Small aquarium fish: varieties and choices

Among the aquarists there are many who consider the real decoration of their aquarium not only large, but also small fish. There are a huge number of medium-sized species of fish that are suitable for a home tank. However, for many, the process of choosing the appropriate species is difficult, since all fish have a set of individual characteristics, behavior and compatibility with other species in the same tank. Analysis of all these and other nuances is presented in detail in this article.

Before enriching the composition of the fauna of your home aquarium with small fish, familiarize yourself with the positive and negative aspects of their content. The advantages of having such aquarium creatures include the following nuances.

• Since most small species live in flocks, the aquarist will have a unique opportunity to observe how residents of the same group interact with each other and show their character. This process is very interesting and fascinating.
• Individuals of small size take up little space, have a very aesthetic appearance and do not cause much trouble.
• They are also suitable for those for whom the interior or the size of the room does not allow them to acquire a large tank exceeding 50 liters in volume. For small fish, such and even smaller dimensions of the container are quite suitable.

Of the negative aspects of such a hobby, it is worth highlighting the following points.

• It can be difficult to notice changes in the condition of the fish due to its small body.
• To divide small to large individuals is a risk for the former. Before this, a complex process of studying the compatibility of different breeds is necessary.

There are quite a few interesting mini fish for the aquarium. However, the most interesting varieties have the following names and characteristics.

• Guppy - creatures with an interesting shape and extraordinary beauty due to the magnificent tail inherent in males. Their slightly elongated body ends with a bright tail fin of red or blue tones, covered with a bizarre pattern of dark spots. Guppies are distinguished by their amazing unpretentiousness, they are able to survive and also reproduce independently even in low filtration conditions.

• The tank can decorate a school of fish called swordsmen. They are so called, because the lower part of the tail fin of the male is pointed like a sword. The color of such fish can be different, since many of their subspecies are derived. They like to live in tanks densely planted with flora and a volume of at least 50 liters. These individuals live in small flocks. It is noteworthy that sometimes in order to survive the species, females can change sex for a while, becoming males.

• Small breeds of dark fish called molliesia are more difficult to maintain than guppies, but generally suitable for beginner aquarium lovers. According to habits, these fish are quite frisky and nimble, but their character is quite peaceful. They do not tolerate cold water, therefore, a favorable temperature for their maintenance is + 25-27 degrees Celsius. The individuals are viviparous, and their life expectancy is 4 years.

• Lemon tetra - a yellow fish up to 4 cm in size, which lives in flocks, has a peaceful character and high mobility. Such creatures have a flat body and expressive red-orange eyes. On the dorsal and ventral fins there is a black pattern. The optimum temperature for them will be from 23 to 25 degrees.

• Very convenient for beginner aquarium fish from a family of characins will become thornsia. It can have different colors depending on the subspecies - black-gray, pink, golden and even fluorescent. This small breed is easy to care for, contained in water at a temperature of 21 to 24 degrees, aeration and filtration systems. Water change can be carried out once a week for 1⁄4 volume. The nature of the thorns is peaceful and calm.

• Pink danio - also a very colorful and interesting breed of small fish. They have a torso of elongated and oblate shape, pink scales, on which you can see alternating white stripes, while the fins are transparent. The body of these individuals reaches 4.5 cm. However, they do not like densely planted aquariums, since they need space for swimming.

• Aquarium Catfish thoracic tumors are very peaceful mini-fish for a home tank. They love to live in an aquarium, where there are many plants and decorations that can be used as shelter. The shape of such a catfish is rather unusual - the elongated body has a small hump at the top and a flat belly at the bottom. They live in the lower region of the aquarium, sometimes floating in the middle layer, are active mainly at night.

• Among the small individuals also include barbs, whose body is from 4 to 6 cm. They are quite fast, playful and at the same time temperamental. Some individuals are quite peaceful, while others may be cocky and even try to harm other fish.

The process of selecting small inhabitants for the aquarium should include, in addition to the aesthetic component, criteria such as compatibility and the optimal number of fish of one species.

Neighborhood with other species is a key principle in the selection of small fish.

You also need to look at whether fish of the same size are aggressive.Barbuses, for example, can be aggressive towards other fish; they cannot be kept together with varieties such as guppies. Guppies are generally better placed in a species-type aquarium.

Swordfish coexist perfectly in the same tank with special fish, for example, minor, zebrafish, tetra. They also get along well with small species of bottom fish, such as corridors, platidorus. Do not allow the proximity of the swordfish with cichlids and other larger carnivorous fish, as well as veil individuals, the fins of which the swordfish can accidentally damage.

Mollinesia perfectly coexists with other live-bearing fish, such as swordsmen or Pecilia, as well as non-aggressive breeds. These breeds can be attributed to Lalius and gourami.

Tetra can get along well in the same aquarium with scalars, minor, or other types of tetra. The thorns also get along well with tetras, but not very small. Other thorny neighbors include gourami, swordsmen, corridoratuses, zebrafish.

Thoracicum can be planted in the same tank with all fish, except for too small and predators. These individuals are quite calm, so do not plant bots and labeos to them, because of which the balance in the life of the thoracicum may be disturbed.

When instituting small fish, it is worth remembering the fact that most of them live in small flocks. For each of the above species, there is a certain amount in which it is desirable to place them in the aquarium:

• the minimum number of pink zebrafish fish in one tank is 6 pieces;
• lemon tetra should not be less than 5 individuals;
• the thoracicum also needs to be kept in groups of several, otherwise they may experience stress.

Similar characteristics are inherent in other small fish, because even in wild conditions it is extremely difficult for such species to survive alone.

To better imagine how these or other small fish will look in the aquarium, Look at the photos of representatives of various species.

• A small aquarium catfish feels very comfortable among plants and other decorative elements.

• The flocks of the yellow tetra fit perfectly into the aquarium composition.

• Danio's multi-colored mini-fish attracts the eye, contrasting with the green of the tank.

• Ternetia organically appears among slightly smaller individuals.

• Mullinesia with its dark scales looks very unusual in appropriate light. Groups of these fish resemble fancy figures.

TOP-10 of the most popular and unpretentious aquarium fish, see the video below.