First Time Fish Tank?

Question

My husband and I want to get a 20-30 gallon fish tank, and it's our first time caring for one since we were children. We'd like some advice on what kinds of fish are hardy and good for first timers. Any tips or guidance are much appreciated!

Answer 1

Good hardy fish for a first time aquarium include:

Zebra danios
Corydoras catfish, a.k.a. "corys"
Bristlenose catfish
Guppies
Mollies
Platys
White Cloud mountain minnows
Tiger Barbs
Cherry Barbs

Note, however, that every single one of those fish (except the bristlenose catfish, which is a good algae eater btw) need a group of a half dozen or so to thrive.

Answer 2

I would make sure you get your tank from a good pet store and talk to the employee while your there. Ask questions!! When i set up a new aquarium I usually wait at least 2-3 weeks before even putting in fish. You need to let it go through it's bloom(cycle), and take a water sample in to your pet store to make sure the water is safe for fish. For a starter fish tetra's are fun and they come in all different types (group in 3 or more), a pleco, catfish and gouramis's are beautiful fish (many different colors and kinds also). There are tons of different fish and i think if you keep up the researching you'll find something you'll love. One other note i know a lot of people say mollies, swordtail or guppies, please keep in mind that these fish are live bearers and mate like mad. So if you do plan on getting these just make sure your prepared for that lol.

Answer 3

I have a 55 gal. My suggestion is to get the biggest one you can afford. The bigger the easier it is to keep it clean.( i'm speaking from expericence) If you go to petco or petsmart, they all have their fish labeled by what can normally go together.
community
semi aggressive
aggressive
tropical
salt
Look at them all, & see what kind you like the most of. & go with that one. In any new tank, you want to set it up first & let it run for about a week or tow then put "cheap" fish in first (maybe 6 or so) so the bacteria can form in the water. Until the bacteria is formed, the fish have a higher chance of dying. In a couple more weeks, you should be able to enter the type of fish you want. it is best to introduce only 4 or 5 at a time & usually purchase pairs or 3's of the same kind of fish. That helps keep them from "picking" on each other.
Good luck

Answer 4

Don't mix goldfish with other freshwater fish. They have different water quality requirements and temperature requirements. Also, goldfish are not an easy fish to keep. This misconception that Americans have about them being the easiest fish is completely wrong. To keep properly, goldfish are a very difficult fish to keep. Cycle your tank like Bleedseafishblue said, then go with Zebra danios, cory catfish, Guppies, Neons, Swordtails, Platys, Cherry Barbs or Tiger Barbs. Mollies are a typical starter fish, but they get ick really easily. When deciding on the size of the aquarium, allow at least 1 gallon of water per every inch of fish. So, that means you have to choose your fish, at least in your head, first.

Answer 5

Go to "About.com" and follow the links to "Setting up and maintaining a freshwater aquarium." There will also be various lists of compatible fish that can be put in various sized tanks. Lots of good info at this site.

Shirley will answer your questions by email too, if she is not swamped with mail. I have corresponded with her and she is very knowledgeable and ready to help if she can.

Email me if you have some specific questions, I will be glad to answer. Make sure you enter your email address twice in the "Answers" site to confirm it so you can receive email from those you write to.
John

Answer 6

Best fish to start out would be Guppies, Platies, Swordtails, and Mollies. They are all hardy and colorful fish.

Dont go with goldfish... they are messy and are not tropical fish.

Answer 7

Make sure you cycle the tank before getting fish by feeding ammonia to the tank. This will build up bacteria which will remove toxins produced by fish when they poo. Link below.

Answer 8

gettttt
swordfish and goldfish
i have a 5 gallon and i have 10 fish in it
6 swordfish 2 guppies and 2 goldfish
thats enough for a 5 gallon
but you can buy all those @ walmart
but be careful cuz walmarts fish tend to have ick

Answer 9

i like personaly think u should get a oscar, and like 2 or 3 silver dollars.

or piranhas
or what ever u want

(you could get a largemouth bass)

Answer 10

I would start with goldfish or neons. A plecostomus is a good idea to eat left over food & alge.