Hardy Freshwater Fish for Beginners

Keeping fish is a relaxing hobby even for the absolute beginner. With the sheer magnitude of fish choices available online and at the store, the beginners may have a hard time making choices. How big of a tank should I get? How many fish should I get? Which fish should I get?

If you are a beginner in fish hobby, one fish attributes that should to consider when evaluating fish as the good candidate to start out, is how hardy fish that you choose. The "hardy fish" means how some freshwater fish adapt better than other fish to variances in their environment. Here is a brief list of some other hardy fish for the beginner:

Guppy fish (Poecilia reticulate) is a species that has been domesticated for many decades by fish keepers and Guppies are a very hardy fish therefore well adapted to a life in aquariums and gives birth to live young every month. They are also quite inexpensive, have very sociable temperaments and are pretty. They are a somewhat schooling fish, and you will need to get a group of at least 4-6 guppies for them to do well. Don’t buy the most elaborate types of guppy since these are more sensitive than the more basic types.



Green Swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) are very handsome and are easy to recognize. The mail fish has a 'sword'; a long point at the very end of the tail fin. You can get Swordtails in a variety of colors, like vibrant orange and deep red. Swordtails can be slightly aggressive, and the males tend to fight each other for dominance. For this reason, you should purchase only one male and 2-3 females if you have a small aquarium. These fish breed every 28 days at 74°F. As with the Guppy, dense vegetation provides cover for developing fry. Another benefit of keeping this Green Swordtails is its tendency to consume algae.

Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) belong to the specific name are distant cousins of the Swordtails, but are not aggressive. They also come in a large variety of colors. As with most livebearers, many color varieties have been commercially bred for the home aquarium. Platy fish should always be kept in schools.



Molly can be jet black, marbled or pure white. Mollies are quite peaceful by nature and are therefore great aquarium fish for beginners. Some of the males can get aggressive towards each other. This species is another livebearer that is gentle and is basically a vegetable eater. Like the Swordtail, the Molly will consume aquarium algae, keeping it in check. This species is lively and prefers schooling in small groups of four to six members. Only keep Mollies if you keep an aquarium white a pH of above 7 and preferable some salt in the water.

The Barb fish are also favorites among beginners. Barbs get their name from the short threadlike barbels that act as sensory organs on either side of their mouths and sometimes on their lips. Their vigor and agility in the midwater of the tank are important to the vitality of your aquarium. Many barbs, however, can harm smaller fish with ornate, veil-like fins. The Rosy Barb (Puntius conchonius) is a very peaceful species that adapts well to other community fish. The Tiger Barb (Puntius tetrazona) has a bi wilder disposition if introduced singly or as a pair, but if kept in schools of 8 or more, they leave the other fish alone. This species prefers warmer water in the range of 68 to 79 ° F. They are fast swimming schooling fish that brings life to the aquarium. Barbs are very easy to feed.

The Danios is another fast swimming group of fish. They are very easy to keep, breed and feed and are therefore ideal for beginners. As the very active schooling fish, Danios should be kept in groups of at least 7 or 8. The White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a very undemanding, active fish that should be kept in a group of 8 or more. These peaceful fish prefer cooler water and should only be kept in temperatures less than 72 degrees F.

There are of course numerous other "hardy fish" that would be equally great for the same and other beginners' requirements so do not stop with this simple list often. A good fish stores will look at his customers' wants and needs, and be ready to offer some solid suggestions on how to fill them.

Diamond Tetra Moenkhausia pittieri

The Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri), also known as Brillantsalmler, Diamond Characin, Pittier's Tetra and Timanttitetra is native to South American inland waters. A somewhat larger tetra, the Diamond Tetra reaches 2.5 inches and exhibits intense coloration; They are said to sparkle like a diamond with their silvery scales and orange accents when kept in a darkly aquascaped tank.

These Tetras prefer a heavily planted tank and softer water on the acidic side. It should also have adequate swimming room in the tank. The Diamond Tetra should be kept at a water temperature between 74º and 82º Fahrenheit with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. They are ideal fish to put in a community tank and prefer to school with an odd number of at least 3 Diamond Tetras, making them an attractive addition to your nature aquarium.

To breed the Diamond Tetras, like breeding Platy fish, they should be separate a pair into a "breeding tank" with no lighting at first and then gradually increase it until spawning occurs. Water hardness should be less than 4 degrees and live food such as mosquito larvae are great inducers. Be sure to remove the adults after the eggs have been laid, as the adults will eat them. The eggs should hatch within 30 hours.

The Diamond Tetra has violet-hued scales with a fine scattering of green and gold that creates a pleasant sparkling effect. A high quality flake and freeze-dried foods supplemented with live brine shrimp fulfill its dietary needs. "Diamond Tetras" also will accept many small foods such as daphnia, freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex.

Aquarium Sand for Tropical Fish

One of the tips to avoid stress on Neon Tetra fish or other freshwater aquarium fish is the selection of aquarium sand which used as a place or medium of the water plant roots. Terms of safe aquarium sand to use is lime free, measuring about 2.5 mm, smooth enough so as not to cause dirt in and make pollutions, also not shaped taper, which can injure the Catfish tentacle when down the aquarium sand. In addition of the three conditions above, not recommended to use the light-colored aquarium sand for tropical ornamental fish that are kept because they will be easy to stress in aquarium with the light-colored sand.

Associated with the color of aquarium sand , if observed, there are many species of freshwater ornamental fish that have a dark dorsal. Including in the tetra fish species such as Neon Tetra and Cardinal Tetras. This is to camouflage the body color of the predators from above, because the bottom waters where he comes are dark too. In contrast, abdominal color of "freshwater aquarium fish" actually light-colored. This is to camouflage the bottoms predators which look toward a bright sky.

Tropical Fish Silver Dollars Metynnis argenteus

Tropical fish Silver Dollar (Metynnis hypsauchen) is native to tributaries and rivers of Amazon, South America. The round shape and silver color of its body lend the Silver Dollar a very appropriate name. Silver Dollar is also known as piranha imitator because its body shape resembles a piranha fish but it is generally herbivores, meaning that it prefers greens. Of course putting this freshwater fish species in tanks full of live aquarium plants is really a disaster. With a maximum size of 6", Silver Dollars are perfect for the larger community aquarium. This hardy characin will be a great choice for the beginner to the expert aquarist.

Silver Dollar fish originated from tropical regions and comfort to live around the shady water and not too bright. Rocks, plants, and driftwood help mirror its natural habitat and will help to reduce stress on the fish, though plastic plants may be necessary due to their herbivorous nature. They do best in soft, slightly acidic water with high filtration.

The tropical fish are a lively schooling fish and best kept in groups of three or more. Silver Dollar will breed occasionally in an aquarium setting and a hospital or "breeding tank" with clumps of floating plants to spawn between will be necessary. Slightly acidic water is best for optimal breeding habits. After the eggs are laid removing the parents will be necessary to reduce the number of lost fry.

As a herbivorous fish, Silver Dollars need plenty of vegetable matter in their daily diet. Algae wafers, flake foods or any other suitable foods should be fed multiple times daily, keeping a close watch to make sure they are getting their share from more aggressive eaters such as barbs and tetras. In order to ensure Silver Dollar stay healthy, hobbyist even goes to the extent of feeding cereals which will enhance the silver coloration on their body.

Tropical Platty Pictures

This tropical ornamental platyfish or Southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus or X. variatus or possibly a hybrid between these two species) is native to Mexico and Central America and closely related to Gambusia holbrooki (Gambusia) and swordtails.

Plattyfish is an exotic ornamental fish species kept as a tropical aquarium fish commonly sold from fish shops and aquarists. There are many platty fish types and varieties such as sunset, Hawaii, red coral, black tail, Samson, and platty forked widely spread in ornamental fish market.

Platty fish care actually very easy because plattyfish have a fairly high tolerance to various conditions or water quality. The platyfish is a non-migratory tropical freshwater fish preferring water temperatures between 18 - 25oC and a pH of 7 – 8. However, they have been shown to tolerate temperature extremes from 10 - 40oC and dissolved oxygen levels down to 3ppm. They feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter. Platyfish give birth to live young, typically become sexually mature from 4 months and can attain a maximum size of about 7cm. If the conditions are suitable platyfish can rapidly establish in large numbers.

The Platy fish prefer substrates such as mud, gravel, or silt and its also prefer to inhabit shallow slow moving streams and drainages, and stagnant waters such as ditches and pools, in particular where there is vegetation such as tree canopies and weedy banks.

The quality of plattyfish greatly affected by types. Coral red type for example, qualified if the body is rather short and red. While Samson type have a high qualified if its body elongated and stocky.

Platty fish commonly can be kept in the pool or open cement tanks with high density. However, that environment is often disturbed pests such as dragonfly larvae, small Argulus lice, and lernaea, thus platty susceptible attack by fish diseases. The dragonfly-larvae’s attack can cause skin of platty injured while Argulus lice and lernaea who entered by the feed will be attached to the skin of fish. This condition could be make the platty fish quality lower. Prevent to pests attack is by soaking platty fish in salt water or the abates solution.

The platyfish is a tough species but Its self also considered as a potential pest in countries where it has been introduced. Most pests are extremely difficult if not impossible to eradicate once established. Pest fish such as platy fish compete with native fish for food and space and many are able to survive in habitats that native fish cannot.

Tropical Bumblebee Goby

Bumblebee Fish or Bumblebee Goby, synonym: Brachygobius xanthozona is a brackish water ornamental fish derived from the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. The Bumblebee Goby is a small, relatively peaceful fish that does not tolerate intrusion into its territory. It features a long thin body that is black with yellow stripes.

The ideal set-up is an aquarium with brackish water and plenty of plants and rocks providing the Gobies with ample hiding places. Although they do well in a community setting, they will thrive the best in the company of only their own species.

Even though they live in the brackish water, the addition of freshwater will induce spawning. The female will lay the eggs in the substrate beneath a root or rock where the male will fertilize them. After fertilization, the male will guard the eggs for approximately four days until the fry become waterborne.

The Bumblebee Goby requires a diet rich in small, live foods such as tubifex worms, bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. 'Bumblebee Gobies' generally will not accept flakes and live food is recommended, however frozen meaty food and freeze dried food may sometimes be taken. Start feeding them with live bloodworms, blackworms, bbs, etc and then gradually introduce frozen versions of such food. If the frozen worms or shrimp are seen to move in the current they will be taken. Then you can make such food the staple, but feed them with live specimens at least once a week. Add plants, rocks, driftwood, etc. so territories could be staked.

Bumblebee Goby as seen in pictures is a very exotic, colorful and attractive fish that stays very small. Although these Gobies have been found as brackish fish but they can also be kept in freshwater, this exotic fish does better in a brackish water set-up. Addition of marine salt to the water to simulate low end brackish water conditions is recommended.

The Bumblebee Goby prefers a moderately low current especially in the bottom area of the tank where this fish resides. Live blackworms and live brine shrimp are both relished.

Tropical Cardinal Tetra

Cardinal Tetra Fish (Paracheirodon axelrodi) body size only 4.5 cm. But no doubt the Cardinal Tetra is the kind that most coveted of ornamental fish for aquarium hobbyists with an amazing color combinations. In the wild, these fish alive until thousands tail clustered in one group. Therefore, if maintained in the aquarium should be flocking to the minimum number of 12. They will stress if kept only a pair only. Cardinal Tetra Fish do not like strong light, they prefer the shade. Although Cardinal Tetra can tolerate a pH between 5.0 to 7.0 but they will spend the most optimal colors at pH 5.8.

Neon colors displayed by the fish is actually a result of light reflection of Iridescent Particles. This tropical fish uses reflected light obtained to reflect red and blue. At night, the Cardinal Tetra will pale, because the particles are not active. Not so clear what purpose the Cardinal Tetra fish colored neon flashy, but it is suspected that the neon colors that stand out are useful for the fish can follow the movements of his group in solid-colored waters (Blackwater)

The condition of the water where these fish live does not contain minerals, because most of the water comes from rain water, therefore water conditions in the aquarium if you want to keep this fish should be the same as in landscape. In its natural, neon or cardinal tetra fish is a prey for larger fish, such as fish, angelfish and other types of racing, but so far have never encountered obstacles and maintain the kind of angelfish and neon tetra cardinal in an aquarium.

If you want to maintain the cardinal tetra fish, aquarium should be prepared for a long time, in other words aquarium conditions is stable and water conditions are quite 'old', and the water has low pH levels. Water conditions greatly affect the survival of these tropical fish. Neon tetra otherwise more easily adapt to the conditions of the all-new aquarium. An easy way to get water conditions ideal for the cardinal fish (and other tetra species) is by mixing extracts of 'Blackwater' into the aquarium water. Products such as aquavital and tetra blackwater it's so good to get a blackwater conditions.

The recommended aquarium setup is to use substrate (sand) with a dark color, so the bright colors of Cardinal Tetra will appear in full. Water plants should be pretty much used to lure fish guts are swimming in open waters.

Puntius Denisonii

Puntius Denisonii fish comes from the rushing river in India. This fish is already known since long time (1865), but was become popular among aquarium hobbyists since 2004. Previously, this fish is known as Labeo denisonii Barbus denisonii, or Crossocheilus denisonii.

Puntius denisonii is a beautifully colored fish with a red line from the mouth, through the eyes down to the middle of his body. Body shape like a torpedo with a length of 15 cm. Puntius denisonii are active swimmers and fast, and live in groups. Puntius fish will live a healthy life in a temperature of 15-25 ° C and pH with a lot of water plants.

Beautiful Maanvis Pictures | Angel Fish

These following pictures below are the photo gallery of Maanvis fish (Pterophyllum scalare), which includes ornamental fish cichlid species with distinctive appearance, which is graceful, gentle, and beautiful.

If Discus fish got nickname as 'King of Freshwater Aquarium' then the Maanvis fish nickname was 'Queen of Freshwater Aquarium' or also said as 'Angelfish'.

From the results of interbreed made by hobbies or breeder, maanvis produced a variety of colors, like black and white (BW), black, tricolor, yellow, and albino. Currently, the famous maanvis fish species are yellow plain white with red eyes light up. Prices of this type are relatively expensive than other maanvis types.

Maanvis including the ornamental fish types which are easily to breeding because quite often lay eggs. Maanvis also quite tolerant with a variety of water conditions. So it is quite easy in care. But, to get best quality of maanvis fish, its required special attention because of the long tie of maanvis fish was frangible. Besides the fish skin is easily scratched, and the long fins on the maanvis fish is perishable, easily rotten or torn.

The damaged fins of maanvis can usually be repaired with a good care when the fish are immature, but when it occurs in adult maanvis fish, the such damages could not recover.

Exotic Tropical Fish

Tiger Barb The Exoticism from Asian Rivers

Originally from the rivers of Sumatra, Tiger Barb fish or Barbus Tetrazona have a very agile movements and nimble. This tropical fish species is very nice when displayed in large quantities.
You'll find a unique nature of this ornamental fish when you feeding tiger barb. That is his habit who grabbed the feed so fast and sometimes even food have not had time to absorb water.

Giving the aquarium plant will increase the attractiveness of Tiger Barb and based on color, Barbus Sumatra grouped into 3 types, namely:

1) Barbus Sumatra, brownish yellow with black lines.
2) Green Tiger Barb with a light green color to a dark green.
3) Barbus Albino with white color.

Among these 3 species, Green Tiger Barb is the most expensive price.

Arowana The Fish of God

Color and shape of this tropical fish pictures which is the strong attraction and make arowana become a one of a famous freshwater ornamental fishes. Even for some people, this fish is regarded as the bearer of hockey to become another attraction for the fans.

Based on its origin, this tropical fish divided into 2 groups. First, The Arowana fish originating from Brazil and the second arowana from Indonesia (Asia). Brazilian Arowana the shape was flat sideways elongated and tapered toward the tail. The dorsal fin and pelvic fins also extends to the tail so the tail fin to appear narrow. The composition between scales less or not so obvious. However, the majority of these breed of Arowana was silvery white or black.

There are two types of Arowana native of Indonesia. First, Sclerophagus Formous which originated from Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sumatra and the second species, which originating from Irian (New Guinea). Both breeds of these freshwater fish arowana's has the same body, which is rather thick and extends, but does not taper toward the tail. Shape of his head straight with a wide mouth facing upwards. Big eyes and mutter in his lower lip. Dorsal and pelvic fins toward the tail is relatively small. Pectoral fin nearly triangular shape with a size not too big and a rounded tail fin. The size of the large scales with formation of a visible making this tropical fish looks very interesting.

In world markets, compared to The Silver Sclerophagus Jardini from Papua - Sclerophagus formous from Kalimantan and Sumatra have a more high price and known by the nickname as "The Star of Indonesian Ornamental Fish".

The color of this tropical fish is really diverse. But the most expensive and popular is the red. According to belief, arowana fish - especially the red also known as "The Fish of God" that brings a good luck. Not surprisingly, the price of this fish can reach thousands of dollars per tail.