While they do require a fair degree of dedication and maintenance, freshwater aquariums are a great hobby for prospective pet owners. While fish care can be quite detailed and complex, there are some helpful tips for beginners to get the most out of an aquarium while maintaining the health and longevity of your fish.

There are two basic types of freshwater aquariums: community tanks and species tanks.

Species tanks contain one type of species and are often used for a species that requires special tank conditions. This type of tank is not recommended for beginners.

The other type, community tanks, are recommended for beginners as they contain several species of fish that can coexist peacefully in one environment. Not only is it a better situation for viewing various types of fish, but the tank is generally easier to care for as all fish should require similar “typical” tank conditions.

Choosing compatible fish for your community freshwater tank is crucial to promoting the overall health and well-being of your fish. For beginners, there are many species to choose from, and a good rule of thumb is to mix three basic types of fish: topwater, midwater, and bottom. By choosing fish from each of these types, you are recreating what exists naturally.

Surface fish:

Surface fish spend most of their time in the upper levels of their tank. Some easy-care species that are good for beginners are: Guppy, Black Molly, Zebra Danio, and Siamese Fighting Fish (only one male per tank).

Midwater fish:

Midwater fish spend most of their time in the middle levels of the tank, and most of these fish do best in groups of at least 5 or 6. Some midwater fish that are good for beginners: Neon Tetra , Angelfish and Blue Gourami.

Bottom fish:

Bottom fish spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank and are generally tank cleaners. They feed on algae and can help keep the tank clean. Some good bottom fish for beginners are: Redtail Shark, Corydoras Catfish, and Plecostomus.

In addition to mixing the three basic types, there are some other useful general tips. Schools of fish, for example, should be kept in groups of at least 5 or 6, and aggressive fish should be avoided for beginners. Beginners or those looking for community tanks should avoid fish with special water condition requirements.

You need to do some research before heading to a pet store. It is important to know which species are compatible with your aquarium.