| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Angels are a dazzling fish to include in your |
| Match-Making | | | | aquarium but bear in mind they are |
| To make your aquarium a stunning swirl of | | | | semi-aggressive and growing to 6 inches they also |
| activity and color, you will want to add a variety | | | | require at least a 30 gallon tank. For a larger tank |
| of tropical freshwater fish. All fish have different | | | | (50 gallons), Cichlids are an option but many can |
| colors, patterns, fin designs, sizes, shapes, | | | | show signs of aggression. Examples of peaceful |
| temperaments and ideal living conditions. For the | | | | ones are Acei Cichlid, Albino Kribensis Cichlid and |
| welfare of fish and therefore the success of tank | | | | Brichardi Cichlid. Of course, the Goldfish remains |
| aquariums, it is vital that you research the fish | | | | the most popular freshwater fish and comes in |
| you would like, to know which ones can live | | | | many varieties with amazing color patterns and |
| together in health and harmony. For example, you | | | | features. |
| cannot match (i.e. without stressing or harming | | | | Bottom-Dwelling Fish |
| your fish) peaceful and aggressive fish, ones that | | | | Bottom-dwelling fish have down-turned mouths, |
| like cooler water and ones that need higher | | | | enabling them to feed on food that falls to the |
| temperatures etc. Common sense stuff! | | | | bottom of the tank, thereby keeping the |
| Give Room To Your Fish | | | | substrate clean. Cory Cats are entertaining, |
| A good idea is to select fish that occupy different | | | | energetic and peaceful scavengers. They remain |
| levels in fish tank aquariums so they don’t | | | | relatively small and survive in a wide range of |
| need to compete for space. This adds a pleasant | | | | water conditions. For larger fish tank aquariums |
| amount of activity and variety, enhancing the | | | | (30-50 gallons), Loaches will add color, interest and |
| appeal of your fish tank aquarium. | | | | beauty to your fish tank aquarium. They are |
| Top-Dwelling Fish | | | | active bottom dwelling scavengers ideally suited |
| Top-dwelling fish generally have upturned mouths | | | | for the community aquarium. |
| for feeding at the water’s surface. Danios | | | | All Peaceful or All Aggressive |
| are active and hardy with a long lifespan making | | | | You will have noticed that I mainly refer to |
| them ideal especially for beginning aquarists. One | | | | peaceful fish. These community fish can co-exist |
| of the most popular tropical freshwater fish is the | | | | peacefully with members of their own species |
| Betta, an easy to look after, peaceful fish with | | | | and other species of similar size. Being the kind of |
| striking fins and a remarkable variety of color. | | | | person who likes to keep the peace’ I |
| Hatchetfish are unusual but are moderately | | | | prefer easy-going fish for an easy life but if you |
| difficult to manage and are powerful jumpers, so | | | | like a bit more action, by all means pick |
| you need to replace the lid of your fish tank | | | | aggressive fish. Just remember to keep all the |
| aquarium immediately after feeding and | | | | fish species in your aquarium aggressive so no |
| maintenance. | | | | one gets bullied! Aggressive fish are aggressive |
| Middle-Dwelling Fish | | | | toward their own species and/or other species, |
| Middle-dwelling fish could be most striking and be | | | | regardless of their size. |
| stocked with a mixture of schooling fish and | | | | Fish Tank Sizes |
| larger colorful fish. Schooling fish are obviously | | | | Most of the fish mentioned are ideal for smaller |
| happiest when they are among their own kind and | | | | fish tank aquariums. Bettas, Danios, Gouramis, |
| you need to have around six. Examples of | | | | Platies and Tetras measure around two inches |
| schooling fish include Rainbow fish and Tetras. | | | | and are good for the smaller 10 gallon tanks. |
| Rainbow fish are simple to take care of and their | | | | Though small, Guppies thrive best in at least a 20 |
| amazing iridescent colorations change when light | | | | gallon tank along with Hatchetfish, while the larger |
| reflects off these fish. Neon Tetras tend to swim | | | | Swordtails, Mollies, Rainbow Fish, Angels, Goldfish |
| or remain suspended in schools to create a | | | | and Cory Cats will require a minimum of a 30 |
| breathtaking array of color. All types of Guppies | | | | gallon tank. Cichlids and Loaches normally require a |
| and Platies are excellent for middle-dwelling fish. | | | | 50 gallon tank. |
| They are both easy care fish and come in many | | | | Do Your Homework! |
| bright color variations which add excitement and | | | | These tropical freshwater fish are only a guide to |
| brilliance to fish tank aquariums. For something | | | | varieties of fish which would be suitable in tropical |
| slightly larger, Swordtails are easy to look after | | | | freshwater aquariums. It is fundamental that you |
| and have wonderfully diverse fin and color | | | | research the fish including size, temperament, the |
| varieties. Mollies add drama and contrast to any | | | | tending they require in order to grow and breed, |
| fish tank but require a moderate level of care. | | | | the food they eat, and the water parameters in |
| The following small Gouramis are of a peaceful | | | | which each individual type of fish is the most |
| temperament and easy to look !after: Neon Blue | | | | comfortable with. This will be vital in determining |
| Dwarf, Sparkling Gourami and Dwarf Gouramis. | | | | the varieties of fish that can be suitably matched. |