What is a great set up for beginner fish keepers? Good type of fish? etc....?

Answer 1

First off, the bigger the tank the better. Mistakes you make in a large tank are not as damaging as ones you make in a smaller tank. A 29 gallon would be a good starter tank. Nothing smaller than a 10 gallon definately. The smaller the tank the harder it is.
Goldfish need at least a 29 gallon tank, 55 preferably. They grow extremely large and are very messy fish.
Fish have feelings too and can feel pain so don't just go out and buy whatever fish catch your eyes. Do research!
Good beginner fish include guppies, zebra danios, platies, swordtails, and bettas. Bettas do best in a 10 gallon tank, they deserve better than a bowl.
Here is an excellent book that really helped me when I was setting up my first aquarium: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9963&N=2004+2036 (you can find it at Amazon.com too)
Good fish sites:
http://fishprofiles.com/
http://www.geocities.com/shtinkythefish/basic.htm
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/2ndpage.html
http://petfish.net/
Oh, and petstore employees usually know squat about the fish they sell. So take their advice lightly!

Answer 2

People who suggest tiny tanks for beginners actually have things backwards. The bigger a tank is, the easier it is to maintain, and therefore easier for beginners to handle. The more water there is, the longer it takes for things to go wrong. You don't have to do as many water changes, or have to clean it as often, as you do a small tank. pH and temperature fluctuations happen much slower. The larger surface area provides more oxygen to the fish.

I love goldfish, but they're not really beginner fish. They produce lot of waste and you have to clean their tanks/change water more often. You also need stronger filters.

One of my first tanks was a 40 gallon, with some nice hardy tropicals, and it was very easy to maintain. Something like Rainbowfish, Platys, or Tetras, and a couple of small algae eaters would be good for anyone. Just start out with a few small fish.

Answer 3

Well I can answer the second part.One good beginner fish is a Black Moore.I think I can answer the first part to.You should start with a 10 gallon at the least,but I started with a 2.5 gallon tank and my fish are still thriving.I have had them for a nice little while now.

Answer 4

guppies are a good starter fish. but if you dont want them to breed just get the males. do not buy your fish if the majority of the pet seller tanks have dead fish on them. i have 3 10 gallon tanks full of guppies and 1 five gallon with 2 gold fish. guppies breed quick so u would only need 3 femals and 2 or 1 male and lots of pants for the babies to hide in cause the parents eat them. good luck

Answer 5

I would suggest any type of fish that can be housed between 5-gallons to 10-gallons as a starter setup. I have a yahoo group that I created that deals with fishbowls and 10-gallon aquarium setup and types of fish that I would recommend. Join now at http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/novice_aquariums

Answer 6

betta there easy to care for and live along time i own 5 betta all in diffrent bowls of course there food is like 2 dollars and up depending on the brand you get and last along time you give them alittle bit everyday to every othere day you clean there bowls every week and add water conditioner in it and they do not need a big tank a regular fish bowl works

my friend had one for 4 yr now and it has a regular bowl and feed 1 time aday


i love haveing bettas i had mine for about 7 monthes or more now

plus the males are vert perrty in color and they come in a bunch of diffrent colors and you can get them at any pet store for about 2-4 dollars


any questions e-mailme [e-mail]

Answer 7

Congrats on your new tank! i'd probably get a heater because it is going to open your variety of fish exceedingly, i'm unsure of any handy fish which will circulate in a chilly water 5 gallon tank. you have distinctive strategies with a heater nevertheless, you could circulate with a betta, i at the instant have a betta in my 10 gallon planted tank, those fish are colourful as you likely have already observed, and that they are fairly conscious of their vendors, every time i circulate to my tank it rushes to the coolest and swims in front of my begging for nutrition. you should even throw some shrimp in there in case you wanted. you additionally can get a dwarf groumie, they're very exciting fish, they only get approximately 2.5 inches and are incredibly colourful, in addition they're going to respond to you besides, i had a groumie and it wasn't myfavoritee fish yet human beings say they're great. you would be able to additionally get a pair of dwarf platties, they stay small around one million.5 inches, they're incredibly colourful and that they are conscious of you and could be a great puppy, I actual have countless wide-unfold platties in a 30 gallon tank and so as that they rush to greet me whilst ever i stroll as much as the tank. yet another extra unique option could be a Dwarf puffer fish, they only get approximately an inch long, yet they're outstanding fish and have alot of character. in simple terms somthing to think of approximately in case you may get your palms on them :) some strategies, would be to get vegetation, java moss and java fern are awsome low mild vegetation, yet will strengthen in any lighting fixtures incredibly, all fish savour them. additionally in case you could, an superior tank is mostly a sturdy thought, even a 10 gallon will open your strategies a great deal! seems such as you have completed a number of your homework already, although what ever fish you confirm on getting, do as a lot analyze as you could, it is going to grant a sturdy background practise and would even enable you comprehend some easy issues that the fish could be companies too. desire this facilitates, and robust success on your new tank

Answer 8

Mollies
Platys
Guppies
Lampeye tetras
Black skirt tetras
Zebra and Leopard danios. Steer clear of Giant Danios. They are very aggressive and will kill your other fish. I know from experience.

Answer 9

Go to Walmart and get some of the cheap ones. If they die within the first couple days you can get your money back, and if you can keep those little things alive then you'll be able to move on to better things;).

Answer 10

A Betta in a half-gallon tank.