Freshwater Tropical Fish Information

Types of Freshwater Tropical Fish

• Freshwater fish fall into about a dozen main family groups. Fish from different families, and different species within the same family, may have vastly different water temperature requirements, breeding habits and life spans. Additionally, some tropical fish grow much larger than others, so it is key to know a fish's growth potential and space requirements before buying it.

Compatibility

• Not all freshwater tropical fish are compatible. Fish come in all different temperaments, from the aggressive Beta (Siamese fighting fish) to the peaceful Spotted Blue Eye Pseudomugil Gertrudae, that lives best in packs of six or more. Therefore, owners must find out if fish can coexist with others or must be kept alone in their own tank.

Water Temperatures

• Tropical fish hail from warm waters, and therefore their aquariums must be heated at all times between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. A few tropical species can live without a heater in warm climates, but keeping them this way is difficult and not recommended.

Food

• Freshwater tropical fish eat different diets, so again it is important to do research before buying. Traditional flakes are fine as a base, but others may need their diets supplemented with other foods, including blood worms, brine shrimp and krill.

Diseases

• Tropical freshwater fish are susceptible to a number of different diseases, including ammonia poisoning, fish fungus, fin rot, hole in the head, pop eye, velvet and dropsy, among others. Most of these conditions are easily treatable or preventable.
  The website Fish Lore has information on different conditions and treatments (see References for a link).