Starter fish

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fcnubian

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Jul 1, 2008
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Is there a thread or someplace on this forum that discuss the different types of fish? If not, what would be some good starter fish for a new tank?

(75gal. & using a 90gal filter system) I don't have my tank set up yet, I just want to get some ideas on different fish to add to my tank when I do have it all set up. :)

I want small fish, no large kind. But of course they don't have to be tiny either, a few inches when full grown sounds about good. :)

Thankyou in advance!
Amy
 
The choice is 100% entirely yours :D

I don't think there is such a thing necessarily as a starter fish...there are fish which you might prefer to avoid when completely new such as perhaps Discus or Tropheus but plenty of people have been successful first time out with these too, notwithstanding their 'tricky' reputation.

Personally, I'd start you on African Rift Lake Cichlids (mbuna tank) but I am heavily biased :D

Have you had a look around what is available locally ? What takes your fancy ?
 
I would also recommend a fishless cycling of your tank to prepare it to handle fish.
 
Another thought, is that all things going well you will have the fish you get for a number of years...so you should start with what you think you want to end up with for a good while.
 
Well I want a tank that'll have different kinds of fish and different colors. I want it to be a bit more colorful then the goldfish. We use to have silver dollars, gold fish, the neon looking fish. And some others that I have no clue what their names were. This was back when I was in elementary school and I'm 20 now so I don't remember all the kinds we had.

I want fish that wont get too big and out grow the tank and the number of fish that are in there. I have looked at Petco. Usually always look when we get the cat food. There are several different types of fish I'd love to get but I didn't write down what they were. They do have them listed on their website so Im going to go through and check them out since I can sit here for how ever long I want. At the store when looking through them, people are so pushy at trying to sell stuff to you. Gah. Frustrating. lol

Thanks
Amy
 
You can look at on line places like Drs. Foster and Smith and www.thatfishplace.com and look at the live aquaria section. I'm not saying buy the fish from them, but you can get an idea of what the fish require. I have White Cloud Mountain minnows and they are very easy to keep. They also come in a gold variety and a long finned variety too.
 
From what you've stated I'd say you're looking to set up a tropical community tank with peaceful smallish fish, around 2 - 4 inches each. If that sounds right here are some common starter fish for you to check out: zebra danio, neon tetra, cherry barb, cory catfish, some of rasboras and also some other types of barbs. Most of these fish like to be in groups with others of their own kind.

Some fish are considered better "starter" fish because they are able to better withstand/survive common beginner mistakes. The zebra danio and cherry barb are two such fish. The cory catfish, rasboras and barbs are also pretty hardy.

Some rasboras and barbs do get a bit larger than what it sounds like you're interested in.
 
i would start with some platies. they are virtually the perfect community fish.

then go for some hardier tetras such as lemons, red eyes, diamonds, or even black skirt tetras.

corydoras sound good for the bottom. peppered and bronze are easy to find and will look great

for a centerpiece fish, get an angelfish
 
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