What do tropical fish need

A perfect combination would be to have some bottom feeders like catfish and loach, mid-level fish like neons and mollies and a few surface swimmers like dwarf gouramis.

Image credits wikimedia commons. Yes, hardy, inexpensive and easy to feed Jumpers? Yes, buy only when first introduced to the aquarium Easy to breed?

No, not often bred in the home aquarium. They have rightly earned the title of the best-loved tropical fish. Around two million of these are sold in America each month and the reason is not just that their dazzling bodies look great but actually their unmatchable temperament is the key selling point. The most desirable ambiance for them would be 10 gallons of water as a minimum. Stable table water parameters, low lighting, dense plantation, soft water, low watt fluorescent lighting and regular sponge filter in a matured, established tank are ideal.

Even though sheltered environments are there go-to, yet they are completely community-oriented tank-mates. Moreover, they can reside amongst other species like cory catfish, barbs, guppies etc. It is best to buy them in groups of around because as a general rule this assists in the adjustment and establishment into their new home.

Both, in the wild and in the home aquarium they portray omnivorous qualities making them unchallenging to feed. Incorporate within their diets larvae from insects, brine shrimp, algae, nano vertebrates, tubifex etc. They even live up to 8 years without much effort. For more in-depth information on Neon Tetras please visit our complete guide to keeping neon tetras.

Image Credits flickr. They are recognized as a standard tropical fish for every aquarist to own. These graceful fish grow up to 8 inches and can be appreciated in a varied range of shades and patterns.

They are very hardy and easy going but can be semi-aggressive from time to time. They will need a tank of 55 gallons of water as a minimum, moderate current flows, floating, driftwood, and broadleaf plants.

They do, however, prefer slow-moving water with dim lighting and downed branches, as is in the wild. It is possible to place them with larger tetras, rainbowfish, catfish etc. Catering to their semi-aggressive temperament they should be kept singly or in a large school which diminishes their aggression. Their nutrition requirements are that of an omnivore times a day including worm, small crustaceans, shrimp pellets, marine algae, frozen live foods etc. We hope that you have seen some fish in this article that attracts you to starting your own aquarium.

We think most of these fish are suitable for a fishkeeping beginner although they are not all suitable to be kept in the same aquarium. In their own right, they are all amazing fish and will help you enjoy and be successful in starting and maintaining your first aquarium. We have a complete guide for you to read which we think will help you make some of the basic decisions when it comes to setting up and stocking your first aquarium. Good luck and we hope you enjoy your new aquarium.

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About Us Home. Meet the News Team. If you plan to grow plants that require covered roots, you will need the proper substrate for this as well. Having a vision of the finished aquarium you want will help you decide on the best substrate option for your system.

Polished gravel is a good option for many freshwater aquariums, like the Exotic Pebbles polished mixed gravel. There are loads of lighting options out there for fish tanks, and they vary extensively in size, price and appearance. As with the substrate, figure out what works for your overall tank appearance and your wallet. While LED lights are a larger initial investment, they tend to last much longer than traditional compact fluorescent CF bulbs. As you wait for your aquarium to cycle before adding your freshwater fish, test the water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Test strips, like the Tetra EasyStrips 6-in-1 test strips , also enable you to measure the water pH, hardness and alkalinity. This information is critical if you want to maintain a healthy system. On these test strips, the most important readings to pay attention to, especially with a new tank, are nitrite, nitrate and pH.

Ideally, nitrite should be undetectable, nitrate should be as low as possible and a neutral pH is generally safe. That being said, freshwater fish can thrive in a pH range from 5. Once you decide what kind of finned friends you plan to keep in your fish aquarium, the rest of your system requirements will fall into place.

One of the most important things you can do is to research the types of fish you want. This information makes it much easier to create the right habitat. Take it slow, do your research and enjoy the ride! Alexandra Rose is a biologist, diver, musician, and underwater photographer.

She is the science editor of and a principle writer for Ocean Geographic Magazine and is the managing editor of Ocean Geographic Explorers. Alex founded her own company, Blue Ring, in in an effort to create a new method of ocean conservation accessible to and inclusive of everyone who wants to better understand and protect our seas.

Check your filter and replace material as necessary but never all at once. There are packaged dormant bacterial agents, such as Nutrafin Cycle which can be added to your tank to maintain its health. This is definitely a must-add when setting up a new tank or performing a water change. Due to the huge variety of tropical fish there is also a variety of available foods.

For optimum health it is best to feed a variety of high quality pelleted and frozen food. Defrost frozen foods prior to feeding. We feed and recommend Nutrafin Max. Feeding quantities will vary but never more than they can consume within three to five minutes. Over feeding can cause a polluted, murky and lethal environment for your fish.

Check the instructions on the packaged food that you purchase. Always wash your hands and rinse well before and after handling your tank contents as items such as perfume or hand cream can be toxic.

Use this checklist to make sure that tropical fish are right for you and your family:. Shop Fish Range From lighting to treatments, we have an extensive range for your aquarium. Back To Fish.

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