What types of fish are easiest to start off with in an aquarium?

Question

What types of fresh water fish can you have an aquarium that are easy to maintain? Which ones don't require heat?

Answer 1

I think fishes like goldfish, arowana and flower horns are hard to maintain. Goldfish dies easily if u over feed them. Arowana and flower horns needs constant care. Few friends of mine gave up on these as no matter how they tried to rid the fungus/parasites, it still kills those type of fish.

Perhaps u would like to try koi. I have 13 of them in my aquarium. I have Bekka, Sanke showa, Lipstick, platinum, and Butterfly kois. What i love about buterfly koi is that they are a mixed breed of gold fish, and they are hardier than goldfish. I gave them pellets, i change the water every now and then, i use anti-chlorine and voila.. i am a happy koi keeper. So far none of them has parasites/fungus problem. Its been the lowest maintenance fish for me.

Answer 2

Almost all fresh water fish require a fairly constant temperature. A couple of exceptions are goldfish or Siamese fighting fish. The problem will be if you want a variety of different species. Some fish are aggressive and don't play well with others. Guppies are very hardy and are easy to take care of. I suggest that you go to a local pet store and find a knowledgeable person that has either raised fish or has a good knowledge about them.......I hope this helps and good luck

Answer 3

Get Rosey Barbs. I have no experience with aquariums and recently bought a 5 gallon then a 30 gallon when I discovered I couldn't have but one fish in the 5 gallon. Anyway, through all the stupid things I did (no heat, too much heat, not cycling, etc)the rosey barbs I got the day I bought the 5 gallon are still going strong. These little guys are gorgeous and very hardy. If they can live through what I put them through, they can live through anything.

Answer 4

I'd go with fancy tail guppies for freshwater. Goldfish are cheap too but are a bit dirtier and would require more frequent water changes. Guppies will reproduce quickly so if you have young kids, they'll just see a lot of fish in the tank and won't necessarily notice the ones that die off.

Answer 5

My zebra danios I used to cycle my tank are all still alive and swimming after a month. They are pretty hardy.

Another fish that is fairly easy to maintain is a betta. They are also very colorful.

Goldfish are probably the only fish that don't require a heater

Answer 6

Goldfish and Bettas are very easy to take care of, as they can be put in cold or warm water and only need feeding once a day. Howerver, goldfish have to be fed twice a day, their tanks must be cleaned once a month and betta fish need their tanks cleaned once a week or for some, every four days. Bettas are very terratorial and only one male per tank.
I hope this helps!!!

Answer 7

Get some plain old cheap feeder gold fish if you don't have a heater. They are pretty hardy in most temps but you still have to clean the tank every week or so. For the best in keeping fish, you should make sure that you have all the supplies like filters, bubblers, heater, rocks, a rock vaccum, appropriate food, and check online to find out which fish can live together. We have several tanks here and other than the goldfish, we have a variety of unique fish that we really enjoy. Check out this site http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariumfish/home.aspx ...I used to get this magazine every month and it is full of information and products.

Answer 8

White Cloud Mountain Minnows can be raised in small groups of 5-6 in a small 10 gallon tank. They need a temperature in the 55-78 range, as they are more like sub-tropical. They are the idea "starter" fish.
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/freshwater/cyprinids/whitecloud.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Cloud_Mountain_Minnow

http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/bag.pdf
http://www2.tetra.de/tet_internet_import/import_data/The%20fascination%20of%20aquariums_GB_2006_T062048.pdf
Here two good free books.

Plus a "classic"
http://aquariumdecoration.net/

Answer 9

Goldfish are the easiest to maintain. If you want to get a little more exotic, check with a tropical store.

Answer 10

It all depends on what size tank you have. Goldfish and bettas do not need heat, but you need to read up on them before bringing them in as pets. Goldfish need at least 55 gallons, they get very large. One betta would be fine in a 5 gallon, but you need to read up on proper care. Here are a couple of sites for you.