 Image via Wikipedia |
| Siamese fighting fish, mollies, a platy, and a rainbowfish |
The best way to start a new tank is to start small and add to it as you get more experienced with your own personal ecosystem. Each tank is different, with different requirements, and there is no disgrace in taking time and caution to learn more. If you have a new tank, start with strong, non-aggressive fish such as mollies, tetras, rainbow fish, or rasboras.
If you decide to include fish that are herbivores, make sure not to have any live plants in your tank, as your new fish will be more than pleased to eat them.
If you decide to include fish that are herbivores, make sure not to have any live plants in your tank, as your new fish will be more than pleased to eat them.
You can even include tropical fish species that help in regulating tank life. These include species such as catfish, which are natural bottom feeders. Suckermouth catfishes, such as the plecostomus, are known for traveling up and down the glass as they eat algae, resulting in a naturally clean tank. Cleaning shrimp, crabs, and others make perfect cleaning species.
 Image by i-saint via Flickr |
Plecostomus |
A common problem with tropical fish species is their temperaments. you just can't fill a tank full of whatever fish you like. There are fish that are shy, fish that are aggressive, fish that prosper in schools, and even fish that do best when there is only one of their kind in the tank.
It's essential to keep these points in mind. To pair up an aggressive fish, for example, with tank mates that it is incompatible with will have fatal results. Not only will the rest of your fish live in horror as they are always attacked, but it will even stress out the aggressive fish. Learning about these temperaments and choosing your fish accordingly is one of the most crucial keys to keeping a peaceful tank.
It's essential to keep these points in mind. To pair up an aggressive fish, for example, with tank mates that it is incompatible with will have fatal results. Not only will the rest of your fish live in horror as they are always attacked, but it will even stress out the aggressive fish. Learning about these temperaments and choosing your fish accordingly is one of the most crucial keys to keeping a peaceful tank.
 Image by richard ling via Flickr |
| Banded Cleaner Shrimp |
Finally, dietary requirements play a significant part in choosing tropical fish species. While it is possible for herbivores and carnivores to live peacefully together in the same tank, it's not a good idea to include smaller herbivores, as the carnivore may probably eat them.
Keep this in mind when keeping live bearing fish as well—nothing is more frustrating than losing all of your fry because the carnivore in your tank snapped them all up before you could quarantine them. Learn more about tropical fish species and how to keep a healthy happy tank and browse more of our useful posts.
Keep this in mind when keeping live bearing fish as well—nothing is more frustrating than losing all of your fry because the carnivore in your tank snapped them all up before you could quarantine them. Learn more about tropical fish species and how to keep a healthy happy tank and browse more of our useful posts.
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