The joys of having freshwater aquarium fish as pets are notorious by amateur and veteran hobbyists alike. With a seemingly endless variety of species, a novice fish keeper may be faced with some tough choices. Which species of fish should I get? How many?

A good method of making your choices is to pick the species which have been proven to be appropriate beginner fish. Generally they are hardy, little in size, they aren't particular eaters, (some fish will not only have "live" foods) they don't produce massive amounts of waste, have a harmonious disposition and will tolerate other fish. (Meaning they are not particularly defensive) These traits make them easy to look after.

It would be good to set up your freshwater aquarium in the appropriate environment that your fish are accustomed to. For example, if you have lots of schooling fish, ensure to leave ample space for them to group and swim. If you have a fish that is generally shy or secretive, give him a few hiding spots. Doing some research on the characteristics of the fish you decide to keep will ensure that your wet pets are happy.

Now, onto the varieties...

Tetras - These are perhaps the most common starter fish available. There are numerous kinds and all are very inexpensive. As they are regarded as "schooling" fish, they do well in groups of 6 or above.

Minnows, Danios, Rasboras, and Barbs - Very hardy. They exist in multiple colours and design patterns. Interesting, if not endearing schooling behavior.

Gouramis - Generally peaceful, they have an interesting look and come in various colors. There is also a variety of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Certainly these fish can add a bit of personality to your tank.

Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails - Very colorful and have unique features. They stay small. (Usually, not above 3 inches) Very peaceful and flourish in a community environment.

Loaches, Cory Cats, Plecostomus and other bottom feeders - Let's start with loaches. These fish have a unique look as they have a bottom oriented nose. Good for looking after your snail population, if you happen to have a problem with it. Usually secretive and nocturnal, these would do well in pairs.

Cory Cats are named fittingly so because they have what appear to be mustache. They use these to sift the bottom for additional food. These guys are dynamic and seem to have lots of energy.

Plecostomus are a good addition because they mainly feed on algae and surplus food. They have tough scales and feature a suction cup mouth. They are quite interesting to watch when feeding. There are some rare 'plecos' which do cost more, but the common ones are widely available and fairly inexpensive.

One important aspect you must consider, is the size of your tank (it is usually advisable to have no less than 10-15 gallons) will determine the number of fish that are appropriate to have. A general guideline is one inch of fish for each gallon of water. Do not make the common mistake of overpopulating your starter tank. If you do, you will soon find the levels of unsafe chemicals (produced by waste) will quickly get unruly.

Keep your freshwater aquarium fish happy and fit and they will provide you with an interesting, if not relaxing view into their world.

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