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Fish Favorites for Your Aquarium
Betta fish are the second most popular fish stocked in aquariums, after goldfish. The species (Betta splendens) is favored for its beautiful colors, long fins, and easy maintenance for beginning hobbyists. Because it displays aggression toward other males of the same species, however, it is also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish. For this reason, do not stock more than one male Betta in the same tank; they will fight to the finish. They will also fight females if not introduced into the tank at the right time and they will fight tropical males of other species that have large fins, such as guppies and angelfish. For best results, keep a Betta fish in a tank of at least 10 gallons with a heater to maintain constant temperature.
Another popular fish, the Kissing Gourami gets its name from what appears to be kissing behavior. In fact, when puckering its lips, it is showing aggression toward other fish to establish its dominance. It is not recommended for beginners because it grows large (10-12 inches) and becomes territorial, chasing the other fish around the tank. If you get a pair, they will chase each other and leave the other fish alone. Keep in a tank of 50 gallons or more.
Among the Cichlids, Angelfish are popular tropical fish because of their appearance and personalities. They are known to be aggressive eaters and will swim to the top of the tank when they see you approach. They are curious about exploring their environment, but they are also territorial around breeding time and will go after any fish that invades their territory. They prefer tall tanks because of their high body shape. They are named for their color type: albino, black, gold, silver, marbled, Koi, and so on.
Convict, or Zebra, cichlids are named for their black and white stripes. They also come in the Albino variety. They are the third most popular cichlid after Angelfish and Oscars. They should not be kept in a community tank because they get territorial. They are prolific breeders and good parents to their fry, which is interesting to watch. For breeding purposes, they should be kept only as a pair in your aquarium. They require a 20-gallon tank or larger.
The Discus is one of the most beautiful tropical fish, but its high maintenance makes it not a good choice for beginners. It requires ideal water conditions, frequent water changes, and higher water temperatures, which makes it incompatible with most other fish. It is not called the "King of the Aquarium" for nothing; its high price is also an investment that requires the best food, vitamins, and other maintenance to prolong its life span. It prefers a tall, 30-gallon tank.
The Firemouth Cichlid is a good first cichlid for beginners because it is adaptable to a wide range of water parameters and is relatively easy to maintain. It gets its name from the red coloration it develops to warn other fish away during spawning time. Because it can be aggressive during breeding, it is better to keep it with its own species or with larger tetras. A 30-gallon tank is needed for a pair, and larger for more. Jack Dempsey fish are named after the famous boxer, since they can stand up to more aggressive tank mates. The name is misleading, though, because they are generally not aggressive unless they are overcrowded or placed with incompatible species. However, they can eat smaller tank mates. Also, during breeding, they will guard their fry at any cost. You may have to remove the other fish or provide a divider to prevent aggression. Jack Dempsey fish require 55 gallons for one and much more for multiple fish. Try to keep them with other Central American cichlids.
Oscar fish are known for their playful personalities, greeting their owners and even begging at mealtimes. Also known as Red, Albino, and Tiger Oscars, they get quite large, requiring a 55-gallon tank or larger. They are messy, rearranging their environment, digging up plants, and jumping, so you will need to make frequent water changes and take the necessary precautions!
Red Devil cichlids are named for their aggressiveness; they will not tolerate other tank mates and they'll eat smaller fish. They also like to redecorate the aquarium. Keep one alone or with its own mate in a large tank, 55 gallons, minimum.
The Silver Arowana grows very large and is not recommended for the beginning aquarist. It requires at least a 150-gallon tank, an excellent filter, and a tight-fitting hood to keep it in the tank. There aren't many compatible tank mates, but it may be able to be housed with a larger Common Pleco. It can be aggressive toward smaller species.
The Plecostomus, or Pleco, is often stuck to the side of your aquarium eating the algae. It gets to be quite large and requires at least 55 gallons. As it ages, it will need algae wafers to supplement its diet. Plecos are usually peaceful and are compatible with many different species. It can be aggressive with its own species.
Corydoras Catfish, or Cory Cat, is a good community fish, given its peaceful nature. It is content to scavenge for food at the bottom of the tank and prefers to be in schools of six or more. It requires a 10-gallon tank and is compatible with many kinds of fish.
The Piranha is a meat-eating fish, not recommended for the beginning hobbyist. It gets quite large and expensive to feed. You must also watch not to put your hand in the tank at feeding time! Only give it live food as a supplement to a flake or pellet diet, because live fish can introduce diseases to the tank. It is extremely aggressive and will eat smaller fish. It should be housed only with other Piranhas.
Another popular fish, the Kissing Gourami gets its name from what appears to be kissing behavior. In fact, when puckering its lips, it is showing aggression toward other fish to establish its dominance. It is not recommended for beginners because it grows large (10-12 inches) and becomes territorial, chasing the other fish around the tank. If you get a pair, they will chase each other and leave the other fish alone. Keep in a tank of 50 gallons or more.
Among the Cichlids, Angelfish are popular tropical fish because of their appearance and personalities. They are known to be aggressive eaters and will swim to the top of the tank when they see you approach. They are curious about exploring their environment, but they are also territorial around breeding time and will go after any fish that invades their territory. They prefer tall tanks because of their high body shape. They are named for their color type: albino, black, gold, silver, marbled, Koi, and so on.
Convict, or Zebra, cichlids are named for their black and white stripes. They also come in the Albino variety. They are the third most popular cichlid after Angelfish and Oscars. They should not be kept in a community tank because they get territorial. They are prolific breeders and good parents to their fry, which is interesting to watch. For breeding purposes, they should be kept only as a pair in your aquarium. They require a 20-gallon tank or larger.
The Discus is one of the most beautiful tropical fish, but its high maintenance makes it not a good choice for beginners. It requires ideal water conditions, frequent water changes, and higher water temperatures, which makes it incompatible with most other fish. It is not called the "King of the Aquarium" for nothing; its high price is also an investment that requires the best food, vitamins, and other maintenance to prolong its life span. It prefers a tall, 30-gallon tank.
The Firemouth Cichlid is a good first cichlid for beginners because it is adaptable to a wide range of water parameters and is relatively easy to maintain. It gets its name from the red coloration it develops to warn other fish away during spawning time. Because it can be aggressive during breeding, it is better to keep it with its own species or with larger tetras. A 30-gallon tank is needed for a pair, and larger for more. Jack Dempsey fish are named after the famous boxer, since they can stand up to more aggressive tank mates. The name is misleading, though, because they are generally not aggressive unless they are overcrowded or placed with incompatible species. However, they can eat smaller tank mates. Also, during breeding, they will guard their fry at any cost. You may have to remove the other fish or provide a divider to prevent aggression. Jack Dempsey fish require 55 gallons for one and much more for multiple fish. Try to keep them with other Central American cichlids.
Oscar fish are known for their playful personalities, greeting their owners and even begging at mealtimes. Also known as Red, Albino, and Tiger Oscars, they get quite large, requiring a 55-gallon tank or larger. They are messy, rearranging their environment, digging up plants, and jumping, so you will need to make frequent water changes and take the necessary precautions!
Red Devil cichlids are named for their aggressiveness; they will not tolerate other tank mates and they'll eat smaller fish. They also like to redecorate the aquarium. Keep one alone or with its own mate in a large tank, 55 gallons, minimum.
The Silver Arowana grows very large and is not recommended for the beginning aquarist. It requires at least a 150-gallon tank, an excellent filter, and a tight-fitting hood to keep it in the tank. There aren't many compatible tank mates, but it may be able to be housed with a larger Common Pleco. It can be aggressive toward smaller species.
The Plecostomus, or Pleco, is often stuck to the side of your aquarium eating the algae. It gets to be quite large and requires at least 55 gallons. As it ages, it will need algae wafers to supplement its diet. Plecos are usually peaceful and are compatible with many different species. It can be aggressive with its own species.
Corydoras Catfish, or Cory Cat, is a good community fish, given its peaceful nature. It is content to scavenge for food at the bottom of the tank and prefers to be in schools of six or more. It requires a 10-gallon tank and is compatible with many kinds of fish.
The Piranha is a meat-eating fish, not recommended for the beginning hobbyist. It gets quite large and expensive to feed. You must also watch not to put your hand in the tank at feeding time! Only give it live food as a supplement to a flake or pellet diet, because live fish can introduce diseases to the tank. It is extremely aggressive and will eat smaller fish. It should be housed only with other Piranhas.
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