Types of Fish for Pets

Whether you are a first-time fish owner or looking to add different fish to your aquarium, it is important to know of the various types. Fish are fairly low maintenance pets but often require their own types of food and living conditions. Cleaning the aquarium and changing the filter often are important. Many tropical fish are peaceful, colorful and can be purchased at most local pet stores.

  1. Molly

    • Mollies are tropical fish that thrive in aquariums 20 gallons and larger. A teaspoon of salt should be added per 5 gallons of water to allow mollies to thrive. They grow to approximately 2 to 4 inches and come in black, orange and green. Males are narrower, while females appear more round. Their lifespan is roughly 3 to 5 years.

      Mollies have a peaceful temperament and are easy to care for, making this a good fish for first-time aquarium owners. It is recommended to keep a just a single sex, as they breed easily. Mollies are not compatible with many varieties of fish, so one should be careful before adding other species to the aquarium. They can be fed with regular flake fish food.

    Goldfish

    • The classic goldfish is perfect for those with a basic fish bowl or with an aquarium. The goldfish is one of the easiest fish to care for and have long lifespans, sometimes living more than 10 years. They typically come in an orange color with a slight gold tint, hence, their name. However, they can also come in silver, white, blue and black combinations. They react well to oxygen, thus cleaning and replacing the filter or bowl is important.

      While mutliple goldfish can be placed in a tank together, it is recommended to allow just one to three goldfish at a time when you are just starting an aquarium. Goldfish can be mixed with other types of fish. They can be fed with regular goldfish flake food, although it is important not to overfeed them. Feeding them once or twice a day with the recommended serving is appropriate.

    Neon Tetra

    • Looking for a little color to add to your aquarium? The neon tetra may be a good choice. This tropical fish is popular in aquariums as it comes in a wide variety of metallic colors. The small, skinny fish swim in quick patterns, grow to as big as an inch and have lifespans up to 8 years. Perfect for the more mature aquarium, neon tetras do better in a tank where pH levels are well established. Because of their small size, this is a perfect fish for aquarium tanks 10 gallons or smaller.

      Tetras do well in a school type atmosphere with six or more of the same breed. They are peaceful and do well with other types of fish. Neons feed on basic tropical flake fish food. They struggle in waters with high nitrate levels, therefore, it is important to clean your tank often.