If you fail to locate a particular fish species in one of the article sections, take a look in the tropical marine fish database instead; it contains brief information
on numerous species. Marine Aquarium Fish
marine aquarium fish
In this section of the articles library you will find general information about saltwater fish keeping, as well as detailed articles about the keeping and breeding of
particular saltwater fish species. We also recommend you to take a look in one of our other library sections: “Marine Aquariums”. In that section you will find
information that is not only valid for marine aquarium fish keeping, but for the keeping of all marine species, including anemones and other invertebrates. In “Marine
Aquariums” you will also find information about how to set up a marine aquarium.
Saltwater fish is found in all of the three basic types of saltwater aquariums: Fish Only saltwater aquariums (FO), Fish Only with Live Rock saltwater aquariums
(ROWLR) and Reef Aquariums. The first types of saltwater aquariums were however not fish aquariums. The Romans liked to place beautiful anemones from the ocean in
glass jars as decoration. The life of an anemone in a simple glass jar is however extremely short. Keeping fish in saltwater aquariums didn’t become popular until the
1950s, even though a handful of scientists and saltwater enthusiasts attempted to keep saltwater species earlier.
Keeping saltwater aquarium fish will typically involve more work, time and equipment compared to the standard freshwater aquarium. There are naturally exceptions to
this rule. Some freshwater fish species are very delicate and can be extremely tricky to keep in captivity, especially if you want to breed them. There are also
saltwater fish species that are quite sturdy and once you have understood how to correctly maintain your saltwater aquarium and established a routine they will not
require a lot of additional pampering to do well.
The immense size of the ocean makes rapid changes in water quality, temperature etcetera unusual and saltwater species are therefore less resilient to rapid changes.
Creating a stable environment in your saltwater aquarium is therefore one of the key factors behind successful marine fish keeping. If you purchase a large tank for
your saltwater aquarium it will be easier for you to keep the environment stable, since there will be more water to dilute any potentially harmful compounds. The
larger surface space will also make the aeration of the water better, since there will be more room for gas exchange between the water and the air.
One of the main advantage of a saltwater aquarium is that you will be able to keep a vide range of extraordinary beautiful fishes that can not be kept in freshwater
aquariums. Examples of popular saltwater fish are Damsels, Lionfish, Clownfish, Triggerfish, Blennies, Butterfly fish and marine Angelfish. When you set up your first
saltwater aquarium it is advisable to begin with some of the sturdier marine fish species. Damsels are good beginner fishes since they are tougher than many other
marine fish species. They are also comparatively inexpensive. Damsels are frequently used as cycling fish by experienced saltwater aquarists when setting up a new
aquarium. You should however keep in mind that Damsel fish are quite aggressive and unsuitable tank mates for a wide range of other saltwater species. ock cichlid will
guard the eggs inside her mouth.
Other Fish
In this section of the articles library you will find information about all the fish species that do not fit into any of the other categories here at AC Tropical fish.
Some fish species in this section are quite common, such as the different Barbs and Loaches, while others are rare and only found in the aquariums of dedicated
enthusiast. To make it easier for you to find what you are looking for in this broad and diverse section, we have created subcategories for some of the larger fish
groups, such as Predatory fish.
One of the more commonly kept fish species that you will find in this section of AC Tropical fish is the Clown Loach. Clown Loach is the common name for Botia
macracanthus, a beautiful and active fish with a body that is covered in distinct black and vibrant yellow or orange stripes. If you intend to keep a Clown loach it is
important that you first find out its requirements, since poorly cared for Clown loaches usually succumb to Ich or other forms of illness. The Clown loach is sensitive
and must be provided with supreme water conditions with very low amounts of soluble waste. The aquarium should be at least 100 liters (20 gallons) for a young Clown
loach. You clown loach will grow slowly, but sooner or later it will require a 540 liters (125 gallons) aquarium or larger.
When you purchase your Clown loach from the fish store it is probably already quite stressed since it has been wild caught in Indonesia and distributed to your region
of the world. When you bring your Clown loach home it is therefore extremely important that you provide it with a home where it can relax and begin to recuperate.
Place it in an established aquarium where you know that the mechanical, chemical and biological filtration already work properly. The aquarium must be decorated in a
way that creates a lot of hiding places for your Clown loach where it can feel safe and begin to calm down. Clown loaches prefer caves that are so tiny that the fish
can barely fit into it. Most Clown loaches will love to get a piece of PVC pipe that is just slightly wider than them. Since your Clown Loach comes from waters that
has a strong current, it will appreciate high water circulation in the aquarium.
Some of the less commonly kept fish species that you will find information about in this section are the fascinating Arowana species. Arowanas are also known as Dragon
Fish and are large carnivores that require a huge aquarium do to well. Due to their size, they are not commonly kept by hobbyist aquarists. The normal size for an
Arowana is 60-75 centimetres (24-30 inches), but some species will grow up to 120 centimetres (48 inches). Arowanas are violent and aggressive and will consider pretty
much anything as food. An Arowana can be kept in a community aquarium, as long as you are okay with the fact that the community will gradually decrease until it
contains of no other member than a well-fed Arowana. In the wild, some Arowana species are known to jump out of the water and catch insects in trees and your aquarium
must therefore be equipped with a good lid to keep the Arowana inside.
Pleco
Plecos are very popular aquarium fish, even for beginners. They can help keeping unwanted algae growth under control in the aquarium, since algae and plant material
are their staple foods in the wild. If you want to read more about how to care for your Plecos we suggest that you read some of the featured articles below.
Pleco is the common name for Catfish species in the Family Loricariidae. The name Pleco is derived from the Latin name of one of the species in this family, the
Hypostomus plecostomus, and is today widely used even for the other species in this family. The Family Loricariidae is also known as the Armored Catfish family, since
the fish in this family display longitudinal rows of scutes over the upper parts of the head and body, and this pattern is somewhat similar to an old armor.
Plecos are freshwater species that live in tropical waters in Central and South America, and they can therefore be successfully kept in tropical freshwater aquariums.
Two of the most commonly kept Pleco species are Suckermouth Catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) and Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus dolichopterus). If you purchase a
“Common Pleco” from your fish store it can be one of several Pleco species that are sold under that name. It can be Suckermouth Catfish or Bristlenose Catfish, but it
can also be species such as the Sailfin Catfish (Liposarcus multiradiatus) or the Liposarcus pardalis.
The different Pleco species varies a lot when it comes to maximum size, and the Pleco that you buy when it is no more than 3 inches might eventually reach a size of 2
feet. Small Plecos are suitable in community aquariums, but old and large Plecos can become highly territorial and require their own aquarium. Different Pleco species
can be distinguished based on their coloration. Some species will also be equipped with other distinctive body features. The Bristlenose Pleco is for instance
outfitted with a pair of “horns”. All Plecos are nocturnal and prefer to feed during the night. In daytime, their eyes will be protected by an extraordinary omega iris
that block out almost all the light.
Pleco
Candy Striped Pleco
Copyright fishaliciousfish.blogspot.com
The very popular Bristlenose Catfish will endure a wide range of water conditions, but appreciates a water temperature between 23-27 degrees Celsius since its native
home is the warm Amazon River and its tributaries. If you provide your Bristlenose Catfish with preferable conditions it can reach an age of 10 years or more. Your
Bristlenose Catfish will eat algae in the aquarium, but supplementing this diet with other types of food is highly recommended. It is not hard to get your Bristlenose
Catfish to eat algae wafers from the fish store. Some Bristlenose Catfish will also nibble on the flake food that you feed your other fishes. Since the Bristlenose
Catfish eat plant material in the wild, you can feed it vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini, squash, spinach, peas and green beans. It is possible to breed
Bristlenose Catfish in aquariums. You can easily tell the difference between the sexes, since male Bristlenose Catfish have “horns”. If you want your Bristlenose
Catfish couple to breed you must provide them with nutritious food, optimal water conditions and a cave or similar hollow place. The male Bristlenose Catfish will
attract the female Bristlenose Catfish to the cave, and she will deposit her eggs. When the male has fertilized the eggs, he will stay at the cave and guard the
offspring. Hatching takes place after 4 to 8 days, and the Bristlenose fry needs 4 to 6 days before they are free swimming. Predatory Fish
Predatory fish will display a wide range of interesting behaviours, especially during feeding. It is possible to train your predatory fish into accepting dead and
prepared foods, but then you will miss a large part of their natural behaviours. Training predatory fish onto dead food can however sometimes be necessary due to
practical reasons. If you train your predatory fish onto dead food it is still recommended to give them an occasional live treat now and then.
Predatory fish species are found all over the world and they have adapted to various environments and niches. Predatory fish belong to a wide range of different
families and the anatomy differs greatly between the species. All predatory fish species have adapted to life as predators, but these adaptations can be very
dissimilar. One of the most famous predatory fish species, the Piranha, is equipped with sharp teeth suitable for cutting loose pieces flesh and tearing them from the
prey. The different Gar fish species will instead have needle-like teeth that are highly suitable for holding a prey. A predatory catfish will have comparatively small
teeth, since they do not use their teeth to tear flesh or catch and hold a prey. Instead, they prey will be vigorously sucked into the mouth of the predatory catfish
when the catfish inhales. Piranha, Gars and predatory catfish are all examples of predatory fish species that can be successfully kept in aquariums.
Predatory fish can use a vide range of senses in order to locate a suitable prey. Some predatory fish species like to toy with their prey and carefully scrutinize it
before they decide to eat it. Some species will rapidly gulp down their prey and regurgitate it later if they find out that it is unsuitable. Training your predatory
fish to accept dead food can be hard, since a lot of the necessary stimuli that triggers eating will be gone. Vibrations in the water will for instance be very
important for many predatory fish species and their hunting instincts are triggered by movements. Scents can also play a vital role, and the scent from dead food is
more likely to attract scavenging fish species than predators. It is however not impossible to train predatory fish to accept dead food since a lot of predatory fish
species are happy eaters that will gladly consume almost anything. Younger fish is usually easier to train onto new food types than older specimens.
When you have just purchased your predatory fish species it is advisable to keep giving them the type of food that they are used to and allow them some time to
acclimatize in their new home before your change their diet. One method of training predatory fish into accepting dead food is to give them dead food every second
feeding. This can however result in a mini-hunger strike where your fish only accept food every second serving. Simulating movements and vibrations can make the dead
food more appealing. Try to benefit from any strong currents in the aquarium and let the food be carried away by them.
Aquarium Photography
This section of the articles library covers aquarium and underwater photography. A lot of the tips and suggestions that are applicable for underwater photography will
be very useful when you take photos of your aquarium and vice versa. Reflections in the glass is however a problem that you do not have to deal with when you submerge
the camera into the water in your aquarium or when you are taking diving pictures. Submerging the camera into an aquarium is complicated way of photographing you fish,
and submerging your camera will naturally call for some form a protection; so called underwater camera housing. There are also underwater cameras that do not need any
camera housing, but these will typically be low quality cameras or single-use cameras. If you are planning to use your camera for underwater photographing when you go
scuba diving, it is important that your camera/camera house is strong enough to withstand the increased pressure. With a single-use submergible camera you will usually
be limited to a depth of 5-10 meters. You can find out more about cameras in the subcategory named “Cameras”.
A good camera is however never a guarantee for good pictures, there are a lot of other factors that will also affect your photographs. It is important to remember that
light travels differently in water than in air. If you have a deep or large aquarium and wish to photograph your fishes you might therefore have to provide additional
lighting. An aquarium that is 60 centimetres deep can necessitate twice as much light as a 30 centimetre deep aquarium.
Another important aspect is the water quality of your aquarium. You already know that poor water quality will affect the health of your fish and that they might loose
their vibrant colours and look dull and stressed on your pictures. The water quality that you should focus on as a photographer is however not only the ammonia,
nitrate and nitrite levels. The amount of floating debris in the water is just as important since debris can look very bad on a picture and be tricky to remove
digitally. Performing a larger water change and carefully vacuuming the substrate in advance is therefore recommended. Vacuuming will stir up a lot of debris so it is
important that you have time to let the debris settle again before you begin to shoot. A lot of fish species will actually react very well to a larger water change and
begin to flash their most vibrant colouration. If you know that you keep fish species that are sensitive to rapid changes you should naturally be careful not to overdo
this.
on numerous species. Marine Aquarium Fish
marine aquarium fish
In this section of the articles library you will find general information about saltwater fish keeping, as well as detailed articles about the keeping and breeding of
particular saltwater fish species. We also recommend you to take a look in one of our other library sections: “Marine Aquariums”. In that section you will find
information that is not only valid for marine aquarium fish keeping, but for the keeping of all marine species, including anemones and other invertebrates. In “Marine
Aquariums” you will also find information about how to set up a marine aquarium.
Saltwater fish is found in all of the three basic types of saltwater aquariums: Fish Only saltwater aquariums (FO), Fish Only with Live Rock saltwater aquariums
(ROWLR) and Reef Aquariums. The first types of saltwater aquariums were however not fish aquariums. The Romans liked to place beautiful anemones from the ocean in
glass jars as decoration. The life of an anemone in a simple glass jar is however extremely short. Keeping fish in saltwater aquariums didn’t become popular until the
1950s, even though a handful of scientists and saltwater enthusiasts attempted to keep saltwater species earlier.
Keeping saltwater aquarium fish will typically involve more work, time and equipment compared to the standard freshwater aquarium. There are naturally exceptions to
this rule. Some freshwater fish species are very delicate and can be extremely tricky to keep in captivity, especially if you want to breed them. There are also
saltwater fish species that are quite sturdy and once you have understood how to correctly maintain your saltwater aquarium and established a routine they will not
require a lot of additional pampering to do well.
The immense size of the ocean makes rapid changes in water quality, temperature etcetera unusual and saltwater species are therefore less resilient to rapid changes.
Creating a stable environment in your saltwater aquarium is therefore one of the key factors behind successful marine fish keeping. If you purchase a large tank for
your saltwater aquarium it will be easier for you to keep the environment stable, since there will be more water to dilute any potentially harmful compounds. The
larger surface space will also make the aeration of the water better, since there will be more room for gas exchange between the water and the air.
One of the main advantage of a saltwater aquarium is that you will be able to keep a vide range of extraordinary beautiful fishes that can not be kept in freshwater
aquariums. Examples of popular saltwater fish are Damsels, Lionfish, Clownfish, Triggerfish, Blennies, Butterfly fish and marine Angelfish. When you set up your first
saltwater aquarium it is advisable to begin with some of the sturdier marine fish species. Damsels are good beginner fishes since they are tougher than many other
marine fish species. They are also comparatively inexpensive. Damsels are frequently used as cycling fish by experienced saltwater aquarists when setting up a new
aquarium. You should however keep in mind that Damsel fish are quite aggressive and unsuitable tank mates for a wide range of other saltwater species. ock cichlid will
guard the eggs inside her mouth.
Other Fish
In this section of the articles library you will find information about all the fish species that do not fit into any of the other categories here at AC Tropical fish.
Some fish species in this section are quite common, such as the different Barbs and Loaches, while others are rare and only found in the aquariums of dedicated
enthusiast. To make it easier for you to find what you are looking for in this broad and diverse section, we have created subcategories for some of the larger fish
groups, such as Predatory fish.
One of the more commonly kept fish species that you will find in this section of AC Tropical fish is the Clown Loach. Clown Loach is the common name for Botia
macracanthus, a beautiful and active fish with a body that is covered in distinct black and vibrant yellow or orange stripes. If you intend to keep a Clown loach it is
important that you first find out its requirements, since poorly cared for Clown loaches usually succumb to Ich or other forms of illness. The Clown loach is sensitive
and must be provided with supreme water conditions with very low amounts of soluble waste. The aquarium should be at least 100 liters (20 gallons) for a young Clown
loach. You clown loach will grow slowly, but sooner or later it will require a 540 liters (125 gallons) aquarium or larger.
When you purchase your Clown loach from the fish store it is probably already quite stressed since it has been wild caught in Indonesia and distributed to your region
of the world. When you bring your Clown loach home it is therefore extremely important that you provide it with a home where it can relax and begin to recuperate.
Place it in an established aquarium where you know that the mechanical, chemical and biological filtration already work properly. The aquarium must be decorated in a
way that creates a lot of hiding places for your Clown loach where it can feel safe and begin to calm down. Clown loaches prefer caves that are so tiny that the fish
can barely fit into it. Most Clown loaches will love to get a piece of PVC pipe that is just slightly wider than them. Since your Clown Loach comes from waters that
has a strong current, it will appreciate high water circulation in the aquarium.
Some of the less commonly kept fish species that you will find information about in this section are the fascinating Arowana species. Arowanas are also known as Dragon
Fish and are large carnivores that require a huge aquarium do to well. Due to their size, they are not commonly kept by hobbyist aquarists. The normal size for an
Arowana is 60-75 centimetres (24-30 inches), but some species will grow up to 120 centimetres (48 inches). Arowanas are violent and aggressive and will consider pretty
much anything as food. An Arowana can be kept in a community aquarium, as long as you are okay with the fact that the community will gradually decrease until it
contains of no other member than a well-fed Arowana. In the wild, some Arowana species are known to jump out of the water and catch insects in trees and your aquarium
must therefore be equipped with a good lid to keep the Arowana inside.
Pleco
Plecos are very popular aquarium fish, even for beginners. They can help keeping unwanted algae growth under control in the aquarium, since algae and plant material
are their staple foods in the wild. If you want to read more about how to care for your Plecos we suggest that you read some of the featured articles below.
Pleco is the common name for Catfish species in the Family Loricariidae. The name Pleco is derived from the Latin name of one of the species in this family, the
Hypostomus plecostomus, and is today widely used even for the other species in this family. The Family Loricariidae is also known as the Armored Catfish family, since
the fish in this family display longitudinal rows of scutes over the upper parts of the head and body, and this pattern is somewhat similar to an old armor.
Plecos are freshwater species that live in tropical waters in Central and South America, and they can therefore be successfully kept in tropical freshwater aquariums.
Two of the most commonly kept Pleco species are Suckermouth Catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) and Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus dolichopterus). If you purchase a
“Common Pleco” from your fish store it can be one of several Pleco species that are sold under that name. It can be Suckermouth Catfish or Bristlenose Catfish, but it
can also be species such as the Sailfin Catfish (Liposarcus multiradiatus) or the Liposarcus pardalis.
The different Pleco species varies a lot when it comes to maximum size, and the Pleco that you buy when it is no more than 3 inches might eventually reach a size of 2
feet. Small Plecos are suitable in community aquariums, but old and large Plecos can become highly territorial and require their own aquarium. Different Pleco species
can be distinguished based on their coloration. Some species will also be equipped with other distinctive body features. The Bristlenose Pleco is for instance
outfitted with a pair of “horns”. All Plecos are nocturnal and prefer to feed during the night. In daytime, their eyes will be protected by an extraordinary omega iris
that block out almost all the light.
Pleco
Candy Striped Pleco
Copyright fishaliciousfish.blogspot.com
The very popular Bristlenose Catfish will endure a wide range of water conditions, but appreciates a water temperature between 23-27 degrees Celsius since its native
home is the warm Amazon River and its tributaries. If you provide your Bristlenose Catfish with preferable conditions it can reach an age of 10 years or more. Your
Bristlenose Catfish will eat algae in the aquarium, but supplementing this diet with other types of food is highly recommended. It is not hard to get your Bristlenose
Catfish to eat algae wafers from the fish store. Some Bristlenose Catfish will also nibble on the flake food that you feed your other fishes. Since the Bristlenose
Catfish eat plant material in the wild, you can feed it vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini, squash, spinach, peas and green beans. It is possible to breed
Bristlenose Catfish in aquariums. You can easily tell the difference between the sexes, since male Bristlenose Catfish have “horns”. If you want your Bristlenose
Catfish couple to breed you must provide them with nutritious food, optimal water conditions and a cave or similar hollow place. The male Bristlenose Catfish will
attract the female Bristlenose Catfish to the cave, and she will deposit her eggs. When the male has fertilized the eggs, he will stay at the cave and guard the
offspring. Hatching takes place after 4 to 8 days, and the Bristlenose fry needs 4 to 6 days before they are free swimming. Predatory Fish
Predatory fish will display a wide range of interesting behaviours, especially during feeding. It is possible to train your predatory fish into accepting dead and
prepared foods, but then you will miss a large part of their natural behaviours. Training predatory fish onto dead food can however sometimes be necessary due to
practical reasons. If you train your predatory fish onto dead food it is still recommended to give them an occasional live treat now and then.
Predatory fish species are found all over the world and they have adapted to various environments and niches. Predatory fish belong to a wide range of different
families and the anatomy differs greatly between the species. All predatory fish species have adapted to life as predators, but these adaptations can be very
dissimilar. One of the most famous predatory fish species, the Piranha, is equipped with sharp teeth suitable for cutting loose pieces flesh and tearing them from the
prey. The different Gar fish species will instead have needle-like teeth that are highly suitable for holding a prey. A predatory catfish will have comparatively small
teeth, since they do not use their teeth to tear flesh or catch and hold a prey. Instead, they prey will be vigorously sucked into the mouth of the predatory catfish
when the catfish inhales. Piranha, Gars and predatory catfish are all examples of predatory fish species that can be successfully kept in aquariums.
Predatory fish can use a vide range of senses in order to locate a suitable prey. Some predatory fish species like to toy with their prey and carefully scrutinize it
before they decide to eat it. Some species will rapidly gulp down their prey and regurgitate it later if they find out that it is unsuitable. Training your predatory
fish to accept dead food can be hard, since a lot of the necessary stimuli that triggers eating will be gone. Vibrations in the water will for instance be very
important for many predatory fish species and their hunting instincts are triggered by movements. Scents can also play a vital role, and the scent from dead food is
more likely to attract scavenging fish species than predators. It is however not impossible to train predatory fish to accept dead food since a lot of predatory fish
species are happy eaters that will gladly consume almost anything. Younger fish is usually easier to train onto new food types than older specimens.
When you have just purchased your predatory fish species it is advisable to keep giving them the type of food that they are used to and allow them some time to
acclimatize in their new home before your change their diet. One method of training predatory fish into accepting dead food is to give them dead food every second
feeding. This can however result in a mini-hunger strike where your fish only accept food every second serving. Simulating movements and vibrations can make the dead
food more appealing. Try to benefit from any strong currents in the aquarium and let the food be carried away by them.
Aquarium Photography
This section of the articles library covers aquarium and underwater photography. A lot of the tips and suggestions that are applicable for underwater photography will
be very useful when you take photos of your aquarium and vice versa. Reflections in the glass is however a problem that you do not have to deal with when you submerge
the camera into the water in your aquarium or when you are taking diving pictures. Submerging the camera into an aquarium is complicated way of photographing you fish,
and submerging your camera will naturally call for some form a protection; so called underwater camera housing. There are also underwater cameras that do not need any
camera housing, but these will typically be low quality cameras or single-use cameras. If you are planning to use your camera for underwater photographing when you go
scuba diving, it is important that your camera/camera house is strong enough to withstand the increased pressure. With a single-use submergible camera you will usually
be limited to a depth of 5-10 meters. You can find out more about cameras in the subcategory named “Cameras”.
A good camera is however never a guarantee for good pictures, there are a lot of other factors that will also affect your photographs. It is important to remember that
light travels differently in water than in air. If you have a deep or large aquarium and wish to photograph your fishes you might therefore have to provide additional
lighting. An aquarium that is 60 centimetres deep can necessitate twice as much light as a 30 centimetre deep aquarium.
Another important aspect is the water quality of your aquarium. You already know that poor water quality will affect the health of your fish and that they might loose
their vibrant colours and look dull and stressed on your pictures. The water quality that you should focus on as a photographer is however not only the ammonia,
nitrate and nitrite levels. The amount of floating debris in the water is just as important since debris can look very bad on a picture and be tricky to remove
digitally. Performing a larger water change and carefully vacuuming the substrate in advance is therefore recommended. Vacuuming will stir up a lot of debris so it is
important that you have time to let the debris settle again before you begin to shoot. A lot of fish species will actually react very well to a larger water change and
begin to flash their most vibrant colouration. If you know that you keep fish species that are sensitive to rapid changes you should naturally be careful not to overdo
this.
