Beginners’ Tips: Good and Problem Fish

Thousand of fish are potential aquarium inhabitants, and hundreds are commonly kept. But which species, among all these, merit a place in a beginner fish hobbyist’s aquarium?

A good beginner’s fish should be defined one that is easy to feed and care for, hardy able to live in less-than-ideal water conditions and attractive.

Good Fish For Beginners

Some ideal first fish are rainbow fish, cichlids, platies, loaches and many of the small lively, colorful and peaceable schooling fish such as tetras, barbs and zebra danios.

Schooling Fish

Tetra inhabit streams and rivers in Central and South America and Africa. Danios and most barbs originate in Asia. Many of these fish sport bright colors and patterns, and even neon iridescence, which aid in school formation and maneuvering.

Beginners should resist the temptation to get just one or two each of several different species of schooling fish. Schooling fish feel great stress when kept alone or in pairs. Their nature is such that they do better if there are several of their own species to interact with. Therefore schooling fish should always be purchased in groups of at least six, preferably more.

In the long run, a school of a dozen fish displaying their natural behavior will be more pleasing than a mixed group of fishes unhappily forced to co-inhabit the same tank.

Mum, why is that fish hiding behind the pump and the other one always hanging around the back?

Problem Fish For Beginners

Mollies. Although they are often recommended, mollies do not make good beginners’ fish. Get these only when you have gained more fishkeeping experience. Mollies are sensitive to water conditions and require plenty of space.

Cichlids. Cichlids are very hardy fish but not recommended for community tanks. They are aggressive and highly territorial and will contend with each other for dominance. If you do keep them stock their tank with rockwork where they can take cover.

Siamese Fighting Fish. Another fish you should never introduce to a community aquarium is the Siamese fighting fish. They are likely to die a slow, painful death as the water is too deep and usually turbulent.

Gouramis. Kissing gouramis are so called because pairs can occasionally be seen locking lips. This makes them popular with fish hobbyists. However, this “kissing” behavior is aggressive, rather than sexual, in nature. And the kissing Gouramis can not only grow to a very large size, but also be a troublemaker in a community tank, as they often harass tank-mates. Gourami, however, do make good fish for beginners with larger tanks.

Goldfish. Do not introduce goldfish to an aquarium setup with tropical species. They grow much too big and produce a lot of water-polluting waste.

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