Freshwater Aquariums - Wonderful Fish Species For Starters

The joys of keeping freshwater aquarium fish as pets are notorious by amateur and experienced hobbyists alike. With a seemingly infinite variety of species, a novice fish keeper may be confronted with some tough options. Which species of fish should I get? How many?

A good way of making your choices is to pick the species which have been proven to be suitable beginner fish. Generally they are hardy, small in size, they aren't particular eaters, (some fish will not only eat "live" foods) they don't produce huge amounts of waste, have a harmonious temper and will tolerate other fish. (This means they are not particularly defensive) These traits make them easy to care for.

It would be good to set up your freshwater aquarium in the appropriate setting that your fish are used to. For example, if you have lots of schooling fish, ensure 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 points. Doing some research on the traits of the fish you decide to keep will ensure 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 considered "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 variety of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Surely these fish can add a bit of personality to your tank.

Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails - Vibrant and have unique features. They stay small. (Usually, not above 3 inches) Very peaceful and thrive in a community atmosphere.

Loaches, Cory Cats, Plecostomus and other bottom feeders - Let's begin with loaches. These fish have an exclusive look as they have a bottom oriented nose. 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 excess food. These guys are dynamic and appear to have lots of energy.

Plecostomus are a good inclusion because they primarily feed on algae and surplus food. They have tough scales and boast a suction cup mouth. They are quite interesting to watch when feeding. There are some uncommon 'plecos' which do cost more, but the regular ones are widely available and fairly inexpensive.

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 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 quickly find the levels of dangerous chemicals (produced by waste) will quickly get unruly.

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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