5 great fish that make great first pets

Most kids these days would rather look at an Xbox than a 10-gallon fish tank, but all is not lost. Introducing youngsters to fish-keeping can end well if you set things up for success. Since the first step is choosing species that are survivors, here are five candidates for the newbie’s fish tank.

1 Siamese fighting fish. Also called bettas, these often iridescent beauties are the poster fish for low maintenance, says Gene Sanchez, owner of Tropical Showcase in Hicksville, N.Y. “They don’t need a filter, and they can live in a jelly jar.”

Although bettas get along with many fish, they are less gregarious with their own kind.

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Tagged as: Bettas, Fish, Gene Sanchez, New York, Pets, Siamese Fighting Fish, Species, Tropical Showcase

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