The most hardy aquarium fish

Before buying an aquarium it is good to take some details into account:

• The fish species we want: it is very important that they are compatible with each other so as not to influence the dynamics of life in the aquarium;
• The size and layout of the aquarium – it is desirable that the space that the fish will have to inhabit allows them to be mobile and to imitate their natural habitat as much as possible both in terms of water, flora and light;
• The food they will receive: the type of food and feeding frequency of the fish can be different for each individual species;
• Positioning of the aquarium – it is best that it is placed in a place suitable for its size, near a water source and not exposed to direct sunlight.

If we want to gain confidence and experience in breeding aquarium fish, it is advisable to opt for species that are more resistant and less sensitive from a health point of view than others. These are often less demanding and easier to maintain.

1. Guppies

It is a very popular fish species for the aquarium, being very peaceful and easy to keep. They are available in various shapes and colors, the most common in our country are red, blue and green. Since they are friendly and sociable, they love the company of their peers and therefore it is not advisable to keep them alone in the aquarium.

It is recommended to decorate the aquarium with plants to give the fish privacy and make them feel safe and it is recommended to have gravel at the bottom of the aquarium. They like the water to have a temperature between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius and a pH between 6.8 and 7.6.

They can be fed once a day and the food should be consumed within minutes without any waste. They like to eat worms, earthworms, mosquito larvae but also specific food for tropical fish in the form of flakes.
Guppies breed easily and give birth to live young. Females can give birth to up to 180 young in a month and therefore it is advisable to move them to another aquarium after mating. Unlike adults who eat once a day, chicks need to be fed 4-5 times a day and the water needs to be changed 3 times a week.

2. The golden carp

It is also known as the «golden fish» being characterized, most of the time, by a red-gold color but also presenting white-pink and dark brown variations. Under optimal living conditions it can live 20 – 30 years, weighing up to one kg.

Golden carp is a big glutton, so it is good to feed it 2-3 times a day in small portions. Otherwise he will eat too much and develop digestive problems. It is omnivorous, eating flies, bread, algae, shrimp, etc.
It is suitable for keeping in an aquarium with fish of its species or with Corydoras health fish. The latter is useful for eliminating excess food from the aquarium, its help is always welcome.

The golden crucian carp needs water at a temperature of 18 – 20 degrees centigrade, to be changed 2 times a week, the fish make quite a mess.

For setting up the aquarium, rocks are suitable as a place where it can hide and preferably plants as a place where it can feed..

3. Flatfish

The body of the Platy fish is elongated with a developed dorsal fin. It can reach a length of between 5 and 7 cm and has different color variations. In general, the back is dark green, the sides are blue, the belly is white and the fins are poorly developed and transparent.

These fish prefer water with a pH between 7 and 8 at an optimal temperature of 20 – 25º C. It is a calm fish, friendly with other species and does not require special care. However, he needs more companions with the same temperament, who do not stress him. Being relatively shy, they sometimes want to remain unnoticed, which is why it is a good idea to have plants and stones in the aquarium that allow them to remain hidden.

The reproduction of these fish is easily achieved, the gestation period lasting approximately 30 days. It is recommended to move the pregnant female to a separate aquarium and remove her after birth to avoid the risk of her eating the fry. Chicks should be fed protein-rich foods several times a day.

In addition to the fish mentioned above, there are many other species that may be of interest to those who want friendly, easy-to-keep companions. Among these species we remember: the Neon Tetra, the Zebra fish and the Sanitarel.