What are good beginner fish?

[dean1120]

Hello all! My husband and I are new to the fish world. We bought a small tank a while ago and have done nicely with just 3 fish. We want to upgrade to a bigger tank...50 gal or maybe even a 75gal, but want to know some options on what fish are good for a beginner tank. We currently have platies, but my husband really likes the cichilds and are wondering which ones would be good for a beginner.

We're hoping to get some fish that will grow to be around 5-6 inches maybe. What do you all suggest? We're trying to research which fish go well together and there is just so much information! We read this book that explains a lot of stuff and gives examples of different possible tank setups, but none of the fish in his examples are what we really want. Does anyone have a suggestion of a possible setup for us?

Thanks!
Sally

 

[cheekeyarab]

Am fairly new to fishkeeping so I can't really suggest a setup for you but I would like to recommend a fish I love.

I have a gold zebra loach who is my favourite fish. He/she is really placid, has grown at an alarming rate and is great fun to watch. I would suggest getting two or three, although I only have one it isn't really ideal.

I am positive that you wouldn't regret getting this fish so long as other people on the site think it will be compatible with your final choices.

Good luck with your tank.

 

[rdd1952]

My usual seggestion is to test the pH and KH of your tap water and get fish that are suited to the parameters you have so that you aren't constantly having to doctor the water. For instance, if your normal pH from the tap is 6.8 with a low KH of 5 or less, you will have to find a way to raise it and keep it up if you want to have African Cichlids that prefer a pH of 7.8 or higher. Also, in checking compatibility, be sure you check the parameters they prefer. Just because 2 fish are compatible in that they are both peaceful doesn't mean they will prefer the same water parameters (pH and temp).

 

[wrs]

also, if ou plan to put your other fish in the new tank, a list of the three species (if they are not the same) would also be helpful!

 

[dean1120]

This is what is in our current tank:

Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri)
Sunset fire platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Black & White Molly (Poecilia spp)

We're not sure if we will put these in the new tank or just keep them where they are. I guess it depends on what we decide to get for the new tank.

Also, which is easier to maintain...a freshwater or saltwater tank? We thought about doing a saltwater tank instead, but aren't sure if that would be way over our heads at this stage in the game.

Thanks!

 

[wrs]

you should be keeping a freshwater tank for at least a year before getting into SW, I think it is. But SW are terribly difficult for begginers, so I would stay with FW, and it is cheaper as well.

 

[GSD]

mollies guppies platies and swprdies are good hardy beginner fish that breed easily and danios are quite hardy id say.depends on the tank size

 

[Dragonscales]

I disagree. Many people have started with saltwater and have been extremely successful. Granted, saltwater tanks are alot more complicated than freshwater, but given enough research, time and money it is wholly possible for someone new to fish to have a perfect, healthy salterwater tank.

Research, money and time are absolutely essential though, I cannot stress that point enough. You need to know exactly what you are getting yourself in for and how to keep water perameters as stable as possible, not to mention having a good idea of the temperments, compatibility and care requirements of the fish you want to keep, BEFORE purchases. Also be prepared to fork out a fair whack more money than you would with freshwater too, depending on your setup, how handy you are and if you are good at grabbing a bargain. Making and/or growing your own fish food helps a bit too (this goes for freshwater tanks as well).

I would suggest putting AT LEAST 3 months solid (and I do mean solid), thorough (you can never be too thorough) researching into it as well as saving (depending on your ability to learn as well as income) before even thinking about a saltwater tank.

Don't get me wrong, I am far from trying to discourage you, I just think I would be irresponsible to suggest it's possible without running you through a couple of cold, hard facts. Personally I think saltwater tanks are absolutely stunning when set up well and are far more rewarding than freshwater tanks (considering how much time, effort and money are required for starters) but be well aware of the pitfalls that come with them before you make a decision either way. Best advice I can give is read everything you can and when you think you know all you need to know, read a little more. I have been extensively researching for over two years now and still learn new things every day and am also financially held back from stocking my tank as of yet (soon to be amended I hope). Either way, freshwater or saltwater setup, good luck!

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

i say this to everyone, but maybe try some kinda of themed tnak focusiing on a particular area, known as a biotope tank! i ahve started my amazon one, amazon espcailly is a very losse to for a massive rnage of conditons but hey. asoputh east asain are popular, as a african chiclids,

of course you could go for a community tank instead a mixtuer of compatable fish form roudn the world, maybe look in the fish index on the site, and see what tikles ur fancy in tersm of fish!

 

[parker313]

you should be keeping a freshwater tank for at least a year before getting into SW, I think it is. But SW are terribly difficult for begginers, so I would stay with FW, and it is cheaper as well.

I disagree as well. SW tanks don't have to be hard at all! If you research and know what you're doing, they can actually be less work than FW. Money - now that's a different story. Your biggest cost in a reef tank is going to be your live rock. At about $6 a pound and one pound per gallon of water, it adds up QUICKLY.

If you have the $$ and want to do a SW tank, go for it

If I had a spare 55 or 75g tank lying around, I would do an mbuna tank - African cichlids.

 

[rdd1952]

My son has 3 SW tanks and says they are easier IF you take the time to get them set up properly. The biggest difference in SW and FW is the cost. It's much more expensive to set up a SW tank and the fish are more expensive too. Also, no such thing as the 1" per gallon rule.

 

[*-MiChAeL-*]

i would say hardy fish such as danios and maybe tetras
also cory cats are very easy to look after for the begginer

 

[Whitey]

Yeah neon tetras, cheap and easy.

 

[Bloo]

Neons are actually *not* beginner fish and are quite delicate fish that require pristine well established water to thrive (not survive).

 

[annka5]

Right at the beginning someone suggested measuring the water parameters of your tap water - I'd recomend this as it is SO much more straightforward to keep a tank with the same water checmistry as comes out the tap.
Also, I'd recomend thinking about size /temparament /time you have available /the overall effect you want to acheive before settling on particular fish.
This will narrow things down a lot.
Also, I reckon that you're best off getting fish you love and want to watch and find fascinating - the more you watch them, the more you're likely to note strange behaviour which could be a symptom of disease, so you can act earlier - even if they aren't traditional "beginners" fish.