Neon Tetra
- Neon Tetras are a small, easy to care for species. This popular aquarium species is often one of the first fish a beginner aquarist will buy.
- They reach around 2.2cm in length, and like to be kept in groups. They are a great choice for small community aquariums due to their peaceful temperament.
- Neon Tetras come in bright colors, and have an iridescent blue horizontal strip across their body (so they are visible in dark waters).
- They require soft, acidic water with tropical temperatures, and will accept most foods. They are omnivores, so will feed on brine, shrimp, worms and insects as well as plants.
Did you know: Over 1.5 million Neon Tetras are imported to the US, each month!
Guppies
- This colorful and lively fish is able to adapt to a variety of water conditions which is one of the reasons they are so popular.
- They are also very easy to care for. You should keep guppies in sets of threes, and a good guide for the tank size, is 1 gallon of water per guppy.
- Males are much more colorful and vibrant than females, so if you’re not looking to breed, you may want to just keep males.
- The ideal water temperature for guppies is 50OF – 84 OF (10-29OC), but the most important factor is that the temperature is kept consistent.
- Guppies should be fed a mixture of plant and animal based foods, you might even consider making your own – it’s easier than it sounds.
Oscar
- Oscars are thought to be one of the most intelligent aquarium fish available, and are one of the few species that can be trained to do tricks.
- Oscars however are not a community fish, they should be kept in a species only tank, and they can grow very large, very quickly.
- They require a lot more maintenance than other fish, due to their carnivorous nature and the amount of waste they create.
- On the positive side, they are one of the few species you can hand feed; they will often eat food from between your fingers.
- Oscars thrive when kept in pairs, or group of 5+, and should be housed together from a young age.
Mollies
- This small, peaceful species grow to around 3-4 inches, and adapt well to a variety of water conditions.
- The ideal tank conditions are: a minimum tank size of 20 gallons, and warm water with a pH between 7.0-7.8.
- Mollies are omnivorous, and will require a diet of both plant and animal food.
- Interestingly, they are livebearers, meaning they give birth to their young live, rather than lay eggs.
- Mollies are very easy to care for, but they also breed very easily, so if you’re a beginner you might want to keep just a single sex.
Zebra Danios
- The Zebra Danios make the perfect beginner fish, they are very easy to care for and can grow up to 5-7cm.
- They should be kept in at least a 10 gallon tank, in groups of at least 5. Danios are a schooling fish and will become stressed if their numbers are too lows.
- They are not fussy eaters and will eat most foods; the healthiest option for them would be lots of worms, insets and crustaceans to mimic their natural diet, however a good quality flake will also work with a supplement of frozen or live food.
- Danios are also known to jump so you may want to keep your tank covered!
Platies
- Platies come in almost every color imaginable and they are very easy to care for – just two of the reasons why they are so popular.
- They are a great community fish, they’re very peaceful and get along well with guppies and mollies.
- Although small, platies are very active and love being in groups. A 10 gallon tank is large enough for 5 fish.
- Whilst they are omnivorous, they do require much more herbivorous food, than meats. Ideally, they need a good mix of plant based food and proteins.
Cherry Barb
- The Cherry Barb gets its name from the color the male turns when it is spawning. Usually, they are silver/black with a golden lateral line.
- They are a peaceful fish which will grow to around 2 inches in length, and they require a minimum tank size of 25 gallons.
- Cherry Barbs are omnivorous and will eat most types of food including live, fresh, frozen and flake foods.
- They are easy to care for and can be kept in community tanks with open space to swim, but also planted areas where they can hide.
Pearl Gourami
- The Pearl Gourami is a relatively large, but peaceful fish and one of the most easy to keep Gouramis.
- The minimum tank size for this species is a 30 gallon tank with plenty of hiding places, dark substrate and low lighting.
- They can be housed with other fish of a similar size and temperament; however you should not house them with aggressive fish.
- Pearl Gourami’s are omnivorous and should be fed algae-based foods and meaty foods.
- They are well known for eating Hydra, a tiny pest that has tentacles with venom, so make a great solution if you have a hydra problem.
Swordtails
- The swordtail is similar in shape to platy and guppy fish, with a slightly bulkier body, and a sword shaped extension of its fin.
- There are many different color variations available and they are quite hardy which makes them a perfect species for the beginner aquarist.
- Swordtails are usually peaceful, yet lively. They thrive in community tanks, and like to swim in loosely grouped schools.
- They breed easily, and if you do decide to breed them, you should keep them away from their parents; Swordtail parents will often eat their fry.
Discus
- These beautiful and graceful fish can grow to be quite large, and therefore require a larger tank, a minimum size of 25 gallons.
- Discus are not recommended for beginners, and instead should only be kept by experienced aquarists.
- They can be housed with other fish that require the same water conditions, as long as they are not aggressive.
- Discus will take a variety of foods but are carnivorous in nature. The best diet for them consists of beef heart and blood worms supplemented with flakes to provide vitamins and minerals.
Killifish
- Killifish come in a wide variety of bright colors. They are extremely hardy fish, and there are over 700 species – a breed to suit almost every tank condition.
- They are generally peaceful fish and do well in community tanks with other small, non-aggressive fish. It’s best to keep just one male to each tank though, because they can be aggressive towards each other.
- Killifish are very easy to breed, and are either annual or non-annual breeders. In the wild, annual killifish lay their eggs in temporary bodies of water which dry up for months at a time. When they refill, the fry hatch.
- Most Killifish are carnivores and therefore enjoy a diet of insect larvae, worms and crustaceans.
Bettas
- Another extremely popular freshwater fish is the Betta. It’s not surprising why; Bettas are vibrantly colored, and easy to care for.
- Male Bettas are notoriously aggressive towards other males. Therefore only one male Betta should be kept in each aquarium. They can be housed with other peaceful fish.
- Bettas require an omnivorous diet, of both plant and animal foods.
- They grow to a maximum size of 3 inches. Although you often see Bettas in small ornamental tanks, they should be housed in larger tanks.
- Did you know: Bettas are able to breathe air outside of the water due to their labyrinth.
Goldfish
- When most people think of Goldfish, they think of small fish bowls with a fish that was won at the fair. This is not the correct way to house goldfish.
- Few people know that they can actually grow up to 14 inches in the wild.
- The minimum tank size for a goldfish is 20 gallons, you’ll also need a filter and to perform 10-15% weekly water changes.
- There are many different varieties of goldfish, and its fine to mix them as long as they aren’t breeds that would compete with each other for food.
- For example, keep single tailed varieties together and normal eyed goldfish together.
Angelfish
- Angelfish are a member of the Cichlid family, which also includes Discus, Oscars and Parrot fish, all common fish amongst aquarium keepers.
- They can grow up to 6 inches in length, 8 inches tall, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.
- They are omnivorous, so will need a balanced diet of meat and plant food. There are many different types of angelfish.
- Their tank should be at least 20 gallons, and the water should be slightly soft and acidic.
- As they mature, they can become aggressive, especially if your tank in overcrowded. In general though, they are a good community fish, just don’t keep them with very small fish or fin-nipping species.
