Best Fish For A Beginner?

[GuppyGoddess]

I did not say all guppies, I was only referring to those available most commonly from the shops. I know that many of those which originate in SE Asia would have been inbred for 10+ generations. That is not the case with all fish and most definitely not with home bred fish if they are crossed out with different bloodlines on a regular basis, as I do myself, to keep the gene pool diluted.

I decided to begin my hobby with guppies purchased from common pet shops and haven't had the best of luck. Guppy #4 and #5 are still alive. The previous ones all ended up being sick - two had visiable signs of worms and the third was simply sickly right after bringing home.

Two reasons NOT to have guppies: 1) they're not as hardy as one would expect; 2) if they are infected with worms/parasites, your whole tank ends up possibly contaminated.

as a beginner you can keep
danio
platy
guppy
neon tetra

Neons are not a beginner fish. They need to be introduced into a tank that's established.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

What about a firemouth or a severum? I believe both of these are okay in at least a forty gallon, andd I've heard sevs can be quite interesting to have, while firemouth are colorful...

 

[arobinson1984]

I think a 45 gal would be bare minimum for a sev, preferably 55 gallon minimum really.

Just to point out, in discus-lovers list he mentioned clown loach, these get way too big for the tank and need 350-400L minimum, all the others he/she mentioned are fine

Andy

 

[K-Holed]

It would seem from your original post, that you were only considering cichlids because they were recommended to you. If it were me, I'd start a fishless cycle (as per the stickied thread) then whilst that's ticking over grab a book from the library or find a site that has lots of pictures of tropical fish. Pick all the ones you like the look of most, then you can spend the next four weeks tossing them around a thread on this forum and I'm sure they can be whittled down to a nice mix for your tank and an ability level you are happy with.

 

[hopkigg]

It would seem from your original post, that you were only considering cichlids because they were recommended to you. If it were me, I'd start a fishless cycle (as per the stickied thread) then whilst that's ticking over grab a book from the library or find a site that has lots of pictures of tropical fish. Pick all the ones you like the look of most, then you can spend the next four weeks tossing them around a thread on this forum and I'm sure they can be whittled down to a nice mix for your tank and an ability level you are happy with.

I have 10 kribensis, they are very colourful, especially when mating. They arent too aggressive and dont get too big

 

[catfish00]

guppy or neon