What are the easiest fish to keep alive?

Question

I don't want a huge tank. Something I can put on a bookshelf in my office...
Maybe something like this with some gold fish?
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441813898&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030056&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1184180992454&itemNo=47&Nao=24&In=Fish&N=2030056&Ne=2
This one looks very nice and full.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776985&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030056&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1184180992414&itemNo=37&Nao=24&In=Fish&N=2030056&Ne=2
My budget is $50-60 and it can't be too big.

Answer 1

The first tanks is of a "workable" size, but the filtration is questionable. The second tank has good filtration, but at 3 gallons is too small to really give you a good start.
You are in luck however... within your budget you have this 5 gallon tank for $50.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441779403&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030056&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1184192532284&itemNo=13&In=Fish&N=2030056&Ne=2
Also within your budget are these tanks...
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441779404&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030056&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1184192639802&itemNo=55&Nao=48&In=Fish&N=2030056&Ne=2
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441806498&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030056&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1184192622981&itemNo=41&Nao=24&In=Fish&N=2030056&Ne=2
I'd call any a better starting point.
If you can go for more money than you stated, consider this...
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441777094&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030056&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1184192849403&itemNo=58&Nao=48&In=Fish&N=2030056&Ne=2
Why not pull out "all the stops" and go for this???
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778278&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030056&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1184192910715&itemNo=7&Nao=0&In=Fish&N=2030056&Ne=2
The bigger the tank, the better your fish will live. The illustrations are deceptive, there's no way the five gold fish in the picture will survive in this tank!
You could do a LOT with a 12 gallon tank. First thing that comes to mind is Black Neon Tetras and/or Black Skirt Tetras, if you are into black...
Not your fancy? How about Red Swordtails? Red Platies? The variety of platies is staggering.
I could go on all night...

Answer 2

Since you're looking into buying a fish that will be housed in such a small tank, I'd suggest a Betta. They can survive in some of the most harsh conditions. Just look at how they're put on display at pet stores! Any way, I'd suggest a minimum of 5 gallons so the first product you provided will be just fine for your Betta. Although I would suggest a small heater and a filter. The Betta will be better off if you have those two things. Other than that all you'll need is some food like freeze-dried blood worms and clean out the tank once a week doing 20% water changes. You might also want some ornaments and gravel. Goldfish can get quite big and shouldn't be kept in small tanks. Small goldfish should be housed in a minimum of 10 gallons and as they grow upgrade to 30. If they remain in small tanks, it will stunt the goldfish eventually leading to death.

Answer 3

Easy Fish To Keep

Answer 4

First, there is no "easiest fish to keep alive." Although each species of fish have different requirements that, in some ways, make them easier to keep than other, they will, at the same time, have certain requirements that make them more difficult to keep than another species of fish. Thus, all fish have an equal level of care and responsibility and if a person is looking for the easy way out in having an aquarium, it is probably better that you not have one. You need to be prepared for what is required to properly keep an aquarium in top-notch condition so you have happy, healthy fish. So, otherwise, first, because of a goldfish's digestive system, they produce huge amounts of waste and thus, in addition to the huge size they can grow to, they require a minimum of 10 gallons of water per one fish and are one of the most difficult fish to keep despite the common fallacy to the contrary. I do wish that we could somehow dispense with this myth about goldfish. Next, this tank you are considering is very, very small and small tanks are actually more difficult to maintain than large tanks because they get dirty much more quickly and, thus, need to be cleaned much more frequently. Regular once-a-week cleaning and maintenance is required of any size aquarium and, the smaller and more overstocked it is, cleaning and maintenance may be required 2-3 times a week. So, to avoid the need to clean this tiny aquarium any more often than necessary, I would suggest a betta. Either of these aquariums is actually a very nice size for one single betta and would encourage them to be more active and flare more readily which is very beautiful. Please read up on proper water cycling, cleaning, maintenance and diseases before actually buying your fish. Good luck!

Answer 5

that 3 gallon will be fine with maybe 2-3 danios a male-female pair of swordtails or a male-female pair of any smaller freshwater fish.

i got a 5gallon on my desk from petsmart and right now it has 1 female swordtail 2 danios and a albino aglae eater and 2 ghost shrimp. the trick to office tanks is to keep them low stocked otherwise your gunna be doing water changes. keep them simple so all you have to do it look at them you could put live plants in your tank also to make it look realy good.

mine has been setup for approximately 1.5 months and havent done a water change ever and i check my levels every 3-4 days and they are still all good. and my water is still crystal clear. i add 1 quart of spring water from the company water cooler every monday from evaporation but thats it

good luck with your problem
Dave Shepp
www.pa-cichlids.com
Visit me in my chatroom and i will try to help further
help me build my site and forums up. post anything

Answer 6

If you want a fish in that size tank, it would have to be a singl, male Betta. Goldfish Get a foot long and do not stop growing until they die. With a Betta, you get a colorful, small, clean fish that will live for a few years with proper care. This site will help to get your tank started.http://www.firsttankguide.net/.
Good luck!

Nosoop4u

Answer 7

Jessica L: You are very wrong. Goldfish need big tanks and lots of filtration because they are so dirty. That plastic tank is only good for a single male betta.

Answer 8

Goldfish are easy to take care of, but they tend to be messy and keep growing.(usually good for ponds and watergardens). Betas are good for a small tank like that or usually you only get one beta. they will kill each other. Neon tetras are really cool fish they are small and very easy to take care of. http://maxstrandberg.com/kaf/fisk_tetra_neon.jpg
We have some. Don't get guppies they are easy to take care of but they breed like wild fire! lol
Any fish you see at a pet store be sure to ask about!! Cause there are certain fish cannot be together.

Answer 9

People who think goldfish need small tanks have stressed, sick goldfish. A small goldfish needs at least ten gallons and a strong filter.

get a Betta.

Answer 10

I would say goldfish. You should get the first tank because gold fish don't need the big one and the first one comes with food and things.