The best pet store fish that can live together are those that have similar water parameters, diet, temperament, and size. Some examples of compatible fish are guppies, mollies, platies, swordtails, tetras, corydoras, and rasboras. These fish are peaceful, colorful, and easy to care for, making them ideal for community aquariums.
However, not all fish can get along well with others. Some fish are territorial, aggressive, or predatory, and may harass, injure, or eat their tankmates. Therefore, it is important to research the fish you want to keep before buying them, and avoid mixing incompatible species.
In this article, I will explain how to choose the right fish for your community tank, and provide some examples of fish combinations that work well together. I will also share some tips on how to set up and maintain a healthy and harmonious aquarium for your fish.
How to Choose the Right Fish for Your Community Tank
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right fish for your community tank. Here are some of the most important ones:
Water parameters: Different fish have different preferences for water temperature, pH, hardness, and salinity. You should choose fish that can thrive in the same water conditions, and avoid mixing fish that require drastically different environments. For example, most tropical fish prefer warm, soft, and slightly acidic water, while some coldwater fish like goldfish prefer cool, hard, and neutral water.
Diet: Different fish have different dietary needs and feeding habits. You should choose fish that have similar diets, and avoid mixing fish that have conflicting food requirements. For example, some fish are herbivores and need plant-based foods, while some fish are carnivores and need meat-based foods. Some fish are surface feeders and need floating foods, while some fish are bottom feeders and need sinking foods.
Temperament: Different fish have different personalities and behaviors. You should choose fish that have similar temperaments, and avoid mixing fish that have conflicting social needs. For example, some fish are peaceful and shy and need calm and quiet tankmates, while some fish are aggressive and boisterous and need assertive and active tankmates. Some fish are solitary and territorial and need plenty of space and hiding places, while some fish are schooling and social and need large groups and open areas.
Size: Different fish have different sizes and growth rates. You should choose fish that have similar sizes, and avoid mixing fish that have significant size differences. For example, some fish are small and stay small, while some fish are large or grow large. Some fish are slow growers and need time to reach their full potential, while some fish are fast growers and need frequent upgrades. Mixing fish of different sizes can result in overcrowding, stunting, or predation.
Examples of Fish Combinations that Work Well Together
There are many possible fish combinations that work well together, depending on your tank size, budget, and personal preference. Here are some examples of fish combinations that are suitable for beginner to intermediate aquarists, and can be found in most pet stores:
Guppies, Mollies, Platies, and Swordtails: These fish are all livebearers, meaning they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. They are peaceful, colorful, and easy to breed, making them popular choices for community tanks. They can live in a 10-gallon tank or larger, and prefer warm, slightly alkaline water. They are omnivorous and will accept a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods. They are active and social and do best in groups, but keep a balanced male-to-female ratio to prevent overpopulation and aggression.
Tetras, Corydoras, and Rasboras: These fish are all schooling fish, meaning they form tight groups and swim together. They are peaceful, colorful, and easy to care for, making them ideal choices for community tanks. They can live in a 20-gallon tank or larger, and prefer warm, soft, and slightly acidic water. They are omnivorous and will accept a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods. They are active and social and do best in large groups of at least six of their own kind, but can also coexist with other peaceful fish of similar size and temperament.
Angelfish, Discus, and Rams: These fish are all cichlids, meaning they belong to a large and diverse family of fish that are known for their intelligence, personality, and beauty. They are semi-aggressive, colorful, and moderately difficult to care for, making them suitable choices for experienced aquarists. They can live in a 55-gallon tank or larger, and prefer warm, soft, and slightly acidic water. They are carnivorous and will accept a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods. They are territorial and social and do best in pairs or small groups, but can also coexist with other peaceful or semi-aggressive fish of similar size and temperament.
Tips on How to Set Up and Maintain a Healthy and Harmonious Aquarium for Your Fish
Once you have chosen the right fish for your community tank, you need to set up and maintain a healthy and harmonious aquarium for them. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Cycle your tank: Cycling your tank means establishing a colony of beneficial bacteria that can break down the waste products of your fish and keep the water quality stable. This is essential for the health and survival of your fish, as ammonia and nitrite can be toxic to them. To cycle your tank, you need to add a source of ammonia, such as fish food or pure ammonia, and monitor the levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate with a test kit. The cycle is complete when ammonia and nitrite are zero and nitrate is present. This can take anywhere from two to eight weeks, depending on the size of your tank and the amount of ammonia you add. You should not add any fish until your tank is fully cycled, and only add a few fish at a time to avoid overloading the system.
Decorate your tank: Decorating your tank means adding substrate, plants, rocks, driftwood, and other ornaments that can enhance the appearance and function of your tank. This is important for the well-being and enjoyment of your fish, as it can provide them with shelter, security, comfort, and stimulation. To decorate your tank, you need to choose materials that are suitable for your fish and water parameters, and arrange them in a way that creates a natural and aesthetically pleasing environment. You should also leave enough open space for your fish to swim and explore, and avoid overcrowding or cluttering your tank.
Perform regular water changes: Performing regular water changes means replacing a portion of your tank water with fresh, dechlorinated water that matches the temperature and pH of your tank. This is vital for the health and happiness of your fish, as it can remove excess waste, toxins, and pollutants, and replenish essential minerals and trace elements. To perform water changes, you need to use a gravel vacuum or siphon to remove 10 to 25 percent of your tank water every week or two, depending on the size of your tank and the number of fish you have. You should also use a bucket or hose to add new water slowly and gently, and avoid disturbing your fish or disrupting the biological balance of your tank.
Keeping a community tank can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, as you can create a beautiful and diverse aquatic world in your home. However, it can also be a challenging and frustrating task, as you need to choose the right fish, set up the right tank, and maintain the right conditions for them. By following the tips and examples in this article, you can increase your chances of success and satisfaction, and enjoy the benefits of having a healthy and harmonious aquarium for your fish.
