Have you ever thought of buying an aquarium? A freshwater aquarium brings peace and knowledge to the home. While it is fun to observe the fish forming a true ecosystem, monitoring chemical parameters can also give you an insight into the dynamics of different water bodies.

Managing an aquarium can be very easy or very difficult, depending on the species of fish and ecosystem you are keeping. Here are some easy-to-care-for fish species that are great for beginners.

Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

One of the most popular freshwater fish, the guppy, is excellent for beginners. Females are gray with a strikingly colored tail and are 3-6 cm long. On the other hand, Males only grow to a maximum of 3.5 cm but have one of the most beautiful tails.

It has a lifespan of two years, is a very peaceful animal, and can easily mix with other freshwater fish species that require the same environment. The tank should have a capacity of at least 40 liters.

Temperature: 20-28°C, but the ideal water temperature is 25°C.

pH: between 7.0 and 8.0.

Aquarium size: 40 liters or more for about 5 individuals. Even for a large group, 150 liters is all you need.

Zebrafish

This animal is another excellent beginner fish with a dazzling appearance in minimal conditions. It is a small fish, measuring 1.8 to 3.7 cm (less than 1 inch to 1.5 cm) in length, and is most notable for its five bluish stripes that run horizontally across its body.

The only drawback of this species is that it is a school swimmer. Therefore, unless you have a large number of specimens in your tank, you will not be able to observe all the typical behavioral patterns of zebrafish. As a general rule, try to keep at least five zebrafish in the aquarium to prevent them from becoming depressed and dying.

Temperature: The ideal water temperature is 17 to 24 degrees Celsius, but this fish can adapt to warmer waters.

pH: Between 6.0 and 8.0.

Tank size: If you have a small number of specimens, a 20-liter tank will work for a while, but this is not ideal; with a volume of 100 liters or more, it is possible to have more than 10 specimens groups.

Plecostomus

Hippostomus plecostomus (also called sacking catfish or algaeater) is an excellent bottom fish and natural cleaner, as it feeds on algae in the aquarium.

They are a very hardy species that feed sporadically on vegetable matter, detritus, and crustaceans. Contrary to popular belief, algae are not the only part of their diet, so you need to give them specific tablets. Just lower them to the bottom.

The only drawback of this fish for beginners is its size. It can easily grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length as an adult fish, so just put it in a large aquarium or pond.

Temperature: 22 to 30°C (72 to 86°F).

pH: between 6.5 and 7.5.

Aquarium Size: This fish should be kept in an aquarium of 500 liters or more. It is best suited for huge species tanks and ponds.

Tetra Neon

The neon tetra is another great fish for beginners. It has a tufted body with an average length of 1.5 cm (just over half an inch), but its striking translucent, reddish-blue phosphorescent color is distinguished. It is tiny and suitable for small aquariums.

Like the zebrafish, it is a schooling fish, and its behavior becomes more pronounced when more than one individual is kept in an aquarium. A minimum of six fish should be introduced into a single tank, but the ideal community size is 12 species or more.

Temperature: between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius, but the ideal water temperature averages 24 degrees Celsius.

pH: Between 4.0 and 7.5. It is resistant to environmental changes.

Tank size: A 30-40 gallon tank may be ideal for a small group. However, a perfect community of 15 fishes will need an 80-gallon aquarium.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!