Tropical Fish For Beginners

[-Jo-]

I have read up on so many fish for beginners - but it would be nice to hear what you guys had as your beginners fish, and what you would recommend.

I have a 60 Litre tank, and at the moment I know that I would love to have a specie of catfish (a small one obviously for my sized tank) - but im unsure what fish can be kept with them. I have heard that Zebra Danios are one of the best fish for beginners, but i have also heard that they should not be kept with slow fish - so would they not get on with cat fish?

There are just so many amazing fish to choose from! Im lost in my chosing!! ha!

x

 

[dh058977]

You cannot have danios in a tank that small. They need a large tank to zip up and down, something like 4ft is good for them.

 

[fluttermoth]

Most tetras and barbs make good beginner's fish; except neon tetras, which can be delicate in new tanks, and tiger barbs, which can be nippy. Do check on the fish's adult size before you buy though, as some can get too large for a tank your size.

Also worth thinking about are dwarf cichlids (like apistogrammas and Bolivian rams, but avoid the blue ram, as they're quite finicky about their water) and livebearers, but make sure you get only males, as they will breed like rabbits if you have both sexes.

When you say 'catfish', what exactly do you mean? There are literally thousands of fish called 'catfish', and you'd need to be a bit more specific before we can advise you.

In all honesty, there are so many to choose from, it's better if you tell us what you like the look of, and we'll tell you whether they're suitable or not!

It would also help if we know the (approximate) hardness of your water, as it's much easier to choose fish that suit your local supply than try and change it.

 

[Wills]

Hi dont try to think in terms of begginer fish as they do not really count as a catagory so long as the tank is cycled and you keep up regular water changes then most fish will thrive in your tank.

Also catfish is a very broad term for a fish were you thinking of anything in particular.

Whne it comes to stocking a tank like yours, Dwarf, Micro and Pygmy are all good words to look up for fish species like Dwarf Cichlids which is actually a grouping rather than single species but other good candidates are things like Micro Rasbora and Pygmy Gourami.

Wills

 

[Sammyb]

Danios will be allot happier in a bigger tank to be honest, have a look into platies

 

[CezzaXV]

I'd personally recommend cories as a bottom dweller. There are so many different varieties and they're a good "catfish" for a beginner.

 

[Steve H.]

Did you ever look into cories as a type of catfish to keep?
Currently I am planning on about 8 julii cories as a bottom shoal, 6-8 bolivian rams for my mid's, and 15-18 cardinal tetra's for my upper school.

I don't think cories would be bothered by the danios.

My first fish have been Tiger Barbs. They're a great little fish...very active, but was not a good choice for my first fish ever. I have 6 and they are happy, but due to my tank size and their aggression I can only keep them alone, and not introduce any different species as tank mates.

I know what you're going through. It's tough choices...so many great fish out there!

 

[Cossie1111]

i also have a 60L, atm i have harlequins and bronze corys.