What kind of fish/inverts are hardy and breed in a aquarium?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Any aquarist dopers out there?

I’m looking for tips on smallish fish who are both hardy and easily self replicating, and not just maybe once in a while will spawn in a tank but even an idiot could turn 2 into 2,000:p

Also I’m aware of freshwater snails, but what other inverts could I get that are hardy and breed? How are shrimp, I’ve noticed they are all the rage now.

Any tips on plants too? Nothing that requires fussing with water PH or it will wilt please.

I’d like to set up a tank with only hardy and self replicating small fish and inverts.

2

What are you planning to do with all the babies? There are some fish and inverts that will over-run a tank very quickly unless you’re planning to sell the extra fish/inverts or something.

While not as prolific as guppies or apple snails, Gold barbs are THE most hardy fish I have ever owned. They survive conditions that other fish won’t. I had a nice school of them for years until they eventually started to die of old age. I liked them enough that I started a new school and the babies are turning out to be just as hardy as the first ones.

3

Black tailed swordfish, and similar varieties breed rapidly. They’re live bearers and can kick out broods several times a year.

4

Giving them away when they over run the tank most likely, I’m not looking to make money doing this.

I kept several tanks when younger and I realized:

I like relaxing by watching fish and inverts.

Small hardy fish are as good as big delicate and expensive fish for this purpose.

I find inverts can be as interesting as fish, and a lot less fussy.
So I was thinking about setting up a larger freshwater tank with smaller and hardy fish/inverts/plants, just trolling for tips. Like I said the only deal killer is fussy or expensive.

5

Neolamprologus multifasciatus. Small, hardy, breed like rabbits. They like hard water and sand and live in escargot shells.

For inverts I’ve got nothing.

6

If you like cichlids, I suggest Texas Cichlids, which are inexpensive and attractive fish and not as aggressive as other cichlids. They get up to about 5 inches in length and are hardy and adapt well to iffy water conditions.

As to breeding, I read an article about a hobbyist who bought a mature pair and when he got them home they had laid eggs on the inside of the clear plastic bag they were being transported in. No shyness or reticence there.