Now that you’ve set up your freshwater fish tank and you’ve conditioned the water you’ll want to populate it with some fish.? But before you run out to the store to?stock your freshwater aquarium with the first fish that catch your eye you need to make some decisions about what type of fish to select.
Selecting fish based on colors is probably the last criteria for selecting the right fish for your freshwater aquarium.? You need to understand some basics about the actual breed of fish so that your fish get along and don’t fight, or even?worse, eat each other.? ?So how do you know which freshwater fish are best??
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Depending on the fish supply store where you shop you’ll find different degrees of knowledge among the staff that work there.? Try and either get a recommendation from another fish enthusiast for a local store that knows their stuff or try asking some questions where you already know the answer and see how their answers measure up.? The knowledge of the staff will vary widely depending not only on the store itself but the staff that happens to be on duty the day you walk in to shop.
But there are really two main questions to consider:
Do you want a community fish tank or do you want a single species fish tank?
GOOD COMMUNITY FISH CITIZENS
Freshwater aquarium fish that generally get along well with others include most live bearers such as Platys, Mollies, Swordtails and Guppies.? But even then, male swordtails will often fight with one being the aggressor over another.? Gouramis and Angel Fish generally play well with others, too.? Neon Tetras and Zebra Danios add color and lots of motion and are considered school fish that usually hang out in groups.?
Cichlids are usually aggressive and territorial as are Tiger Barbs and other types of Barbs.
Non-community fish would also include Oscars, which eat other fish, as well as some exotic fish like the Cave Blind Fish which will bite first and ask questions later.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Fish of the same sex will sometimes fight (such as the swordtails mentioned above).? Several females to one male usually works best to avoid conflict.? ?And disparity in size will often lead to problems with larger fish eating or nipping at much smaller fish.? In general, try to avoid mixing really small fish with larger fish as the temptation to eat each other will just be too great.? Not to mention a complete waste of money.? That’s not to say that a big Kissing Gourami can’t get along with a guppy.? But again, you’ll need to know what you’re bringing home.
Here are some other questions to consider:
- Does the fish like to hide (like loaches) or does it enjoy open areas (like zebra danios)?
- What is the fish’s PH preference (Lower pH verses higher pH)?
- What does the fish eat?? (Some only eat live food)
- Is it a bottom feeder or a top feeder?
- How much space does this fish need? (now and in the future when they grow)
- What temperature does this fish thrive in?
If you’re not sure about the expertise of the people working in the local fish store, one idea is to go to the store, write down some names of the fish you like and then research them on the Internet when you get home using this article as your check list.? We also strongly recommend buying only 2 - 3 new fish at a time.? Let them get settled in, see how they behave and then consider adding newcomers based on the size of your tank.
Granted, some of this will be trial and error but by doing your homework in advance, you can have a healthy, happy freshwater aquarium in no time!
Gene R. Russell is a freshwater fish expert. For more great tips on freshwater aquarium fish, visit http://www.aquarium-keepers.com/choosing-fishes-for-your-aquarium.
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