Guide to Tropical Aquarium Fish

Starting your first aquarium is exciting and very confusing! Once you place all of the basic equipment like heaters, filters, thermometer, light, plants, rocks, and toys you are already in a tizzy! Don't forget the most important part of your aquarium...the fish!

Anabantoids are very popular fish, common known as Bettas, which are generally peaceful. The males are aggressive toward each other, so only purchase one female and one male, two females, or one male. Betta's bright colors will florist in warm water, around 80 degrees, and filtration doesn't have to be strict. Anabantoids are from Asia where many plants grow in the waters. Make sure to add lots of vegetation to your aquarium when introducing Bettas to the environment. Anabantoids love to eat brine shrimp, tubifex, whiteworms, and bloodworms. Anabantoids are also called labrinthfishes. The labrinth is a special organ the allows them to breathe air from the surface of the oxygen-poor waters in Asia.

Catfish have delicate whiskers that make them a distinct feature to any aquarium. They are very easygoing and flexible about their aquarium conditions. Catfish spend most of the time whiskering around for food, so make sure to feed them often. Loricariids are found in a wide variety of habitats, but mostly like to stay hidden in caves, under rocks, and only come out at night. Catfish are from Africa, India, and Asia. With all exciting kinds of catfish there is no worry about becoming bored.

Piranhas, Pencilfishes, and Tetras are called characoids. Generally, males have longer dorsal and anal fins and feature bright colors. Female characoids are usually stouter through the middle than the males. Characoids are very fish-like in shape.

Cichlids are easy, interesting, and friendly. Many cichlids will become tame enough to eat right out of your hand. They can be feisty, territorial, and tough, but you soon learn how to deal with their unique personalities. Cichlids come in all different shapes and sizes. Some cichlids are slim and thin like Angelfish and discus and some have large bumps on their head. The bump isn't their brain, but stored fat. Cichlids are the most captivating aquarium fish with their fabulous colors, outrageous patterns, and bright concentrations. Africa is the home to many cichlids. They love to hide in drift wood and rocks.

Cyprinids include Koi, Barbs, Danios, Rasboras, and Minnows. There are over a hundred different types of species of cyprinids, so there's no problem finding these in pet shops. Easy, active, and colorful cyprinids make great aquarium fish for the first-timer.

Guppies, Mollies, Platies, and Swordtails are the "Big Four" of the fish world. These types of fish have been featured in every aquarists home at some point in time. They like clean, warm, and slightly salty water. Just add a few plants and some food and the fish are good to go.

You can be a little creative and purchase sharks, loaches, or

Now that you have the basics down head over to the local pet shop! Remember to start out with just one or two fish as a beginner. A bunch of dead pets wont help build confidence in you or your pets! oddballs for your aquarium. Loaches are eel-like creatures that are native to Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Thailand, Burma, etc. Primarily noctural, loaches prefer to hide in small places. Oddballs are defiantly live up to their name! The Blind Cave Fish lives in a dark environment that requires it not to have eyes! Oddballs range from walkers to flyers, air breathers to water breathers, and eyes to no eyes! Usually not found in pet shops, if you happen to find one, consider buying an oddball.