7 Minutes
Starting an aquarium is a richly rewarding experience. There’s something mesmerising about watching fish glide gracefully through water. A happy, healthy fish tank brings a sense of calm to any space. Keeping pet fish is an opportunity to connect with nature and create a soothing environment in your home.
The best species for beginners
Selecting the right fish is the first step towards a successful and enjoyable fishkeeping experience. You will find a good variety of beginner-friendly fish at reputable pet shops and aquarium specialists.
Popular beginner fish include:
- Goldfish: Goldfish are a classic choice and have been kept as pets for hundreds of years. They prefer cooler water and are best kept in single species tanks, without other kinds of fish. They can grow quite large.
- Guppies: These small, colourful fish are lively and adaptable. Guppies are hardy and easy for beginners to keep.
- Platies: Platies are active, social, and come in a range of vibrant colours. They are robust and easy to care for, thriving in a variety of conditions.
- Corydoras Catfish: These gentle bottom-dwellers help keep the tank clean by scavenging for leftover food. They are happiest in small groups.
- Mollies: Mollies are hardy, adaptable, and available in a wide range of colours. They are peaceful and do well in community tanks, making them a favourite for beginners.
- Swordtails: Swordtails are attractive, easy to care for, and known for their distinctive tail shape. They are lively, peaceful and ideal for people who are new to fishkeeping.
When selecting your fish, consider their adult size, temperament, and compatibility with other species. Research each species’ needs before making a decision.
Setting up and maintaining your aquarium
A well-prepared aquarium is important for the health and happiness of your fish. Setting up your tank correctly from the start will save you time and trouble in the long run and help your fish thrive. Do your research and check the reviews of the stores where you purchase your fish to make sure you choose an ethical and knowledgeable establishment.
Essentials for a healthy aquarium:
- Aquarium: Choose a tank size that fits your space and the number of fish you want to keep. Fishbowls are unacceptable, even for species that are commonly sold in them like male beta fish.
- Lid or hood: This prevents fish from jumping out, reduces water evaporation, and keeps dust out of the tank. A lid also prevents other pets (like cats) from helping themselves to a fish or two when they feel peckish.
- Filter: A good filter is vital for maintaining water quality by removing waste and toxins.
- Heater and thermometer: Fish require stable temperatures. A reliable heater and thermometer are important for maintaining the correct range, especially during the cooler winter months.
- Lighting: Proper lighting is important for fish and live plants. LED lights are energy-efficient and provide the right spectrum for plant growth.
- Substrate: Gravel or sand provides a base for plants and beneficial bacteria. Be sure to rinse the substrate thoroughly before adding it to your tank.
- Decorations and plants: These offer hiding spots and reduce stress for your fish. Live plants improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients and producing oxygen.
- Water conditioner and test kits: Use a water conditioner to remove harmful chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Regularly test your water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels to ensure a safe environment for your fish.
Before introducing fish, set up your tank and run the equipment for at least a week. This process, known as cycling, allows beneficial bacteria to establish and helps prevent harmful spikes in ammonia and nitrite.
What to do when you bring your first fish home
Once you have set up and cycled the fishtank, it’s time for fish. A little patience at this stage will help your new companions settle in. Keep the aquarium lights dim and gently float the sealed bag containing your fish in the tank for around 20 minutes. This allows the water temperature in the bag to gradually match that of your aquarium, preventing shock.
After 20 minutes have passed, open the bag and slowly add small amounts of aquarium water to it for about 20–30 minutes. Gradual acclimatisation helps your fish adjust to the new water.
Use a soft net to gently transfer your fish from the bag into the tank, avoiding the introduction of shop water, which might contain waste or pathogens. It’s best to keep disturbances to a minimum for a few hours, as your new fish may be shy or hide at first. This is completely normal. For the first day or two, keep a close eye on your new fish to watch for any signs of stress or illness, like rapid breathing or unusual swimming. Hold off on feeding for the first few hours to give the fish a chance to settle. Your fish will soon begin to explore their new home.
Building a peaceful community tank
Community tanks enable you to enjoy the interactions of different species. The key to a harmonious community tank is selecting fish with similar water requirements and gentle temperaments. Group schooling fish in numbers of six or more to reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour. Combine top, mid, and bottom dwellers to use all areas of the tank, and avoid aggressive or territorial species unless you have experience and a large enough aquarium.
Saltwater tanks
Saltwater aquariums are spectacular, with their vibrant fish and corals, but they demand more expertise, equipment, and ongoing care than freshwater setups. Maintaining stable salinity, pH, and nutrient levels is challenging, and the costs for equipment and fish are higher. For these reasons, saltwater tanks are best attempted after gaining confidence and experience with freshwater fish.
Natural Supplement
Just like us, fish need vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to lead long and healthy lives. Minerals play a key role in maintaining healthy scales, bones and teeth and even achieve a more vibrant natural colouring! A lack of minerals can cause deformities and stunted growth in young, developing fish. Sufficient vitamins are needed for top breeding conditions, normal growth and digestion, and increased immunity against potential diseases which fish often fall prey to when under stress.
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Anima-Strath is packed with 61 essential nutrients, all in a completely natural form, that are ideal for supplementing your fish’s diet. Anima-Strath® assists with:
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| Directions: Simply crumble the Anima-Srath granules between your fingers and sprinkle onto the water. Alternatively, mix the Anima-Strath elixir with fish food, place in the freezer overnight and feed to fish the next day. | |
Ongoing care and maintenance
Regular maintenance is important for a healthy aquarium. Test your water regularly and do 10-20% water changes when necessary (every 2-4 weeks). Feed your fish a species-appropriate diet. Clean the tank as needed, remove algae and rinse the filter media regularly.
Fishkeeping is a rewarding hobby that brings the wonders of nature into your home. Start with hardy species, invest in the right equipment, and learn the basics of aquarium care, and you will create a thriving aquatic world. Just as with all animals and plants, caring for fish is a daily and long-term commitment, one that offers new lessons at every stage. There is always more to discover, and ongoing learning is part of the joy. With patience, curiosity, and care, you’ll find fishkeeping to be an enriching experience. Happy fishkeeping!
This article first appeared on Anima-Strath and can be found here.
References and additional reading:
- The 15 best fish for beginners (no date) Petworld. Available at: https://petworld.co.za/blogs/care/the-15-best-fish-for-beginners
- Best beginner fish by tank size (no date) Aqueon. Available at: https://www.aqueon.com/articles/best-beginner-fish-by-tank-size
- Elder, N. (no date) Freshwater vs. Saltwater Aquarium: Which is best?, PetMojo. Available at: https://www.petmojo.com/freshwater-or-saltwater-aquarium/
- New Fish Checklist: How to set up a fish tank for beginners (no date) Aquarium Co-Op. Available at: https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/how-to-set-up-a-fish-tank
- Sanders, J. (2024) 25 small fish species for your freshwater aquarium, The Spruce Pets. Available at: https://www.thesprucepets.com/small-aquarium-fish-breeds-for-freshwater-5120495
- The ultimate guide to setting up your First Aquarium (2025) Jungle Aquatics Pet Store. Available at: https://jungleaquatics.com/blogs/news/the-ultimate-guide-to-setting-up-your-first-aquarium-tips-for-beginners
