Choosing Freshwater Tropical Fish
You enjoy the bright, festive colors of the tropics, and want to be able to emulate that in a home aquarium. This means you'll have to find the right freshwater tropical fish for your tank. There are several varieties for you to choose from, so you'll want to know a little information about each in order to make the best decision.
Some of the most common fish that you'll find in tropical fish aquariums are betta fish, or Chinese fighting fish. People use these fish for decoration, or to spruce up a room in their home, since the fish are bright in color, and have reddish, purple, and orange hues, and have elaborate tails and fins--especially the males.
However, betta fish are very aggressive and combative, and should be kept in small aquariums by themselves for the most part. The female betta fish with smaller fins can be housed together for short periods of time, so a small bowl with one beta fish per room is probably best.
The angel fish is another tropical fish that will add lots of color and variety to your tropical fish tank. Types such as the white blushing angel have a splash of color on the gills, giving the fish the appearance of blush on the cheeks.
These fish look great when paired in a tank with fish that are brightly colored, and the tank must be slightly acidic in order for them to thrive. The silver zebra angel can most likely live peacefully in the tank with the blushing angel, and you may also want to include the Black Veil Angel, which has a striking midnight blue hue.
If are looking for a fish that is bold in color all over, you may want to check out the cichild species of fish. Many of these fish are bred in Africa, and these tropical aquarium fish can thrive healthily in most freshwater tanks without a problem. The Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichild is a beautiful fish with zebra-like stripes over a blue body.
The fish eat mostly plant-based foods, and can survive in room temperature water, but can be aggressive. The Electric Yellow Cichlid is the most peaceful of the species, but can still be slightly combative. The bold yellow color of the fish is sure to make it a hit with kids, and the fish tank should include accessories such as caves, rock, and sand.
If you're still not sure which freshwater tropical fish are best, you can always look at www.fishchannel.com to get detailed descriptions on each of the fish you're considering--including pictures, the scientific name of the fish, the fish's diet, and the best fish to pair in the tank with your favorite species. You can also contact a fishkeeper or local breeder to find fish that are exotic and suitable for a home aquarium. Good Luck!
