Which Is A Good First Fish To Get?
Different people will no doubt have their own favorite first fish, my favorite is the Betta Splendens, or the Siamese fighting fish. This fish is available in a variety of colors along 
with flowing fins, and to see one, is to fall in love with it. And if you love your first pet fish, you have a hobby for life. This is a graceful slow moving fish, and you will no doubt love to spend hours watching it in your aquarium.
There are many other reasons in favour of a betta – it is a fairly hardy fish, and is relatively easy to maintain.
It is also a good community fish, as long as you do not try to pair it with fin nippers like the tiger barb, which will ruin it’s wonderful flowing fins, and cause it stress.
You need to ensure that you do not keep two male bettas together however as, being territorial they will fight with each other (hence their more common name siamese fighting fish). This is also why you cannot pair them with brightly coloured fish liked the guppies. My paradise gourami is notorious for bullying all the other fish, and was most probably responsible for my betta’s torn fins. However, I am not sure whether all paradise gouramis are as aggresive (probably only the albino ones). In any case, suggest you do not keep paradise and bettas in the same tank.
Fish that would go well with the siamese would be the non-aggressive types, such as the neon tetras, neon rainbowfish, or the zebra danios. All these are fast moving fish, but tend to keep to themselves. Butterfly cichlids or the Ramirezi, while they look fierce are actually pretty peaceful, and tend to leave other fish alone. Dwarf gouramis and other smaller gouramis are also good tankmates for the betta.
Female bettas, not as brightly coloured, are rather difficult to find, but if you do plan to get some for your male betta, make sure you get at least 3 females for each male.
To know more about the betta, go here.
Pic via here.
Got a question, ask it here.
Must reads:
How Much Should I Feed My Fish And How Often?
Species Aquarium Or Community Aquarium?
What Should I Feed My Fish?
Introducing New Fish To Your Aquarium
5 Tips To Help You Buy Your First Fish For Your Tank
