Unfortunately, many novice aquarists make the same mistakes. The most common of these are improper launch of the aquarium, overpopulation and purchase of incompatible fish species. We’ll talk about the last point in more detail.
So, you thought for a long time and finally decided to purchase an aquarium. Before such an acquisition, you should study special literature and at least roughly imagine what kind of inhabitants you want to see in your living corner.
Why do you need an aquarium fish compatibility table?
You can often see a beginner buying up a pair of fish of different species, intending to see the entire assortment of a pet store in his 50-liter aquarium. Not all sellers can and have a desire to give such a generous buyer competent advice and dissuade him from rash actions. After all, any experienced aquarist knows that improperly selected fish will simply die.
Choosing aquarium fish solely in appearance is not worth it. You need to learn about the features of their behavior in nature and the rules for caring for them. Of course, it will be very difficult for a beginner to read about all the fish species that they like, and then also compare their conditions and temperament. In this case, the compatibility table for aquarium fish comes to the rescue.
Since saltwater aquariums are usually held by experienced amateurs or at least people who have studied a large number of specialized literature, we will also have to learn a little. The compatibility table for freshwater aquarium fish will help us with this . It will be useful to both a novice ichthyologist and fish farmer when choosing the first pets, and an experienced owner of an aquarium who decided to supplement the company of his favorites.
Reasons for fish incompatibility
The compatibility table for aquarium fish is quite universal, it takes into account both aspects of compatibility - biological and behavioral. In nature, fish live in various conditions and climatic zones.
No one will settle together freshwater and marine fish, cold-blooded and tropical, a predator and its prey. Otherwise, the aquarium, instead of a comfortable home, will turn into a gladiatorial arena or a survival show. In order for your pets to be healthy and happy, you need to choose the right neighbors.
What is an aquarium fish compatibility chart
The table photo shows that there are three types of fish compatibility:
- fully compatible;
- limited compatible;
- absolutely incompatible.
Thus, fully compatible fish, which are marked in green in the table, can be safely settled together. The yellow category is interesting - limited compatible fish. Here it is worthwhile to carefully read about the conditions of detention and the habits of the selected individuals and find out for what reasons they can conflict and whether it is possible in your conditions to eliminate these reasons. As for absolutely incompatible fish, it is not recommended to experiment and try to make friends with them. With rare exceptions, such a neighborhood ends in someone's death.
Not all types of fish contain a compatibility table for aquarium fish. Neons are often overlooked, and this is a fairly popular fish in our country. I would like to pay a little attention to this representative of the haracinovs.
Neon is incompatible with Akaras, astronotuses, koi carps, melanochromes, piranhas, pseudotrophies and trophies. According to the data given in the compatibility table for aquarium fish, neon can be settled with calm or small fish: barbs, guppies, gourami, cardinals, swordsmen, mollies, pecilia, iris, thorns, speckled catfish and cockroaches.
As for limited compatibility, while providing a large space, many shelters and plants, as well as good nutrition, the neon predators present can be accommodated with bots, goldfish, carnegiels, labeos, laliuses, cockerels, scalars, cichlosomes, chromis and lanterns.
Rules for constructing an aquarium fish compatibility table
Still, it’s not always possible to look at the table or use other sources of information about the compatibility of fish, but I really want to get a new pet. Therefore, it is useful to understand what signs this table is built on and what to look for when choosing a new decorative fish.
Content Compatibility
We will determine what parameters of water are essential for the inhabitants of the aquarium:
- temperature;
- rigidity;
- acidity;
- salinity.
At the beginning of the description of each type of aquarium fish, the optimal water parameters are given. Pets need to be selected so that these parameters differ as little as possible. It is not necessary to settle species together if the temperature in the aquarium is maximally permissible for one and minimally permissible for the other.
In too warm water, fish age faster and live less, but in cold water they cannot develop normally. It is better to collect representatives of one species in the aquarium - for example, only goldfish, or viviparous, or cichlids. Another option is to repeat the conditions of a reservoir, to settle together fish living in nature on the same territory. The main thing here is not to collect a pair of "predator and prey".
Food preferences
An important point in the selection of future neighbors is food preferences. Predatory fish will certainly eat everyone who fits into its mouth. Yes, a scalar will not attempt to encroach on neon, while small. But the fish grow, over time a flock of little things can become thinner, especially on a fasting day. Therefore, do not forget to consider that your pets will grow up.
In addition, nimble neighbors can simply eat slow-moving fish. While the cichlid is looking at a tidbit, a hungry barbus will simply lead him directly from under his nose. Small and young fish can be very shy near the feeder and live from hand to mouth, eating crumbs from the master's table.
Do not forget that some fish feed on mollusks, so they will quickly eat all the snails, and lovers of digging in the ground or tasting the greens will leave the aquarium without plants.
Big and small
It is not recommended to settle large and small fish together, even if the giants are not predators. Toddlers will constantly experience stress, which will negatively affect their health.
It is likely that careful fish will leave the shelter only for eating, and the rest of the time it will be impossible to see them.
It is possible that large fish will nevertheless swallow a smaller comrade. Even a slow-moving goldfish will not refuse to taste the fry if he inadvertently finds himself next to her.
Battle of Territory
Some fish guard their territory and can attack neighbors. Enemies may even be representatives of the same species. In the description of the breed, it is mandatory to indicate that the fish is non-life-giving, and also gives recommendations on who it can be settled with.
Sissies
As a result of long selection, many fish acquired atypical signs - long veil fins, growths on the body, large eyes. These features can cause aggression or curiosity in other fish. Therefore, for delicate decorative views, you need to choose slow and calm neighbors. For example, goldfish often lose their luxurious tails through the fault of barbs.
When choosing the population of the aquarium, the table considered by us is irreplaceable. Checking the compatibility of aquarium fish is a must if you want to avoid conflicts and death among fish.