http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=new-pet-owner#1 Hi. New to owning fish. Just aquired a 44 gallon corner tank, have never had a fish tank before. Havent set it up or gotten fish yet. Decided to research before doing so. Have decided on Freshwater Tropical fish. Have finished reading on everything except for what species to get. And thats what lead me here. Any ideas? I know I would like about 12 fish or so. And I like very bright colorful fish. Any thoughts welcome as to what fish are good together. Thanks. svest77 2009-05-25 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=new-pet-owner#2 bright colourful fish are quite easy to find! have a look on the aquarium fish search here http://www.aqua-fish.net/index.php?cur_lang=2&count=no&secured=&section=2 or some of the fish profiles here http://www.fishtankforum.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=17. I might recommend Platys or swordtails, they are livebearers, come in a range of colours and are quite hardy. You could also look at mollies or guppies. Be aware with livebearers that they will breed excessiveky and can make more waste than some species. Try congo tetras if you want some beautiful pale colours and flowing fins, I have heard rams are good dwarf chicklids to keep, or maybe you want angelfish? Have a good read up on the two sites I mentioned and make sure you get a hardy, easy fish. I would set up your tank now so it can be Cycling ready for ish, since this often takes 4weeks. well done for not rushing in head 1st and killing fish! get some gravel/plants etc set up and start the filter off, put anti-chlorine dosage in, wait 24hrs and then add 'cycle' or bactilife or another cyle bacteria introducer. then get the water tested by your local fish shop in about 2-3 weeks it might be ready, in about 4-5 weeks it should be. When water is totally ready add fish very slowly, and keep getting the water tested (you can buy your own test kit, I recommend the liquid kit, not the card strips, as it is more acurate). It might be worth taking a look around your local fish shop, talking to the people in there about what you are looking for and seeing what they recommend. Then look those species up online or in a library and find out what you think is best? You can do all this while the tank is cycling so you have the tank ready when you make your mind up. Always find out how big the adult fish will be (and double check this) and dont keep more than about 2" fish to a gallon until the tank is fully mature (around 6+months is mature, but some species require very specific conditions, so make sure you read up, and feel free to ask questions!) good luck, enjoy and let us know if you want any more guidance! post a pic when its all set up if you like weirdartist 2009-05-29 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=new-pet-owner#3 Tetras Tetras are good community fishes. They are very small fishes and the wide sub varieties range from different colors making them really attractive to look at inside the tanks. Tetras come from the Characidae family characterized by a small rounded fin between the dorsal fin and tail. They are most abundant in the waters of South America and Africa. To form a school, it is ideal to have 5 and above of the same Tetra variety in a tank. It is also safe to form different schools of different varieties in a community because they are peaceful like that. It is one reason why they can be the best freshwater aquarium fish types. They thrive best in a well-planted aquarium with moderate lighting. Popular Tetra varieties: Neon, Cardinal, Diamond Head Neon, Emperor, Red Tail Mirror, Rummy-Nose Danios Like the Tetras, Danios are good community fishes. Danios are tiny, active, and somewhat playful and unruly. Danios are characterized by horizontal stripes and bright colors. They come from the Cyprinidae family and are native to the rivers of southeast Asia. There are still unidentified species in the recent years. Apart from the common horizontal stripes, they are characterized by two pairs of long barbels which look like whiskers. They are easy to care for and are omnivorous. Danios seem to enjoy a strong current in the tank which can be produced by a powerhead filter. However, they have the tendency to jump from the surface therefore a tank hood is recommended. They have been observed to distract bully tank mates from chasing after the other weaker fishes. This peace-keeping characteristic makes them one of the best freshwater aquarium fishes. Popular Danios varieties: Zebra, Gold, Pearl, Leopard Betta Probably one of the most attractive, elegant-looking small fishes are the Bettas; they have beautiful fan-like fins. These fishes are anabantoids, meaning they could breathe atmospheric air. This ability allows them to survive in low-oxygen conditions. Female Bettas are less colorful than the male ones. Male Bettas display a much vibrant and deeper color. Male Bettas splendens are called Siamese Fighting Fish - yes, they are aggressive towards other males of their own kind. It is wise not to put two male Bettas of this sub-variety in one tank. Popular Betta varieties: Siamese Fighting Fish (splendens), Borneo, Blue, Penang, Spotted, Spotfin, Crescent Guppies These are very hardy fishes and also peaceful ones that makes them one of the best fresh water aquarium fishes. They breed easily and like the Betta, the males are more vibrant in color compared to the females. Male Guppies also have a larger tail and a pointed anal fin. Breeding guppies are easy and fast. Once the baby Guppies are produced, they are already live meaning as soon as they are born, they already swim. Perhaps one of the many sub-varietied fishes, Guppies come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. There are long-tailed ones as well as tuxedo variety, and ribbon variety. Popular Guppy varieties: Albino Gold, Platinum Sunset, Golden Snakeskin, Red Delta, Cory Cat Native to the small and shallow rivers of South America, Cory Cats are bottom dwellers and are scavengers. Also known as Corydoras, they are most active during daytime. They feed by searching the bottom of the tankwith their sensory barbels and suck up food into their mouth. They prefer having a substrate where the bury their mouths and scavenge for food. They are good tank mates for many kinds of fishes as they are the ones who help balance the amount of food wastes. They survive well in different water conditions. This characteristic as a cleaner makes them suitable for beginners and also makes their variety a best fresh water aquarium fish types. Popular Cory Cat Varieties: Albino, Bronze, Skunk, Leopard, Green, Brochis, Peppered THESE ARE GREAT BEGINNER FISHES AND CAN BE KEPT IN SCHOOLS for a complete crash course, you can check http://freshwateraquariumsite.com janisE 2009-06-01 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=new-pet-owner#4 dont try neon or cardinal tetras, they simply arent hardy enough for a new tank these days. wait until the tank is 6months. I agree with corydoras, ver good idea for bottom feeders. Male bettas are fine to keep in a tank that size, but be exteemly careful, some are tolerant and happily gwet on with short finned fish, others are overly aggressive and should be kept in a slightly smaller tank alone. never keep bettas with gouramis, guppies or anything aggressive (even placid fish like mollies will nibble at a betta). good luck, post questions if you want :) weirdartist 2009-06-01 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=new-pet-owner#5 good point about the neons and cardinals, unfortunately they are not hardy enough for a new set up, what about some dwarf cichlids, the males look fantastic when mature mickey 2009-06-01