March 12, 2025

10 Low Maintenance Fish: The Easiest Fish to Care for in Your Aquarium

15 Low-Maintenance Freshwater Fish for Beginners With Pictures

The larger the tank, the smaller the chance of mistakes having a huge impact. Use the bucket with the siphoned water to give the filter a good rinse. You’ll need the bucket for the water you’ll be siphoning out during water changes. In low levels, nitrates are not harmful for your fish, but high levels are toxic. Once ammonia and nitrite levels are no longer detectable and you can detect nitrates, it means the cycle is completed. This ammonia is highly toxic for you fish, so what you need to do is perform a fishless cycle.

Aquarium Reactors

Sand gives a more natural look and is best for species that like to dig. If you plan to grow plants, consider a nutrient-rich substrate that supports plant roots. You should change about 15 to 25% of your aquarium’s water every one to two weeks. When you change your aquarium’s water, you should clean the rest of the tank as well. The percentage of water and frequency of water changes depend on the volume of fish and plant life in your tank. A heavily stocked tank will need a larger volume of water changed more frequently, and a lightly stocked tank can be changed slightly less.

thoughts on “14 Types of Freshwater Turtles: The Best Aquarium Companions”

  • Ensure your filter is clean, and don’t forget to monitor the health of your fish and plants.
  • Weekly maintenance tasks involve slightly more hands-on cleaning and water changes to maintain optimal water quality.
  • You could possibly skip the heater if the tank doesn’t fall below 70 degrees and goldfish tanks don’t need a heater at all because they are hardy fish.
  • You can get tanks as small a 1-gallon all the way up to over 200 gallons.

An aquarium that’s safe for fish will read 0 ppm (parts per million) of ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, and around 10 ppm of nitrate. Therefore, it’s not recommended to keep fish in an aquarium without a running filter for more than a week and that’s pushing it. Generally, the fish for an aquarium of this size should not be an over-breeder or a fast-grower. A 5-gallon bowl with some live plants would make a good habitat for a single male Betta. Such small volumes of water get polluted by organic waste very quickly and sudden ammonia spikes, deadly for aquatic inhabitants, are often observed. Betta fish, which has a unique organ called the Labyrinth, is one kind of fish that can survive such low-oxygen environments.

Known for their iridescent silver bodies and hints of red on their fins, these fish are both hardy and visually appealing. Cory Catfish are delightful bottom dwellers that bring charm and functionality to any beginner aquarium. Known for their peaceful nature, they are excellent scavengers that help keep the tank clean by consuming leftover food and debris. Neon Tetras are small, vibrant fish known for their electric blue and red stripes, which make them a striking addition to any beginner’s tank. These fish are schooling by nature, meaning they thrive in groups of six or more. Despite their delicate appearance, Betta Fish are robust and can live for several years with proper care.

Easy to care for and with a unique appearance, the bristlenose plecostomus is a fun addition to any aquarium. You can use marine salt for saltwater tanks, freshwater salt for freshwater systems, kosher salt in emergencies, and Epsom salt for stress relief or specific diseases. Each type serves different purposes, so choose based on your aquarium’s needs.

Their peaceful nature and striking appearance make them a perennial favorite among beginner aquarists looking to create a vibrant underwater landscape. Don’t feed carnivores like Chinese Softshell Turtles plant-based food or overload omnivores like False Map Turtles with protein-rich food only. All 14 turtle species in this overview have unique care needs, but there are some general turtle tank maintenance rules that will help all of them.

Welcome to Natalie’s Nook! I’m Sam Bramston, the heart and soul behind this blog where every word weaves a new part of our shared journey. With a rich background in professional blogging, I've transformed my passion for storytelling into a vibrant tapestry of articles that explore everything from quiet musings to grand adventures. Raised in the lush countryside, I developed a deep appreciation for nature’s whispers and echoes, which later inspired my themes of reflection and discovery. When I'm not crafting new content or buried in a good book, you can find me hiking local trails or experimenting with landscape photography, always with a camera in hand and a story in mind. Join me at Natalie’s Nook, where our stories intertwine and every shared moment becomes a cherished memory.