Anyone know of unique freshwater aquarium creatures?

Question

I have a freshwater aquarium, and while I love my little fishies, I often find myself drooling over my dad's saltwater specimens. Anyone know of unique creatures for a freshwater aquarium?
(And I don't mean just fish.)

For reference, I currently have:
-2 guppies
-3 Neon Tetras
-2 Danios
-1 snail (I have forgotten the full name, but it's something to do with golden)

I have 2 different plants, a rock formation, and marbles and such scattered about the bottom. I don't buy my fish based on priced, rather on if I think they're pretty or not. If you plan to insult my tank, or myself, I'd much rather you not answer at all.

Answer 1

There are a few options for you, but with your fish, there are even fewer. Besides the shrimp that have been mentioned, there are also dwarf crayfish, some freshwater crabs, clams and mussels. ( Here's a few http://www.freshwaterinverts.com)

There are freshwater jellyfish too, but as far as I know, they are very tough to come by. I've never been able to find any way to get them.

In my tanks, I have the little worms ( I can never remember what they are....the little live worms that you feed your fish...Black worms?) that live in my gravel and sand. They can be quite interesting to watch sometimes.

I've seen quite a few interesting critters in ponds and streams and stuff, but I doubt any of those would do well in a tropical aquarium.

I'm sure if you searched long enough and hard enough, you may be able to find some things that you might like and are able to get. You never know. :)

Answer 2

You want the greatest freshwater aquarium of all time. This is what you do which can be done with a 50 dollar budget.
1-Buy a pack of freshwater sand instead of gravel which has a boring look. Sand on the other hand looks much more elegant.
2-Buy a Few bamboo plants which have a root holder designed for water.
3- buy 2 large driftwood peices and put in your tank hiding the bamboos roots so they dont get eaten.
4-Go Buy either of the following fish which are extremely elegant but vary in price.
a-(cheap range from 3$-15$) Blood Parrot or red parrot some people use differnet names.
b-(moderatly priced ranging from 5$-15$)2 or 3 pacus(be carefull they might eat the bamboos.
c-(expensive ranging from 15$-1000$) Flower Horn cichlid which are extremely beautiful but aggressive and require a experienecd owner.
d-(moderate range from 3$-100$) Red Devil Cichlid, extremely aggressive and large designed to kill lol
5-Once you have all these things make sure you have the following(to be put in place before adding all of the above
a- Heater (water temperature at 82)
b- Chlorine remover
c- cycled water without amonia

Answer 3

I think you mean things like freshwater sting rays(you'd need a much larger tank.),freshwater sponges,maybe a crayfish or some freshwater shrimp. The big difference is in saltwater you have 95% animals and 5% plants as species,in freshwater it's reversed,95% of the species are plants and 5% are animals.

Answer 4

Depends on the size of the tank. I would never recommend parrot fish or flowerhorns--these fish are hybrids, which has caused them to become deformed. Most cichlids need at least a 55 gallon tank...and they aren't compatible with the fish you have now. Honestly, you need to add more neons and more danios. They are both schooling fish and need groups of at least 6 in order to do well. The size of your tank will tell you if you can add any more to the mix.

Answer 5

There is a very beautiful fish, imo, that might go by a number of names, depending on who is selling it. It's a butterfly bristlenose pleco. It has these huge flowing fins and tail. Really gorgeous and and you can just see the fins fluttering in the water movement all day long. There is also an albino version that is also attractive.

Answer 6

how about ghost shrimp? well really i dont know. maybe some cardinal tetras, but those are schooling fish ( the more the better) umm.... im trying to think of a vibrant one...OH! how about a betta? he's pretty much the centerpiece of my tank. i have a pleco, 5 neon tetras, 5 black neon tetras, 5 cardinal tetras, a couple mystery snails, and my betta. he's been around for two years now. he was pink when i got him but now his tail is growing purple, red, and blue streaks...!! but you can only get one male betta. and he will do fine in open water and with the fish you have!

Answer 7

Well, you have the cheapest, most common freshwater fish there are. Try getting something smarter like a betta or an angelfish (but when the angelfish grows up it'll eat the smaller fish).
And your Dad probably puts more work into his tank, so it looks better. Try putting a background, some plants and rocks in your tank.

Answer 8

certain species crayfish will be perfectly fine in a 10 gallon. some have some great color and are really fun to own, very easy and hardy animals, average life span about 2-3 years, can feed live feeders along with pellets,

Answer 9

Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, Blue Crayfish*, small African Dwarf Frogs. Ghost Shrimp are both common and really cheap, I have some in my tanks.

Just look for things that will not eat your fish.

*may eat fish if they are slow or sleeping

Answer 10

the most beatiful fish in all of the hobby is without doubt discus, but they need alot of maintaince, you dad should be able to help u with them.

but easier are nice fish are dwarf gouramis, bolivian rams, blue ram, cuckatoo ram, rainbow fish, cherry barbs, torpedo barbs or roseline sharks, angelfish, monos(brackish), African cichilids, platys, swordtails, and columbian tetra