The types of fish that can be grouped together depend on their compatibility, water parameters, tank size, and feeding habits. Some common factors to consider are the fish’s temperament, size, temperature, pH, hardness, and diet. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular and compatible fish groups for freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
Freshwater fish are the most common and diverse group of aquarium fish. They can be divided into several categories based on their origin, behavior, and appearance. Some of the most popular freshwater fish groups are:
Livebearers: These are fish that give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. They are usually easy to breed and care for, and can adapt to a wide range of water conditions. Some examples of livebearers are guppies, mollies, platies, and swordtails. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with other small and peaceful fish, as well as some larger fish that will not eat them. However, they may nip at the fins of long-finned fish, such as bettas and angelfish, so they should be avoided or kept in separate tanks.
Tetras: These are small and colorful fish that belong to the characin family. They are native to South America and Africa, and prefer soft and acidic water. They are schooling fish that need to be kept in groups of at least six of the same species. Some examples of tetras are neon tetras, cardinal tetras, glowlight tetras, and black skirt tetras. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with other small and peaceful fish, such as rasboras, danios, and corydoras. However, they may be nipped by larger or more aggressive fish, such as barbs, cichlids, and catfish, so they should be avoided or kept in separate tanks.
Barbs: These are medium-sized and active fish that belong to the cyprinid family. They are native to Asia and Africa, and prefer slightly alkaline and hard water. They are schooling fish that need to be kept in groups of at least six of the same species. Some examples of barbs are tiger barbs, cherry barbs, rosy barbs, and gold barbs. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with other medium-sized and active fish, such as tetras, danios, and loaches. However, they may nip at the fins of slow-moving or long-finned fish, such as angelfish, gouramis, and bettas, so they should be avoided or kept in separate tanks.
Cichlids: These are large and diverse fish that belong to the cichlid family. They are native to Africa, South America, and Central America, and prefer various water conditions depending on their origin. They are territorial and aggressive fish that need to be kept in large tanks with plenty of hiding places. Some examples of cichlids are angelfish, discus, oscar, jack dempsey, and convict cichlid. They are generally incompatible with other fish, except for some of their own kind or some dither fish, such as tetras, barbs, and danios, that can distract them and reduce their aggression. However, they may still fight or eat other fish, so they should be monitored closely and separated if necessary.
Catfish: These are bottom-dwelling and scavenging fish that belong to various families. They are native to various regions of the world, and prefer various water conditions depending on their origin. They are useful and hardy fish that can help keep the tank clean by eating leftover food and algae. Some examples of catfish are corydoras, plecos, loaches, and synodontis. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with most other fish, as long as they are not too small or too large. However, they may be sensitive to water quality and medications, so they should be kept in well-maintained and well-filtered tanks.
Saltwater fish are more challenging and expensive to keep than freshwater fish, but they offer more variety and beauty. They can be divided into several categories based on their origin, behavior, and appearance. Some of the most popular saltwater fish groups are:
Clownfish: These are small and colorful fish that belong to the damselfish family. They are native to the Indo-Pacific region, and prefer warm and stable water. They are symbiotic fish that form a mutualistic relationship with sea anemones, which provide them with protection and food. Some examples of clownfish are ocellaris clownfish, percula clownfish, maroon clownfish, and skunk clownfish. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with other small and peaceful fish, such as chromis, gobies, and blennies. However, they may be territorial and aggressive towards other clownfish or anemonefish, so they should be kept in pairs or groups of the same species or variety.
Tangs: These are large and colorful fish that belong to the surgeonfish family. They are native to various regions of the world, and prefer clear and well-oxygenated water. They are herbivorous fish that graze on algae and seaweed, which help keep the tank clean and healthy. Some examples of tangs are yellow tang, blue tang, purple tang, and sailfin tang. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with other large and peaceful fish, such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and wrasses. However, they may be territorial and aggressive towards other tangs or surgeonfish, so they should be kept in large tanks with plenty of swimming space and hiding places.
Angelfish: These are large and beautiful fish that belong to the angelfish family. They are native to various regions of the world, and prefer warm and stable water. They are omnivorous fish that feed on a variety of foods, such as algae, sponges, corals, and worms. Some examples of angelfish are emperor angelfish, queen angelfish, flame angelfish, and coral beauty angelfish. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with other large and peaceful fish, such as tangs, butterflyfish, and wrasses. However, they may be territorial and aggressive towards other angelfish or similar-looking fish, so they should be kept in large tanks with plenty of hiding places and decorations.
Butterflyfish: These are small and elegant fish that belong to the butterflyfish family. They are native to various regions of the world, and prefer warm and stable water. They are carnivorous fish that feed on small invertebrates, such as coral polyps, worms, and crustaceans. Some examples of butterflyfish are copperband butterflyfish, raccoon butterflyfish, longnose butterflyfish, and pyramid butterflyfish. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with other small and peaceful fish, such as clownfish, gobies, and blennies. However, they may be picky and sensitive to water quality and diseases, so they should be kept in well-maintained and well-filtered tanks.
Lionfish: These are large and exotic fish that belong to the scorpionfish family. They are native to the Indo-Pacific region, and prefer warm and stable water. They are predatory fish that hunt and eat small fish and invertebrates, such as shrimp, crabs, and snails. Some examples of lionfish are red lionfish, zebra lionfish, antennata lionfish, and dwarf lionfish. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with other large and non-aggressive fish, such as tangs, angelfish, and butterflyfish. However, they may be venomous and dangerous to humans and other fish, so they should be handled with care and kept in secure tanks.
In conclusion, the types of fish that can be grouped together depend on their compatibility, water parameters, tank size, and feeding habits. Some common factors to consider are the fish’s temperament, size, temperature, pH, hardness, and diet. Some of the most popular and compatible fish groups for freshwater and saltwater aquariums are livebearers, tetras, barbs, cichlids, catfish, clownfish, tangs, angelfish, butterflyfish, and lionfish. However, these are not the only fish groups that can be kept together, and there may be exceptions and variations depending on the individual fish and the tank conditions. Therefore, it is important to do thorough research and observation before choosing and introducing fish to the aquarium, and to monitor their behavior and health regularly.
