Tropical aquarium fish. leafy sea dragon

the beauty

Tropical fish are quite popular in home aquariums due to their exoticism and bright colors. There are species that even a beginner can contain without much difficulty. Tropical inhabitants are quite thermophilic, they can be kept in fresh and salt water. Consider the main species that are often found in home aquariums, the conditions of keeping, feeding and breeding.

Kinds

Thanks to the huge species diversity, tropical fish are very attractive to aquarists. It is difficult not to get confused, seeing a variety of bright colors, sizes and body shapes of fish. Therefore, it is worth highlighting the main features of the most popular types.

Helostoma. This is a fairly peaceful fish that lives in fresh water. They grow up to 15 cm. Their main feature is mobile lips that hide hundreds of small teeth. This fish is able to breathe atmospheric air.
Neons. These are tropical freshwater fish popular in aquariums. They got their name from the bright blue and red stripes that run along the body. These are small fish that reach a length of 2.5 cm. They usually move in small flocks.
Melanochromis auratus. Another name is the Malawian cichlid. Fish that attract the eye with their beautiful color, but they have a rather fighting character. In captivity, they often grow larger than in nature.
Apistogramma ramiresi. Another member of the cichlid genus. The fish are small in size, quite peaceful, therefore they can get along well with others. Suitable for keeping in a small aquarium.
Surgeon fish. It's pretty peaceful fish that can live in reef aquariums. They got their name due to the fins, which look like a surgeon's scalpel. They have a huge variety of bright colors.

Tropical fish are very sensitive to the temperature of the water in the aquarium. Most often, it needs to be maintained in the range from 21 to 28 degrees. To keep the fish, you need an aquarium of a suitable size for the selected species, as well as special devices: filter, heater, aerator, thermometer. It is advisable to place the aquarium in a place that will not be reached by direct Sun rays, vibration or noise.

For a beginner, it is better to choose unpretentious, error-forgiving types for content. When settling in one aquarium different types fish should be guided by their compatibility with each other, since not all tropical fish are equally peaceful.

Worth paying Special attention on the internal arrangement of the aquarium: the choice of suitable soil, plants and shelters (depending on the species you like to keep). Also important is the lighting necessary to maintain the correct microclimate in the aquarium.

Fish that live in salt waters are much more difficult to care for and maintain. They need large aquariums that require more careful and long-term care.

Feeding

Tropical fish need both protein and vegetable food. Fish can be fed live and dry food. It is necessary to feed the fish several times a day, while not overfeeding. Feed should be given exactly as much as the fish can eat in 3-5 minutes. If the remnants of uneaten food float on the surface or sink to the bottom, then the next time it is worth giving it less, and catching the rest in order to avoid contamination of the aquarium.

Feed must be selected depending on the type of fish. Predatory fish are fed live food, insects and fish. For some popular fish species, special ready-made balanced feeds are sold. Food for fish should be varied and of high quality, meet the recommendations for this species.

reproduction

The easiest to breed are viviparous tropical fish. Of the special conditions, they are demanding only for food, it is also necessary to provide a jig for fry or spawning grounds, since many fish are not averse to eating young. Young animals are transplanted into a common aquarium only when they reach a certain size.

A little more complicated is the case with oviparous and incubating fish in the mouth. For oviparous, a special container is needed, where they are deposited for the spawning period. The female is placed back in the aquarium after she lays her eggs.

In the case of fish incubating in the mouth, such as cyclids, after spawning, it is advisable to separate the female from the male so that he does not harm her. Sometimes eggs are taken from the female and artificially incubated.

Thus, tropical fish are frequent inhabitants of home aquariums due to their diverse colors and shapes. There are many types of heat-loving are quite easy to maintain. There are also species that are more demanding in terms of maintenance, which will suit experienced aquarists. Therefore, choosing a type of tropical species for an aquarium is based on own experience and the conditions you can create for them.

Pleasing to the eye with their bright colors, freshwater tropical fish have firmly established themselves in the hearts of both amateurs and professional aquarists. But if you are a beginner, then how not to get lost among such a variety of shapes, colors and requirements for keeping conditions? Let's talk about everything in order.

The main groups and the most popular types of tropical aquarium fish

Among the popular representatives of the characin-like order, one should single out such as distichoid, kerry, congo, nanostomus, phylomena, chilodus, etc. This group also includes piranhas, but not every professional decides to keep this type of tropical fish in his aquarium.

Popular representatives of the catfish order are species such as the so-called grumbling catfish (armored family), mohokiella, hiloglanis, hoplosternum, dianema, and others. Such tropical fish in an aquarium are valued for their functions - cleaning the bottom and walls of their habitat.

A detachment of perciformes in the tropical group are represented. Depending on the variety, the size range of individual fish can vary from 2 to 90 cm, and those belonging to this species have been consistently popular for many decades.

The most common tropical representatives of the carp order can be called,. Basically, these tropical fish are schooling, so it makes no sense to keep them alone.

Order carp-tooth-like: spawning pachypanhax, jordanella, and cinolebias, as well as viviparous, molly and known to almost every aquarist. Viviparous tropical fish of this order are considered an excellent option for beginners.

Video - tropical aquarium fish

And finally, the labyrinth squad: gourami, fighting fish, macropods, iris, atherine family. A feature of tropical fish of these species is the ability to breathe atmospheric air.

General conditions for keeping tropical fish

The main features of tropical fish are the demands on the temperature of the water in the aquarium and its oxygen saturation. An exception in terms of temperature conditions are macropods that can tolerate a significant drop in temperature, while labyrinths can do without aeration at all, but for other species of tropical fish, these rules remain relevant. Therefore, it is better to immediately purchase an automatic heater with the ability to control the temperature and organize proper aeration.

Otherwise, freshwater tropical aquarium fish do not require anything extraordinary. What can not be said about their marine and oceanic counterparts. That is why only 1-2% of the entire large army of tropical fish fans are engaged in them, while the rest prefer freshwater ones.

Content:

Tropical fish are exotic representatives of aquariums, originally from the southern warm countries and with a bright attractive color. These fish are natural conditions accustomed to living in warm water, can live in both fresh and salt water. There are a huge number of different types of tropical fish that even beginner aquarists can keep. Aquarium heat-loving fish have become universal favorites and objects of study for professional aquarists.

flock of neon

Kinds

The variety of species of tropical fish for every taste has made them available for keeping at home. Aquariums often contain labyrinth fish, from the order of characinoid, perch-like, cypriniform, catfish-like, carp-tooth-shaped, atherine-like and others. The most popular aquarium fish from the family of haracin, platy, cyprinids, cichlids.

Surgeon fish

The surgeonfish, a member of the surgeonfish family, is named after its distinctive caudal fins, which are equipped with sharp, blade-like scalpel-like scales. In a calm state, the spikes are pressed to the body, and in cases of danger, the fish releases them to the sides, thereby protecting itself from the attacker. Surgeons have a bright and varied color: lemon yellow, rose red, bright blue. These fish often live in reef aquariums, as they naturally live in coral reef platforms. Aquarium fish-surgeons are peaceful not only with relatives, but also with representatives of many other genera.

neon

These small tropical freshwater fish from the characin family got their name due to the bright neon red or blue stripes on the body. They reach a length of up to 2.5 cm, keep in a flock. The most popular types are ordinary, red, blue, false red neon.

Helostoma

Aquarium helostomes or kissing gourami from the labyrinth suborder live in fresh water. In sizes reach up to 15 cm in the aquarium, they have movable lips, on the inner surface of which there are hundreds of miniature horny teeth. Like others, the kissing gourami is able to breathe atmospheric air. The fish is peaceful and well compatible with many aquarium inhabitants.

Molliesia

Aquarium mollies are viviparous and require careful care. The most popular is the black velvet mollies, which resembles a swordsman, but without a sword. The body color is jet black, even the eyes are black. With a lack of oxygen, the fish rises and captures atmospheric air. High-finned mollies are even more capricious in care, but in good conditions grow up to 12 cm, resistant to hard water.

Melanochromis auratus

kissing gourami

To keep freshwater tropical fish, you will need a quality aquarium of the appropriate volume for a certain number of selected fish. Currently, biotope aquariums are becoming popular, exactly reproducing a copy of any water area in nature. Such aquariums will optimally suit tropical inhabitants, causing them the most comfortable condition. Devices and instruments will also be needed to maintain desired climate in the aquarium: filter, aerator, thermometer and heater.

For beginners, unpretentious species such as guppy, zebrafish, swordtail, macropod, spotted gourami are recommended. More thorough care will require thorns, Sumatran barbs, mollies, pearl gourami. Cichlids need increased aeration, a spacious aquarium and dense vegetation.

Tropical fish are very sensitive to the temperature in the aquarium and the oxygen supply. Usually the optimum temperature ranges from 21-28°C. Depending on the type of fish, suitable plants and substrate are selected, the aquarium is decorated like their native habitat. Some species are not recommended to live together with other species, so you should carefully study the nature and habits of the selected fish.

For marine tropical fish, you will need a special marine aquarium of large volume and requiring more careful care and skills to create the desired water parameters. In reef aquariums, endemic coral reef fish will do well.

Compatibility

Molliesia

In order to choose the right neighbors for tropical fish in an aquarium, you need to find out compatibility in terms of water parameters and, in particular, its temperature. Cold-water fish are not suitable for keeping with tropical ones. These include goldfish, rotans. In addition, you need to pay attention to the size of neighboring fish and their character. Large cichlids can get along with catfish and large catfish, but they will eat small fish.

It is good to plant tetras, as they have a good disposition, do not conflict with relatives and look great due to their colorfulness. Angelfish combined with gourami and rainbows.

Top 12 most beautiful fish in the world

One of the main reasons why people spend so much time, effort, and money on setting up an aquarium is the desire to enjoy beautiful fish in their homes and workplaces. Today it's easier than ever to keep stunning tropical fish in your living room or office. However, due to the fact that these fish are very popular, they disappear in nature because they are sold to aquarists. Fortunately, soon fish lovers will be able to breed them at home, and fish will no longer disappear in nature.

The most beautiful fish in the world

1. Chinese perch

Also known as the dragonet, whose homeland is the southeast Pacific region in northern Australia. This fish has the most beautiful fins and bright colors. The Chinese perch is very difficult to keep in an aquarium as it only eats live food. It is also very hardy and resistant to some fish diseases.

2. Discus

Discus is a species of cichlid that lives in the Amazon. Discus is one of the most popular freshwater fish in aquariums. He happens different colors, but it can be very expensive, sometimes one discus fish costs $50-80. Since these fish are freshwater, they need good care, which is expensive. The discus is also known as the Pompadour fish, which is named after Madame Pompadour, who was the lover of the French King Louis XV.

3 Moorish Idol

One of the most distinctive and beautiful fish is the Moorish idol, the only survivor of the prehistoric Zanclidae family of fish. Despite being a popular fish, the Moorish idol is difficult to keep in an aquarium because it has a short lifespan. The fish was named so by the Moorish people of Africa, who believed that this fish is a good luck charm.

4. Fire centropig

It is known that the Angelfish fish got its name in honor of the Japanese pygmies Angelfish. This is one of the brightest and most colorful fish in the world. This fish lives in the Pacific reefs, which can be found in the far west, in Hawaii. Fire cetropigas are easy to keep in an aquarium as they will eat just about any food.

5. Blue surgeon

The fish is called the blue surgeon, which was seen in the cartoon "Finding Nemo", in which she played leading role. Like many other fish that live in an aquarium, the blue tang lives in the east in the reefs of the Pacific Ocean. This is a very fragile fish that is prone to infectious diseases, despite its popularity.

6 Parrot Fish

There are 90 different parrotfish. This fish got its name because of the beak-shaped hook. She is difficult to keep in an aquarium due to her unusual feeding habits. They survive in coral reefs by eating algae and other pests that can destroy reefs. Ecologists would not want this fish to disappear into nature so that it can save coral reefs.

7. Clownfish

Clownfish is one of the popular aquarium fish and is considered one of the most beautiful fish in the world, about 43% of clownfish are sold, about 25% of them live in nature. Clownfish can be female and male. These fish create their own families and take care of each other. The male guards the eggs, which are laid on top of the sea anemones that protect them. Experts believe that successful breeding of clownfish will help them survive in the wild.

8. Tulle apogon

His homeland is the island of Bangai, which is located in Indonesia. This is one of the popular fish to keep in an aquarium and one of the fish that lives in the wild. This fish is on the verge of extinction in nature, as it is caught too often. The tulle apogon is unusual in that the fish groom each other before breeding. Like other fish species, the female lays the eggs and the male guards them.

9. Yellow-masked angel

The fish is also known as yellowface because its head is brighter than its body. In nature, this fish is in Indian Ocean, in Indonesia, in Australia, in Micronesia and up to the north of Japan. In nature, she lives in caves and lagoons.

10. Lyalius

This beautiful fish originated in the Indian subcontinent but is found everywhere today due to its great popularity. This fish is easy to keep in an aquarium as it feeds on algae, meat and mostly fish food. It comes in a variety of colors such as blue and bright red, making it more popular.

11. French angel

Despite its name, this fish was actually found in northern New York waters. Unlike some fish that live in an aquarium, this fish is rarely sold in the markets. She mostly lives in nature. It grows up to 41 centimeters in length, which is considered the most big fish in aquarium.

12. Flag perch

Also known as Scaltefin, Sea Goldie or Lyretail Coralfish, this fish is a popular sea fish, which is difficult to keep in an aquarium, as it feeds on live and frozen food. This fish has been found in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and pacific ocean. It usually lives in coral reefs and like other species aquarium fish sometimes changes gender.

Freshwater tropical fish, as their name suggests, originate in freshwater rivers and lakes in warmer parts of the world, especially in South America and Central Africa.

There are literally tens of thousands of freshwater tropical fish species with new ones being discovered almost every day. With such a vast variety of fish, each living in its own particular environment, it's easy to see why fish owners are never lost for new areas to learn and new challenges to enjoy.

Fish names.

All fish are classified by the "binomial system" (two names). First there is the family name or generic name - which should always be written with an initial capital letter. This is followed by the variant name/s - which should always all be written in lowercase letters, (both names are ideally all in italics).

Thus Barbus tetrason and Barbus oligolepis are two different species within the genus Barbus. Most fish do, however, also have a lighter common name. Barbus tetrazona, for example, is commonly known as the Tiger Barb or Sumatran Barb.

There are over twenty families of commonly kept freshwater tropical fish and within each family there can be thousands of species - often living in a very different environment. The family Cichlidae (cichlids), for example, is thought to have over 1,000 different species existing in the great African lakes alone.

main families.

While there are over twenty families of freshwater tropicals, most fish of interest to the aquarist are members of one of the following eight families.

Anabentide family.

Anabantoids are generally distinguished by the fact that they have a "maze chamber", a special organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air, which they must have in order to survive. native of the waters South-East Asia and Africa, most of the family have "probes" - modified pelvic fins - which they use to detect food in dark waters. Most also create a "bubble nest" for spawning. Examples of the family include gourami, Siamese Fighting Fish and Paradise Fish.

The Callichtiide family.

Better known as catfish, it is probably the most popular tropical fish among hobbyists. Whilst most are hardy, adaptable bottom feeders, they require occasional gulps of air to help supplement their gills.

The catfish is also nocturnal and does its best in subdued light. Corydoras, one of the most popular aquarium species, have a bony plate along the side of their body. Other catfish have tricked mouths that allow them to set on rocks in the wild, which they use to brush against algae from the side of the glass of an aquarium.

The Charekide family.

Characins are one of the largest families of tropical freshwater fish native to Africa and North and South America. All Charakins have teeth, but no barbels or sideburns. Many also have a small extra fatty fin on the main back of their body. Due to their training habit, Characins such as Tetras are often kept in numbers in single species tanks.

The Sichlide family.

Most cichlids are carnivorous and territorial and have a reputation for being aggressive. Many species, however, are very popular and ideal for the aquarium. Family occurs naturally throughout North America and South America and throughout most of Africa especially in the Great Lakes of Malawi and Tanganyika.

The Kobitide family.

Known commonly as loaches, this is a family of bottom living fish. Their mouths have probing lots to help locate food, and their bodies often have protective erectile spines. They are widely found in Asia, Europe and parts of Africa.

The Ciprinide family.

Although big family The fish, the Cyprinids, which include Barbs, Rasboras, Danios and Minnows, generally have barbs that allow them to feed the species from the bottom. The family also includes varieties cold water, such as gold fish as well as those who need warm tropical waters.

The Cyprinodontide family.

Found in Africa, North America and South America and Asia, this is a family of Killifishes or Egg Laying Toothcarps. Because they sometimes preaetorial on smaller fish, care must be taken when introducing them to a multi-species aquarium. They prefer slightly acidic water.

The Poekilide family.

This is a family of Live Bearing Tooth Carps - small fish such as Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies and swordtails. As the name implies, this family produces lively young that are capable of swimming and feeding immediately after birth.

Choosing Your Fish.

There are two main areas you need to consider. First there is a limit to the number of fish your tank can support without putting pressure on the oxygen levels in the water and the level of pollution the fish create.

You must also remember that fish grow and, as they do, will put even more pressure on their environment. best advice is to always start with just a few fish and add more over the course of a few months. As a rough guide allow about 20 inches of combined fish body length for every square foot of surface water. Wide You should not exceed 60 inches of fish.

The second consideration is fish habit. In their natural environment Fish habitats lead very different lives, and these natural habits will show up in your aquarium. In a multi-species aquarium, you might, therefore, want to have fish that live and feed on all levels - top eaters such as mid-water eaters such as Barbs, and fish that live and feed on the bottom of the tank such as Catfish.

Buying Your Fish.

Buy locally if possible. long journeys and the drop in water temperature on the way home can easily stress your fish. If you later have problems, it's also much easier to resolve them if your fish supplier is nearby.

Choose an aquatic retailer with good stocks and a wide variety of fish - they are more likely to have specialist knowledge. Check that the fish have been properly isolated before being sold. The disease often takes several weeks to show, and fish not isolated can easily introduce diseases that infect all of your fish.

Look at the fish carefully. Check that they swim peacefully and do not rub against the glass of the tank - often a sign of infestation.