It’s a sad story every Malaysian parent knows. You buy a goldfish for your child on Saturday. By Sunday morning, it’s floating upside down.
Why does this happen? Is the fish shop selling sick fish?
Usually, no. The killer is coming from inside your house: Your Tap Water.
Malaysian tap water is safe for humans to drink (if boiled), but it is toxic chemical warfare for fish. It contains Chlorine and Chloramine—chemicals designed specifically to kill living things (bacteria). Unfortunately, they also burn the gills of fish.
But don’t worry. You don’t need expensive Reverse Osmosis (RO) water. With one simple RM5 bottle and the right choice of fish, you can have a thriving tank.
Here is the guide to choosing fish that actually love our warm, treated tap water.
The Golden Rule Before We Start
You MUST use Anti-Chlorine (Ubat Anti-Klorin).
Before you put any fish in, you must add water conditioner to your tap water.
- The Myth: “Just let the water sit overnight and the chlorine will evaporate.”
- The Reality: This doesn’t work anymore. SYABAS/PBA now use Chloramine, which does not evaporate easily. You need the chemical de-chlorinator.
The 5 Best Fish for Beginners in Malaysia
We need fish that are “hardy” (tahan lasak) and enjoy temperatures of 28°C – 30°C.
1. The Guppy (Ikan Gupi)
These are the kings of beginner fish. They are colorful, active, and cheap.
- Why they suit Malaysia: Guppies actually prefer slightly “hard” water (water with minerals), which is exactly what comes out of most Malaysian taps. They thrive in our warm temperatures.
- Warning: They breed fast. If you buy males and females, you will have 100 babies next month. Beginners should stick to all males (they are prettier anyway).
2. The Platy & Molly
Cousins to the Guppy. They come in bright solid colors like orange, black, and white.
- Why they suit Malaysia: Like Guppies, they are “livebearers” that appreciate the mineral content in our tap water. They are incredibly tough and eat almost anything (even some algae).
- Tip: Mollies love warmth. 30°C water is a jacuzzi for them.
3. The Betta (Ikan Laga)
We mentioned them in the RM50 challenge, but they belong here too.
- Why they suit Malaysia: They originate from Southeast Asian paddy fields. Our climate is literally their natural habitat. They possess a “labyrinth organ” allowing them to breathe surface air, making them tolerant of lower oxygen levels in un-filtered tanks (though a filter is still better!).
4. The Zebra Danio
These are the “Energizer Bunnies” of the fish world. They never stop moving.
- Why they suit Malaysia: They are incredibly durable. They can survive mistake after mistake that a beginner might make with water quality. They are fast enough to avoid being bullied by other fish.
5. The Honey Gourami
If you want something that looks exotic and peaceful, get a Gourami.
- Why they suit Malaysia: Like Bettas, they are labyrinth fish that tolerate warm, slow-moving water. They are very calming to watch.
- Note: Get the “Honey” or “Dwarf” variety. The bigger “Blue/Gold” Gouramis can be aggressive meanies.
Fish to AVOID as a Beginner (Don’t Buy These!)
Even with anti-chlorine, these popular fish often die in new Malaysian tanks:
- ❌ Goldfish: They are “poop machines.” They make the water dirty incredibly fast, requiring huge filters and constant water changes. They also get too big for standard 2-foot tanks.
- ❌ Neon Tetras: The famous blue and red stripes. They are very sensitive to “new tank syndrome.” Wait until your tank is 3 months old before buying these.
- ❌ Discus: The most beautiful freshwater fish, but they need perfect, soft, acidic water. Malaysian tap water is usually too hard for them without special treatment.
Conclusion
Start with a school of 6 male Guppies or a few Platys. Use your anti-chlorine diligently. Once you can keep them alive for 3 months, you are ready to graduate to more challenging fish!
What was your first fish, and did it survive? Let me know in the comments!
