1. Guppies
The hardiness and unpretentious behaviour of these fish can be legendary. Guppies were one of the first living creatures to be released into space by USSR scientists, and they have managed not only to survive but also to reproduce.
These tropical fish are native to South America, with Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela as their homeland. They reach a length of 5 cm and live on average 2-3 years. When buying guppies, you should choose fish that are visually different from each other. Otherwise (when colour, size and other external characteristics are practically identical), you may end up owning a breeding fish that requires much more care.
Guppies are unpretentious in their choice of food – you can choose artificial, live, frozen or dry food, but it must be given in very small portions. Like other tropical fish, they like warm water. The ideal temperature is 22-23 degrees, but they are well adapted to a wider range of temperatures between 19 and 29 degrees. They are inexpensive, adapt quickly to new conditions, and move to a new aquarium quickly and painlessly. 20 litres of water is sufficient for 4-5 fish.
Optimal housing conditions:
Water temperature: 22-23 C.
Feeding: 2-3 times a day (very small doses).
Aquarium volume: 20 l.
2. The Rooster
These fish are distinguished by their strikingly bright tail, which can take on an even richer colour during the spawning season when the adults are competing with each other. The roosterfish is 5-10 cm long and has an average life span of about 3 years.
Their activity and pronounced fighting character are their distinguishing features. Roosters in particular are happy to play with people and even allow themselves to be touched, but it is not recommended to do so in order to avoid rubbing the protective layer off the surface of their body. They love to explore and hunt snails, and are also able to fight their own reflection on the aquarium wall. The males can even live in quite dirty water, as they can breathe atmospheric air as well as gills.
Males are more aggressive than females. If the latter usually live with fish that like peace (e.g. the same guppies), it is best to keep the males only with their own species.
The following requirements should be taken into account when choosing an aquarium:
3-4 litres of water per adult fish is sufficient to calculate the volume of the desired aquarium based on the number of fish;
One male fish needs several females – if there are many “boys” in the aquarium, they will often conflict with each other;
As cockerels can jump out, the top of the aquarium must be closed (a special net or a cover with holes will help).
These fish are omnivorous and are happy with live, dry or frozen food. This should be as much as they can eat in 15 minutes.
Optimum conditions:
Water temperature: 18-25o C.
Feeding: 1-2 times a day.
Aquarium volume: approximately 20 litres.
3. Neon/blue tetra
Neon tetras are unpretentious, beautiful fish whose lives depend directly on
water temperature:
18 degrees – 4 years;
22 degrees – 3 years;
27 degrees – 1,5 years.
The best companions for neon tetras are the small armored shamrocks, which keep the aquarium soil clean. Neon Tetras are unpretentious about food – dry and live food (especially worms, brine shrimps, cyclops, daphnia), as well as food substitutes are suitable for these fish. Food should be given in portions. If it sinks to the bottom, these fish will not touch it. Four fish will be quite comfortable in a 10 litre aquarium – this information can be used as an estimate.
Optimum conditions:
Water temperature: 18-22o C.
Feeding: 2-3 times a day.
Aquarium volume: from 10 l.
4. Armored and small-bodied armored shams
These are unpretentious, lively, pleasant fish, ideal for beginners. The length of the catfish is 3-10 cm and the lifespan is 15 years. The ease of care is due to the fact that this species of catfish has both gills and an intestinal respiratory system. They are rightly considered as the cleaners of the aquarium, as this is mostly what they do when they clean the aquarium’s soil. Shams are very sociable, being comfortable in groups of 5-8 fish, and the aquarium should have a volume of between 50 and 70 litres.
Small-bodied catfish are comfortable in water temperatures of 20-26 degrees. It is not recommended to keep aggressive fish together with catfish. Dry, live or frozen food is suitable, especially artemia, mosquito larvae, etc.
Optimum conditions:
Water temperature: 20-26 C.
Feeding: 2 times a day.
Aquarium volume: 50-70 l.
5. Speckled danish
These fish are distinguished by beautiful blue stripes along their body, which makes them even more interesting to observe in the aquarium as zebra danios are quite mobile. The adult fish is up to 5 cm long and is very comfortable in a school of no more than 10 of its kind. The volume of the aquarium can be chosen based on the fact that each fish needs 2 litres of water. It is preferable to have a long aquarium, as zebra danios like to swim quickly from side to side, thus chasing each other. They will make excellent companions if they are peaceful, medium-sized members of other breeds.
Zebra danios are well adapted to a wide range of temperatures and can live in temperatures as low as 15 degrees and as high as 30 degrees, with 18-24 degrees being considered optimal. They are good absorbers of almost all dry and live feed.
Optimum conditions:
Water temperature: 18-24o C.
Feeding: 2 times a day.
Aquarium volume: from 10 l.
6. Small-capped molinesia
This omnivorous fish is 6-10 cm long and is suitable for live, frozen or artificial food, but should also be enriched with a diet rich in fibre, algae or vegetables. Molinesia can often be seen eating the fat that builds up over time on the inside walls of the aquarium, and should be fed 2 to 3 times a day. Adult fish need a fairly large space – several fish will be comfortable in a 60 litre aquarium. Depending on the water temperature, the parameters can vary considerably, but the recommended range for avoiding problems should be 23-28 C. Guppies and other peaceful fish species are ideal companions for these fish.
Optimal conditions:
Water temperature: 23-28 C.
Feeding: 2-3 times a day.
Aquarium volume: from 60 l.
7. Melanochromis maingano
These fish are peace-loving, a little shy and unusually beautiful – their eyes have a rich blue tint. Adults reach a length of 4-4.5 cm, live about 4 years in the aquarium and are comfortable in a group of 6-10 of their peers. Other small, peace-loving fish can make excellent companions.
Aquarium requirements:
There should be plants near the walls;
a variety of places to roam;
dark soil;
enough free space for swimming.
The optimum water temperature is 22-25 degrees and it is recommended to feed 1-2 times a day. They prefer live food (shrimps, daphnia) and substitutes, and do not take food from the bottom of the aquarium.
Optimal conditions:
Water temperature: 22-25o C.
Feeding: 1-2 times a day.
Aquarium volume: from 50 l.
All of the fish species described are active and beautiful and will be very interesting to observe. At the same time, they are absolutely unpretentious – they are very easy to care for and can make an ideal pet. The fish will help you to calm down and you will not feel the stress of the day while watching them.