Gaby
There are over 200 species of fish that can thrive in aquariums under various conditions. These can be divided into two main groups. The first group includes fish from local water bodies that can adapt to captivity. The second group consists of exotic fish, specifically bred for aquariums; the vast majority of these are of foreign origin and are artificially bred in aquariums to create new varieties. You can purchase them at pet stores in major cities.
Each species of fish requires specific living conditions. Below is a list of fish that are less demanding and can thrive well in a home aquarium.
Gobies thrive in freshwater aquariums with sandy, rocky bottoms. They love to hide under stones or dig burrows in the sand, primarily staying near the bottom.
Loaches are found in swampy rivers and muddy ponds. It’s best to keep them in a separate aquarium. Feed them worms and breadcrumbs.
Crucian Carp. Only small crucian carp survive well in aquariums. The water should not be too bright and should be rich in infusoria. Feed the crucian carp generously. The aquarium should have plenty of plants.
Carp. Carp do well in environments with abundant vegetation; if they lack food like worms or meat, they will eat small algae.
Bream. Young bream are best kept in aquariums. The best food for them is live bloodworms. With proper care, they can live a long time.
Tench. The aquarium housing tench should be well-planted. They should be kept separately from other fish. Only young tench thrive in captivity. Feed them regular fish food.
Perch. They quickly become accustomed to captivity, eating from your hand and swimming up to the glass. They require fresh, clean water and a lot of food compared to other fish—worms and meat. The water temperature should not exceed 13-14 °C (55-57 °F).
Exotic Fish are the most common aquarium fish. This is due, firstly, to their bright colors and diverse shapes, and secondly, to their hardiness and adaptability, which have developed over generations in captivity.
Among the most common exotic fish are:
Veiltails. These are some of the most beautiful aquarium fish, featuring very long, thin, almost transparent fins. They are undemanding. In addition to fresh bloodworms, they can be fed egg yolk, earthworms, and well-pressed carrots.
Guppies are small (3-5 cm) fish. They are particularly interesting because they do not lay eggs but give birth to live young several times a year. They can tolerate temperatures from 10-12 °C (50-54 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F) and above, with the best temperature being 18-21 °C (64-70 °F). Feed guppies with cyclops and daphnia.
Blue Canadian Perch. This fish thrives in aquariums at a temperature of 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) and requires frequent water changes and moderate lighting. They can breed at temperatures of 22-23 °C (72-73 °F).
Goldfish. There are many varieties of goldfish. They thrive in warm water (ideally 22-25 °C or 72-77 °F) with abundant vegetation, consuming algae, bread, worms, meat, bloodworms, and insects. They breed at 24 °C (75 °F).
Heros. These fish do well in spacious aquariums with a thick layer of sand. They tend to uproot the plants placed in the aquarium. The best temperature is room temperature—15-18 °C (59-64 °F). They can breed in the aquarium.
Dwarf Catfish are also undemanding fish that require little care: even with low oxygen levels, they will surface to breathe atmospheric air. They primarily stay at the bottom, hiding from light behind rocks and plants. They can breed in captivity.
Platies are livebearers. They can live in both large and small aquariums at temperatures of 14-17 °C (57-63 °F). Feed platies with daphnia and cyclops. They also consume small algae that accumulate on plants and the aquarium glass. At a temperature of 20 °C (68 °F), platies can breed in the aquarium.
Macropods are also among the best freshwater fish. They should be kept in a separate aquarium with a sandy bottom and patches of elodea. The water temperature should not be lower than 10-12 °C (50-54 °F), and the water should not be changed too frequently. Macropods are interesting because they care for their offspring.
