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What fish and supplies are best for a beginner's small tank?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Fish | Unknown - Fish | Male | 2 lbs

What types of fish should I buy because I'm a beginner in this . I have a 1 feet tank . One more thing I have heard that live-bearers could be best But I want your suggestion. And also what other Things I should buy and can you tell me a site that can offer such things at a reasonable price By the way I'm from India. I am send pics of somethings what I already have . Do tell also which type of food is suitable for fishes.

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Answered By Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM

Veterinarian

Published on June 16th, 2018

Without anything to use for scale, it is hard for me to tell how big your tank is, but in general it seems very small. Also, the water that is in the tank appears very cloudy right now, so that would be the first place to start. Water quality is very important, and will make or break your ability to house and care for fish. I would recommend getting a good filter system (you can visit a local pet store to assist you with brands in your area, as I am not familiar with what you can get in India). Be sure to bring the measurements (height, length, width) of your tank, or the gallons or liters so they can tell you what capacity of filter you will need. Everything else will depend on what types of fish you get - if you plan on getting multiple fish, they will need to be small - a general rule of thumb is one square inch of fish per gallon of water. Depending on the species you get, you may need to also get a bubbler to ensure there is enough oxygen in the water for them, and you will also likely need to get some sort of substrate for the bottom and cage furniture (different species have different air requirements, and some are secretive and like to hide). You may also need a water heater, depending on the species you would like to house. But, depending on how small your tank is, it may be hard to get a water heater that will fit. The food type will also depend on what species you get, as there can be differences in diet type between species. I hope that gives you a place to start, and good luck!

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