How to Know Which Fish Make Good Tank Mates

Having an aquarium in your home can be an enjoyable experience for adults and kids alike. When purchasing fish for the aquarium, it is important to know which fish make good tank mates. This is important to know so that the fish live stress-free and don't try to kill each other.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the type of tank desired. Different types are fish bowls, fish ponds, warm water tank or cold water tank. This is important to know which fish thrive in which environment. Fantails, Orandas, Pond Comets and Koi are the most suitable for fish ponds. Bettas, Ghost Shrimp, frogs and snails live best in fish bowls. Tetras, gold fish and guppies thrive well in cold water tanks. The best fish to live in a warm water tank is a school of Zebra Danios.

    • 2

      Pick the aquatic home of choice and purchase appropriate fish. Fish are classified in groups of species such as community fish, solitary fish, semi-aggressive and aggressive. Any fish of that particular group species will make good tank mates. Most fish thrive when living with several members of that group species.

    • 3

      Choose fish tank mates that are compatible. Community fish live well with a large variety of fish and solitary fish like to live alone. Semi-aggressive fish should live amongst a large quantity of fish to stay passive in nature. Aggressive fish should be added to the tank at once to stay passive or should be the only fish in the tank. Some groups are compatible with other groups but some are very aggressive and should not be in a mixed tank. In a warm water tank, Zebra Danios do the best and can be mixed with Gold Danios, Leopard Danios, tadpoles, and ghost shrimp, just to name a few. Discus and angelfish should never be mixed, but kribensis are excellent to put in community tanks. Goldfish should not be mixed with tropical fish.