Match-Making
To make your fish tank a dazzling swirl of color and activity, you will want to add a variety of tropical freshwater fish. All fish have different fin designs, patterns, colors, shapes, sizes, temperaments and ideal living conditions. For the welfare of fish and consequently the success of fish tanks, it is necessary that you research the fish you would like, to know which ones can cohabit in health and harmony. For example, you cannot match (i.e. without harming or stressing your fish) peaceful and aggressive fish, ones that like cooler water and ones that need higher temperatures etc. Commonsensical stuff!
Fish Need Room
A good idea is to select fish that occupy different levels in fish tanks so they don?t need to contend for space. This adds a pleasant amount of variety and activity, enhancing the attractiveness of your fish tank.
Top-Dwelling Fish
Top-dwelling fish generally have upturned mouths for feeding at the water?s surface. Danios are active and hardy with a long lifespan making them ideal particularly for beginning aquarists. One of the most promoted tropical freshwater fish is the Betta, an easy to look after, peaceful fish with conspicuous fins and an amazing variety of color. Hatchetfish are unusual but are moderately difficult to manage and are powerful jumpers, so you need to replace the lid of your aquarium immediately after feeding and maintenance.
Middle-Dwelling Fish
Middle-dwelling fish could be most striking and be stocked with larger colorful fish and a mixture of schooling fish. Schooling fish are visibly happiest when they are among their own kind and you need to have around six. Examples of schooling fish include Rainbow fish and Tetras. Rainbow fish are simple to take care of and their amazing shimmering colorations change when light reflects off these fish. Neon Tetras tend to swim or remain suspended in schools to create a magnificent array of color. All types of Platies and Guppies are outstanding for middle-dwelling fish. They are both easy care fish and come in many bright color variations which add brilliance and excitement to tank aquariums. For something slightly larger, Swordtails are easy to look after and have wonderfully diverse fin and color varieties. Mollies add drama and contrast to any fish tank but require a moderate level of care. The following small Gouramis are of a peaceful temperament and easy to look after: Sparkling Gourami, Neon Blue Dwarf and Dwarf Gouramis. Angels are a dazzling fish to include in your tank but be mindful they are semi-aggressive and developing to 6 inches they also require at least a 30 gallon tank. For a larger fish tank (50 gallons), Cichlids are an option but many can show signs of aggression. Examples of peaceful ones are Albino Kribensis Cichlid, Acei Cichlid and Brichardi Cichlid. Of course, the Goldfish remains the most prevalent freshwater fish and comes in many varieties with amazing features and color patterns.
Bottom-Dwelling Fish
Bottom-dwelling fish have down-turned mouths, enabling them to feed on food that drops to the bottom of the aquarium, thereby keeping the substrate clean. Cory Cats are entertaining, energetic and peaceful scavengers. They stay relatively small and live in a wide range of water conditions. For larger fish tanks (30-50 gallons), Loaches will add color, interest and beauty to your fish aquarium. They are active bottom dwelling scavengers ideally suited for the community fish tank.
All Peaceful or All Aggressive
You will have noticed that I mainly refer to peaceful fish. These community fish can co-exist calmly with members of their own species and other species of like size. Being the kind of person who tries to ?keep the peace? I favor easy-going fish for a quiet life but if you like a bit more action, by all means select aggressive fish. Just remember to keep all the fish species in your freshwater aquarium aggressive so no one gets bullied! Aggressive fish are aggressive toward their own species and/or other species, despite their size.
Aquarium Sizes
Most of the fish mentioned are ideal for smaller fish tank aquariums. Bettas, Danios, Gouramis, Platies and Tetras measure around two inches and are good for the smaller 10 gallon tanks. Though small, Guppies thrive best in at least a 20 gallon tank along with Hatchetfish, while the larger Swordtails, Mollies, Rainbow Fish, Angels, Goldfish and Cory Cats will require at least a 30 gallon tank. Cichlids and Loaches normally require a 50 gallon tank.
Research Your Fish!
These tropical freshwater fish are only a guide to varieties of fish which would be appropriate in fish tanks. It is fundamental that you research the fish including temperment, size, food they eat, the tending they require in order to grow and breed, and the water parameters in which each individual type of fish is the most contented with. This will be vital in determining the species of fish that can be suitably matched.
Copyright © 2009 Jill Kaestner @ Kaestner Marketing LLC
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