Freshwater Fish Tanks - Wonderful Fish Species For Starters

The joys of keeping freshwater aquarium fish as pets are well-known by amateur and experienced hobbyists alike. With a seemingly countless variety of species, a novice fish keeper may be challenged 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 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 enormous amounts of waste, have a harmonious nature 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 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 habitually shy or secretive, give him a few hiding places. Doing some research on the characteristics of the fish you decide to keep will ensure that your wet pets are happy.

Now, onto the varieties...

Tetras - These are perhaps the most common 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. Exciting, if not endearing schooling behavior.

Gouramis - Generally nonviolent, they have an interesting look and come in various colors. There is also a variety of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Certainly 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 thrive in a community atmosphere.

Loaches, Cory Cats, Plecostomus and other bottom feeders - Let's start off with loaches. These fish have a unique look as they have a bottom oriented nose. Good for looking after your snail population, if you happen to have a problem 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 add-on 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 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 sensible to have no less than 10-15 gallons) will decide the number of fish that are appropriate to have. A general guideline is one inch of fish for each gallon of water. Do not make the common mistake 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 peaceful view into their world.

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