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 species of fish should I get? How many?
A good method of making your choices is to pick the species which have been proven to be suitable beginner fish. Generally they are hardy, little 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. (Meaning they are not particularly defensive) These traits make them easy to look after.
It would be good to set up your freshwater aquarium in the appropriate setting that your fish are accustomed 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 characteristics of the fish you decide to keep will guarantee that your wet pets are happy.
Now, onto the varieties...
Tetras - These are perhaps the most common starter fish available. There are numerous types and all are very inexpensive. As they are regarded 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 peaceful, they have an interesting look and come in various colors. There is also a category of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Certainly these fish can add a bit of personality to your tank.
Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails - Vibrant and have unique features. They remain 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 unique look as they have a bottom oriented proboscis. Good for looking after 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 fittingly 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 mainly feed on algae and surplus food. They have tough scales and feature a suction cup mouth. They are quite interesting to watch when feeding. There are some uncommon 'plecos' which do cost more, but the common 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 appropriate 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 quickly find the levels of unsafe 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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