Plecos are a nocturnal fish, so you won’t see them much during the daytime. They aren’t the most interesting fish in terms of their color, but what they lack in color, they make up in other ways, such as their unique scale patterns and interesting behaviors. The most common Pleco found in home aquariums is the common pleco. They are peaceful and will live happily with most other coldwater species, they are bottom feeders who won’t get in the way of your feeding of other fish, and they love to munch on algae, keeping your aquarium clean and tidy. These catfish species are perfect for coldwater aquariums for several reasons. A somewhat aggressive looking, unsightly fish with a heart of gold. They are also peaceful fish who will leave harmoniously with Goldfish, barbs as well as other non-fish tank mates like shrimp and snails. Platy fish hail from river beds of slow moving rivers in South America, so an aquarium with a small amount of flow and lots of vegetation is ideal. Plenty of water changes and a consistent temperature will keep your Platy fish happy. Though typically found in Freshwater aquariums, Platy fish can also thrive in coldwater tanks, as long as the water parameters are kept consistent. The most common colors you will find on Platy fish are green, red, yellow, white and blue, but with breeders constantly cross-breeding different species, you can find some fascinating colors. Platies come in various different shapes, sizes and colors, but generally, their bodies are small (up to a few inches) with small fins and a larger tail that resembles a fan.Ī common Platy species that falls slightly outside of the typical size and shape of Platy fish, is the Swordtail Platy, who tend to have a longer, thinner body. They are one of the most common fish species in home aquariums across the globe and when you see some of their stunning colors, it’s not hard to see why. Unless you’re a complete beginner ( If you are, you’re in the right place) you will have more than likely seen, or at least heard of Platies. Minnows are not fussy eaters and will gobble up most commercial fish foods, though small crustaceans, larvae, and live insects make the perfect occasional treat. Just provide them with plenty of plants, rocks, and ornaments to keep them engaged, and you could lose hours watching them interact with their surroundings. Minnows in general are a peaceful fish and are perfect for a community coldwater aquarium. You will find dozens of Minnow species across the world, but these two generally have the most interesting colors (in my opinion). There are several popular Minnow species, but the most common found in home aquariums are:
![cold water snails for goldfish aquarium cold water snails for goldfish aquarium](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ae/75/d4/ae75d494f56b537615074d487077987f.jpg)
![cold water snails for goldfish aquarium cold water snails for goldfish aquarium](https://dlgdxii3fgupk.cloudfront.net/myaquariumclub.com/images/fbfiles/images/20171003_174932-ybg7er3tuf_v_1507050023.jpg)
Minnows can survive in both Freshwater and Coldwater aquariums, though some species prefer the cooler temperatures of the mountainous regions of Asia where they originate. Minnows that are bred for home Aquariums are vividly colorful and interesting fish to observe. They tend to be dull in color, cheap, and widely available. “Minnow” (as the avid fisherman reading this will know) is a commonly used generic term for bait fish.