Fish for beginners
Although they require a good degree of dedication and maintenance, freshwater aquariums are a great hobby for potential pet owners. While fish care can be quite detailed and complicated, there are some helpful tips for beginners to get the most out of their aquarium while maintaining the health and longevity of their fish.
There are two main types of freshwater aquariums: community tanks and species tanks.
Species tanks contain a single type of species and are often used for species that require special aquarium conditions. This type of tank is not recommended for beginners.
The other type, community tanks, is recommended for beginners because it contains several species of fish that can live together peacefully in one environment. Not only is this a better situation for viewing several species of fish, but the aquarium is generally easier to care for, since all fish should require similar, “typical” aquarium conditions.
Choosing compatible fish for your community freshwater aquarium is critical to promoting the health and general well-being of your fish. For beginners there are many species to choose from and a good rule of thumb is to mix three main types of fish – top, middle and bottom. By choosing fish from each of these species, you are recreating what exists in nature.
Water fish:
Aquatic fish spend most of their time in the upper levels of your aquarium. A few easy-care species that are good for beginners are: Guppies, Black Mollies, Zebra Zebrafish, and Siamese Fighting Fish (only one male per tank).
Midwater fish:
Midwater fish spend most of their time in the middle levels of the aquarium and most of these fish are best in groups of at least 5 or 6. Some midwater fish that are suitable for beginners: Neon Tetra, Angelfish and Blue Gourami.
Bottom fish:
Demersal fish spend most of their time at the bottom of the aquarium and usually clean the aquarium. They feed on algae and can help you keep your aquarium clean. A few demersal fish suitable for beginners are: red tail shark, Corydoras catfish and Plecostomus.
In addition to mixing the three main types, there are a few other general helpful tips. Training fish for example should be kept in groups of at least 5 or 6 and aggressive fish should be avoided for beginners. Fish with special water condition requirements should be avoided by beginners or those looking for general aquariums.
A little research needs to be done before going to a pet store. It is important to know which species are compatible for your aquarium.
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