Keeping an aquarium is a popular hobby that provides numerous benefits, including reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. One of the most appealing aspects of keeping fish as pets is their wide range of colors and patterns.
While many people may think of fish as dull gray or brown creatures, there are actually many freshwater fish that are brightly colored and full of personality.
You are reading: 12 Types Of Aquarium Fish
In this article, we will explore 12 types of aquarium fish that are popular among aquarium enthusiasts. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced aquarist, this guide will help you discover a variety of colorful freshwater fish to help you create a beautiful looking tank you won’t be able to take your eyes off.
12 Types Of Aquarium Fish
Pearl Gourami
The pearl gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is a freshwater fish species that is native to Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, Malaysia, and the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
It is also known as the lace gourami or the mosaic gourami due to its pearl-like pattern on its body. The pearl gourami is a peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with other non-aggressive fish species. It prefers acidic water and lowland swamps as its natural habitat.
The male pearl gourami is larger and more colorful than the female, exhibiting bright orange coloration around the throat region, which becomes much brighter during breeding season.
The male also has longer fins, with a more pointed dorsal fin and extended anal fin rays.
Silver Angelfish
The silver angelfish (Pterophyllum sp.) is a popular freshwater fish species that is native to the Amazon Basin in South America. It is also known as the silver angel and is a member of the cichlid family.
The silver angelfish has a silver body with four vertical black stripes, one of which passes through its eye. It can grow up to 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length.
The silver angelfish is an omnivorous fish that feeds on insect larvae and small fish in the wild, but can be fed with pellets and flakes in captivity.
The species is peaceful but territorial, and it is recommended to keep them in single-species aquariums to avoid aggression towards other fish species.
The silver angelfish is a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts due to its unique appearance and peaceful nature.
Neon Tetra
The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a popular freshwater fish species that is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America. It is one of the most widely kept tropical fish in the world, with about 2 million sold in the US each month.
The neon tetra is known for its bright neon blue stripe that runs from the tip of its nose to the adipose fin, which makes it visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams. It has a slender torpedo-shaped body that reaches no more than an inch and a half in length.
The neon tetra is a shoaling species that is peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive fish species. It has a decently long life expectancy of 5 or more years.
Neon tetras are generally all captive-bred, with most coming from fish farms in the Far East and Eastern Europe.
Zebrafish
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a freshwater fish species belonging to the minnow family of the order Cypriniformes. Native to India and South Asia, it is a popular aquarium fish, frequently sold under the trade name zebra danio.
Zebrafish are hardy fish and considered good for beginner aquarists. Their enduring popularity can be attributed to their playful disposition, as well as their rapid breeding, aesthetics, cheap price, and broad availability.
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They also do well in schools or shoals of six or more, and interact well with other fish species in the aquarium.
Zebrafish are also an important and widely used vertebrate model organism in scientific research, for example in drug development, in particular pre-clinical development. Their genome has been fully sequenced, and they have well-understood, easily observable and testable developmental behaviors.
Furthermore, well-characterized mutant strains are readily available.
Common Goldfish
The common goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a freshwater fish species that is a member of the carp family Cyprinidae. It is a domesticated breed of wild carp and is a close relative of koi. Most varieties of fancy goldfish were derived from the common goldfish.
Common goldfish come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, white, black, yellow, blue, grey/brown, and olive green, with the most common variation being orange. They are social animals that prefer living in groups and can coexist with any fish species, providing they are tame and sociable.
Common goldfish are usually hardy but can contract diseases caused by poor water quality, overfeeding, and overstocking. They are also known to produce much waste and continually stir up the substrate in their search for food.
In small aquariums, illnesses in common goldfish can quickly become fatal, requiring prompt treatment.
Black Skirt Tetra
The black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) is a freshwater fish species that belongs to the characin family. It is also known as the black tetra, black widow tetra, petticoat tetra, high-fin black skirt tetra, and blackamoor.
The black skirt tetra is native to the Paraguay River basin of south-central Brazil, Paraguay, and northeast Argentina, but there are also populations in the upper Paraná and Paraíba do Sul Rivers that likely were introduced.
The black skirt tetra has a roughly tetragonal body shape and is grayish in color, fading from near black at the tail to light at the nose.
Two prominent, black, vertical bars appear just posterior to the gills. It is easily distinguished from all of its congeners by the presence of a dense field of dark chromatophores spread homogeneously over the posterior one half of the body unlike the lack of such pigmentation in all congeners.
The black skirt tetra is a schooling fish that looks great in a medium to large aquarium where a school of them can swim together. They are hardy and easy to care for, making them a great choice for aquarium beginners.
Guppy
The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a popular freshwater fish species that is widely distributed across the world. It is also known as the millionfish and rainbow fish.
Guppies are live-bearing fish that are easy to care for and are a great choice for beginner aquarists. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and there are many standardized varieties available.
Guppies are also widely studied as a model species in ecology and evolutionary biology. They are known to be very tolerant and adaptable to new environments, making them a popular choice for mosquito control in non-native ecosystems.
Dwarf Gourami
The dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) is a small freshwater fish species that is native to South Asia, specifically Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. However, it has also been widely distributed outside of its native range.
The dwarf gourami is a popular aquarium fish due to its vibrant colors and peaceful nature. It is also known for its touch-sensitive cells on its thread-like pelvic fins.
The male dwarf gourami has diagonal stripes of alternating blue and red colors, while the female is a silvery color. The sex of the fish can also be determined by the dorsal fin, with the male’s dorsal fin being pointed and the female’s being rounded or curved.
The dwarf gourami can reach a length of 8.8 centimeters (3.5 inches) TL. It is an omnivore that prefers both algae-based foods and meaty foods, so a varied diet is important.
Swordtail
The swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) is a popular freshwater fish species that is native to Mexico and Central America. Swordtails are named for the elongated ventral aspect of their tail fin, creating a “sword”-like appearance. They are bred in a wide variety of colors and patterns, creating many varieties within the species.
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Swordtails are live-bearing fish, and they reproduce very quickly. They are easily identified as males or females by the distinctive “sword” on the tail (caudal fin) of the males.
Swordtails are peaceful community fish and typically live well with species like mollies, platys, tetras, and other peaceful community fish. They are active fish and do well in many different aquarium setups. Swordtails are good for beginners and a colorful addition to any community tank.
Butterfly Koi
Butterfly koi, also known as longfin koi or dragon carp, are a type of ornamental fish that are notable for their elongated finnage. They are a breed of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, which includes numerous wild carp races as well as domesticated koi.
Butterfly koi are a cross between traditional koi and long-finned carp, resulting in longer fins and a slimmer body than traditional koi. They are known for their unique and beautiful patterns, which are similar to traditional koi patterns but exhibited in a slightly different way.
Butterfly koi are popular with pond enthusiasts and are widely available in pet, pond, and fish keeping supply stores, as well as specialized koi breeders. They are hardy fish that can be kept in a pond that is at least a thousand gallons.
Bristlenose Pleco
The Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cirrhosus) is a freshwater fish species that is native to South America, mainly in the fast-flowing waters of the Amazon River Basin. It is also known as the bushy nose pleco or bristlenose catfish.
The Bristlenose Pleco is one of the smallest catfish, growing to only 5 inches, and is brown, green, or gray with white or yellow spots. The popularity of the Bristlenose Pleco is attributed to the fact that they stay small compared to other common catfish, such as the common pleco, which can grow to 18-20 inches in length.
Bristlenose Plecos are herbivores, eating mainly algae, so feeding algae or spirulina wafers once or twice daily is best. They are easy to care for and make a great choice for beginners.
The males have bushy nose appendages that sprout from their snouts, which are the fish’s namesake. The bristles are present in all Bristlenose Plecos, but they are much more prominent in males.
White Betta Fish
White Betta Fish are a beautiful and unique addition to any aquarium. Here are some basic facts about White Betta Fish based on the search results:
Appearance:
– White Betta Fish have completely white bodies and finnage that often has a subtle pearlescent sheen.
– They can sometimes appear pinkish in color, probably from the opalescent sheen.
Availability:
– White Betta Fish are available for purchase online from various retailers.
Care:
– White Betta Fish require a tank with a minimum of 2.5 gallons of water.
– They are carnivorous and require a varied diet of high-quality pellets, frozen or live foods.
– They prefer a water temperature between 76-82°F and a pH between 6.5-7.5.
Breeding:
– Breeding White Betta Fish requires a separate breeding tank with a temperature of 80-82°F.
– The male will build a bubble nest, and the female will lay eggs in it.
– After the eggs hatch, the male will care for the fry.
In conclusion, White Betta Fish are a beautiful and unique fish species that require proper care and attention. They are available for purchase online and can be a great addition to your aquarium.
FAQS
1. How many fish should I buy for my aquarium?
The number of fish you should buy depends on the size of your aquarium and the species of fish you plan to keep. As a general rule, you should have no more than one inch of fish per gallon of water in your aquarium.
2. What types of fish are recommended for beginners?
There are many types of fish that are recommended for beginners, including guppies, neon tetras, zebrafish, and swordtails.
3. How often should I feed my fish?
The frequency of feeding your fish depends on the species of fish you have and their dietary needs. As a general rule, most fish should be fed once or twice a day, with only as much food as they can consume in a few minutes.
4. Do I need to remove fish while cleaning the tank?
It is not necessary to remove fish while cleaning the tank, but you should be careful not to disturb them too much. You can use a siphon to remove debris from the bottom of the tank while leaving the fish in the water.
5. How do I choose the right fish for my aquarium?
When choosing fish for your aquarium, you should consider factors such as the size of your tank, the compatibility of different species, and the care requirements of each type of fish. Research the type of fish you intend to buy or ask if they need special conditions.
6. How do I breed fish in my aquarium?
Breeding fish in your aquarium requires a separate breeding tank with the right temperature and water conditions. The male will build a bubble nest, and the female will lay eggs in it. After the eggs hatch, the male will care for the fry.
7. How do I maintain the water quality in my aquarium?
Maintaining the water quality in your aquarium is essential for the health of your fish. You should test the water regularly for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels and perform regular water changes to keep the water clean.
8. Can different species of fish live together in the same aquarium?
Different species of fish can live together in the same aquarium, but you should choose species that are compatible with each other. Some fish are more aggressive than others and may not do well in a community tank.
9. How long do aquarium fish live?
The lifespan of aquarium fish varies depending on the species. Some fish can live for several years, while others may only live for a few months. It is important to research the lifespan of the species you plan to keep and provide them with the proper care to ensure they live a healthy life.
10. How do I acclimate my fish to the aquarium?
When introducing new fish to your aquarium, you should acclimate them slowly to the water conditions in the tank. Float the bag containing the fish in the aquarium for 15-20 minutes to allow the water temperature to equalize, then gradually add small amounts of water from the aquarium to the bag over the course of an hour or two.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
Category: Animals
