Choosing Your Fish
When it comes to choosing your livestock, there are a few things you need to take into account. Some fish prefer a slightly higher or lower temperature than others, some don't live well with other species and some have different Ph requirements. Ultimately you will have to know how big your chosen species will grow, to make sure you don't have fish that outgrow the tank. As a general rule there are several species of fish that are great to start out with and they live well in a community. They're broken down into tropical freshwater and tropical marine species, so have a look through and start deciding which fish you would like to keep!
Tropical Freshwater Species:
Tropical Marine Species:
Tropical Freshwater Species:
Cyprinids (Barbs, Rosboro and Danio)
These fish are quite unique - they don't have any teeth in their jaws. Instead they grind up food using their throats. The three main species of cyprinids are listed here, although there are many other species that don't fall into any of these three categories. Barbs are generally very active fish, and have small whiskers (hence 'barb') for searching for food on the tank floor. Most Danios are also active, and live in the upper levels of the tank, feeding at the surface. Barbs tend to prefer still water, whereas Danios are much happier in faster flowing water. Keep your tank well filtered and aerated. Danios are a shoaling fish, so it's good to keep them in groups. Rasboros have a mixture of characteristics from both the Danio and the Barb, living at the upper and mid levels of the tank in shoals.
Characins (Tetra, Piranha, Hatchetfish, Pencilfish, Headstander)
Most fish in the characin group originate in South America, though several are native to Africa. These fish have a small extra fin on the dorsal surface. known as the adipose fin, though it remains a mystery to scientists as to its purpose. The males of some species also have a tiny hook on the anal fin. Hatchetfish live just below the surface, waiting to catch food. They're known to 'fly' above the surface catching foor by flapping their large pectoral fins. Tetras swim in the mid-level, whilst pencilfishes prefer the upper levels
Cichlids (Acara, Angelfish, Discus)
Many cichlids are very colourful, particularly those coming from the Rift Valley in Africa. The sheer diversity of the cichlid group is uncomparable to any other group of fish. They are diverse in size, shape, spawning behaviour and the levels at which they swim. At one end you have the Discus and Angelfish, with large rounded disc-like bodies, whilst the Acara and Rift Valley cichlids have much chunkier, more compact bodies. Be warned - some cichlids grow very big (15cm or more), and may need their own tank. Speak to your local pet store for more advice about these fish - some are better at living in a community than others. The breeding and spawning habits of these fish vary greatly, from secretive breeding to open-water spawning, to mouth-brooders.
Anabantoids (Gourami, Siamese Fighting fish)
These medium-sized fish are native to parts of Africa and Southern Asia. Whilst the Siamese Fighting fish is known world-wide for its aggression towards other males, anabantoids are generally noted for their peaceful character. Still, any fish can become aggressive at breeding time. Some fishkeepers refer to the Gourami as the Labyrinth fish. This name derives from this fishes ability to breathe atmospheric oxygen through a special organ just below the gills. If the water is polluted or loses its oxygenation, the gourami can use this special system to get the oxygen it needs. When breeding, most anabantoids males build a bubble-nest, and attract the female to lay her eggs under it. Whilst these fish aren't difficult to breed, protection of the fry is very difficult as they are so small!
Livebearers (Molly, Platy, Guppy, Swordtail)
Livebearers are mostly native to Central America. They are a very popular choice for fishkeepers, as they swim in al levels of the aquarium, breed profusely and produce live young. Breeding these species is not difficult, but if you want to keep the colours pure you will require many tanks in order to segregate them, and to keep the fry safe while they grow. Unlike most fish, the female livebearers are fertilised internally, as the male has a modified anal fin, the gonopodium, through which the sperm is transferred. These fish vary greatly in shape and size, but all of them are extremely colourful, community fish.
Killifish
Killifish have a very short life-span, and are often referred to as 'annual fishes'. As they originate from Africa, Asia and South America, their natural environment disappears during the drought period. They get around this by laying their eggs in the mud, where they remain until the next wet season when the new fish hatch. Despite their short life-span, these fish are great specimins for aquariums as they are so brightly coloured, remain quite small and, if you get to see them breed, it's quite exciting! If you want to breed fish, these would be a great choice. It's easy to collect the eggs and their natural drought conditions means that the presence of any water will create a perfect breeeding environment. These fish mainly inhabit the upper levels of an aquarium, but be aware - they can as a species be quite aggressive.
Catfish
Catfish mainly originate from Africa and South America. They are generally suitable for aquariums and don't grow too large. Catfish don't have scales like other fish. Instead, they have large, overlapping scutes (bony plates). Some are referred to as 'naked catfish', as they have no apparent covering to protect their skin. In general, catfish inhabit the lower levels of the tank and forage for food in the gravel. It's better to have rounded gravel for these fish, as they have soft mouths and suck food from the substrate. Some species are nocturnal, so it's better to feed them at night or dusk, with something that sinks to the aquarium floor. Catfish can process atmospheric air, and you can see them collecting this by speeding to the surface, grabbing a bubble of air and returning to the bottom in a flash. These fish are quite peaceful, and can be a great addition to a tropical tank.
Loaches
These fish originate from Eurasia and the Far East. In general they are quite small and suitable for an aquarium. Many species have a flat abdominal surface which allows them to keep close contact with the substrate. This allows them to attach themselves to prevent being swept away. Loaches have taste-sensitive whiskers, or barbels, which helps to supplement their poor vision due to muddy waters. In general loaches are quite shy, and tend to be nocturnal. If you want to entice your loach into the open, feeding worms will guarantee interest! Loaches are known for their skin-like covering. Their scales are so tiny that the fish appears to be naked. These fish like the company of their own species, so it's better not to keep one on its own.
Tropical Marine Species:
Anemonefish and Damselfish ( incl. Clownfish)
Fish in this group come from the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific. They're very colourful, use all levels of the aquarium and they're hardy. Clownfish, or anemonefish as they are also known, live in the tentacles of the sea anemone. Anemone fish are not stung by the tentacles, because the musus on this fishes scales doesn't stimulate the anemone's stinging cells. Damselfish tend to live in coral heads. Generally younger damselfish are more colourful than their elders. When you're choosing your fish, remember that these species are quite aggressive, especially towards their own kind, so it's advisable to have just one or two in a tank together. Don't be put off though, clownfish and damselfish are both a healthy addition to a tank, and if you buy a pair of fish and add them together, that will reduce any territorial battles later on!
Angelfish and Butterflyfish
These fish also originate from the Indo-Pacific reefs, and are very colourful in order to stand out from the coral. Their colouring allows them to camouflage against their surrounding, but also allows the species to recognise each other. Angelfish vary in size, but all have small mouths compared to their body size. There are also pygmy angel fish, which have more compact bodies and tend to be much smaller in size. Angelfish are quite territorial, and can be aggressive towards other fishes. Butterfly fishes are also quite large fish, and some have elongated mouths to allow them to extract tiny bits of food from crevices in the rocks. If you're a beginner, these fish are quite delicate, so it would be advisable to put off keeping them until you have gained some experience.
Triggerfish (Sturgeon fish) Sturgeonfish have very brightly coloured bodies, which are equipped with sharp erectile spines. Triggerfish also have an unusual feature - the first spine of their dorsal fin is a sharp point, which is used to protect the fish from predators or rivals.
Lionfish Lionfish also make use of their sharp spines to warn off predators. These fish are difficult to handle, and feed on live fish.
Cardinalfish Two of the main types of cardinal fish you will find in your fish shop are Pyjama Cardinalfish, named for it's striped appearance, and the Bangaii Cardinalfish, which is striped black and white. The Pyjama Cardinal is a nocturnal fish.
Blue Tang Tangs are wonderful fish, with a seemingly playful nature. They are great in community tanks, and prefer to swim in groups. A stunning electric blue, with vivid black markings and a sunny yellow tail, they certainly draw the eye to any aquarium. They have tiny, pouting mouths and feed on live food, flake and seaweed. It's important that these fish get plenty of green content in their diet. Be warned, in their natural environment these fish grow up to a foot long!
Green Chromis These fish are an elegant shimmering green, but their colour varies under different lighting, sometimes appearing blue. They are a great community fish, but need to be with their own kind, so these fish should be bought in groups.
Royal Gramma These fish are quite stunning, with the front half of the body being a deep purple, and the rear half a bright yellow. This fish is a territorial cave-dweller, so it's advisable to keep as few as possible together.
Spanish Hogfish The top half of this fish is a red-violet, whilst the underside and lower fins are bright yellow. Part of the Wrasse family, this fish eats small crustaceans and live food.
Seahorse Seahorses are very delicate creatures, and should not be added to a new aquarium, Although sensitive to changes in the water, these would be a great addition to an established tank. Seahorses swim upright and use their tails to anchor themselves.
Cleanerfish These fish belong to the Wrasse family. Cleanerfish remove parasites and dead tissue from the fish, keeping them healthy and maintaining the tank. Many fish on the reef tilt their heads to attract the cleanerfish, and you will see the same behaviour in an aquarium.
Mandarin fish This fish is quite incredible to look at, with it's body covered in swathes of blue green wiggly lines and patches. It's gills are golden and has slightly protruding eyes. These fish seem to half swim, half jump around the rocks. It is advised that this species should be kept in its own tank, as it is intolerant of other species, but I have seen many community tanks that include mandarin fish and there don't seem to be any problems. If you find you buy a fish that doesn't settle in or is attacked by the existing fish, most fish shops will allow you to exchange it for something more suitable.
Remember, there are many more kinds of fish you can keep in an aquarium. Ask at your local shop to see what they stock. This site is still under construction, and more species will be added, so please visit again!
