These Are Tough Fish - Hardy Fish For Beginners

[00:00:00] Welcome to this episode of The Aquarists Edge, a podcast for home aquarists just like you.

[00:00:06] Learn more about how to keep a thriving aquarium and discover ideas and tips to give your aquarium the edge.

[00:00:12] And now over to our host, Arthur Preston.

[00:00:19] Setting up and maintaining an aquarium can feel overwhelming at first.

[00:00:24] We hear people talk about pH balance, we hear about managing ammonia spikes, keeping the water clean,

[00:00:30] managing water parameters and so forth.

[00:00:32] We hear stories about substrate choices, what plants we might use and so on.

[00:00:37] So when we get going, it's really important to find hardy fish.

[00:00:42] Fish that we can place in the aquarium and that are hardy enough to withstand our mistakes.

[00:00:47] They can tolerate fluctuations in water conditions and still look fantastic.

[00:00:52] But that doesn't mean these fish are boring.

[00:00:54] They have vibrant colors, they have unique behaviors, they have loads of personality

[00:00:58] and this makes them a fantastic choice for beginner aquarists.

[00:01:01] They are very forgiving of the occasional mistake and it makes the whole learning process so much less stressful.

[00:01:07] So let's kick it off by looking at the 10 hardiest aquarium fish for beginners.

[00:01:12] And so I'm going to start off with one that I think many of us would have had in our aquariums when we started out.

[00:01:18] And that is the Zebra Danio.

[00:01:20] These little fish are like the marathon runners of the aquarium world.

[00:01:23] They are small, they are super active, they have stunning horizontal stripes that look like they have been painted with a fine brush.

[00:01:30] Zebra Danios love to be in groups.

[00:01:32] So always aim for at least five or six of them in your tank.

[00:01:36] They thrive in water temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees, which is a bit cooler than any tropical fish.

[00:01:42] And they can handle a wide range of pH levels from about 6.5 to 8.5.

[00:01:47] A bonus is that they are hardly enough to weather the most common diseases.

[00:01:50] And that's always a relief.

[00:01:52] They are playful little explorers, they dart around the tank, they swim in loops, they even seem to erase each other.

[00:01:58] Make sure that your tank has plenty of open swimming space along with some plants or decorations to explore.

[00:02:04] And their diet is simple.

[00:02:05] They'll eat most high quality flakes, but they will really thrive if you occasionally treat them to frozen brine shrimp or live Daphnia.

[00:02:14] If you're looking for something with a splash of colour, the rosy barb is a great choice.

[00:02:20] These fish have a gorgeous pinkish-red hue and if you look closely, you'll notice a black stripe running along their side.

[00:02:27] They're a bit larger than some of the other fish on this list.

[00:02:30] They grow up to about 10 centimetres in length, so they add a bit more presence to your tank.

[00:02:34] They're active, they're sociable, they love being in groups.

[00:02:37] They also do best in slightly cooler water, around 18 to 24 degrees, and are pretty adaptable to different pH levels.

[00:02:44] You will need to keep at least five of them together and you'll be rewarded with a lively and harmonious school of fish.

[00:02:50] They will do well on a varied diet of flags and pellets, and even some fresh vegetables like blanched spinach will keep them happy.

[00:02:56] These fish are known for their curiosity, they're always investigating their surroundings, which makes them endlessly entertaining to watch.

[00:03:05] The next fish on our list is one that is very common, and no doubt you've seen plenty of these in your local fish store.

[00:03:13] These are the platys.

[00:03:15] They come in a dazzling array of colours, from bright orange and yellows, to dramatic black and blue.

[00:03:21] They stay relatively small, about five centimetres in length, but their personality is anything but small.

[00:03:27] These fish are live bearers, they give birth to live young, and they are incredibly easy-going, and they adapt well to most water conditions.

[00:03:34] They will thrive in slightly warmer water, between 22 and 28 degrees.

[00:03:39] And like a pH, this is on the alkaline side, about 6.8 to 8.5.

[00:03:44] Just be aware that if you keep males and females together, you're likely to end up with baby platys before you know it.

[00:03:49] But don't stress too much, because they're easy to care for, and their babies can be a lot of fun to watch.

[00:03:55] Also bear in mind that platys are omnivores, so it's important to mix up their diet, flakes, frozen foods, and some blanched vegetables for a healthy, vibrant fish.

[00:04:05] One of my personal favourites is next on the list, and that is the white cloud mountain minnow.

[00:04:10] These fish are the shimmering stars of cooler water tanks.

[00:04:14] They have this subtle metallic glow, with pale bodies and bright red fins.

[00:04:18] They're quite small, they only grow to about 4 centimetres in length, but they more than make up for it with their elegance.

[00:04:24] They're perfectly suited to uneated tanks, because they can thrive in temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius,

[00:04:30] and can handle pH levels from 6 to 8.

[00:04:32] It's best to keep them in groups, because they're happiest and most active when they're schooling.

[00:04:37] Diet-wise, they're easy.

[00:04:39] Good quality flakes are their staple, but obviously like most aquarium fish,

[00:04:43] they would appreciate the occasional frozen treat, like daphnia or brine shrimp.

[00:04:47] The next on the list, of course, is one of the firm favourites, and that is guppies.

[00:04:52] We had to include these.

[00:04:53] These little guys are one of the most popular freshwater fish for a reason.

[00:04:57] Their vibrant, flowing tails come in every colour imaginable, and they're hardy and they're beautiful.

[00:05:03] They thrive in warm water between 22 and 28 degrees, with a pH of about 6.5 to 8.

[00:05:08] Like platys, they're live bearers, so you might find your tank population growing unexpectedly.

[00:05:13] They're also omnivores, so a varied diet is important.

[00:05:17] They're really entertaining to watch, especially when they're showing off their colours,

[00:05:20] and interacting with one another.

[00:05:22] A fantastic addition to almost any freshwater tank is the bristlenose pleco.

[00:05:27] These are bottom-dwelling algae eaters, and they're hardworking and they're fascinating.

[00:05:32] They grow to about 10 to 15 centimetres, and they stay smaller than many other plecos,

[00:05:38] making them a great choice for even medium-sized tanks.

[00:05:41] One of their standout features is their unique appearance.

[00:05:45] The males develop bristle-like structures on their faces.

[00:05:48] It gives them a very strange, almost prehistoric look.

[00:05:51] They're nocturnal by nature, meaning you'll see them most active in the evenings or at night,

[00:05:56] busily grazing on algae or scavenging for food.

[00:05:59] They're highly adaptable.

[00:06:01] They thrive in water temperatures between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius,

[00:06:05] with a pH of about 6.5 to 7.5.

[00:06:08] They really do love a well-decorated tank with hiding spots like caves and driftwood and plants.

[00:06:13] Driftwood is important because not only do the plecos find a place to hide with it,

[00:06:18] but it provides them a source of fiber that they need to stay healthy.

[00:06:22] So, while they'll clean up the algae in your tank, don't rely on that as their sole food source.

[00:06:27] Supplement their diet with sinking algae wafers, large vegetables such as cucumber,

[00:06:32] and give them occasional protein treats like bloodworms.

[00:06:36] Corridoras are another bottom-dwelling fish.

[00:06:39] These are often called coris.

[00:06:41] They are small, they're peaceful, they are endlessly charming.

[00:06:44] They are social fish that love to hang out in groups,

[00:06:47] so be sure to keep at least six of them together.

[00:06:50] Their behavior is delightful to watch.

[00:06:52] They'll scuttle along the substrate using their barbels to search for food,

[00:06:56] like tiny vacuum cleaners.

[00:06:59] Corridoras come in a variety of species,

[00:07:01] with firm favorites such as the panda cori or the bronze cori

[00:07:04] being particularly beginner-friendly.

[00:07:06] They stay quite small, around about 5 to 7 centimeters,

[00:07:09] and prefer water temperatures between 20 and 26 degrees,

[00:07:13] with a pH of about 6.5 to 7.5.

[00:07:16] These little catfish are happiest in a soft substrate such as sand.

[00:07:21] They're also peaceful tank mates, and they get along with almost any community fish.

[00:07:26] As far as diet is concerned, sinking pellets are ideal,

[00:07:29] but they also enjoy frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, as well as algae wafers.

[00:07:34] It's great fun to watch their little group dynamics.

[00:07:36] They're always active, they're curious, and they're seemingly full of personality.

[00:07:40] The next on our list is a quintessential schooling fish,

[00:07:45] loved for its striking appearance and peaceful nature.

[00:07:48] And this is the Harlequin rasbora.

[00:07:50] These fish have its distinctive metal orange-pink body,

[00:07:53] with a bold black triangular patch near their tail.

[00:07:56] I'm sure you've seen them in your local pet shop.

[00:08:00] They're quite small, they only reach about 5 centimeters in length,

[00:08:03] but their vibrant color and graceful movement make them stand out.

[00:08:06] They thrive in warm water between 23 and 27 degrees,

[00:08:10] slightly acidic to neutral pH, about 67.5.

[00:08:14] These fish are happiest in schools of 8 or more,

[00:08:17] and you'll notice that their schooling behavior is mesmerizing,

[00:08:20] because they move in near-perfect synchrony.

[00:08:22] They also appreciate a planted tank with plenty of open-sowing areas.

[00:08:27] They're not fussy eaters, a high-quality flake or pellet food is a great base,

[00:08:31] but like most fish, as I've said, they'll eagerly accept live or frozen treats,

[00:08:35] such as brine trim, daphnia, or various worms.

[00:08:40] And then, of course, we have the old firm favorite

[00:08:43] that I think almost everybody has kept at some point in their aquarium hobby,

[00:08:47] and that is the Neon Tetra.

[00:08:49] These are like tiny fireworks in your tank.

[00:08:51] Their bright blue bodies and vibrant red stripes

[00:08:54] make them one of the most visually stunning fish for beginners.

[00:08:57] They're quite small, 3 to 4 centimeters in length,

[00:08:59] but their color and their schooling behavior makes them a showstopper.

[00:09:03] They thrive in warm water, about 22 to 27 degrees Celsius,

[00:09:07] and they prefer slightly acidic conditions with a pH of around 6 to 7.

[00:09:12] They're definitely schooling fish,

[00:09:13] so aim for a group of at least 6 to 10 to see their best behavior.

[00:09:17] They love planted tanks with dim lighting.

[00:09:20] That brings out the irides and colors.

[00:09:22] While they're peaceful and easygoing,

[00:09:24] they actually do best for similarly small and non-aggressive tank mates.

[00:09:28] Feed them a varied diet of flakes, micro pellets, occasional live food.

[00:09:33] And you'll really enjoy watching these Neon Tetras dart around the tank.

[00:09:37] They add life and movement to any aquarium.

[00:09:41] And lastly on the fish list is a fiery little fish with a warm orange-red glow

[00:09:46] that makes it look like a flickering flame.

[00:09:49] And yes, this would be the Ember Tetra.

[00:09:51] These are tiny.

[00:09:53] They only grow to about 2 centimeters.

[00:09:55] They're perfect for smaller tanks,

[00:09:57] or as part of a larger community setup.

[00:09:59] They're incredibly peaceful,

[00:10:01] and they do best in grooves of at least 8,

[00:10:03] where their schooling behavior can truly shine.

[00:10:06] They do well in warm water between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius,

[00:10:09] and prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH around 6 to 7.

[00:10:13] They love densely planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots,

[00:10:17] but they also appreciate open swimming areas.

[00:10:19] Their diet's really simple.

[00:10:21] A high-quality micro pellet or flake,

[00:10:23] supplemented with live or frozen foods.

[00:10:26] Now despite their size,

[00:10:27] Ember Tetras are full of personality.

[00:10:29] Watching a school of them glide through the water

[00:10:31] is like watching living art.

[00:10:33] But now what if we want more than fish in our aquariums?

[00:10:35] Are there other hardy animals that we could place in a beginner tank

[00:10:39] that would add value to what we're putting together?

[00:10:43] Well, absolutely.

[00:10:44] The first one would be your ordinary shrimp,

[00:10:47] your ordinary neocaridina cherry shrimp.

[00:10:49] Cherry shrimp are an amazing addition to a tank.

[00:10:52] They can bring color with their either orange, red, blue coloring.

[00:10:58] And if you go for a mono shrimp,

[00:11:00] they are very hard-working algae eaters.

[00:11:02] Shrimp will thrive in planted tanks

[00:11:03] and are fascinating to watch.

[00:11:05] As they scour every surface of food,

[00:11:07] they're constantly busy looking for something to eat.

[00:11:12] And then of course you have snails.

[00:11:15] Now there are various species of snails

[00:11:17] that you could place in your tank

[00:11:18] and they come in all shapes and sizes.

[00:11:20] But one that is really helpful is a near-right snail.

[00:11:23] Near-right snails are part of your clean inventory.

[00:11:25] They won't breed in fresh water,

[00:11:27] so they're ideal if you don't want to see

[00:11:29] an explosion of snails in your tank.

[00:11:32] They're perfect for keeping your tank spotless

[00:11:34] while adding a unique and beautiful touch

[00:11:36] with their stunning patterns on their shells.

[00:11:39] Now there are probably more hardy fish that you may think of

[00:11:42] or other animals that you might want to put into a beginner tank.

[00:11:46] I've chosen these 10 fish,

[00:11:48] the shrimp and the near-right snails,

[00:11:50] to give an idea of how to start out.

[00:11:53] These are species you could use for a child's tank,

[00:11:56] someone who's starting out in their hop.

[00:11:58] This will give them an idea of what it takes

[00:12:00] to maintain a healthy, thriving aquatic ecosystem.

[00:12:04] However, remember that a thriving aquarium

[00:12:06] isn't just about hardy fish.

[00:12:08] It's about learning and growing as an aquarist.

[00:12:10] And that is why you listen to podcasts such as this.

[00:12:14] That is why you are reading blogs

[00:12:16] such as the one on the Arts Fisherman website.

[00:12:19] Where, by the way, there are now over 100 blog articles

[00:12:22] giving all kinds of information

[00:12:24] about keeping a healthy, thriving aquarium.

[00:12:27] I want to thank you for listening to this episode today.

[00:12:30] Please go ahead and follow us on your favorite podcast app.

[00:12:33] If you happen to be listening to this on YouTube,

[00:12:35] please like and subscribe.

[00:12:37] Follow the channel.

[00:12:39] If you have any ideas for hardy fish

[00:12:41] that you would like to see added to this list,

[00:12:43] please go ahead and leave your ideas in the comments section,

[00:12:46] particularly if you're watching

[00:12:47] or listening to this on YouTube.

[00:12:49] Pop an email to admin at artsfisherman.coza

[00:12:52] with your ideas,

[00:12:52] and I'll be sure to feature these in a blog post

[00:12:55] that's coming up in the near future.

[00:12:57] Thank you for listening.

[00:12:59] Keep curious.

[00:13:00] Keep fish keeping.

[00:13:00] Until next time.

[00:13:01] Bye for now.

[00:13:03] That's it for this episode of the Aquarist Sedge.

[00:13:06] Please consider subscribing to this podcast

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[00:13:13] as this helps make it visible to others.

[00:13:15] Until next time,

[00:13:17] keep learning and discovering

[00:13:18] and keep finding your Aquarist Sedge

[00:13:20] in this captivating and fascinating hobby.