Which Fish For Beginner?

[Harryporker]

I have an 80lt tank which has been maturing nicely over the past week. Now considering adding the fish.
I have done a search but still a bit confused and want to get this right.
I wanted a siamese fighting fish but having read a lot of the valuable information on this site I have decided against getting one, unless at a later stage I get a second tank.
It's not important to me to put the maximum amount of fish in the tank, it's more important to put compatible fish in.
So I would really appreciate some suggestions.

 

[Corleone]

Well, first thing's first. Leaving it to "Mature" for a week, sounds like you didn't add anything, as per usual pet store advice?

Please review this thread, as what I'm assuming you're doing actually does nothing to mature the tank, the process requires an ammonia source, and usually requires a good bit more than a week. Fish if they're present, but preferably a non-fish alternative ammonia source to save yourself the work of daily (or more) water changes and your fish from New Tank Syndrome (a mix of ammonia/nitrite poisoning, ich, and secondary infections that often occurs in cycling tanks).

If you go through a fishless cycle, just about any common fish is suitable for a beginner, as you don't need to follow the "hardy fish first" rule entirely. Very sensitive fish like discus, or fish with special care requirements like most puffers wouldn't be a good idea, but there's really no end to your good options.

 

[Harryporker]

Well, first thing's first. Leaving it to "Mature" for a week, sounds like you didn't add anything, as per usual pet store advice?

Please review this thread, as what I'm assuming you're doing actually does nothing to mature the tank, the process requires an ammonia source, and usually requires a good bit more than a week. Fish if they're present, but preferably a non-fish alternative ammonia source to save yourself the work of daily (or more) water changes and your fish from New Tank Syndrome (a mix of ammonia/nitrite poisoning, ich, and secondary infections that often occurs in cycling tanks).

If you go through a fishless cycle, just about any common fish is suitable for a beginner, as you don't need to follow the "hardy fish first" rule entirely. Very sensitive fish like discus, or fish with special care requirements like most puffers wouldn't be a good idea, but there's really no end to your good options.

Sorry, 'maturing' was probably not a good choice of word.
I have been adding & testing over the past week. The aquatic centre I went to didn't actually help me much, I asked questions & they gave me what I call very general answers.
I have spent weeks reading info on the internet & bought books, some of which I have to say is very conflicting. But we all have to start somewhere.
So, as a beginner, I was asking what specifically is 'just about any common fish'.
Thanks.

 

[LauraFrog]

If you're fishless cycling, well as Corleone said you're not really limited to putting in only very tough fish first. After the ammonia and nitrite zero, you can start adding fish. 80 litres is not huge, but it's not tiny either. It's about the size of my largest tank. I would not recommend some of the more delicate dwarf cichlids such as rams or apistogrammas for a beginner, but if you wanted cichlids, kribensis would be suitable for a tank that size.

I'd keep away from mollies because they need salt and are picky about water quality. You'll be told often that guppies are tough - this is essentially crap. I would not put guppies in a tank that has been stocked for less than four months. They are absolutely gutless due to a ridiculous amount of inbreeding to create fancy strains. For the beginner the top fish I can recommend are platies. They are livebearers which makes them extremely easy to breed. They do not school but swim at a leisurely pace around the tank. You should keep at least two or three, they dont like being alone. You should keep two or three females for every male, or else all males or all females. There are many strains available and you can mix them up or buy all the same strain. Personally I think it's hard to beat a few different coloured platies for adding interest to a tank.

Danios are also a good choice. You should buy at least six, they do not like being kept in smaller groups. The usual one you see is the zebra danio, but there is a spotted form (leopard danio). Both the zebra and leopard come in longfin forms, there are also albinos, metallics, gold forms and many other artificially created strains. A mixed school is also an option.

Harlequin rasboras are suitable for a fairly new tank, again a schooling fish that should be kept in a group of four or more. The fish most often sold as a harlequin is rasbora heteromorpha but you may also see rasbora hengeli sold under the same name. The true harlequin, heteromorpha has a thicker body and denser black markings. Rasbora hengeli is an attractive fish in its own right, thinner bodied with brighter orange colours.

I do not recommend purchasing tetras until your tank is a few months old. They are pretty and easy to care for but do not like new tanks. Don't buy congo tetras; they are often sold as small, colourful juveniles but grow more than 10cm long and need more swimming room than they will find in an 80 litre tank.

If you want catfish, corydoras will be ideal. Most of the common corys are pretty tough and provided the tank is a month or two old and has been stocked with a one or two other species will settle in well. The more expensive species (such as C. julii) are more expensive because they are harder to keep and harder to breed. If you're a beginner I'd keep away from them. Otocinclus are also suitable as long as you don't put anything large or aggressive in the tank. I'd keep away from other plecs because most of them grow too large. Even the humble bristlenose can reach 15 cm and start eating very small tankmates.

If you do want siamese fighters the tank is suitable for a few females. Keep one, or else four or more. This will reduce aggression.

I don't recommend rainbows, they are not beginner's fish. They grow large, need swimming room and will not tolerate nitrates in their water above about 15 ppm.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

80L being roughly 20G...

One of the first suggestions I would make is...take a tour of your Local Fish Shops (LFS), and browse to see what choices are going to be most commonly available to you, and ask if they are able to special order for you (in case you get your heart set on something that isn't commonly carried). There are lots of beautiful fish species, but unfortunately it's not always easy to find them!

Next, consider what you want from your tank (bright, colorful, lively? Peaceful? Natural?). Also, consider if you preferences such as variety or simplicity.

An 80L will limit your choices somewhat, but if you check this thread you'll see quite a few interesting choices that are perfect for a smaller tank: Recommendations for a 10 gallon Obviously your tank is twice that (which means there are more species available), but it also means you could get more types (or larger schools) from that list!

*edit* Wanted to note...not everything on that list is commonly available or suitable for beginners, but I like it because it does really highlight some interesting possibilities.

 

[K-Holed]

Just out of interest, what are the dimentions of you 80l tank? 60x30x45? 90x30x30? Is your tank particularly tall and narrow or long and shallow?

 

[Harryporker]

Thank you everyone for your very useful information. I know I have a lot to learn. But I think I will enjoy every step.

 

[mark.w.jones]

I agree with all of the suggestions above and would add that although some tetra species are known to be quite flaky in new tanks, glowlights and cardinals are actually relatively hardy in my experience. Be careful when picking fish from the "Ideal fish for a 10 gallon" article as they are not all hardy species. Hatchet fish for example are very sensitive to water conditions and are not a great beginner species to try. Bear in mind that if you go for liverbearers they are often prolific breeders and may quickly overwhelm a small tank like yours with fry if you are not ruthless about culling them. YOu can go for all male or all female livebearers but it is not always easy to sex them.