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The joys of having freshwater aquarium fish as pets are notorious by amateur and experienced hobbyists alike. With a seemingly infinite variety of species, a novice fish keeper may be confronted with some tough options. Which species of fish should I get? How many?

A good method of making your choices is to pick the species which have been proven to be appropriate beginner fish. Generally they are hardy, little in size, they aren't particular eaters, (some fish will not only eat "live" foods) they don't produce huge amounts of waste, have a harmonious temper and will tolerate other fish. (Implying they are not particularly defensive) These traits make them easy to look after.

It would be good to set up your freshwater aquarium in the appropriate environment that your fish are accustomed to. For example, if you have lots of schooling fish, ensure to leave ample space for them to gather and swim. If you have a fish that is basically shy or secretive, give him a few hiding points. Doing some research on the behavior of the fish you decide to keep will ensure that your wet pets are happy.

Now, onto the varieties...

Tetras - These are perhaps the most common starter fish available. There are numerous kinds and all are very inexpensive. As they are regarded as "schooling" fish, they do well in groups of 6 or above.

Minnows, Danios, Rasboras, and Barbs - Very hardy. They come in multiple colours and design patterns. Attractive, if not endearing schooling behavior.

Gouramis - Generally quiet, they have an interesting appearance and come in various colors. There is also a variety of this species known as "kissing" gourami. Certainly these fish can add a bit of personality to your tank.

Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails - Very colorful and have unique features. They remain small. (Usually, not above 3 inches) Very peaceful and thrive in a community atmosphere.

Loaches, Cory Cats, Plecostomus and other bottom feeders - Let's begin with loaches. These fish have a distinctive look as they have a bottom oriented nose. Good for looking after your snail population, if you happen to have a problem with it. Usually secretive and nocturnal, these would do well in pairs.

Cory Cats are named fittingly so because they have what appear to be mustache. They use these to sift the bottom for excess food. These guys are dynamic and appear to have lots of energy.

Plecostomus are a good inclusion because they mostly feed on algae and surplus food. They have tough scales and feature a suction cup mouth. They are quite interesting to watch when feeding. There are some rare 'plecos' which do cost more, but the common ones are widely available and fairly inexpensive.

One important aspect you must remember, is the size of your tank (it is usually worthwhile to have no less than 10-15 gallons) will decide the number of fish that are proper to have. A general guideline is one inch of fish for each gallon of water. Do not make the common mistake of overpopulating your starter tank. If you do, you will soon find the levels of unsafe chemicals (produced by waste) will quickly get unruly.

Keep your freshwater aquarium fish happy and healthy and they will put you in an interesting, if not calming view into their world.

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