Ideas For Low Maintenance Tropical Fish

[crmpicco]

Over the past month or so I have lost 2 Guppies and 1 Gourami.

I have 3 x Harlequin, 3 x Neon Tetra and 1 x High-Tailed Platy in my 70ltr tank now, that has been established and running since May.

I've done some reading and research and suggestions for low maintenance tropical fish are:

• guppies
• platies
• neon tetras
• betta
• danios
• mollies

Would these fish suit my tank and are there any others? Also, how often should I be doing water changes with these fish and the fish I have at the moment? Does "betta" include the Siamese Fighting fish?

 

[snazy]

There's no such a thing as low maintenance tropicals really. They all will appreciate(and need) a nice water change each week along with gravel vacuum and as long as the tank is cycled, the filter is adequate for the tank, the temperature is right for the species, enough oxygen in the tank provided, various food depending on type of fish kept and a few hiding places in the tank, then 95% of the fish should be healthy unless they've genetical weakness. If you are looking for species that are really hard and don't die easily, then platies is the choice but you shouldn't be keeping fish just for survival.

And yes, betta includes siamese fighting fish but they can't be housed with any of the fish on your list above for one reason or another.

 

[Lolly123]

I agree with the above post. If you have had fish die you need to work out the reason behind it, is it due to your water parameters, cycling issues, diseases, water quality, or you could have just been unlucky.

If you know what's going on in your tank, what your levels are, maintaining a good maintenance schedule with water changes, cleaning etc and you are choosing appropriate fish for your setup then it's not really that difficult to keep a healthy tank.

I think the tank you end up with is evidence of the the time and research you are willing to invest in it. On the other hand some people just have a string of bad luck and have things happen through no fault of their own and I'm certainly not suggesting you are at fault. I have kept tanks with varying types of fish and I've not found anything more difficult than the other, with an exception to marine.

 

[Lolly123]

Just as an additional example as you were asking about water changes. I change 40% minimum of my water every week.
This will include a good gravel vac and removing dirt trapped under ornaments etc.

Some people may say that I could get away with doing less than that, but it's always worked for me and the fish and keeps the tank lovely and clean.

Hope this helps.