what are the best fish to keep as pets

There are a few different types of fish that make good pets for beginners. Some of the best include goldfish, bettas, and guppies. These fish are relatively easy to care for and don’t require a lot of space.

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Do fish make better pets than dogs?

They eat so little, you really can't give them treats. I suppose they might get excited when you buy them a new little structure for their tank, like a treasure chest they can swim around and hide behind, but how would you know? They don't wag their little tails. So i would have to say NO. Fish do not make better pets, even for apartment dwellers.

What is the best pet fish for beginners?

The Top 10 Best Fish for Beginners

1. Danio. Danio is a popular choice for a beginner’s first fish. ...
2. Cherry Barbs. This is another safe, hardy option for a beginner aquarist. ...
3. Corydoras Catfish. If you are looking for something to occupy the lower regions of your aquarium, you can’t go wrong with Corydoras (or “Corys”).
4. Otocinclus Catfish. ...
5. Molly Fish. ...
6. Damselfish. ...
7. Tetras. ...
8. Angelfish. ...
9. Bettas. ...
10. Goldfish. ...

What are your best freshwater fish species for a pet?

11 Colorful Freshwater Fish Species To Add To Your Aquarium

• Peacock Cichlid. This fish is a gorgeous standout and comes in a variety of different colors. ...
• Electric Blue Acara. ...
• Discus Fish. ...
• German Blue Ram. ...
• Electric Yellow Lab. ...
• Betta Fish. ...
• Flowerhorn Cichlid. ...
• Cherry Barb. ...
• Zebra Danio. ...
• Fancy Guppies. ...

Do betta fish make good pets?

So, do betta fish make good pets? Bettas make great pets, particularly for first-time fish owners. They are beautiful to look at and are full of character. As with any pet, they require some time and effort in order to care for them properly but they are relatively low maintenance compared to some.

What is the easiest fish to take care of as a pet?

In particular, guppies, zebrafish, goldfish, mollies, neon tetras, betta fish, and suckerfish are just some of the easiest fish to take care of in a community aquarium. Make sure to create a tank with plenty of rocks, caves, small toys, and plants to provide enrichment for the fish.

Are fish good beginner pets?

Fish are great as first pets for children. Owning and caring for a fish will help your child learn about and experience the underwater world closely. Other than that, a fish tank has several benefits to add in your kid's life.

Which fish is best for home aquarium?

The 15 Best tropical fish for beginners are:Guppy.Molly.Zebra danios.Dwarf Gouramis.Bettas.Catfish.Swordtails.Firemouth Cichlid.More items...•

What kind of fish doesn't need a filter?

Top 8 Most Popular Fish That Don't Need A FilterBetta Fish (Betta splendens) ... Guppy Fish (Poecilia reticulata) ... White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) ... Zebrafish (Danio rerio) ... Dwarf Pufferfish (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) ... Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) ... Sparkling Gourami Fish (Trichopsis pumila)More items...•

Why do my fish keep dying?

There are many reasons why fish in your tank keep dying. A few reasons include stress, incorrect tank setup, overfeeding, diseases, and much more. To a beginner, it could look like your fish died for no reason whatsoever.

What kind of fish cleans the tank?

Suckermouthed catfish like Common and Sailfin Plecos, Bristlenose and Otocinclus all graze algae and will “clean” the tank of it, but they do also need food in their own right if they are to grow, stay healthy and thrive.

What is the most popular pet fish?

Without a doubt the Goldfish is the number one most popular pet fish.

What is the hardiest pet fish?

1. Zebra danio. Zebra danios, Danio rerio, are just about the hardiest tropical fish you'll ever keep. They don't mind if the water is hard or soft, still or flowing, warm or unheated, and they are the single best fish for new fishkeepers and new aquariums.

How hard is it to have a pet fish?

It just takes a lot of patience and consistency. All your pet fish needs is a clean place to live and healthy roommates. Taking care of fish can be an easy, relaxing responsibility although they are not maintenance-free. You will have to keep up with their tank cleanings.

Are fish good pets for kids?

Fish are great starter pets for kids, which will teach them about responsibility, and give them something to do after school apart from playing video games or watching cartoons. Where to Start? Do some research. Fresh water fish are much easier to care for than saltwater fish.

Are fish hard to take care of?

Are Fish Really a Low-Maintenance Pet? Generally speaking, freshwater fish are less expensive and easier to care for than other types of pets, leading to the perception that they're easy to keep. While they can be less trouble than other types of animals, that doesn't exactly make them low-maintenance pets.

Is a fish a good pet for a 2 year old?

Fish can't be cuddled, true, but fish are remarkably calming and beautiful to watch, and they're a great first taking-care-of-something experience for young kids, because they need to be fed daily, and it's relatively easy to teach a child age 3 and up how to sprinkle the food delicately on the fish's water.

Fish tank 101

Happy pet fish live in tanks designed specifically for them. This means adhering to certain temperatures, pH levels and hardness ranges. Hardness refers to how saturated the water is with certain minerals. Again, many of the best pet fish are adaptable and can thrive within wider ranges.

Can I put different kinds of fish in one tank?

By following a few guidelines, you can successfully put different kinds of fish in one tank. First, all the species in the tank should have the same environmental requirements. Freshwater and saltwater fish don’t mix, nor do fish who need cooler temps and those from the tropics. Make sure you understand their natural habitats.

Livebearers vs. Egg-layers

Some fish lay eggs and babies fly out by the thousands. Others, several of which are on our list, are livebearers. Livebearers have unfertilized eggs inside them and if presented with the opportunity, may mate and give birth to a lot of new fish.

Feeding pet fish

Most of the fish on our list are omnivores, which means they happily gobble down fish food pellets and flakes. High-quality fish food should contain lots of protein. A few fish on our list are herbivores and love greens like spirulina and algae. Almost all fish are going to be thrilled if you treat them to live food like bloodworms (yum!).

1. Betta Fish

Appearance: Variety of colors, long tails Size: 3 inches Characteristics: Aggressive Maintenance: Low Habitat: 5+ gallon tank Compatible with: Small, mellow, earth-tone fish like Pygmy Corydoras Diet: Omnivore Life Expectancy: 2-5 years Type: Egg-layer

2. Cherry Barb

Appearance: Brown or tan with red or orange highlights Size: 2 inches Characteristics: Shy Maintenance: Low Habitat: 25+ gallon tank Compatible with: Other barbs, Neon Tetras Diet: Omnivore Life Expectancy: 4-6 years Type: Egg-layer

3. Corydoras Catfish

Appearance: Various colors, typically brown and spotted Size: 1-4 inches Characteristics: Friendly, calm Maintenance: Low Habitat: 10+ gallon tank with 2+ inches of substrate Compatible with: Corydoras Catfish and peaceful fish like Guppies or Swordtails Diet: Omnivore Life Expectancy: Up to 20 years Type: Egg-layer

1. Guppies

Guppies, (also known as rainbow fish or million fish), are probably the world's most common species of tropical aquarium fish. There are hundreds of colors that guppy can have, and each color has hundreds of patterns.

2. Mollies

Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a species of freshwater fish that can be found in the rivers of Mexico. This species is preferred by breeders, and it's a very good choice even for beginners because they are not highly demanding and are easy to raise.

3. Rasboras

Rasboras make an excellent species of fish to have if you are just starting out. These gorgeous fish are available for sale in many pet stores and are pretty inexpensive.

4. Goldfish

The goldfish is a freshwater fish indigenous to East Asia and is one of the most common aquarium fish.

5. Bettas

Betta fish or simply bettas is a species of fish native to South Asia and it is also known as the "siamese fighting fish".

6. Zebrafish

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a popular freshwater aquarium fish, indigenous from South Asia. The "zebrafish" name is due to its striped looks similar to the appearance of zebras.

7. Angelfish

Angelfish (Pterophyllum) is a small freshwater fish indigenous to the tropical areas of South America. With long wide fins and flattened bodies, their bodies look almost triangular. These fish can be colorful depending upon their breed.

What is the best fish to keep in a small aquarium?

8- Killifish. Killifish is another small size freshwater species that can easily fit in a small aquarium. If you want to keep more species in the aquarium, then have a large aquarium. They have a calm personality. However, they make killifish found aggressive towards their mates.

Why is it better to have a fish tank filter?

It is better to have a fish tank filter so that the aquarium remains tidy and clean. With the filter, you can take care of them in a better way. A few of them suddenly attack others that all depends on their level of aggression. Better keep them separate.

How much does a betta fish cost?

The purchase of betta fish varies; however, it starts from 4$. Remember to keep only one male Betta fish in the aquarium because they tend to be aggressive and bossy towards other male Betta fish.

Why are betta fish so aggressive?

Betta fish found very aggressive and mostly kept alone due to their dynamic personalities. They may harm other fishes and may get them injured. That’s why they like to stay lonely in the same tank. There are a few species that may remain with them, including Guppies, Cory Catfish, Ghost Shrimp, and a few others.

What is a cherry barb fish?

5- Cherry Barb. Cherry barb is a tropical freshwater fish that only grow up to 5 cm. They don’t require a large tank due to their small size. They likewise considered very peaceful and calm and usually stay at the corner of the aquarium, leaving all the aquarium or a fish tank empty. They can find a lot of space to swim in.

Why do people keep fish at home?

People can get easily attracted to them due to their beauty and because they don’t bother human-like other pet animals. You don’t have to keep an eye on them and can leave them at home without worrying about anything.

Where do rainbow fish come from?

The Rainbowfish is a colorful family of species like the word ‘Rainbow’ describes. They hail from Australia and South Asia that grows 6 inches long. They have a very peaceful personality. To show their colors, they need extra care. They considered the most attractive species of the fish because of their vibrant colors.

What fish are good for a freshwater aquarium?

As you can see, there are many large fish for freshwater aquariums commonly available in pet stores. Some of them, like angelfish, make good fish for community settings. Others, like the iridescent shark catfish, probably ought to be given a pass.

What is the best fish to put in a 55 gallon aquarium?

Freshwater Angelfish are extremely popular in the aquarium industry. They are new-world cichlids and come in a variety of colors and patterns. The angelfish is a great choice as a centerpiece fish in a 55-gallon tank but be sure not to stock small fish as they could become a snack.

How big do goldfish get?

Fancy goldfish grow to around eight inches long and require a 20-gallon tank for single fish with an additional 8-10 gallons for every fish after the first. Common and comet goldfish can top out at over a foot.

Why don't pet stores stock bala sharks?

Because people continue to buy them. If nobody bought bala sharks or tinfoil barbs, pet stores would not stock them. Unfortunately, there is an endless cycle of people who don’t know any better purchasing fish that have no business in their tanks

What is the most colorful fish in the world?

The African Leaf Fish is one of my all-time favorite fish and among the most colorful freshwater fish, you can add to your aquarium. It is the ultimate ambush predator and comes complete with its own camouflage. It lurks in the vegetation, waiting for prey to swim past, and then gulps it into its massive mouth.

Can you sell fish in an aquarium?

You don’t. Fish this ridiculously large have no place in the aquarium trade. They are one of those fish that most aquarium owners should avoid. The only reasonable place to house them as adults is in a pond or a professionally managed aquarium. Yet you can buy them as small juveniles in many pet stores. The fish store probably won’t ask if you know anything about them, and they won’t inquire about what size tank you intend to put them in. Why do they even sell them if they know they aren’t appropriate for most fish keepers? We’ll get to that soon.

Can you keep goldfish in tropical fish bowls?

They are cold-water fish, and they pollute water rapidly. That means it’s not a good idea to keep them with tropical fish.

What fish breeds are good for beginners?

While breeds such as fancy Goldfish are better left to intermediate fish keepers, beginners should start with breeds that have a long-body, including the comet, Sarasa, and shubunkin.

What is the lowest maintenance pet fish?

We’re going to take you through the lowest maintenance pet fish to keep alive and happy so you can start off your life as an aquarist on an easy note. 1. Bettas. You may also know Bettas as the “Siamese Fighting Fish”. They are commonly kept in little bowls by themselves on the shelves of pet stores. But don’t be fooled.

What Do I Need to Consider Before Purchasing My Fish?

There are plenty of things to think about before purchasing your fish. Here are just a few:

How long do betta fish live?

Average length: 5-7 cm. Average lifespan: 2-4 years. Temperament: Peaceful with the right tankmates. Minimum tank size: 5 gallons.

What is the best way to grow plants in a fish tank?

Light is also beneficial and if your tank contains real plants, light is necessary for them to grow and thrive. Consider adding gravel and decorations to your tank. Gravel is used on the bottom of the most aquariums and fish tanks and it’s not just for decoration.

Why is it important to start with a low maintenance fish?

For a beginner aquarist, starting with a low maintenance species is key to your success as a fish owner – and necessary to ensure that you don’t get frustrated and fed up when your fish keep dying and you don’t know why. While first-time aquarists may not realize it, some fish species are considerably higher maintenance than others ...

Why is it important to have a good filter in a fish tank?

A decent filtration system is key for keeping pollutants, debris, and waste out of the water. Fish can easily become sick and infected from pollutants, contracting diseases such as ich, ammonia poisoning, fin/tail rot, fungal infections, and more.