If you’re a beginner, you want to pick the tropical fish that give you the best chance of success with your home aquarium.
Planning to build an aquarium at home? Perhaps your little one is pleading with you to get a goldfish? While there’s nothing wrong with these classic orange tank dwellers, there are so many other amazing species out there you can safely and responsibly keep as pets. If you’re all set to get an aquarium and appreciate what you’re taking on, here’s a guide on six amazing tropical fish that make excellent aquarium stock for beginner keepers.
Corydoras Catfish
No fish tank is complete without a sociable bottom-dweller, and the corydoras catfish is just about the perfect example of this. Peaceful and calm in nature, these small catfish are incredibly friendly and will get on with just about any other species in your tank. These little critters are also excellent tank cleaners, hoovering up any dirt and leftovers from the floor of your aquarium.
Betta
Bettas from Thailand are one of the most popular fish in the freshwater aquarium trade. Take a glimpse at the betta and you’ll know why it needs a place in your fish tank. Growing up to about 8cm, these vibrantly colored freshwater fish are beloved for their feathery fins, whose surface will shimmer spectacularly in your tank. They are extremely hardy Labyrinth Fish when kept in ideal waters.
Zebra Danios
The zebra danio is a great tropical fish for beginners and is very popular. They’re very active, hardy, and cute. You’ll probably want a small group of them in your tank. These little guys have black and white bold stripes down the length of their bodies, which is how they got their name.
Black-skirt Tetra
These pretty fish with their silver and black striped bodies and black flowing fins look spectacular especially when they swim together in a group. Black-skirt tetras are super-easy to care for and do fine with regular flake food and maybe a few treats here and there. They are docile fish that grow to about three inches across and require plenty of room for swimming in the top two-thirds of the water column.
Plecostomus
If you’re looking for a head-turning fish that always puts on a show, consider getting the plecostomus. Part of the armored catfish family, plecos, or suckermouth catfish, are covered in armored scales that cover the upper parts of the head and body, making it a unique eye-catching addition to your tank that can live up to 20 years!.
Discus
Discus are named after their circular body shape and can grow to an impressive size. Discus are carnivores, so it’s recommended you feed them with a mix of both standard fish flakes (for minerals and vitamins) and blood worms to ensure they get all the sustenance they require.
Getting started on the right foot is very important, and choosing the best fish that adjusts well within a house aquariumis smart.
