Freshwater

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Part II: Fish and How to Care for Them
The paradise fish is aggressive, and should be kept with other paradise fish
in a group and with hardy tankmate species of its own size. Some males constantly
fight with each other. Good tankmates include loaches, tiger barbs,
danios, gouramis, and red-tailed sharks.
Cyprinodonts and livebearers
The cyprinodont group is also known as toothcarps because they have tiny
teeth. This group contains both livebearing and egg-laying fish and contains
some of the most popular and classic community fish (guppies, platys, and
swordtails). Cyprinodonts are friendly, easy to breed, and swim in all levels of
the tank.
Killifish
Although most killifish prefer soft, acidic water, a few species can be kept in a
community aquarium. The killifish swims in the upper to middle levels of the
tank and is carnivorous. Killifish should be kept in schools (three or more fish).
Medaka or rice fish (Oryzias latipes)
This species is native to China, Japan, and South Korea. Keep rice fish in a
school (three or more fish) to ensure their survival in a community aquarium.
Rice fish prefer a well-planted tank and fertilize their eggs internally (the
eggs hatch in 10–12 days.) This species has been known to jump out of a
tank, so a tight-fitting hood is a must. The rice fish is carnivorous, requires
live food, and swims in the upper level of the tank.
Rice fish enjoy a pH of 7.0 and a temperature of 64 –75 degrees F. They grow
to an adult size of about 2 inches. Rice fish enjoy moving water and should
therefore be provided with aerated water through use of a filter or airstones.
Striped panchax (Aplocheilus lineatus)
This great community fish is also an aquarium jumper, so make sure your
aquarium hood is secure. This egg-laying species uses plants for shelter and
to spawn, so provide plenty of plants. The panchax is carnivorous, requires
live food, and swims in the upper level of the tank.
Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
The Central American guppy (Figure 8-2) is an amazing little fish. It has been
the staple of many community aquariums since the hobby began. Guppies
are now available in a wide variety of colors and fin shapes. Many hobbyists
have started out by keeping guppies as aquatic friends. This fish rocks! The
guppy is omnivorous and swims in all levels of the tank. Though often inexpensive,
do not overlook the beauty of these little fish, because they can provide
years of joy as you watch their very active lifestyle and mating rituals.