Popular aquarium fish: names, care, maintenance and compatibility

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

What kind of pets do people not keep in their homes: dogs and cats, snakes and hamsters, birds and, of course, aquarium fish. The silent inhabitants of the underwater world, which do not require complex care and a large territory, attract many nature lovers. Popular aquarium fish get along well with their neighbors and take root in different conditions. We will introduce you to some of them in this review. We hope that experienced aquarists in the comments to the article will expand this list and give advice on keeping their favorite species.

Ancistrus

The most popular catfish kept in the aquarium. They are known and loved by both beginners and pros. They received such attention due to their unique properties. Ancistrus in an aquarium is called an orderly. These fish are unpretentious in content, attract with outstanding behavior, and the structure of the sucker mouth distinguishes them from many other fish.

Meanwhile, this species can hardly be called handsome. Warty growths on the head, unusual mouth, too dark color, besides, they often hide in grottoes and snags. These relatively peaceful catfish like to feast on algae, they also eat dead organic matter. Ancistras need a large aquarium equipped with a powerful filter. Sometimes small catfish are confused with brocade pterygoplicht, a larger fish.

Apistogramma

The group of South American cichlids includes more than a hundred species. They are united by a color with a horizontal strip that crosses the body of the fish. The size of dwarf cichlids does not exceed 8 cm. Apistogramma is a non-conflict fish, although skirmishes between males of the same species are possible. Algae and driftwood, aquatic mosses close to their natural habitat are most suitable for filling the aquarium.

Elizabeth

A small fish that belongs to the American dwarf cichlids. There are many varieties that differ in appearance, mainly in color: from blue to red and yellow. These fish are sensitive to the amount of organic waste in the water. It is not worth populating them in a biologically immature aquarium - it must first go through the launch in full. Water for the aquarium should be soft with a slight carbonate hardness. Apistagram Elizabeth should not be kept in the same container as members of other species. They can be kept alone, in pairs, or in the vicinity of some species of tetras, nannostomus, and others.haracin.

Barbs

Quite often these fish can be seen in aquariums. Barb fish prefer a schooling lifestyle. For the most part, these are small mobile pets, about 6 cm in size. These are peaceful inhabitants of aquariums. Aggression on their part is not common, although in some cases it can lead to the destruction of other fish. They are active, constantly on the move, looking for something and chasing each other.

Mutant

This species (Puntius tetrazona) has several other names for green barb, mossy barb. Today it is widespread. This species has an impressive fluorescent blue-green or green coloration. There is also a red color: on the outside of the fins on the back, tail and abdomen. During spawning, the muzzle turns bright red.

The mutant barbus is a nimble and attractive fish, which is the decoration of the aquarium. The mutant barb has a rounded body with a pointed head and a high back. These are small fish, reaching a length of no more than 7 cm in natural conditions, and in the aquarium they are slightly smaller. With proper care, they live 6-7 years.

Guppy fish: care, maintenance and compatibility

Perhaps, this is one of the smallest aquarium fish. Caring for them is quite interesting because no other fish have such a species diversity. Experienced aquarists recommend that it is with them to start acquaintance with the inhabitants of the underwater world. Today, guppies are the most common and popular aquarium fish.

13 breeding forms have been developed. Conventionally, they are divided into subgroups in accordance with the characteristics of the tail: in many species it is very beautiful, veiled. Guppy body sizes range from 1.5 to 4 cm. These viviparous fish are unpretentious in care and undemanding to feed. To make your little pets comfortable, provide them with a spacious glass house, in which the water level should be more than forty centimeters.

Plants with small leaves are suitable for decorating an aquarium: small guppies look better against their background. It is important not to overdo it with the amount of greenery, because it can cause pH drops at different times of the day, and this is harmful to the he alth of underwater inhabitants. Some aquarists are wondering if guppies need greens and soil?

There are no strict rules in this regard, but it is advisable to use one plant. This is an Indian fern.

Danio

Small and graceful fish from the carp family. belong to social groups, so they should be kept in flocks of 5-6 individuals. Aquarium zebrafish are unpretentious and hardy, do not require complex care. They, like guppies, are recommended for beginners in the aquarium hobby.

When calculating the required volume of the aquarium, use the following scheme - each fish up to 5 cm in size requires four liters of water. Since danios are kept in groups of 6-8 specimens, they need an aquarium with a volume of at least 30 liters. Larger fish may require a 50 to 100 liter container.

It is advisable to choose an aquarium that is elongated in length to keep such a mobile flock. Aquarium zebrafish, as a rule, feed from the surface of the water, as well as in its upper layers, almost without picking up food from the bottom. Therefore, floating species are more suitable for them, give preference to live food. In specialized stores today you can buy frozen bloodworms, daphnia, cyclops. A package (100 gr) costs about 600 rubles.

Goldfish

Today there are over 120 varieties of goldfish. The main color of their body and fins is red-gold, the back is slightly darker than the abdomen. There are other varieties of color: red and pale pink, black and white, black-blue and dark bronze, yellow and fiery red.

Goldfish has an elongated body, slightly compressed from the sides. Sexual differences are noticeable only during the spawning period - the abdomen is rounded in females, and white specks appear on the pectoral fins and gills of males. It is important to know how to care for goldfish in an aquarium. Such pets prefer a spacious container filled with oxygenated water.

To keep these fish, it is advisable to use a container with a volume of at least 50 liters. Short-bodied species (telescopes, veiltails) need more water than long-bodied species (comet, simple goldfish, shubunkin). With an increase in volume, you can slightly increase the landing density. For example, in a volume of 100 liters they will feel comfortabletwo or three fish, but in the latter case, powerful filtration and frequent water changes will be required. 3-4 goldfish will comfortably get along in 150 liters, 5-6 in 200 liters, 6-8 in 250 liters. This recommendation is relevant provided that your pets are at least 7 cm in length, excluding the tail.

Under the conditions of detention, as a rule, there is no trouble with these fish. They get along well with all non-aggressive pets. At the same time, species content is desirable. A feature of this popular aquarium fish is its constant desire to dig in the ground. Coarse sand or pebbles are most suitable as soil, since the hostesses of the aquarium swallow and scatter it less.

Coridoras

Small and non-conflict catfish corridors. Their content does not cause serious problems even for beginners. They get along well with most peaceful aquarium fish, unpretentious and omnivorous. In addition, corridors clean the ground when they swim along the bottom in search of food. These fish love shade. Novice aquarists can safely consider these cute fish to share in their underwater home.

When keeping catfish corridors, it is important to consider the number of inhabitants of the aquarium. They don't need too much capacity. For a group of eight fish, a volume of 50-60 liters is enough. For these catfish, the bottom is extremely important, where they constantly swarm, so that each inhabitant has enough space and does not interfere with others.

Dim lamps are suitable for lighting. It is necessary to create shading using floating plants. Decorative caves and driftwood will becomeexcellent aquarium design. However, it is important not to overdo it with their installation: each fish must have enough free space. The aquarium should be equipped with a filter and aerator. The amount of water should be regulated in such a way that the corridors swim to the surface for a breath of air. A quarter of the volume of water must be changed every week. The soil should be cleaned twice a month. Make sure that the bottom is free of broken decorations or sharp stones that could damage the antennae and mouth of the corridors.

Viviparous fish

Mollinesia and platies are among the most popular in this group. A small mollies will not grow more than 10 cm in length. Its maintenance and breeding does not require much experience. The main colors of mollies are silver and golden, green and dark. Silvery scales with black dots are a feature of the Dalmatian mollies.

Beginner aquarists should look out for varieties with short fins.

Another popular aquarium fish that is suitable for beginners is the platy. It is a small fish with a bright color. This variety does not require complex care. They can be kept both in large aquariums and in very small ones. The variety of species and colors will allow everyone to choose a pet to their taste.

Swordsman

Even novice aquarists know these fish. They got their name because of the outgrowth on the tail, which is shaped like a sword. This is a small viviparous fish, characterized by various color combinations incolor, ease of care and high survival. Swordtails are generally not aggressive. They are compatible with all peaceful, not very large fish. Swordtails do not get along in an aquarium with large and aggressive neighbors who will hunt them, for example, with cichlids (acaras, astronotus, diamond cichlids, etc.). In addition, they should not be planted with "veil" fish. They are very slow and swordtails can damage their flapping fins.

These are quite large fish. They should be kept in the ratio: 1 male and two females. The size of the aquarium for such a group is desirable more than 50 liters. In this case, the container should be wide. Swordtails need good aeration and filtration, a weekly change of up to 1/4 of the volume of water. The aquarium should be covered as these frisky fish can jump out.

Cockerel

So, how to care for cockerel fish? The volume of the aquarium for these fish should be at least 5-10 liters for one individual. A mini-filter should be installed in it, beautifully arranged. Plant aquarium plants, adjust the biobalance. In a large aquarium (from 50 liters), you can add a second male or divide the tank with transparent partitions, drilling holes in them for water circulation.

You can decorate it with snags, stones, living plants. Lighting should not be too bright. The aquarium itself should be filled with water not to the brim. Leave 7-10 cm to the top and cover with a lid.

Even knowing how to care for a cockerel fish, pay attention toone aspect. All labyrinth fish, including bettas, breathe air that they swallow from the surface of the water. Without access to the surface of the water, the fish will die. The lid is necessary so that the swallowed air is not too cold.

Scalar

Cichlids common among aquarists with spectacular appearance. They have a flat body shape and large fins. The most common species are bred by selection. This explains the variety of colors and scale patterns.

Scalars are prone to various diseases, and therefore are in dire need of clean water with a small current. Sometimes quite aggressive. With whom do angelfish get along in an aquarium? We should not forget that these are predators, and therefore, the choice of neighbors should be taken very seriously. These fish are compatible with calm neighbors, as experienced connoisseurs of the underwater world say, with angels:

• Gourami.
• Katfish.
• Mollies.
• Botsii.
• Rainbows.
• Pecilia.
• Labeo.
• Debriefing.
• Tetras.

These species are more suitable for the neighborhood with predatory angelfish.

Ternetia

Small representatives of the haracin family. The body of these schooling fish does not exceed 5 cm in length and is usually painted in silver color. Two vertical dark stripes are clearly visible on the scales. Today you can also see artificially bred species with colorful bright colors.

When caring for thorns, you should pay attention to timely water changesand keeping the aquarium clean.

Black Knife

This lone predator belongs to the Apteronotidae family. In nature, it grows up to 50 cm, in an aquarium - up to 40 cm. The shape of its body resembles a knife. It is completely painted in deep black. A feature of the predator is an electric organ, which helps him a lot in hunting. This fish feeds on fry and aquatic insects. Needs a large tank with good filtration.

You should not keep it with representatives of the same species: relatives are hostile to each other, and the fish behaves quite decently with other large species.

Neon

So, the blue neon fish naturally lives in South America, mainly in the waters of Colombia. The body size of this tiny fish does not exceed 3.5 centimeters. Females are slightly larger than males, which grow to only two centimeters. A neon blue and barely noticeable and faded red stripe runs along the entire body of a neon.

These are peaceful, schooling fish that prefer to stay out in the open. As a rule, they swim near the surface, but they can also sink to the very bottom. For breeding these fish, it is advisable to use small, dimly lit spawning aquariums with a volume of no more than 20 liters. You should pay attention to the water parameters: dH 1-4°, pH 5, 0-5, 5, temperature around +26 °C.

Spawning, as a rule, occurs in the late afternoon, and it is preceded by exhausting and long races. The female spawns over the plant substrate. Larvaeappear on the sixth day. By the end of the third week, the first signs of coloration appear in juveniles.

Black-striped cichlazoma

Perhaps, this is the most popular fish from the cichlase family. Unpretentious small fish with a beautiful, refined body color. They are practically non-aggressive and easy to care for. Despite the fact that experienced aquarists claim that the peak of their popularity has already passed, many people enjoy keeping them.

Care Tips

It is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of fish for the aquarium. All of them differ in terms of keeping, however, experienced aquarists offer universal tips for caring for pets for beginners:

• the capacity of the aquarium can be calculated taking into account the size of the fish: two liters of water are required for every 5 cm of the body;
• in the absence of experience in keeping fish, it is not recommended to purchase exotic expensive species;
• a container with fish that do not require constant access to oxygen should be covered with a lid;
• necessary to remove uneaten feed from the tank in time;
• should not overfeed the fish, so as not to cause he alth problems: there should be enough food for the inhabitants to cope with it in five minutes;
• avoid sudden changes in water temperature and changes in acid-base balance.