photo credit: actuaries.digital
By Hannah Robinson:
Fish can make great pets for those who aren’t really great at keeping pets. You don’t have to pet them, let them out to go potty, pay their vet bills, or really pay them any attention whatsoever. Aquariums can be mesmerizing and, if you like white noise when you sleep or study, provide a perfect background hum. Once you’ve bought the aquarium basics and have read Aquariums for Dummies, you’ll be ready to choose the right fish and get started.
Tropical Fish
Little word of advice… If you’ve never kept an aquarium before, DO NOT start with a Saltwater tank. Get a nice 20-30 gallon tank and fill it with a few low-aggression freshwater fish to get your fins wet. Dad joke intended.
Assorted Swordtail
The Knights of aquariums not only look badass, they are friendly and hardy.
Zebra Danio
Much like real zebras, Danios travel in packs.
Neon Tetra
These guys may be really tiny and can get stuck in your water filter but they do make a really cool light show.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Mickey Mouse Platy
Aweeee, who doesn’t love Disney? Platies come in different colors too, so they make great tank fillers.
Corydoras Catfish
Every tank needs a janitor…
Pleco
…just like every tank needs a garbage disposal.
(Embrace your Pleco as the ugly duckling of the bunch. They will keep algae off of your decorations and grow according to the size of your tank.)
Cichlids
If you grow tired of keeping the relatively small tropical type fish and want a challenge, do some reading and kick it up a notch with a Cichlid tank. They will require a larger aquarium and greater care, but they are gorgeous and rewarding to watch grow.
Electric Yellow Cichlid
Add a little sunshine to your tank! Ignore that he’s eating all of your smaller fish!
Demsoni Cichlid
Jack Dempsey
Named after an American boxer for its aggressive features.
Jack Dempsey
The resemblance is uncanny.
Oscar
Guess what you’re going to name this guy?