Freshwater Fish

An aquarium is both a spectacle and a community. When selecting aquatic freshwater livestock, consider not just their appearance but how they will interact. Having the right size, number, and types of community fish are the keys to a happy and healthy aquarium.

Community Fish Community fish is the term used to describe fish that are compatible and capable of living together. Community fish may not be sociable fish, but they're at least live-and-let-live fish, not the sort that will try to eat each other when you're not looking. There are several criteria for choosing community fish. Look for freshwater types that enjoy similar water pH levels, and have compatible diet and space needs.

As for quantity, the oft-cited rule "one inch of fish per gallon of water" fails to consider one important thing: fish grow. Also, the more available water your aquarium has the cleaner it's going to be. Err on the cautious side when deciding how many fish your aquarium can hold and measure by adult size, not current size.

To maximum aquarium space, try to find freshwater fish that enjoy swimming in different parts of the water. Bettas like swimming near the top, angelfish in the middle, and plecos near the bottom.

Freshwater Fish Types
Here are some community fish you might consider for your aquarium:
Angelfish: Angels are actually part of the Cichlid family (see below), but as the most common fish in that family, angels deserve their own listing. Angels actually do eat other fish, but only ones small enough to fit in their mouths (a peak angel size is about 6 inches long and 8 inches tall). Angels are also rather lazy, so hunting isn't a priority when other food is readily available. Typical angels are silver with brown vertical stripes.

Bettas: Also known as Siamese fighting fish, bettas are extremely popular freshwater aquarium fish. Bettas can be very colorful and beautiful, with extraordinary long fan-like tails and fins. Male bettas kept together in an aquarium tend to fight each other.

Cichlids: Pronounced sick lids, cichlids are popular freshwater fish types despite the fact that they can be very aggressive and territorial. Cichlids are also very intelligent and often extroverted. Cichlids are divided into two groups, African and South American. African cichlids prefer hard water with a high pH and South Americans soft water with a neutral pH.

Discus: Next to cichlids, discus are outright pacifists. Ironic, considering that discus are also carnivores. Discus will eat fish food, but not before starving in protest for as long as a month, as pacifists are inclined to do. Feeding discus the food they've been raised on (usually beef heart) will help you avoid that problem. Stock discus with angels or uarus, but avoid plecos, which like to eat their mucus membranes.

Livebearers: Livebearers are fish that give birth to live young rather than lay eggs. Some popular freshwater aquarium livebearers include guppies, mollies, and swordtails.

Maintenance and Care
Freshwater aquariums need to have their water changed weekly. A gravel vacuum should also be used regularly to remove debris. With a new freshwater tank, vacuum alternate sides of the gravel each week for the first few months. This will provide time for essential bacteria to colonize the gravel.

Remove and clean all aquarium decorations every six to eight weeks. About once a month, wipe down the entire aquarium and scrape algae accumulations off the sides.