Aquariums come in all shapes and sizes – from simple unheated tanks for coldwater and temperate fish (such as goldfish and orandas in coldwater tanks and variatus platy and minnows in temperate tanks) to heated aquariums for freshwater tropical varieties (like tetras and guppies).
With heating, lighting and a filter to keep the water clean, freshwater tropical aquariums are easy to maintain – especially if you go for a “community tank” approach. This means choosing a selection of tolerant, peaceable fish that thrive in the same aquarium conditions.Pets at Home has developed a handy points system to help you choose the right combination of fish for your aquarium – just check the “fish point value” of the tank you want to buy, then tally up your “fish points” as you select your fish.
Bright and beautiful, this tiny blue and red fish swims around the upper levels of the tank and is happiest in groups of six or more. With its glowing “neon” effect, this tetra is a must for every new aquarium.
An active, fast-swimming fish that is beautiful to watch and easy to care for. Its blue and silver body shimmers under light, and it adapts easily to different water conditions. Start with a group of five or six.
This peaceful fish is hardy and simple to look after. Go for small groups of four or five, and introduce plenty of leafy plants for your mollies to hide among. Popular varieties include black mollies and dalmation mollies. These fish are livebearers and will readily breed if males and females are kept together.
With many different varieties and markings available, a small group of four or five platies makes a colourful and lively addition to your tank. This undemanding livebearing fish breeds easily, so be aware if you buy males and females they will produce babies if the conditions are right.
A colourful, medium-sized fish that adapts easily to most tanks. The swordtail is a fast swimmer and an accomplished jumper, and it prefers to live in small groups of four or more. These are also livebearers, but not as prolific at reproduction as mollies and platies.
The gourami has a beautiful shape and a slow, mesmerising swimming style. The male is colourful with an iridescent sheen, and the female is silvery-blue. Best kept as a male/female pair, or a male plus two females.
These hardworking catfish can help to keep your tank clean by eating food from among the gravel. Look out for bronze, peppered or albino varieties, best kept in a group of four or more.
Explore the full range of aquariums and fish tank accessories at petsathome.com, and select your fish from a wide choice of easy-to-keep varieties in store.
From the day we opened the first store in the centre of Wet Fish Aquatics, we’ve firmly believed that one of the key ingredients
