you do, you will shortly 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 calming view into their world.
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