Aquariums can hold the most silent and easy-to-handle pets. If you are unable to pet a cat, dog, or any other furry little mammal or, in some cases, exotic reptiles, you can surely go to buy an aquarium with a plethora of fish species that catch their eye. Most of the time as we can see, households have an aquarium in any shape or size just for the beauty of it. Looking after fish is not a hard job, and they can also add a burst of color and liveliness to the room you place them in. But if you are planning on buying your first aquarium, maybe you would find some solace in knowing which fish could be the easiest for you to take care of. Let’s dive in!
Goldfish
Many knew that Goldfish would be on the list, that is because we can find them in almost every aquarium however veterans often recommend to amateur aquarium owners that a goldfish can grow very large in a short period, but they are quite easy to care for, and are from a very resilient species so you can just do what many people do- put your Goldfish in outdoor ponds once they reach their adult size. Goldfish (Carassius auratus) grow to about 12 to 14 inches, so they require 30 gallons of water per fish (or two goldfish in a 55-gallon aquarium). The goldfish diet involves spirulina algae, vegetables, Repashy Super Gold, and other foods higher in carbohydrates and lower in protein content. They do require lots of water changes to keep their tank clean, even though they are lenient when it comes to the hardness and the pH of the water. Moreover, it is wise to keep your gold in a single-species aquarium as they tend to engulf anything that fits in their mouths, such as plants or other species of small fish.
Angelfish
They can grow to the size of a small saucer, so it is best to keep them in 55 or more gallons of water. Angelfish, just as they sound, have beautifully striped patterns, vibrant colors, distinctive fins, and an elegant shape that carries a peaceful demeanor. They can be good friends with Rasboras, Tetras, and other community fish, but it is advised to keep one to avoid territorial fighting among their species. What can you feed your new angelfish? Since they are omnivores they can be fed a variety of flake, pellet, or frozen foods.
Guppies
A very popular freshwater aquarium fish due to their vibrant colours, ease of care, and prolific breeding habits. However, their male and female appearances are different. Male guppies are known for their striking colors, which can include various shades of blue, green, red, yellow, and black, and also often have intricate patterns and fins. Female guppies are generally larger and have a more muted color palette, often with a grey or brown base. What could fascinate you is that they are livebearers, meaning they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. You can keep them in a minimum of a 10-gallon tank as recommended, and their diet is the same as angelfish, which means: flake, pellet, or frozen foods. They, too, can coexist with other communities of fish due to their peaceful behavior, but it is advised to avoid aggressive and predatory species.
Barbs
Barbs can be a lively, action-packed addition to your community tank; their friends include Rasboras, Tetras, and Corydoras, but be mindful of not adding them with long-finned fish like Angelfish and Betta fish. Some species are considered semi-aggressive, so we recommend buying six or more to reduce fin nipping for these three to four-inch species. Barbs come in a wide range of colors, including red, blue, green, yellow, and black. The tank size for keeping these Barbs could vary depending on the specific barb species. Smaller species, like Cherry Barbs, can thrive in a 10-gallon tank, while larger species, like Tiger Barbs, may need a 30-gallon tank or more. You can feed them just what you feed the Angelfish and Guppies as well.
Zebra Danios
These are small, fast-swimming fish that are known for their distinctive black and white stripes. Typically reaching a maximum length of about 2.5 inches (6.5 cm), these energetic fishes require a minimum of a 10-gallon tank; best suited for tanks with other active and peaceful species. However, they will lay their eggs on plants or other surfaces in the tank which are often eaten by the parents or other tank mates, so breeding can be challenging for them.
Bolivian Cichlids
At three inches long, they make a great centerpiece fish for a medium-sized community aquarium that prefers a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 and temperatures around 72 to 79°F. They can be kept with nearly any community fish that matches these same requirements, so you can ask your nearest aquatic shop owner to advise you on which species you can mix with them if you would like to. The males have vibrant colors, often with shades of blue, green, and yellow whereas the females are generally more subdued in color. A minimum of a 20-gallon tank is recommended for a pair of Bolivian Cichlids. During their breeding seasons, you may face territorial aggressiveness from these fish, but usually, they are community-tank fishes.
Swordtails
A fish known for their distinctive sword-like extension on the caudal fin of males; come in a variety of colors and patterns, including blue, green, red, yellow, and black. A 10-gallon tank is recommended for a small group of swordtails who are also livebearers. Good-quality filters are essential to maintain water quality for them to swim in, and if you provide them with plenty of hiding places, such as plants, rocks, and driftwood, to mimic their natural habitat, they will thank you! Occasional live food, such as brine shrimp or bloodworms, can be beneficial, but if you do not have access to that, you can feed them what you feed your Guppies. It is advised to quarantine new fish before adding them to your main tank to prevent the spread of diseases as they have a common problem of getting bacterial infection.
Betta Fish
Knows as the “king of beginner fish”, they come in vivid coloration, small size, and simple care requirements. A 5-gallon aquarium with a gentle filter is suitable for Betta fish. One is to keep in mind that they are also known as the Siamese fighting fish, which would mean you cannot keep them with other Betta fish and avoid other fishes who can nip their fins. Bettas come in a wide range of colors, including blue, green, red, yellow, and purple, with their fins often being long and flowing, adding to their elegant appearance. As carnivores, they should be fed a diet of high-quality betta food such as betta pellets, frozen bloodworms, and other small floating foods.
Corydoras Catfish
These bottom-dwelling fish are excellent scavengers and help keep your tank clean so you can rest a little. They are peaceful and require a sandy substrate, however. Their distinctive way of swimming, using their pectoral fins to “walk” along the bottom of the tank can also keep you staring at your aquarium more than you realize. A 10-gallon tank is recommended for a group of Corydoras catfish. They are omnivores, so they can share the same food as most fishes mentioned here, but they like sinking foods that they can find on the bottom of the tank. They prefer to live among groups of their species so if you would like, you can mix them with Peppered Corydoras, Panda Corydoras, or/and Julii Corydoras.
Neon Tetras
Bright streaks of blue and red make these fish a colorful addition to a community freshwater aquarium. They come in a small size, typically reaching a maximum length of about 1.5 inches (4cm), and have a distinctive blue stripe running along their sides, as well as a red stripe below it. Neon Tetras can mix well with other fish communities but it is best to keep aggressive and predatory fishes away from them as they are tiny. A 10-gallon tank is recommended for a group of Neon Tetras. And being omnivores they eat pellets, frozen foods, or flakes. They like to school together, so start with at least three to five fish.