What kind of fish are good for beginning aquarium keepers?

Question

I have a 20 gallon tank and want to purchase some fish. I am looking for something a little challenging. Also I am looking for an interesting fish, something more exciting than your average goldfish.

Please no dumb answers!

Answer 1

If you go with a community tank set up(mollies, platies, guppies, tetras, etc), you'll be able to have more fish, but the downside to community fish is they don't live as long, tend to have more diseases, and tend die more easily. But, you're kinda limited because 20 gallons is kinda small for cichlids. 1 or 2 Bolivian Rams may work in that size tank, they stay only about 3 inches but they get a bit territorial, and may need a bigger tank.

Could try a green spotted puffer fish, but that's gonna require a lot of research before buying it. You'll need to learn how to slowly convert the tank to a brackish set up. It's easy, but it'll be harder if you're not experienced in fish keeping. Or you could get a couple of dwarf puffers-they stay in fresh water.

Here's a couple links, first is a bunch of fish profiles, can read on their care and tank size requirements. The others are some forums, search around for doing a fishless tank cycle, and cycling a fish tank, and just search around and see what other people have in their 20 gallon tanks.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=830

http://www.aquariacentral.com/

http://www.aquariumboard.com/forums/home.php

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/

Answer 2

sounds like a fine plan, 1. get the guy/gal at the fish store to show you how to use the siphon cleaner, if you have never done it before. 2. you don't need the whole list of tests, copper for example is probably not needed. 3. live plants will only do well with special lights, it's better and cheaper to go with plastic, and buy a bunch more than everybody else does. And buy tall, and dense ones mostly, short plants are nearly useless. Get only 2 or 3 kinds, they look better that way. Without live plants, you can leave the lights off most of the time and you won't grow as much algae and the tank will look cleaner. 4. If you have a plexiglass tank, I wouldn't get the magnet. Unless they make them a lot better now, usually they scratch the plastic. If you have glass they work fine, but you'll still want a hand pad as well. 5. If you like bubbles in the tank, then get the airpump, but be sure to get a check valve, and blow through it to make sure it works. In one direction you shouldn't be able to blow, Some are plugged and no air gets through either direction. 6. get a good filter like the marineland emperor, the new filters that claim all kinds of great things aren't all that great. good luck

Answer 3

Try a semi-aggressive tank instead of a community tank full for guppies and tetras. Some of the semi's include gouramis, hatchet fish, zebra danios, tri-colour sharks, tinfoil barbs, clown barbs, and a creature called a rope fish that is like a 12" eel. Oscars may or may not survive ina tank like this!

If you want to stick to Community fish, you can get swordfish, platties, Black Mollies, Tetras of all kinds and a single Siamese Fighting fish.

A good aquarium store will help you choose a suitable array of fish for your tank. The general rule is one fish per gallon - don't overcrowd! And always get a Plecostomas to clean the glass.

PS these are TROPICAL fish, not goldfish, so U will need a heater to keep the water at between 72 - 79 degrees.

Answer 4

Start on guppies. They are pretty easy to keep and also very colourful. Remeber they breed very easily so you might want to keep males only as they are the brighter coloured ones and have larger tails.
EDIT: Nex : any and all fish need to put in water that has been treated and in setups that have been running for at least 2 to three weeks. This is so that the water cycles properly getting rid of poisons such as ammonia. Any half witted aquariust knows that.
ALSO check the following site for info and questions: http://www.guppiesforyuppies.co.za

Answer 5

you could keep a tank of livebearers (guppies, platies, swordtails
mollies, etc) or a tank of tetras or some small south american cichlids, talk to your local fish shop operator, get a book about aquariums, do a little reading then decide what interests you the most and what requirements you will be able to provide
then buy your fish

Answer 6

If you want a challenge but not too challenging, a community tank of different 'easy to take care of' fishes is good.

You should try to cover all depth of the tank. Different species of fish naturally like to hang out at different depth of the tank.
• guppies (top)
• betta (top)
• rosy barbs (middle)
• pleco (bottom)
• loach (bottom)

the size of the tank dictates how much fish you should have as well. Overcrowding is bad and will make your fishes sick and die rather quickly.

So, for a 20 gallon tanks i'd recommend.
1 betta
4 guppies
4 rosy bards (my favorite, if you can find them)

Answer 7

I was going to say goldfish but as you said no try neons tetras they are tropical.They are quite hardy but do not mix them with bigger fish as they will get eaten. I have provided some information what i found on the net.

Answer 8

Something Challenging

Your tank may be a bit small for an Oscar/ Flowerhorn etc. If you want something interesting and lievely I would suggest angelfish mollies and Tetras , Mollies and Tetras are hardy

Answer 9

I personally just set up mine for convicts.they arent that expensive like 6.00 or 7.00 for a pair really fun to watch and they are real hardy.They breed real easy too!then you get to watch the eggs hatch and turn into little wigglers then small fry.they are great parents too!

Answer 10

Mollies, guppies, platies, swordtails, cory cats, tetras.

To get a lot cooler fish you'll need a bigger tank.

Go to liveaquaria.com to check them out and see what is needed.