When starting out with freshwater aquariums for the first time, it might be difficult to know which fish to choose from among the many different species. In an ideal world, you want something that is tough, colorful, and has a distinct personality in addition to being affordable.
- Rasboras
There are many different kinds of rasboras, but the harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and the lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) are our favorites. These peaceful nano fish only get about two inches long and are known for their bright orange color and black triangular patch. They are easy to find in most pet stores. The tiny neon green rasbora (Microdevario kubotai) and the bigger scissortail rasbora are two other types of rasbora (Rasbora trilineata). If you get six or more of the same kind of rasbora, they will make a beautiful scene in your community tank.
- Guppy Fish
Poecilia reticulata, most commonly known as the Guppy Fish (also known as million-fish or rainbow fish), is a kind of fish that may be found all over the world. Its native habitats include the northeastern and southern parts of the Americas; nevertheless, most of it is bred in captivity these days. However, in modern times, it has become a popular tropical fish that is maintained in the homes of practically all aquarists at some point or another. In addition, because of its simplicity of storage and relatively low cost (ranging from $1-6).
In addition to that, they come in a wide range of energizing hues to choose from. This energetic fish is exceptionally easy to care for since it requires relatively little attention and has a calm demeanour, both of which are characteristics that are suitable for most beginning aquarists.
- Molly fish
Molly fish, or Poecilia sphenops, is also called Common Molly. They are from Malaysia and are known for being calm and for being able to adjust to new situations quickly. There are a lot of them, they cost only $3–6, and there are many colors to choose from. Also, they are fun, active, and a good first fish.
Since they only grow to be 3–5 inches long, you only need a 20-gallon tank with hard, alkaline, warm water. It takes time for it to get used to its new home, but once it does, it's easy to care for and doesn't need much.
This fish is good for beginners because it is hardy and less likely to attack. Given how they act, it is usually a good idea to put them in a community tank with any peaceful tropical fish. Also, fill their well-lit tank with a lot of live water plants and algae for them to eat.
- Zebrafish
The Zebrafish, or Danio rerio, is native to the Ganges and the Himalayas. They have a zebra pattern that makes them easy to spot. Because they are hardy, they are great for people who don't know how to set up a tank. At $1–$2, they are cheap enough to buy in groups of at least five. This is important because they are schooling fish, which means that without a group, they become very agitated and stressed. They have a natural tendency to swim in big groups, and they look amazing in an aquascaped aquarium. Watch our video on this topic because they are thought to be one of the best fish for schooling.
They only get to be 3 inches long and need a 10-gallon tank. They can live in most types of water, but they look amazing when there are 20-30 of them in a big school in a larger aquarium. Since it likes to jump, you'll need to make sure the lid of the aquarium is tight. These omnivores are not picky about what they eat. They will eat almost anything. It can eat fish flakes, worms, and frozen foods, among other things. These are some of our favorite tropical fish that live in groups.
- Betta splendens
One of the freshwater aquarium industry's most sought-after species is the Siamese Fighting Fish, also known as Betta splendens, which originates in Thailand. The reason for this is due to the fact that they have a pleasing appearance. Even though they are frequently housed in very small tanks, which is far from optimal, these Labyrinth Fish are quite resilient when they are kept in waters that are appropriate for their care.
Their ability to live in water systems with little oxygen shows that they have a strong will to live. Even though they look like they need a lot of care, these beautiful fish are easy to take care of and only cost $4. However, some show fish that have been specially bred can sell for a lot of money. Since fish are omnivores, they need both animal and plant food, like fish flakes or worms.
A 10-gallon aquarium with acidic water and a steady temperature of 24-28 degrees Celsius would be a good place for a fish that can grow up to 3 inches long. But they can also live in water with bad quality and in small spaces, which we don't recommend. So, if you're just starting out with aquariums, they're less likely to let you down because they don't die easily. They can be a bit snappy, and you have to be careful that other fish don't bite their fins. Also, "fighting fish" is not a name for nothing. If two males are kept in the same tank, they will fight to the death.
- Cory catfish
Cory catfish are docile schooling fish that live at the bottom of the aquarium, much like rasboras and tetras do, but cory catfish are not aggressive. They may grow to be between one and three inches in length, and they like rummaging about the tank floor and seeking for crumbs. However, in order to ensure that they get the proper nutrition, you need to feed them a range of sinking meals on a regular basis.
Over 160 species have been described so far, but the bronze and albino cory (Corydoras aeneus), panda cory (Corydoras panda), and emerald green cory (Corydoras splendens) are the most sought-after varieties. To get the most out of seeing their goofy behaviors, make sure they are always surrounded by at least three and no more than six members of their own species.
Swordtail
The Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) comes from North and Central America. They are the most popular species to date, even though they are called "beginner" fish, which we don't agree with. Even though they are great for beginners, these fish are more than just starter fish.
This freshwater fish is popular because it is easy to take care of and only costs $5, which is a steal. Because they are friendly, it is clear that they belong in a habitat with other people, but they may be territorial toward other males of the same species and need to live alone.
Hobbyists usually notice them because of their unique tails that look like swords and their strong desire to live. Among other things, this is because there are so many options to choose from. Among them are Marigold, Red Velvet, Black Nubian, Pineapple, and many more. They can grow to be about 4 inches long, so they need 20 gallons of water to live in (25-28 degrees Celsius). But they don't have many needs when it comes to the water. Their omnivorous needs will be met by commercially processed foods. Such as flakes made from plants, bloodworms from tubifex, brine shrimp, or plant-based diets that include algae.
- Fire Mouth Cichlid
The Fire Mouth Cichlid, also known as Thorichthys meeki, is from Central America. It is the very definition of beauty, with a body that looks like turquoise pearls and scales that are bright red. If you're new to the world of cichlids and want to fill your aquarium with interesting and colorful fish, these are a good choice because they're easy to find and only cost about $6 each.
They are called "semi-aggressive," but mostly during the breeding season when they are spawning. Aside from that, they are usually friendly and can live in an aquarium with larger, more active fish. If you want more than one fire mouth cichlid, make sure they are all about the same size to avoid any problems. They also grow to be about 6 inches tall. So, it's best to keep them in at least 30 gallons (21–24 degrees Celsius) of water with a fine gravel bottom and lots of rocks to hide in. They like to dig and move the gravel around, so make sure the decorations are glued down so they don't get hurt if they fall.
They eat many different things and aren't too picky about what they eat. Ocean plankton, flake food, and Cichlid pellets are all common foods that can be bought and fed to them.
