Freshwater fish that are not great for Beginners

 Here is a brief list of fish that you should not pick the first time you stock your freshwater tank:

• Discus. For the most part, too expensive for the beginner. Go for an Angelfish if you like the silhouette.
• Birchirs. These guys are interesting in that they can survive for short periods out of the water due to their lung like swim bladder. The problem with birchirs is that they will eat any other fish that they can get into their mouths. Reaching adult sizes of one to two feet, they can fit quite a lot in their mouths! They are also notorious jumpers.
• Dwarf Plecos. These fish are expensive! They are good starter fish if budget is not an issue.
• Bala Shark. This fish is not a shark at all but receives its name from its triangular dorsal fin. The bala shark is a peaceful, hardy fish but it will grow too large for the beginner's first tank (up to 10 inches when reaching adult size).
• Goldfish. Goldfish are coldwater fish; you cannot keep them with other tropical freshwater fish. They are also extremely messy (read - tons of filtration and maintenance). Beautiful and with many not that expensive, they are still a favorite of many hobbyists.
• Hatchet Fish. Requires large tanks (they can grow to close to 1 ? feet long!).
• Mollies. Mollies like brackish water. So while they do well in freshwater, they do even better in brackish water. This is okay as long as you want to keep a brackish tank.
• Pencil Fish. Interesting-looking but more sensitive to nitrate levels than other fist. Who wants to keep a "canary" like that?

Online Sources for Buying Freshwater Fish

 Here are our favorite online sources for freshwater fish:

• LiveAquaria.com, part of Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Care focusing on livestock. While most web sites online provide a huge inventory of marine fish, LiveAquaria does a great job offering a variety of freshwater fish. Their livestock guarantee (14-day shipping guarantee) is probably one of the most generous guarantees that you can find on the web right now.
• AquariumFish.net offers an extensive inventory of freshwater tropical fish. They provide a "DOA" warranty (i.e. the fish will not show up "dead on arrival."

 Most other companies offering freshwater fish online specialize in certain species (Angels, Guppies, African Cichlids, etc.). Search online and you will find that dream fish you have always wanted!

 

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