Freshwater Fish Tanks - Enormous Fish Species For Novices

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 faced with some tough choices. Which types of fish should I get? How many?

A good method of making your choices is to choose the species which have been proven to be suitable beginner fish. Generally they are hardy, smaller in size, they aren't picky eaters, (some fish will not only consume "live" foods) they don't produce enormous amounts of waste, have a harmonious nature and will tolerate other fish. (Implying they are not particularly territorial) These traits make them easy to look after.

It would be good to establish 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 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 traits 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 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 exist in multiple colours and design patterns. Interesting, if not endearing schooling behavior.

Gouramis - Generally peaceful, they have an interesting appearance and come in various colors. There is also a type of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Surely these fish can add a bit of personality to your aquarium.

Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails - Vibrant and have unique features. They stay small. (Usually, no more than 3 inches) Very peaceful and flourish 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 nose. Good for taking care of your snail population, if you happen to have a trouble 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 additional food. These guys are dynamic and seem 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 have a suction cup mouth. They are quite interesting to watch when feeding. There are some odd 'plecos' which do cost more, but the usual ones are widely available and fairly cheap.

One important aspect you must remember, is the size of your tank (it is usually advisable to have no less than 10-15 gallons) will determine the number of fish that are proper to have. A general guideline is one inch of fish for every gallon of water. Do not make the common blunder of overpopulating your starter tank. If you do, you will soon find the levels of harmful chemicals (produced by waste) will quickly get out of hand.

Keep your freshwater aquarium fish happy and fit and they will provide you with an interesting, if not peaceful view into their world.