Animal section
Fish
Freshwater and tropical fishkeeping, water chemistry and stocking.
Species profiles
Standardised husbandry data for each animal in this group.
Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish)
Bettas are personable, intelligent fish that are routinely mis-sold as low-maintenance. A small heated, cycled and planted aquarium transforms their quality of life.
Lifespan 3–5 years · Care complexity 2/5
Carassius auratusGoldfish
A well-kept goldfish is a long-lived, large and interactive pet, which is exactly why the traditional bowl fails them so badly.
Lifespan 10–25 years · Care complexity 3/5
Poecilia reticulataGuppy
Guppies are colourful, hardy and prolific, making them an excellent introduction to keeping a balanced planted aquarium.
Lifespan 2–3 years · Care complexity 2/5
Pterophyllum scalareFreshwater Angelfish
Angelfish are elegant, deep-bodied cichlids that reward a tall, well-planted tank with striking display behaviour, but their territorial streak means tankmates need careful choosing.
Lifespan 10 years or more in well-kept tanks · Care complexity 3/5
Corydoras spp.Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras are gentle, sociable bottom-feeders that do best in same-species groups over soft sand. They are one of the easiest community fish to keep well.
Lifespan 5–10 years, sometimes longer · Care complexity 2/5
Guides for this group
Care, health, behaviour and nutrition reading.
Aquarium Water Chemistry and the Nitrogen Cycle
Most fish illness is a water quality problem. Understanding cycling is the core skill of fishkeeping.
James Whitcombe · 9 min read · Updated 2026-07-14
Buying guidesChoosing Your First Aquarium Setup
What to buy, what to skip, and why the biggest tank you can fit is usually the easiest to keep.
James Whitcombe · 8 min read · Updated 2026-08-09