What would you recommend as a first fish in a New Fish tank?

Question

Just got my 1st Fish tank, and just wanted to know what kinda fish would be best to get. I think i can only get one for 1st month so i want something cool lol! any suggestions and tips would be grateful
thanks!

Don't have a heater. Is it worth gettin one?

Answer 1

Mollys, guppies and platys are fairly hardy first fish. You should invest in a heater. Most tropical fish will be prone to sickness and parasites if they are kept too cold. Also consider freshwater aquarium salt, it helps protect them as well.

Answer 2

The first fish you get will probably not live because you need to cycle the tank first. I would suggest getting some danios. They are good for cycling a new tank and if they happen to live through the cycling they won't take up too much space or strain your bio-load. Danios are good community fish and would get along fine with other peaceful community fish such as guppies or mollies. Another fish to consider are platys. All of these fish require a heater, however.

What you are able to get depends predominantly on the size of your tank. A good rule of thumb is one inch of adult fish per gallon (but this rule doesn't hold with girthy or tall fish such as Oscars - for them you need at least 2-3 galllons per inch). Your best bet is to go to your local fish store and look around. See what interests you and talk to the people that work there. Inform them that you are new to fish keeping and they should be able to help you find a good beginner fish that still interests you.

Answer 3

Do you want to keep coldwater or tropical fish? if Tropical, you may need a heater. That depends on if you live in a warm place. during the summer here in the UK, my tank is at 24 - 28 degrees celcius without a heater, but I need a heater at other times of the year to keep the water that warm.

If you want tropical fish, start to cycle your tank with a hardy fish species. try 4 neons for a week, then add another 4 a week later then another 10 a week after that.

Keep checking the levels of ammonia and nitrites and nitrates and make suer the tank cycles properly.

If you want to have a cold water tank, try goldfish. they are very hardy fish.

Do not even think about keeping a marine tank. that is not a good thing for a beginner to do.

Answer 4

I would suggest getting a heater as well as making sure that you have some type of thermometer to help make sure that you have the correct tempt in the tank. There are heaters that have a built on thermometer so that you can set the temp of the water more accuratly however like any thing they can sometimes short out and it would be a safety to have a thermometer since some fish require certain temps.

Some fish that are pretty easy to keep are community fish such as Mollies, Guppies, Gold fish. Depending on the size of your tank will determine what the appropriate amount of fish that you can have in it. I would start off with one fish because if you add too many fish to fast it can throw off the pH balance.

I would also suggest talking to a fish store rep or perhaps looking up on the Internet about a type of fish that you may be considering. It would help provide much needed information such as how they breed, how to feed and what kind of environment that the fish need. Example, some fish don't like a lot of light in there environment or need "brackish water". Also, pH balance requirements are different for different types of fish. To help you on your way to having a lovely and very enjoyable tank make sure that you take the time to learn about the pet fish that you are wanting to keep. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact me.

Answer 5

if you want tropical fish you need a good filter and a heater, and light if you have these than to start you need a hardy fish like a few platties, these will help build up the bacteria in the tank then after 3 weeks you will be able to add the other fish you want,

if you do not do this and just go out and buy a load of fish they will die you also need to make sure the first fish you buy is a hardy one the best i recomment are platties

if you just want gold fish then, you dont need a heater

good luck

Answer 6

depends if you want tropical or cold water fish. Tropical fish need a heater and for it to be set at about 75 degrees. The best fish to start off with if tropical would be something like mollys, platies, catfish... dont alway go by what your local fish shop say, as most of them dont know anything about fish or what there talking about... do some research on certain fish that you would like to get as you cant just pick a load of tropical fish and stick them in the tank... some fish like different tempertures, some like salt in there water, where others cant have salt in the water etc... just do your research and your be fine. Also i'd advise not to put too many fish in at any one time... add them gradually.

Answer 7

If its a tropical tank you wont go far wrong with neon tetras they are very hardy fish (which will be good when your fist starting out) and come in loads of cool colours, are cheap but they like to live in groups of at least 6 Just remember to check and test the water before adding the fish and not to add to many at once. It may also be an idea to add a pleco these are really fab and hardy as well they can grow quite large tho and its best only to have 1 as they may fight as they get larger. There are loads of other things you can add to your tank, but if you buy plants and do not want want snails wash them really well with water before you add because once you get them they are almost impossible to get rid of, If you do want to buy more fish you must make sure that they are community fish.
If its a cold water tank fancy gold fish are really funky
this site is really good for looking at the different types and for info on how to look after them
http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/goldfish.htm

Answer 8

For tropical fish you always need a heater. A good 1st fish is for a community tank is a female betta. Bettas are tolerant to bad water conditions. Just one betta, however as they tend to fight other bettas. A male betta would also work for cycling, but I'd remove the male before putting other fish in. Keep him in a bowl for a week and then add him back in. (That way he's forgotten he was king of the tank.)

Otherwise male guppies are very popular for breaking in a new tank.

Answer 9

You will need a heater if u want tropical fish,dont even think about jumpin straight into marine fish. Why not start with simple coldwater fish once u r used to that then go onto tropical. Go to ure local aquatics centre and get some proper advice b4 you buy and take time to consider tropical fish need a lot of lookin after.

Answer 10

most of the fish will require a heater. Definately worth getting one.

New fish tank needs to be cycled and if you're choose to do that cycling with fish then you need a few small hearty fish like:
white cloud minnows, barbs (I used cherry barbs), some tetras and a few others I can't remember.

Then, if your tank is big enough you can add a few more after a few weeks.

Here is a few good resources for you to look at:
This one has a TON of good start up information
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/start_up.html

Compatibility Chart (as a general guidline)
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1911&articleid=3284

Answer 11

Yes, you need a heater, filter, PH test kit, and fish food. I'd suggest for your first fish that it's a guppy or a pair of them. They are hardy, and in a couple of months, you might have more. After that a catfish to help keep the tank clean.