| Fish are not like most other pets-you can not play | | | | them for their marbleized silver and black stripes and |
| fetch with them like Fido or pet them behind their | | | | overall peaceful demeanor. They do however get |
| ears like Fluffy. Usually the main reason for choosing | | | | competitive over food and will scoot right up to the |
| to start an aquarium is to have something pretty to | | | | surface as fast as their fins can carry them when it |
| look at. Here is a compilation of species, | | | | is feeding time. If you have a female and male |
| characteristics, and some notes on care for the top | | | | Angelfish, during breeding season they will pair off |
| five most attractive varieties of freshwater aquarium | | | | and claim space as their own. As a result they will go |
| fish. | | | | after any other fish that they feel threatens their |
| One: Betta Splenden (Betta Splenden), or Siamese | | | | territory. Other than that, they actually tend to be |
| Fighting Fish. You may have seen these beauties | | | | peaceful fish. Another plus to keeping them is that |
| around. Members of the Labyrinth family, meaning the | | | | they are not picky about what they eat and only |
| structure of their organs (labyrinth-like) make it | | | | grow to be about six inches long, making them easy |
| possible for them to absorb oxygen directly from the | | | | to care for. |
| air in waters with low levels of oxygen. The males | | | | Four: Neontetra (Paracheirodon innesi). Otherwise |
| are the attractive ones, sporting long fins and bright | | | | known as Neon Fish, Neontetras are silvery fish with |
| colors. Keep one in your tank, since males will literally | | | | red tails and extra bright streaks running from head |
| fight to the death should they so much as share the | | | | to tail. Aquarium enthusiasts adore them because |
| same space. They are often kept in small fishbowls | | | | they make for a very exciting display. These are |
| or in a split tank, however due to lack of space this | | | | peaceful creatures that actually thrive if you keep |
| affects how bright their colors become. This has to | | | | them in a school of six or more and with other small |
| do with how much oxygen they receive. Remember, | | | | fish. As these guys grow up to be only one and a |
| the more surface area your tank has, the more | | | | half inches in length, do not keep them with large fish |
| oxygen will be available. And since these little guys | | | | as they can end up as fish food. Neontetras are |
| thrive on the abundance of oxygen, they will live and | | | | omnivores, so feed them flakes and give them live |
| grow better in more space. Due to their small size | | | | food like shrimp for a treat. |
| (three to four inches), Betta Splenden are easy to | | | | Five: Rainbow fish. There are actually several varieties |
| care for. Just feed them flakes or live food, and do | | | | of Rainbow Fish, such as Red and Dwarf. They all |
| not try to introduce them to other Betta. | | | | require the same care, and are actually great fish to |
| Two: Guorami. These are also members of the | | | | keep in an aquarium due to their hardiness and easy |
| Labyrinth family and several species exist, such as | | | | care. These guys should also be kept in a school of |
| Dwarf and Kissing Guorami. All Guorami tend to live | | | | at least six, and not placed in with large fish. When |
| well in community tanks. They vary significantly in | | | | you first get a school of Rainbow fish, do not be |
| size (the largest variety averaging at two feet!), so | | | | disappointed by their dull colors. Juveniles have dull |
| do your research before buying. As a beginner | | | | colors but will surprise you with brighter shades as |
| aquarist, the best option might be to go with a | | | | they mature. They are the same size as Neontetra, |
| Talking Guorami (Trichopsis vittatus) which grow up | | | | and can be fed the same way. |
| to six inches. Guorami tend to be good fish to keep | | | | When you consider buying a fish, do the appropriate |
| because they play nicely with others and will eat | | | | research to ensure you can provide the perfect care |
| anything from dry to live food. | | | | and living conditions. If you keep your guppies happy |
| Three: Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare). People like | | | | and healthy you will have a dazzling aquatic display. |