A home aquarium is a cozy corner of relaxation and tranquility. It is known that the contemplation of water relaxes and tune in a favorable mood, and especially the observation of beautiful swimming fish. Studying a catalog with a variety of pets, a novice aquarist can get confused in the choice, so it is advisable to listen to experts and consider unpretentious fish species for purchase.
At the initial stage, it is recommended to purchase feed, a landing net, a water conditioner and a filter. Remember - you cannot underfeed and overfeed fish. The feed is calculated based on the size of the pet: no more than 5% of the total weight. As a rule, adult fish are fed 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening, fry need to be fed much more often - 5 times a day. Do not allow food to remain in the aquarium - this will lead to high concentrations of poisons NH4, NO2, NO3.
10 fish from the list are distinguished by their unpretentiousness, peaceful nature (which allows them to be placed with other species) and modest size - such characteristics are just suitable for novice aquarists.
10. Mollienesia
Price: from 76 rubles.
Beginners should turn their attention to mollies, namely the black moth, an unpretentious, elegant fish that reaches a length of 10 cm. The fish is distinguished by its activity and relative friendliness. It is best kept in a tank dominated by females. One live food is contraindicated for mollies, they need to be given frozen, dry and live food.
There are quite different colors of fish: white, silver, yellow, but a beginner is recommended a pet of a modest color - these species are the most tenacious and less whimsical. Under favorable conditions (which includes regular water changes, intense lighting and a lot of greenery), it can live for about 8 years. Mollies love algae, so it is worth providing them with them, they also need lighting - for 1 liter. water accounts for 0.5 watts of light.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +24 .. + 28 ° С;
- aquarium size: 100 l;
- hardness: 22-28 dGH;
- acidity - pH 7.1-7.9.
9. Swordsman (Xiphophorus)
Price: from 30 rubles.
One of the most ancient aquarium fish, the swordtail, has been known since 1864. This fish, which reaches 12 cm in length, has a very interesting body structure - an elongated fin resembling a sword, hence the name. Unpretentious, active fish of various colors do not cause trouble to care for and easily get along with other representatives of the underwater world.
It is recommended to populate 1 male and 2-3 females - males tend to "sort things out", so this will not end well. Minimum requirements are imposed on the content of the swordtails - it is enough to change the water once a week. The swordtail is unpretentious in food, but it is best to alternate live and dry food. Since these fish love to jump, you need to cover the aquarium.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +24 .. + 26 ° С;
- aquarium size: 50 l;
- hardness: 8 to 25 DH;
- acidity - 7-8 pH.
8. Scalaria (Pterophyllum)
Price: from 100 rubles.
The fish, reaching 12 cm in length, is popular among aquarists for its beautiful appearance and modest requirements. The most important thing to keep in mind is the water temperature. If it falls below +22 ° C, the scalar can get sick.Experienced aquarists advise buying several fish at once - at least 10.
You should not populate the aquarium with veiled scalars - yes, they are beautiful, but they will experience stress with the neighborhood with other fish - even fry chase them. Scalarians need live food with a high protein content - for them, you can freeze a carriage, cyclops, daphnia. The pipe maker is not suitable because after thawing, it turns into porridge.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +25 .. + 27 ° С;
- aquarium size: 200 l;
- hardness: spawning period - no more than 15 dGH, the rest of the time the indicator is not fundamental;
- acidity: 5.5–7.5 pH.
7. Rasbora
Price: from 75 rubles.
The rasbora seem to be small - this is not surprising, because an adult is only 4 cm long. This is a very beautiful speckled fish, a distinctive feature of which is a forked fin. Aquarists love to keep it, because the fish is unpretentious, but it needs certain conditions.
By its nature, rassbora is a predatory fish, so it needs plankton and larvae for nutrition. She can be given both frozen food (brine shrimp, bloodworms, koretra), and buy food at a pet store. Since fish are playful, they require an equally adventurous neighborhood, for example, cardinals or zebrafish.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +23 .. + 28 ° С;
- aquarium size: 50 l;
- hardness: 2-12 GH;
- acidity: 5.0-7.0 pH.
6. Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Price: from 90 rubles.
Bright fish are easily recognizable thanks to their bizarre tails - they have spotted, veiled ones. Females are larger than males in size (up to 6 cm), but they lose in appearance. Usually females are gray in color, and on their tails there are bright shades. Guppies come in a variety of colors and breeds, which opens up a wide choice for the buyer.
Guppies are omnivorous, unpretentious, they get along with other fish, so keeping them is a pleasure! Each male needs 3-4 females, it is recommended to keep at least 5 females in their flocks. It is desirable that the tank is well planted with plants, flakes or small granules are suitable for feeding them.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +20 .. + 26 ° С;
- aquarium size: 50 l.
- hardness: up to 25 gH;
- acidity: 6.5 - 8.5 pH.
5. Danio rerio
Price: from 45 rubles.
A small schooling zebrafish (up to 7 cm) with spectacular longitudinal stripes is a regular in many aquariums. It is necessary to immediately populate a large "company" in the amount of 5-6 fish, and it is advisable to select the same peace-loving individuals for their neighborhood, for example, cardinals or rasboros. The zebrafish has the same trait as the sword-bearer - to jump up, so the tank needs to be closed.
Danio rerio is an active fish, so space is important to her. If the tank is narrow and with many tall plants, the pet will be uncomfortable. Despite being omnivorous, zebrafish are best fed with flakes - it is more convenient for them to collect food floating on the surface. There are 10 individuals of these beautiful fish, but the zebrafish and pink are the most popular.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +20 .. + 25 ° С;
- aquarium size: 50 l.
- hardness: 3-15 dGH;
- acidity: 6.5–7.5 pH.
4. Cardinal (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
Price: from 70 rubles.
Peace-loving miniature cardinals (up to 4 cm) easily get along with other types of fish. They are distinguished by their peaceful disposition, unpretentiousness. Unlike their relatives, cardinals do not even bother the fry. The best neighbors for these kids are the same peaceful individuals: zebrafish, neons or rasbora.
The cold-water cardinal likes to live in a flock, so when buying, you should immediately take the entire "family". If this is not provided to the fish, be prepared for the fact that it will lose its bright color and hide in the aquarium plants. The "company" of cardinals looks very impressive in a planted and lighted aquarium. The fish is distinguished by a bright shiny strip running along the body. The cardinal's diet should include not only dry food, but also live food. The most suitable form for them is chips and cereals.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +14 .. + 25 ° С;
- aquarium size: 40 l.
- hardness: up to 20 dGH;
- acidity: 6.5-7.8 pH.
3. Neon (Paracheirodon)
Price: from 40 rubles.
For meditative evenings and aesthetic pleasure, it is recommended to start immediately a flock of neons (6-8 individuals) - glowing fish. Together they form a magical glow - with such fish it is easy to tune in to a favorable wave! A distinctive feature of these beauties is a bright blue stripe running along the body, and parallel to it - a red one. Because of the glow that resembles neon lights, the fish got their name.
Neons belong to the peace-loving type of fish, therefore they will not be against the neighborhood (of course, with the same peaceful individuals). In fish, sexual dimorphism is expressed - females are larger than males - the latter, as a rule, do not exceed 5 cm. If you want to provide your pets with comfortable conditions, create hidden zones for them in the form of snags or grottoes. Flocks of neons look very beautiful against the background of dense vegetation. It is easy to care for neon even for a beginner - they need to be fed with live food: daphnia, tubule, or dry food.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +23 .. + 25 ° С;
- aquarium size: 40 l.
- hardness: 6-7 dGH;
- acidity: 6-8 pH.
2. Gourami (Osphronemidae)
Price: from 90 rubles.
Charming gourami reach 10 cm in length. With proper care, they can live up to 7 years. Gourami are bright, active, which is why aquarists love to populate their aquarium with them. Of the interesting features, I would like to note the pectoral fins - with their help they explore the surrounding space.
There are many types of gourami, all of them are distinguished by their original appearance and unpretentious care. Gourami consume atmospheric air, so the tank cannot be closed. In connection with this circumstance, the choice of the neighborhood must be approached very responsibly - with gourami it is impossible to inhabit "jumping" fish, for example, such as swordtail or zebrafish. Gourami consume all fish food, but it is desirable that the diet should include not only dry food, but also live food.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +25 .. + 27 ° С;
- aquarium size: 80 l;
- hardness: up to 10 dH;
- acidity: 6.0-6.8 pH.
1. Corridor (Corydoras)
Price: from 60 rubles.
The length of the corridor reaches 7 cm - it is considered the most mobile species among aquarium catfish. Corridoras is deservedly included in the list of the most popular aquarium fish. Observing them is quite exciting, especially when the fish are in a flock. The coloration includes both uniform coloration and spots all over the body. You can also find an albino corridor that looks spectacular in an aquarium.
Experts count about 150 types of corridor: golden, speckled, panda, leopard, etc. - choose any! All corridors are peaceful and calm. For the comfort of the fish, it is advisable to immediately populate a flock - 6-8 individuals. Most of the day, the fish prefers to be at the bottom of the aquarium - from this principle, food should be selected. They consume what is at the bottom, so daphnia, bloodworms, tubulers and dry food (submersible) are suitable for them.
Conditions of detention:
- water temperature: +22 .. + 26 ° С;
- aquarium size: 40 l.
- hardness: 6–17 dH.
- acidity: 5.8–7.6 pH.
Note! Aquarium dimensions are approximate. For one fish, a 20-30 liter tank may be quite suitable, in the case of a flock settling in, its size increases - up to 40-50 liters. Some fish species require more space and require an aquarium of 100 liters or more. First, decide on the number and type of fish, and only after that select an aquarium.
You may also be interested to know which fish are considered the most beautiful.
Number 2 is not gourami, but lalius