10 MOST POPULAR FISH FOR PETS

When it comes to choosing a pet fish, there are many things to consider. Do you want a brightly coloured fish that will add brightness to your tank? Or are you searching for something smaller and more low-maintenance? Do thorough research on whichever breed of fish you want before getting them, that way you can be sure to provide the best home possible. It's also very important to cycle your tank for 24 hours before placing fish into the water. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 most popular pet fish breeds in Australia.

1. Goldfish

Goldfish are popular among beginners for their fabulous bright colours. They should be kept with a few other goldfish in a tank, as they do best in groups and not alone. If you take proper care of them, goldfish make great pets because they are interactive and can live for a long time; the average lifespan of goldfish is 10 to 15 years.

2. Danios

Danio fish are always on the move, zooming around the tank and feeding with zeal. Despite their activity, the danio is a peaceful companion for other fish. The pretty zebra danio is a popular choice, adding colour and excitement to your tank. These are among the best pet fish as they are hardy in a variety of conditions and certainly not fussy when it comes to food.

3. Catfish

Catfish are bottom feeders, which is great news for the health of your tank. They poke around rocks, glass and leaves to nibble on algae and fish food that has sunk to the bottom. Best of all, catfish are peaceful, friendly and fascinating to watch as they work away. They are excellent easy care aquarium fish.

4. White Clouds

White clouds are a wonderful choice if you're searching for a way to increase your fish community. The tropical species are generally farmed in Asia and suit both tropical and cold water aquariums. White clouds are best kept in a school of six or more and they’ll co-exist happily with others. This includes Zebra Danios, Bloodfin Tetra and Shrimp. Feeding time is easy with simple flake food and you’ll love watching their bright colours move about the tank.

5. Guppie

Guppies, which are robust, active, adaptable, and adorned with bright tails, make an excellent and colourful entrance to your tropical aquarium. They suit planted community tanks with other peaceful fish and you can feed them dry, frozen, fresh or live foods. As male guppies tend to be territorial, it’s best to keep a ratio of one male to two females in a tank.

6. Molly

Like guppies, mollies come with a fun fact to share with people admiring your tank. They’re livebearers, meaning that females give birth to fully formed, swimming babies. Molly's come in a wide variety of exotic shapes and colours, along with peaceful personalities, making them perfect for community tanks.

7. Loach

Looking for a fish and a game? Then you'll have fun searching for loaches in your tank. These fish love to hide in dark corners until nighttime. Kuhli loaches resemble small eels and they’ll eat leftover food on the bottom, along with pellets, flakes and live foods. They do best when kept in schools of four or more.

8. Betta

Betta fish (otherwise known as Siamese fighting fish) come in a wide range of brilliant colours and have very extravagant tails. The males can battle each other until death in an aquarium but can be generally peaceful towards other fish. They require a little extra care, in terms of hiding places, frequent water changes and low population densities.

9. Tetra

Many species of tetra are characterised by silver backgrounds splashed with striking spots of colour. These mild-mannered pets are best kept in large schools and mix well with a variety of other species. Tetras will eat most types of food, as long as the particles aren't too big to fit in their little mouths.

10. Barb

Barbs are a family of fish with over 2,600 species. They're gorgeous to look at and active participants in community tanks of all colours. As omnivorous fish, they’ll eat dry, frozen and live food.

How To Look After Cold Water Fish

Cold water fish like goldfish, danios, catfish and white clouds are low-maintenance and some of the easiest fish to look after - and they won't break the budget!

Here’s a basic guide to what you’ll need to do:

  • Buy a spacious aquarium to suit the number of fish and place it in a safe spot away from direct sunlight.
  • Clean ornaments and gravel before adding them to the tank. Cycle your aquarium for at least a week before adding fish, so the water’s clean and good bacteria have time to form.
  • Use a water chemistry test kit weekly, to check pH, ammonia and nitrate levels. Perform a partial water change fortnightly.
  • Optional, but recommended accessories include an air pump, a gravel cleaner, a fish net and aquarium salt.
  • Ensure you don’t overfeed your fish, as they’ll produce more waste than your filter can handle. Seek advice as to what’s suitable for the species you choose. As a general rule, aim for two feeding sessions a day and give them only what they can eat within 30 seconds.

Why Tropical Fish Require More Care

With their exotic colours and shapes, tropical fish are thrilling additions to any aquarium. The only consideration is that they require a higher level of care than cold-water fish and are better suited to owners with a bit of experience.

 

Tropical fish like guppies, mollies, loaches, bettas, tetras and barbs require the same basic care as cold water fish, but you’ll also need an aquarium light and a heater. It’s important that the water temperature remains consistent, so a thermometer is recommended. Seek advice from a vet or our highly trained staff on the right temperature for the specific species you choose.

 

Now that you’ve got the rundown on 10 of the top pet fish breeds, you can choose the right ones for you and dive into the wonderful world of home aquariums! At Wallington's WRG, we offer an array of fish supplies to make it easy for you to take care of your new pets. You can visit our fish tank display or show online right now for all the tanks, accessories and food you'll need at wallingtons.com.au