Beginner's Guide to Ornamental Fish Keeping
Ornamental fish are the ideal choice for those with refined tastes in pet keeping. They serve as elegant decorations and bring a sense of joy, tranquility, and visual delight to spaces with their beautiful and soothing colors. They offer all these benefits without creating chaos at home, requiring high costs, or demanding extensive care. However, keeping them requires sensitivity, and there are some essential tips to maintain their well-being for a long time. Here, we present the most common types of ornamental fish and important tips for beginners in their care.
Top 10 Ornamental Fish Types: There are numerous types of ornamental fish, all sharing vibrant and pleasing colors for the eyes. Here are the top 10 types:
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Goldfish: Goldfish are among the most popular ornamental fish due to their variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. With over 200 breeds worldwide, they can live in freshwater for up to 10 years. Keeping them is easy as long as overfeeding is avoided. Common breeds include Lionhead and Fantail Goldfish.
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Guppies: Also known as Rainbow Fish, guppies are highly adaptable and can survive without food for over a week. They live around two years on average and up to five years with proper care.
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Neon Tetras: Neon Tetras are small, attractive fish with bright colors like an orange rainbow stripe over a shiny silver body. They are social creatures and prefer living in groups. Feeding them once or twice daily is sufficient.
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Platy Fish: Platy Fish are friendly and can coexist with various species in the same tank. They eat various types of food. Rainbow Platy is famous for its iridescent blue color and silver scales.
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Danios: Danios are strong and versatile fish that thrive in different environments. They come in various colors and patterns, such as horizontal orange stripes over a blue body.
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Betta Fish: Betta Fish, or Siamese Fighting Fish, are famous for their vibrant colors like orange, blue, and pink. They are suitable for both beginners and experienced keepers.
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Pearl Gourami: Pearl Gourami are hardy and easy to care for, with a pearl-like pattern on their bodies. They thrive well in groups and can tolerate various conditions.
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Firemouth Cichlid: Known for their fiery colors, Firemouth Cichlids are a good option for larger tanks. They prefer living in groups, but separation during mating season is advised.
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Black Molly: Black Mollies are versatile and can live in both fresh and brackish water. They have a distinctive black color and can coexist with other species.
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Silver Angelfish: Silver Angelfish are captivating with their silver bodies and long, thin fins. They can live up to 10 years and prefer slightly acidic warm water.
Tips for Preventing Rapid Ornamental Fish Death: Ornamental fish are relatively easy to care for, but they can sometimes experience sudden death due to various factors. Follow these essential tips to ensure their longevity:
- Choose an appropriately sized tank, considering the number and size of fish. Even for small fish, the tank should not be less than 75 liters.
- Maintain the tank's pH levels between 6 and 8, catering to the preferences of most ornamental fish.
- Decorate the tank with algae, natural plants, and hiding places to make the fish comfortable.
- Adjust the tank's temperature within the range preferred by the fish, usually between 24-29 degrees Celsius.
- Feed them suitable food, primarily pellets and flakes, and follow recommended feeding schedules.
- Clean the tank weekly by cleaning and sanitizing the filter and changing the water to prevent bacterial infections.
- Consult a veterinarian to prevent diseases like fin rot, parasitic white spots, and loss of appetite.
Sources:
- 22 Small Fish for Your Freshwater Aquarium
- THE 30 BEST FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISH SPECIES
- TOP 10 BEST FRESHWATER FISH FOR YOUR AQUARIUM
- 25 Popular Types of Aquarium Fish
- FRESHWATER FISH
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