Aquarium Requirements for Types of Tropical Fish

Tropical fish have certain aquarium requirements in order to stay alive and healthy. Warm, moving water with plenty of places to hide and healthy plant growth will help the fish thrive.

  1. Size

    • The tank itself is the most important part of keeping any kind of fish, and generally, a bigger tank with a large water surface area is best. The tank size should have 1 gallon of water per 1 inch of adult fish, minus 10 percent for any substrate, plants or decorations.

    Considerations

    • Fish require light to see and to keep a healthy internal clock, and aquarium plants need light to photosynthesize. Tropical fish need warm water to survive, so a heater must be used to keep the water temperate between 76 and 79 degrees F. Some tropical fish require warmer waters up to 85 degrees F.

    Benefits

    • A successful tropical tanks need a good filtration system that removes toxins from the water. In addition to the filter, an air pump is used to oxygenate the water by producing bubbles inside the tank so fish can breathe easily.

    Function

    • Substrate, such as gravel, is necessary in a tropical tank so that plants have a place to root and a beneficial bacteria has a place to grow in order to remove debris waste at the bottom of the tank. Tropical fish have different preference for decorations.

    Accessories

    • Tropical fish have different preferences for decor. Cichlids prefer cave to hide in, plecos and catfish like driftwood, and killifish enjoy open waters. Plants play an important role in aquariums. They provide places for the fish to hide and help to keep the water clean by removing toxins.