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 Online pet magazine.Almost everything you need to know about pet care.Aquaria - Cold Water Aquarium Fish Keeping - Fish Tanks and SpeciesChoosing Fish for Coldwater AquariaYou may be thinking about setting up your first cold water aquarium. Cold water fish species that can be kept in an unheated tank are highly recommended for beginners. While these fish are probably less expensive and easier to care for than many tropical fish species, they are nonetheless interesting and attractive. When selecting fish for your first coldwater aquarium, remember it is far better to under stock your aquarium. There was an old rule of thumb of one inch of fish per gallon, but with modern aeration pumps and good water management 1cm per 2 litres is achievable. It is also important that the fish you select are compatible. Some species do best with others of their own kind, be sure to ask at your fish stockist and determine the chosen fish's requirements before you buy!
Goldfish are by far the most popular cold water fish species. You're probably familiar with the common goldfish, a member of the carp family, a robust reddish to orange fish that may grow up to 20cm and live between 10 and 20 years. There are more than a hundred other varieties of carp that have been bred for the aquarist trade.
Buenos Aires and Bloodfin Tetras are fairly easy to find and can thrive in the coldwater aquarium. Bitterlings are other species of fish which also thrive in cold water. The Buenos Aires Tetras will readily eat your real aquarium plants though. Look at a fantastic new Juwel aquarium here. Water Condition - Water is the life element for your fish
and plants.  Brands such as, Easy-life, Sera, Tetra, or Easy-Life can be found here. Sponsored Links: 
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You
do not need to include a water heater in a coldwater tank, but you will need
to ensure water quality is good with a reasonable filtration system, as coldwater
fish require more oxygen than tropical and marine species. As previously mentioned
you must also allow a fairly high water volume to fish ratio say 1cm fish per
1.5litre to 2 litres depending on the water surface area. The deeper the tank
the less fish per litre. You will need a larger tank than the same number of
similar sized tropical or marine fish would require.
Shubunkins and Comets are smaller and slimmer-looking fish. Shubunkins boast colourful blotches in various shades and hues from white through blue and brown to black and orange. Shubunkins and Comets species have just one tail fin, as opposed to twin tailed types such as Fantails, Veil tails and Moors. We think the most interesting of this group are the bubble-eyes, with their bulging sacs under each eye and the, rare in the UK, Celestials, whose eyes are upturned.
The Goldfish species are not your only option for a coldwater aquarium. Consider adding the hardy Weather Loach. Readily available, this brown or bronze bottom feeder is about 7cm to 10cm long and will tolerate water quite low temperatures. When you first introduce Loaches into the aquarium these shy fish may spend most of the day hiding, coming out at night but will come out round the clock once they have settled in.
The
Pearl Danio, that grows up to 6cm, and
Giant Danio, that attains 10cm will also do well in a mixed species cold water
aquarium. These Danios are active fish are fast swimmers, so be sure to only
include them in a large tank with plenty of open water. The bigger the aquariums
size the better. The silver and blue striped Zebra Danio is also a good beginners
choice. 
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