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

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

It would be good to establish your freshwater aquarium in the appropriate setting that your fish are accustomed to. For example, if you have lots of schooling fish, check to leave ample space for them to group and swim. If you have a fish that is basically shy or secretive, give him a few hiding points. Doing some research on the traits 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 general starter fish available. There are numerous types 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 exist in multiple colours and design patterns. Attractive, if not endearing schooling behavior.

Gouramis - Generally quiet, they have an interesting look 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 aquarium.

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

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

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

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

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

Keep your freshwater aquarium fish happy and fit and they will provide you with an interesting, if not calming view into their world.

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