


Some tetras, gouramis, rainbowfish, swordtails, and guppies will also move from top to middle. Popular top dwellers include halfbeaks and hatchetfish. They are also strong at jumping and will be able to leap out of the aquarium, so you will need to cover your tank. Top level fish are top feeders and will hang out around the surface of the aquarium. Some fish-danios, upside down catfish, and rosy barbs-will swim at any level. There are three swim levels: top, middle, and bottom. In other words, you can help reduce territorial stress. Not only does this promote a more balanced aquarium, but it gives your fish more room to move around and remain peaceful. If you want a harmonious tank, then you should choose fish that like to swim at different water levels within the tank. There are two main points that many people overlook when stocking their aquarium: swimming levels and schooling. Then, whatever fish combinations you choose, you will be successful. That is why, if you want to keep several fish, start out with a 20 gallon tank (or bigger), get the appropriate heating, filter, light, substrate, and everything else you need. Water temperature is also bound to fluctuate, affecting your fish.

In fact, smaller tanks get dirtier more quickly and require consistent clean up. If you have a small budget, then you should wait a little to make sure you get a decent aquarium.Īlso, if you plan on having more than one kind of fish-which is why you’re here-then you cannot get a micro tank. List out everything you need to make your tank successful, including the type of plants you want, lighting, substrate, and what the best freshwater aquarium fish combinations would be for your tank. Otherwise, you might wind up shopping for a whole new set up before too long. It’s not uncommon to get carried away when choosing your fish or plants think about these things carefully. Many rainbowfish species are threatened or endangered and need to be purchased from a reliable vendor that sells commercially farmed fish.If you are a beginner aquarist, it is easy to overlook some key factors regarding stocking and tank mates and other things. Rainbowfish are generally peaceful, community fish, so they can easily be mixed with other tropical community fish, again, provided their water quality requirements are compatible.Īlways thoroughly vet any potential vendor to ensure you are buying captive bred fish and are not taking any endangered fish from the wild. Ensure that your aquarium will have enough space for all your fish. Most rainbowfishes like to be in a small school, so plan on having at least five to six individuals for the larger species and eight to 10 individuals for the smaller species. It is best to pick a mix of species that have compatible water requirements rather than mixing by appearance. Trying to hit a "sweet spot" to accommodate a variety of water quality requirements may not end well. Whenever you are looking to add fish to your aquarium, ensure that your water quality parameters are correct before you mix different species. If properly cared for, rainbowfish can live for 5 years in aquariums. Provide plenty of aquatic plants to give them hiding places. In a home aquarium, rainbowfish need well-oxygenated water with a pH level of 6.8 - 7.2, optimal temperatures varying between 72-82 degrees F (22-28 degrees C). Here are some of the most colorful ones available from fish retailers. There are various sizes and body shapes in rainbowfish. Most rainbowfish species prefer schooling together in a small group. They prefer to live in planted areas and reproduce by laying eggs. They live in freshwater, including rivers, lakes, and swamps. Rainbowfish are classified by their elongated premaxillary teeth. When possible, always purchase fish from fish stores that buy from reputable breeders to ensure you are not buying fish taken from their native environments. There are many species on this list that are endangered or threatened in the wild. Keep in mind, fish from different parts of the world will often have different water quality requirements, so not all species need the same water parameters. Almost all rainbowfish species are community fish that get along with other non-aggressive freshwater fish species in an aquarium. Rainbowfish are a common freshwater community fish, but are you aware how many species are out there? All members of the Melanotaeniidae family, the rainbowfish, are a wonderfully diverse group of fishes that are native to the islands of Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, Sulawesi and Madagascar.
