Once your aquarium is set up and cycled it's ready to support tropical fish. The ones rated as Community fish are good choices. There are species that like to school and do better in groups, and species that are territorial. The territorial ones should be kept one or few per tank unless your tank is large.

The process of introducing a fish into a new water environment can be a bit stressful. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Get the fish home as soon as possible and place the plastic bag with the fish in the tank for 10 minutes at most. This will get the fish used to the temperature.
• Use a fish net to move the fish from the bag to the tank. Do not add any of the water from the pet store to your tank.
• If the new fish is being chased or harassed by the current inhabitants then that's usually due to territories. If you re-arrange the aquarium's plants and rocks the fish will all need to re-establish territories.

Aquarium Fish Information Table

Family	Common Name	Captivity Adult Size (Inches)	Temperature Range in °F	Preferred pH	Picture	Notes	Primary Feeding
Anabantidae	Betta Splendens	2.50	77 - 83	7.0		Keep only one per tank and please read this: Special Note on Bettas	Top Feeder - Bloodworms
Poeciliidae	Platy	2.50	66 - 76	7.2 - 8.0		These hardy fish come in various colors, they produce a lot of waste and reproduce easily.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Characidae	Neon Tetra	1.50	74 - 79	5.8 - 6.5		These are schoolers, they do best in groups of 4 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Characidae	Black Neon Tetra	1.50	72 - 77	6.0		These are schoolers, they do best in groups of 4 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Characins	Red-Eye Tetra	2.00	73 - 82	6.5 - 7.5		These do best in groups of 4 or more and are mostly peaceful.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Cyprinidae	Zebra Danio	2.00	66 - 76	6.6 - 7.2		These do best in groups of 4 or more and are very, very active.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Cyprinidae	White Cloud Mountain Minnow	1.50	68 - 72	7.0		These are schoolers, they do best in groups of 4 or more and are lively.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Loricariidae	Dwarf Suckermouth Otocinclus	1.50	68 - 73	7.0		Usually one per 10 gallons, not very active. They will also eat the tank's algae.	Bottom Feeder - Algae Wafers
Cyprinidae	Tiger Barb	2.50	70 - 79	6.5 - 6.8		These are very territorial and may nip others fish's fins, best with 4 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Characidae	Serpea Tetra	1.75	73 - 77	6.0		These tend to be territorial and fin nippers, best with 4 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Cyprinidae	Cherry Barb	2.00	75 - 79	7.0		These are very peaceful, best with 2 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Characidae	Pristella Tetra	1.75	75 - 82	6.5 - 7.5		These are schoolers, they do best in groups of 4 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Cyprinidae	Harlequin Rasbora	1.75	72 - 78	6.4 - 6.9		These are schoolers, they do best in groups of 4 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Characidae	Lemon Tetra	1.50	73 - 82	6.0 - 7.5		These are schoolers, they do best in groups of 4 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Characidae	Bloodfin Tetra	1.75	68 - 80	7.0		These are very peaceful, best with 6 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Cyprinidae	Gold Barb	3.00	68 - 75	7.0		These are very peaceful, best with 4 or more.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Cyprinidae	Red-Tailed Shark	4.75	74 - 79	7.0		These like caves, plants and are very territorial. Keep them one per tank.	Bottom Feeder - Sinking Wafers
Cyprinidae	Red-Fin Shark	5.50	71 - 79	6.5 - 7.5		These like caves and plants. Keep them in wide tanks since they are territorial.	Bottom Feeder - Sinking Wafers
Cyprinidae	Bala Shark	8.00	72 - 82	6.5 - 7.0		These are very peaceful, keep them in planted, wide tanks for large swimming room.	Top Feeder - Flakes
Callichthyidae	Leopard Cory	2.50	72 - 79	7.0		These do best in groups of 2 or more and are very peaceful.	Bottom Feeder - Sinking Wafers
Ariidae	Columbian Shark	10	75 - 80	6.8 - 8.0		These are mostly peaceful fish, suitable for a community tank.	Bottom Feeder - Sinking Wafers

Aquarium Setup
E-Mail Us