What Are Hearty Fish for a Starter Aquarium?
Choose a fish species for the type of aquarium you own--freshwater, exotic or tropical. The easiest aquarium to start with is freshwater. Freshwater is less expensive than the other options, and requires less maintenance. Freshwater aquariums provide a habitat for freshwater fish, as well as tropical fish. The best starter fish for a freshwater aquarium is the common goldfish, but there are other good choices as well.
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Freshwater Fish
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The common goldfish is hardy, long-lived, and can grow up to 12 inches long. This fish is short-finned and comes in a variety of colors. It is not particularly sensitive to changes in the water temperature, which means less worry of death or sickness when changing the water. They will take to a variety of fresh, frozen or flake foods; making them easy to keep healthy.
Other varieties of goldfish--such as the blue-hued Shubunkin, the slender, pointed tale Comet, and the twin-tailed Wakin--are good choices for the same reason as the common goldfish. They are not sensitive to changes in the water's temperature and do well with a mixed diet.
The long, eel-like Weather Loache is a hardy fish. They breathe air and must surface regularly. They like to burrow, so provide a deep gravel layer on the aquarium floor. The Weather Loache is a good companion for other fish, it likes to be in groups when resting. This fish can become quite tame, and even feed from its owners' hand.
Tropical Fish
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Pearl Danio are subtly colored, will take any foods and are tolerant of cooler water. They are very active and do well in groups of six or more. Make sure they have swimming space and the water flow from a power filter. These fish are peaceful and suited to community tanks.
Zebra Danio are purple-hued with subtle stripping. They work well in groups of six or more. This fish is not sensitive to water temperature changes and can be kept in an unheated indoor aquarium.
Platy are yellow with black tail coloration. This fish is available in hundreds of forms, some with longer dorsal fins. This fish breeds in the aquarium, so keep it in a ratio of two females to each male. This fish is great for beginners, because it will tolerate low levels of nitrate.
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Exotic Fish
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Clownfish are hardy, reef friendly and readily available. Keep them in pairs, with only one species of clownfish in a tank, as they will fight. Clownfish are now bred in aquariums, so they are adapted from the wild to captivity. They are less likely to become diseased or die.
Damselfish are inexpensive and readily available. These fish eat a variety of food, including flakes. They are compatible with most other fish, do well in crowded tanks, and very disease-resistant.
Cleaner shrimp are red and white. They climb over fish, removing parasites and bits of old skin. They help keep the tank clean, can be kept in groups and will breed. They are active during the day.
Soft Corals
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Soft corals are tough and inexpensive. Use two or more T8 light tubes, two or more T5s or metal halide lighting. Provide moderate to strong water flow--about 10 times the tank volume per hour--via power heads (universal underwater pumps).
Star polyps are bright green on a purple structure. This coral will spread rapidly and can be harvested and sold to other aquarium enthusiasts. This plant likes planktonic foods (tiny invertebrates). This coral requires bright light and moderate water flow.
Bush coral come in a variety of species and do well in captivity. They require bright light and strong water flow. This coral requires less tank space than other species, and doesn't like to be moved. It welds itself onto rocks and may tear if pulled away. It provides shelter and shade for fish.
Knobbly mushroom require moderate light and water flow. They spread across rocks during feeding time, catching falling food on their surfaces. This is an easily kept plant and will do well with fluorescent lighting. This plant helps keep the tank clean, as it catches falling food before it settles on the bottom of the tank.
Other Considerations
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A community tank (more than one species) must be 24 inches by 60 centimeters long, by 12 inches to 30 centimeters high and wide. Don't mix very large fish with very small fish. Choose fish that swim at different levels--bottom, middle and surface--to prevent competition for space. Include live or fake plants for fish hiding places and shelter. Live plants will help oxygenate the water.
Purchase fish from a reputable pet or aquatics store. Buy fish that are healthy in appearance. The store's aquarium water must be clear and the glass clean. There should be no dead fish in the tank.
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References
- "Setting Up An Aquarium A Complete Pet Owner's Manual": Peter Stadelmann: 2000
- "An Instant Guide To Aquarium Fish A full-color guide to identifying, choosing and keeping aquarium fish": Eleanor Lawrence, Sue Harniess: 1991
- "The Perfect Aquarium The Complete Guide to Setting Up and Maintaining an Aquarium": Jeremy Gay: 2005
Resources
- Photo Credit clown fish nemo image by scalesy from Fotolia.com
