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TheFishGuy presents . . .
Freshwater / Saltwater / Marine Messageboard -- There's Somethin' Fishy Goin' On Here!
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| Emperor Angelfish | Freshwater Angelfish | Protomelas Spilonotus | Clown Triggerfish |
| What Are Good Freshwater Aquarium Starter Fish? |
| © 2008-2011 Tropical Fish Forum / TheFishGuy Last Updated : April 20, 2011 |
| So, you have decided to take the leap, and are ready to begin your very first freshwater aquarium. One of the very first questions that you will want to ask yourself is what kind of fish to start out with; after all, not all fish are nitrite tolerant during the beginning stages of aging a freshwater aquarium. Obviously, being as the possibility exists that some of your first fish may die while your freshwater aquarium is undergoing its initial nitrification cycle and becoming established -- or aged -- you don't want to invest in expensive fish; although in reality, freshwater fish are becoming more expensive all the time. So, while you could easily use more exotic-looking species as the starter fish for your freshwater aquarium while the nitrification process is getting under way, I honestly don't recommend it. Having said that, I would recommend some of the cheaper types of guppies, platys, mollies or swordtails instead, and there are many to choose from. These kinds of freshwater fish aren't quite as sensitive to rising nitrite levels as some other varieties of fish; but that is not to say that they are not nitrite sensitive at all, as all fish are to varying degrees. The key is to only put three to six fish in a five foot freshwater aquarium to get things going. They will fare okay, since your fish density will be low. Let me emphasize that point again. In your enthusiasm to get things going, do not overstock your freshwater aquarium, as you will only be asking for trouble, and you may end up discouraged due to your own mistakes and enthusiasm. Another important point to remember is to not choose overly aggressive freshwater fish as your starter fish, as they may end up claiming your entire tank as their territory, and they will probably remain at the top of the pecking order, regardless of whatever other fish you may eventually add to your freshwater tank. In other words, if you choose to go with more aggressive fish as your first aquarium's starter fish, there is a good chance that if and when you decide to introduce other fish to the aquarium later, you must make certain that the new fish are equally aggressive, and can hold their own, or you may end up with fish that are either hiding all the time, not getting enough food to eat, and being challenged or physically attacked all the time. Once you have selected your fish, you simply need to give nature time to work. As I said, three to six of the aforementioned freshwater fish will be perfect for a four foot tank, and they will age your tank in a matter of about four to eight weeks. Happy Freshwater Fish-keeping,
TheFishGuy
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