Freshwater Fish For Aquarium
Owning an aquarium and making it your own is a very exciting venture to make, and has become an extremely popular one in recent years. Almost anyone can own an aquarium, providing that you have enough room for a suitable tank which will allow the fish to thrive. With so many species of fish out there, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with choice when staring at the colorful displays at a fishery. There’s no harm in having a variety of fish in your aquarium, just as long as you understand how to look after them properly.
Freshwater fish are the most popular fish to purchase when it comes to owning an aquarium. This is because they are typically cheaper and easier to look after. However, although easier to maintain, there are still lots of decisions to make with freshwater fish, and it can be hard to know where to begin. Are you looking for fish that are easy to maintain, or would you prefer a challenge?
Are You Ready To Purchase Freshwater Fish?
Before you purchase your freshwater fish, it’s important to remember that they deserve the same care as any other pet, despite common misconceptions that say otherwise. Aquariums need to be thoroughly cleaned around every 2 weeks to avoid water contamination; this can cause problems very quickly. As well as keeping up with cleanliness, fish need to be kept well-fed and you’ll need to carry out observations on them to check for any diseases.
You can’t just put your fish in a bowl full of tap water and expect them to survive. Your tank will need to be fully equipped with the following items to make sure that your fish will be in the most suited environment possible:
- Feeders: Unfortunately, when it comes to fish, you can’t simply send them to a kennel or a relatives house when you go on holiday. Due to this, it’s worth purchasing an automatic fish feeder for when you aren’t going to be in the home for longer than 24 hours. Automatic fish feeders dispense food on a timed system, meaning your fish will remain well-fed when you aren’t around. Simply fill the feeder up and let it work its magic!
- Plants: Several species of freshwater fish like to thrive in environments that have aquatic plants. Plants provide shelter for the fish and also help to produce oxygen in the tank. Popular aquatic plants which are perfect for beginners are Java Moss and Lilaeopsis.
- Filters: Aquarium filters keep the water clean and flowing, meaning they help to churn out left-over food, diseases and organic matter. Do not purchase fish until you have an aquarium filter, as this will essentially be your fish lifeline!
- Heater: Freshwater fish are acclimatized to temperatures between 75 and 80 °F (24 to 27 °C). You can’t leave the temperature of your tank to chance, especially as the heating of your home will fluctuate throughout the year. Hook up a heater to your tank and this will regulate the temperature of the water, keeping it at a healthy level.
Popular Freshwater Fish
Once you’re fully equipped and ready to make a home for your freshwater fish, you’ll be faced with the tough decision of deciding what species to get! This simple guide on the most popular freshwater fish will be sure to help.
Betta Fish
Betta fish, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, will be sure to keep you entertained for hours with their colorful fins and energetic behavior. If you can’t tell by the name, they are known for fighting with other Betta fish, so only get one if you have an open aquarium and don’t put it in the same tank as nippy fish. Disputes will never end well when a Betta fish is involved! To ensure that your Betta fish is in the best environment, get a betta fish tank. Betta fish tanks have different compartments, meaning you can have more than one Betta fish without the worry of them fighting.
Neon Tetra
Neon Tetras are tiny fish, and one of the easiest species of freshwater fish to care for. Due to being very sociable, they will be happier in an environment with several Neon Tetras, and thanks to their size, the amount you have shouldn’t be an issue! Neon Tetras can be distinguished thanks to their bright blue stripes, which almost look illuminated in an aquarium. They will be a beautiful addition to your colorful tank and you’ll find great fun trying to find them all!
Guppies
Guppies are, once again, perfect for beginners. If you’re looking to add diversity to your tank, then you’ll be pleased to know that Guppies come in a huge range of colors and patterns – no Guppy will ever be identical. Although Guppies require very little maintenance, it’s important to understand the difference between males and females, as this is where it gets complicated. If the purpose of your aquarium is for breeding, then mix the sexes as much as you like – just be prepared for lots and lots of baby guppies! If breeding is not your intention, then it’s important to own just one gender, otherwise, you’ll end up with an extremely busy tank. Guppies are famous for multiplying very quickly, and this can become a very expensive venture if you aren’t prepared.
Cory Catfish
There are over 100 types of catfish, but a Cory Catfish is the most popular choice with beginners. Unlike the classic Betta Fish, a Cory Catfish will live life peacefully in your aquarium, acting as a vacuum for all the leftover food and algae. Although you’ll still need to clean your tank from time to time, a Cory Catfish will act as a maid on a daily basis, fulfilling its constant hunger with matter that builds up at the bottom of the tank. If you’ve got the room, then fill your aquarium with a few Cory Catfish, as they are happier when with a companion.
Tiger Pleco
Similarly, to the Cory Catfish, the Tiger Pleco is a very peaceful fish which tends to roam at the bottom of the tank. Due to this, make sure that your tank is lined with lots of rocks and decor, as they like to find little nooks to rest in. The main difference between a Tiger Pleco and Cory Catfish is their personalities – Tiger Pleco’s are extremely territorial, meaning it’s probably best to just own one if you have a smaller tank. However, if you have a larger tank with lots of floor space, you can have multiple Tiger Pleco as they will dominate their own areas.
Rainbow Fish
Add to your collection of peaceful fish with a Rainbow Fish. As you can probably tell by the name, these fish grow into their incredible, holographic, rainbow-like scales as they enter adulthood, so look after them well as they grow up and they’ll repay you. A lot of people strive to own a beautiful school of rainbow fish, and so should you! Rainbow Fish are known for getting along well with larger tetras, so introduce them to your aquarium once your current fish have grown up, and they’ll be the happiest.
Mollies
Although they aren’t the most vibrant looking of fish, Mollies are perfect for aquarium-owners looking for a hassle-free addition. Just like guppies, Mollies are better off in a same-sex group, unless the purpose of your aquarium is for fast breeding. Mollies can survive in both freshwater aquariums and saltwater aquariums, meaning they can be enjoyed by a large selection of fish owners. They tend to live on a strict plant-based diet, so will be happy to munch on any algae available. Once again, Mollies are peaceful fish so you will have no worry of any disputes if you get these for your freshwater aquarium.
Enjoy Your Freshwater Display
All of the freshwater fish mentioned above are perfect for both beginners and experts looking to spruce up their tanks. It’s no surprise that all of these species are so popular, as they all have really interesting traits and the majority have colorful patterns which will keep you in awe. If you like the look of any of the fish mentioned, be sure to read up on their specific dietary and living requirements so that they live a long and happy life in your home. If you’re a beginner, build up your fish collection slowly, so you aren’t overwhelmed with responsibility.
