Which breeds of fish can I combine into a freshwater tank?

Question

I am a new aquarium hobbyist and after much debate, I've decided to go ahead and set up a freshwater tank (salt water tanks, although beautiful, seem like alot of work for someone new like me!). I guess I'm really looking for ideas and suggestions. I love goldfish and they seems pretty easy to maintain, but what other compatible fish can I add to my tank for variety? Also, do I need to purchase "cleaner" fish for a freshwater tank (like catfish or shrimp)?

Answer 1

There are so many different types and combinations that you can get it is ridiculous! I just started my first freshwater tank and we basically asked a lot of questions to a good local fish store. I try not to go to stores like Petco because they don't seem to have as many experts and take as good care of their fish as smaller mom and pop stores. I did however buy my tank setup from Petco because they have better prices than the local stores. I got a 20 gallon set up with everything I needed for like $175 or so...

One big decision you have to make is if you want bigger more aggressive fish or smaller more peaceful fish. I decided to get smaller fish. You can still get certain big fish, but you have to make sure they won't bully or try to eat your smaller fish.

I am not sure if you have to purchase a cleaner fish, but there are many really really cool looking ones that are not only interesting, but help clean your tank. I would not get goldfish - that would be like going to a restaurant and ordering a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Some good starter fish are:
- swordtails (medium size, peaceful)
- tiger barbs (medium size, more aggressive)
- pristellas (smaller size, peaceful) - THIS IS WHAT I USED
- molly (medium, different colors)

I'm sure there are a few others, but these are the ones that I know from reading different books, etc... Once you put your first fish group in (either 2 or 4 I would suggest) you have to make sure the water is OK and the tank 'cycles.' This process took me 5 weeks for a 20 gallon tank. You have to get water testing kits to make sure you're doing it right. It sounds confusing, but with the help of that book and a store employee it was rather easy.

I have also been told to start off with a 30 gallon tank or a 20 gallon tank minimum. The bigger the tank the better water and less of a chance of messing up the water. Basically the fish produce waste and you need certain bacteria to grow in the water to take care of that.

This is the book that I used to base all of my setup on:

http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Guide-Fresh-Water-Aquariums/dp/0793821010/ref=sr_1_1/104-3594734-8171942?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192817027&sr=1-1

I found it at Barnes & Noble, but if you can wait it's cheaper on amazon.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Depends greatly on the size and shape of your tank.

My first (and still my only) tank in my small condo is a 44 gallon pentagon-shaped corner tank. I chose to go with South American/Central American community fish (1 angelfish, half dozen tetras, 4 cories, 2 otocinclus and 3 marble hatchets).

It's good b/c the tetras and the angel all swim in the middle, the hatchets are at the top, everyone else lives mainly on the bottom - really fills out all the spaces. I've had that setup for over a year now, and barring any problems I expect it to last a long time. I've never regretted it. You might give that a try - it's a relatively inexpensive setup too. That's just my own experience with it.

If I had the space for a larger and more conventional rectangle tank like a 55 gallon I'd serious look at African cichlids or even an all- angelfish tank.

Give it some thought, and try not to rush into a decision. Establish a good rapport with your pet store, and try to make arrangements where you can trade fish in and out from time to time until you have what you want. Because even with all the planning in the world, a lot of it really is trial and error.

Good luck. :)

Answer 3

As a new hobbyist you might have more success getting hardy types of fish. And fish that are less aggressive. The rule is that fish are fish: the large eat the small. I've had most success with ryukin, a type of goldfish that have beautiful orange-gold bodies and feathery fins and tails. They are very hardy, and only need to have an orange slice a couple times a week added to their regular diet as well as the occasional frozen block of bloodworms. Fancy fish are usually stressed and will die quite frequently. You can try other types of fish, but they need to be of equal size to the gold fish or they will be dinner. And cleaner fish are a good idea, but that doesn't stop the need to keep the tank clean by manual means, and changing 1/3 of the water (after it has been treated with the appropriate chemicals) once a week. Angel fish, while similar in size to ryukins are very aggressive and will eat fins and tails which opens the door for disease and problems. Good luck with your tank and a good general aquarium book as well as a knowledgeable sales person are your best sources of information. Good luck.

Answer 4

Goldfish are pretty easy but also difficult. Goldfish don't do good with anybody but other goldfish. Goldfish need 20 gallon for fist fish, and ten for every additional fish, so if you got a 30 gallon tank, you could probally put 2 goldfish in there.

When I first started becoming a hobbyist I found guppies the easiest. I got a couple females and a male. I did reserch on them, and read that they breed like crazy, but never really realized how much they breed. I have had to get two extra 30 gallon tanks just for the guppies. Tetras are really nice and easy. I also have one 30 gallon tank just for my texas cichlid. Cichlids can go in groups, but they are territroy aggresive. I got my cichlid as a rescue, and didn't want to take the chance of putting another cichlid. He is the most easy tank to take care of, and he has the best personality.

Answer 5

Here's a site that gives you detailed information about what kinds of fish like what tank conditions, aggressiveness, etc. If you search goldfish, you will find among the list of details a list of other fish that are compatible.

Don't let that be your sole source, though. The data is input by users, and I've seen an occasional mistake. The second site also has fish profiles and a great forum to ask about different kinds of fish.

Answer 6

If you like goldfish, just stick to goldfish - there are not too many compatible fish, and they are very messy and grow very large, so you'll need the space anyway.

"cleaner" fish are optional - there are a number of varieties that will certainly work with goldfish and they can do a great job at cleaning up leftover food, but they will also need to be fed since this usually is not enough in itself to sustain them (not for catfish anyway). When it comes to freshwater tanks I highly recommend not buying fish to do a job - buy a fish because you like them and consider any cleanup they do an added bonus. Simply feeding properly and doing weekly gravel vacuuming with your water change, combined with a decent filter, will take care of the mess.

Beware of algae eaters. They tend to grow big, many get territorial, they are very messy, and they tend to do a lousy job on algae anyway, especially as they grow larger. Best to deal with algae with your own two hands.

Answer 7

Goldfish are cold water fish so you can't combine them with tropical fish. There are however many different types and colours of goldfish. I don't know how big your tank is but unless it's huge you may be looking for a bigger one soon as goldfish tend to grow quite large and are quite dirty (not as easy to maintain as often thought), they are better suited to an outdoor pond. Common goldfish get to about 8".

People will tell you what type of fish they have, and like together but it's your tank and you are the one looking at it so I think it's important for you to get the type of fish you like.

I suggest you google pictures of goldfish and tropical fish, see which ones you like the look of then google the individual fish names and get information on each one, You will then be better able to decide what you want. You can also go to some local pet stores, look at the fish, write down the names of the ones you like and then get information on them. Don't trust what the pet store clerks tell you, they are there to sell fish and will often say what you want to hear because they really don't know or just to make a sale.

Answer 8

If I were you, I'd set up a freshwater setup of 40 gallons with a dwarf pleco, 10 cardinal tetras, 3 angelfish, 6 hatchetfish, and 6 corydoras catfish. Trust me, it would be magnificent. Jut remember, water changes are everything! do them weekly!

Answer 9

my reccomendation is to get a 40 gallon tank and have 2 pictus catfish,5 zebra danios,7rasberras,1 male beta,20 cardinal tetras and 2 mystery snails.

just a suggestion


bty:if you do buy pictus catfish make sure that you buy at least 2 as they like to be together

Answer 10

That depends on what type of fish you want. Aggressive or Community?