Tiger Barbs: Stop the Nipping Now!

Tiger barbs are among the most beautiful freshwater tropical fish for the home aquarium. Because of their tendency to become aggressive with other fish if not properly cared for, they are often rejected by new aquarists. Contrary to their reputation, tiger barbs are actually an ideal choice for a new aquarium hobbyist: when properly cared for, they are lively exciting, and visually stunning additions to any fish tank.

One of the tiger barb's most annoying habits is its tendency to nip at the fins of other fish. For this reason, it is sometimes recommended that they not be kept in tanks with any long-finned tankmates or any fish that are unable to adequately defend themselves. However, tiger barbs actually quite capable of living peacefully with other fish, as long as they are kept in schools of more than eight individuals.

The secret to raising peaceful, non-nipping tiger barbs lies in understanding their social structure. Like more advanced animals, such as lions and wolves, wild tiger barbs hunt in groups that are kept in check by a natural hierarchy. In the wild, large schools of tiger barbs band together socially and establish a pecking order to determine who eats first when food is obtained.

In small groups, such as those seen in home aquariums, tiger barbs will attempt to establish their dominance over their tankmates, regardless of species, by nipping at their fins. This is a tiger barb's casual way of letting a tankmate know that he is stronger. Unfortunately, with the exception of a few species, the tankmates usually don't understand this communication, and do not learn to honor the pecking order that the barb is trying to establish. The tiger barb will usually continue to nip at his tank-mate's fins, often until the other fish dies.

In groups of eight or more individuals, tiger barbs are given sufficient rivalry from tankmates of the same species. Instead of trying to establish dominance over other tankmates who may not understand, the barbs will gladly harass each other, and will more or less leave other species alone.

Tiger barbs also feel less of a need to compete if given sufficient space. In a small aquarium, tiger barbs become more aggressive with each other and with other species, because there is less space to go around. This, in turn, leads the barb to assume that there is little food or few resources to share, leading to hyper-aggressive behaviors. In a large tank, ideally twenty gallons or more, the tiger barb will feel less of a need to compete with its tankmates.

Enjoying the beauty and personality of tiger barbs doesn't have to mean surrendering your angelfish and gouramis. With adequate space, sufficient food, and plenty of same-species tankmates, it can actually be an ideal and enjoyable addition to the home aquarium.

How to Care for Pet Minnows

Perhaps you've just purchased a large supply of bait minnows or feeder-fish, and you need to know how to keep them. Or maybe you or your child "rescued" a school of fish from a backyard pond or a local stream. You know exactly what it is that you're caring for-- minnows. Right? So the answer of how to care for them should, in theory, be pretty straightforward.

Unfortunately, caring for minnows is not something that you can do based on any generalized instructions. There are over 2,400 species of minnow in the world, and another several thousand subspecies, breeds and varieties. Minnows range from the common goldfish to the bigeye shiner. The minnow family includes freshwater sharks, zebra danios, rosy reds, gravel chubs, tiger barbs and thousands of others. Some are insectivores. Some are herbivores. Some are aggressive. Some are social. Some need warm water, while others need cold water.

Ultimately, "how to care for pet minnows" is about as vague as "how to care for a mammal." There is no single guideline that you can use to find out how to do it. If the minnows in your possession are a tropical species, they will die if you keep them below 70 degrees. If they are an obligate coldwater species, they will die at anything above this temperature. What to feed minnows is an equally challenging question. Some will accept generic fish food, and others need bloodworms, tubeworms and other fleshy foods. Still others need algae-wafers or goldfish food.

In general, if you've purchased or captured minnows in the continental U.S., they will probably eat an ordinary fish food and will thrive at room-temperature. But they also need a large, well-filtered tank with appropriate substrate, plants and water paratmeters to suit the species' specific needs. Again, these will vary tremendously between pet minnow species. Consider the fact that some minnow species will grow to nearly ten feet in length (or will die prematurely) while others will stay less than an inch long. Unless you know what, exactly, you have, there is no way for you to know how what to expect.

If you don't know what kind of minnow you have, it's also possible that you don't have a minnow at all. The animal in your care might be a sunfish, a cichlid, a livebearer, a tetra, a characin, a catostomid, or even a young salmon or bass. If you know little or nothing about identifying fish, it's likely that you've erroneously assigned the label "minnow" to a creature that is not a minow at all.

Your best bet, if you have a school of unidentified minnows on your hands, is to put them back where you got them. Return them to the bait store or release them back into the pond they came from. NEVER release an animal purchased at a pet store into the wild; it may be a non-native species capable of wreaking havoc on the environment. If you really want to keep minnows, start looking into fishkeeping and find a specific minnow species that you want to keep. With the right conditions in mind, you're more likely to be successful in the hobby and to do less harm to the animals themselves.

How to Determine the Sex of your Goldfish

Although goldfish were never my favorites, I appreciate the classic, simple beauty and joy involved in keeping a school of these diverse, colorful creatures. When I talk to goldfish owners, many of them are eager for me to help them identify the sex of their fish. It is, of course, easier to name and relate to a pet if you can refer to it as "he" or "she" and give it a gender-appropriate name.

It can be difficult to accurately determine the sex of a goldfish. Unlike some fish, such as guppies and bettas, goldfish exhibit very limited sexual dimorphism-- they don't display obviously different characteristics depending on sex. However, it is possible to determine whether your goldfish is male or female. Here are some methods you can use to find out your goldfish's sex.

Shape

Male and female goldfish have slightly different shapes. Male goldfish are usually longer and thinner, with a more torpedo-shaped appearance, when compared to females of the same age and variety. Females, in general, are rounder and thicker, with more flesh around the abdomen.

Behavior 
Male goldfish tend to chase other fish, particularly females, and may nudge the females' rears after catching up to them. If you notice that one fish is almost always the chaser, and that the other is usually the "chasee," odds are good that the more aggressive fish is male and that the victms are female. However, this is not a universal rule; sometimes species gender roles will be obscured in a tank with few males or few females.

Vent Area and Anal Fin 
Look at the goldfish's vent area, near the anal fin. A female goldfish's vent will protrude very slightly beyond her abdomen, appearing as a raised surface beneath her belly. Her anal fin will also look marginally thicker than the anal fin of a male goldfish. By comparison, a male's vent area will completely flat, and its anal fin will appear thin.

Midline Ridge

If possible, look at the underbelly of the goldfish to determine its sex. A male goldfish has a "midline ridge," or a raised line that extends from the back of the pelvic fins to the vent. The ridge is either completely absent or very faint in females. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to look at a goldfish closely enough to examine for signs of the midline ridge.

Tubercles

When ready to spawn, male goldfish develop small white spots on their gill-shields, known as breeding tubercles. Not all males exhibit breeding tubercles, but, when they do appear, they are a certain sign that the fish is male. Tubercles may last for several days or weeks, depending on the male's maturity and biology.

A goldfish's sex is usually irrelevant unless you specifically intend to breed your fish. However, many fishkeepers find it inherently enjoyable to give their pets gender-specific names and projected identities. If you are able to do so, you may find it well worthwhile to determine the sex of your goldfish.

Are Cherry Barbs Endangered?

Among the most popular varieties of freshwater aquarium fish is the cherry barb, a small, active, skittish fish native to Sri Lanka. Cherry barbs are brightly colored and pleasant to watch which makes them popular in the aquarium trade. Owners of small aquaria tend to be particularly drawn to this pint-sized minnow because they can thrive in tanks as small as ten gallons, if the tank is not overcrowded.

Unfortunately, the aquarium trade's love of the cherry barb has threatened its security in the wild. Unlike some freshwater fish such as the cardinal tetra , which is quite prolific in the wild, the cherry barb does not breed eagerly enough in its native homeland to keep up with the demands of the aquarium trade, so its wild populations are now depleted.

Although the cherry barb can breed in captivity, many corporations involved in the trade of ornamental fish have found that it is cheaper to exploit foreign labor and wild populations of cherry barbs, often paying only fractions of pennies per individual fish. This tends to be less labor-intensive than breeding them in captivity.

The problem has become severe enough that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the cherry barb as a threatened species since 1996. It remains listed as vulnerable to this day, and does not seem to be recovering from its overharvesting. There are no international regulations preventing the import of cherry barbs to the U.S. or Europe.

Responsible aquarists should avoid purchasing cherry barbs from fish dealers or stores without first verifying that the cherry barb was bred and raised in captivity. Fish dealers are not required to be honest about their sources, so only purchase from dealers who can reliably be trusted. Compassion and a willingness to conserve wild animals will help to maintain this beautiful fish's foothold in its native habitat.

If you are interested in responsible fishkeeping, you may want to read about the galaxy rasbora , a not-so-distant relative of the cherry barb that has become critically endangered due to severe overfishing--all in a matter of just two years.

5 Reasons Not to Buy a Goldfish

I have been keeping freshwater fish for over a decade, and people who know me are often surprised to find out that I don't own goldfish-- and that I never have. Goldfish are often imagined to be easy-to-care-for, healthy, enjoyable pets, but there are few serious aquarists who keep them. Here are five good reasons not to buy a goldfish.

Goldfish Need too Much Space.

The image of a goldfish in an unfiltered bowl is persistent, but these cruelty-pots can't accommodate a goldfish for more than a few days-- or, at most, a few weeks. Let's face it: goldfish aren't suited to live in bowls, or even most aquariums. The goldfish is excellent as a resident for an outdoor pond, but even small goldfish require extensive room for swimming, several same-species companions, and stable water chemistry. A planted, twenty-nine gallon aquarium is the bare minimum for keeping a healthy population of goldfish.

Goldfish Poop. A Lot.

I have often referred to goldfish as "the cattle of the aquarium". They spend most of their time eating plant-based food and then defecating, so even a large aquarium with an excellent filtration system can barely keep up with their waste output. A goldfish aquarium will often develop cloudy water, nitrate pollution, or an offensive odor due to the high waste output from these little golden poop-dispensers. New fishkeepers are often surprised to learn how filthy goldfish actually are.

Goldfish are Hard to Maintain.

A goldfish's waste output doesn't end with its feces. Goldfish also produce massive amounts of nitrate and ammonia, but they require a relatively clean living-space with high levels of dissolved oxygen. This means that a goldfish aquarium will require excellent filtration, frequent water changes, gravel-vacuuming, and constant water-testing. For all that effort, you might as well opt for a large tropical community tank, which would give more variety with less trouble.

Goldfish are Unsuitable for Community Tanks.

Many aquarists make the mistake of keeping goldfish in community aquariums, with other fish species. This can sometimes work out, but it more often leads to chaos. Goldfish are cold-water fish, so they can not survive long in a heated tank-- and tropical fish can not survive long in an unheated tank, either. Goldfish can also be territorial and aggressive toward other fish. Additionally, many community fish are sensitive to the high waste output that goldfish provide. Still, a few species can be compatible with goldfish: this list offers a few cold-water species worth considering.

Goldfish are Overrated.

There are hundreds of species of ornamental freshwater fish on the market, and almost none of them cause as much trouble as goldfish. Rosy barbs, zebra danios, and several strains of tetra are available in long-finned and golden-colored forms, and they tend to be both hardier and cleaner than goldfish. Compared to many varieties of ornamental fish, even the most ostentatious of goldfish appear drab. Do yourself (and your pets) a favor, and avoid buying a goldfish unless you have experience keeping them.

Rainbow Shark Fact Sheet

The rainbow shark, a popular freshwater aquarium fish, has always been among my favorites. When I first began keeping fish, I was amazed by the amount of sentience and personality that these hardy cyprinids display. While rainbow sharks are fairly forgiving, I learned the hard way that they must be kept within good water parameters. Furthermore, rainbow sharks require an adequate amount of space and a healthy diet.

Know these facts about rainbow sharks before purchasing one of these red-tailed beauties.

Adult Size

Most rainbow sharks in pet stores are still very young. A rainbow shark may exceed six inches.

Tank Size

Rainbow sharks become boisterous when they are kept in tanks that are too small. A large tank of 55 gallons or above is necessary to maintain proper health and stimulation.

Social Behavior

The rainbow shark is not a social fish; do NOT keep more than one in a tank. They are very aggressive toward one another and to similar "shark" species, such as the red-tailed shark.

Tank Mates

Keep rainbow sharks with fish of similar size. They may bully small fish, such as danios or tetras, unless there is adequate swimming space. Very large fish may try to eat rainbow sharks, and bottom-dwellers like the pleco may compete excessively for territory.

Life Span

Well-kept rainbow sharks have an average life expectancy of 5-7 years, though many die prematurely from poor water conditions.

Diet

Don't let the name fool you-- this "shark" is a vegetarian. Rainbow sharks need algae, pellet food and herbivore flake food.

Breeding

Rainbow sharks are very difficult to breed in home aquariums because they fight excessively; one fish is likely to die before the pair gets around to laying eggs. Most rainbow sharks are bred on commercial fish farms.

Water Parameters

The rainbow shark prefers a pH of about 7, though a pH as high as 8 or as low as 6 can be tolerable for brief periods of time. These fish are relatively sensitive to nitrates and ammonia; keep both levels as low as possible.

Temperature

A heater is a must-have for these tropical fish. Keep rainbow sharks at a temperature between 75-80 degrees at all times.

Variations

Albino rainbow sharks are a popular alternative to the traditionally pigmented wild specimens. These fish are white with red fins and eyes.

Harlequin Rasbora Fact Sheet

As an aquarist, I have always adored the dazzling sight of a school of harlequin rasboras. These hardy, colorful schooling fish resembles other species, including the closely-related lambchop rasbora, and it is marked by the black triangular shape that lines its reddish-pink body.

Harlequin rasboras are very forgiving to beginning fishkeepers, and they can thrive in surprisingly poor waters. Still, it is important for aquarists to know the facts about harlequin rasboras before buying them.

Adult Size

The harlequin rasbora is a tiny gem; adults are usually about 1.5 inches in length.

Tank Size

Despite its small size, the harlequin rasbora needs a large tank. They are active swimmers and need to live in groups, so 20-gallon tanks are the minimum size for this species.

Social Behavior

Harlequin rasboras are shoaling fish. Keep them in groups of 8 or more individuals-- the more, the merrier.

Tank Mates

Harlequin rasboras are extremely peaceful and may be bullied by larger tankmates. Do not co-house them with large or predatory fish. Large cichlids and anabantids are particularly likely to eat harlequin rasboras.

Life Span

A harlequin rasbora will live to be about four years old if it is kept in a proper environment.

Diet

Harlequin rasboras are omnivores and usually accept fine flake food. Frozen treats like bloodworm and brine shrimp are acceptable, healthy treats.

Breeding

Female harlequin rasboras are slightly larger than males and lay eggs under broad leaves. Most pet-store harlqeuin rasboras are commercially bred.

Water Parameters

Keep harlequin rasboras at a pH between 5.5-7. Nitrate levels should be below 25 ppm, ammonia levels should be nearly undetectable. This tiny fish is relatively tolerant of fluctuating water parameters.

Temperature

Harlequin rasboras are a tropical species; they require a heater or a warm ambient temperature. A target range of 72-80 degrees is ideal.

Variations

There are no domesticated varieties of harlequin rasbora.

Rosy Barb Fact Sheet

The rosy barb is one of the most beautiful cyprinid species available for the home aquarium. These forgiving fish can thrive in a wide variety of water conditions, and they are among the few ornamental fish species that can readily thrive in colder waters. 

Good care is important for maintaining the health of your rosy barbs. This guide can help you establish a good home for your new aquatic companions.

Adult Size

An adult rosy barb will generally be 3.5-4 inches in length.

Tank Size

Rosy barbs can live in relatively small tanks, but they cna not thrive in anything below 20 gallons.

Social Behavior

A rosy barb will become anxious and aggressive unless it has a group of companions. Keep rosy barbs in schools of five or more individuals.

Tank Mates

Rosy barbs are notorious fin-nippers. They may attack and kill slow-moving or long-finned fish, such as bettas or angelfish.

Life Span

A healthy rosy barb may live to be 4 years old or more, but few live more than 3 years in captivity.

Diet

Rosy barbs are omnivorous, eager eaters. Feed a combination of flake, frozen and live food. Brine shrimp and bloodworms are a nutritious treat.

Breeding

Males become intensely colorful when ready to breed. Females scatter their eggs on broad-leafed plants and do not engage in brood care. Because the parents may eat their eggs or fry, it is important to separate them from the young as soon as spawning has taken place.

Water Parameters

Rosy barbs thrive at a pH between 6-7. Ammonia levels should remain as low as possible at all times, and nitrate levels should stay below 25 ppm.

Temperature

The rosy barb is one of the few ornamental species that does not require a heater. In fact, they show their most brilliant colors at the lower end of the temperature range. Keep rosy barbs between 60-80 degrees. While they can tolerate a wide temperature range, it is important to avoid sharp flucutations.

Variations

Many domesticated varieties of the rosy barb exist. Breeders have established long-finned, golden, neon, blushing and striped varieties of rosy barb.

Cherry Barb Fact Sheet

The cherry barb is one of the most popular fish for freshwater aquariums because they are undemanding and remain small in size. Cherry barbs are very easy to care for and tend to do well in relatively small tanks.

As an aquarist, I like cherry barbs because they are easy to care for and beautiful. However, I personally will not buy or keep cherry barbs because of my concerns regarding their status as a threatened species. If you decide to keep cherry barbs, seek fish that have been bred in captivity and provide them with good care.

Adult Size

Cherry barbs grow to 1.5-2 inches in length.

Tank Size

Because of the cherry barb's small size and forgiving nature, it can thrive in a relatively small tank. A tank of 5 gallons or larger may accommodate a small school of these undemanding fish.

Social Behavior

Cherry barbs are more active when they are kept in schools. A male-female pair can suffice in a small tank, but they really do best in groups of 5 or more.

Tank Mates

Cherry barbs are peaceful; they can live with almost any non-predatory fish. Do not keep them with any fish large enough to eat them, and avoid housing them with slow-moving, long-finned fish. They may nip Betta's' fins.

Life Span

Well-kept cherry barbs will live 5-7 years in captivity.

Diet

Cherry barbs are true omnivores. They will accept live, frozen or flake food. Offer brine shrimp as an occasional treat.

Breeding

Cherry barbs will breed in home aquaria. They attach their eggs to fine-leaved plants using a stringy, weblike material. Males become darker and more intensely colored when they are ready to breed. Remove the parents promptly; they will eat their own eggs.

Water Parameters

A cherry barb can tolerate any pH between 6-8; they are reasonably forgiving of pH fluctuations. Keep nitrates below 25 ppm and ammonia levels as low as possible.

Temperature

Cherry barbs are tropical, but they may be able to live without a heater if your home stays relatively warm. Keep your aquarium temperature between 71-82 degrees.

Variations

There are no notable, domesticated strains of cherry barb available for the aquarium trade.

Kulhi Loach Fact Sheet

The Kuhli loach (also spelled Coolie loach), is a charming, eel-like fish known for its entertaining behavior and unusual appearance. The Kuhli loach has all the personality of larger loach species, but it remains small in stature and it is relatively forgiving of sub-standard water quality.

As a long-term aquarist, I adore keeping Kuhli loaches because of their complex personalities and amusing behaviors. If kept in good conditions, these entertaining fish will entertain their keepers with years of fun.

Adult Size

Kuhli loaches stay slim and short their entire lives. These eel-like fish rarely exceed four inches in length; many adults never grow to more than three inches.

Tank Size

The Kuhli loach is one of the few cyprinid species that can thrive in a small tank. Keep them a five gallon tank or larger.

Social Behavior

Kuhli loaches are friendly with one another and with other species. They do best in small groups of three or more.

Tank Mates

A Kuhli loach can live and thrive in a tank with almost any other freshwater species. Avoid keeping it with any boisterous bottom-dwellers, such as large plecos or rainbow sharks; these fish may bully the peaceful Kuhli loach.

Life Span

Treat your Kuhli loach with care, and he'll live for ten years or more.

Diet

A Kuhli loach will eat almost anything that sinks to the bottom of the tank. Kuhli loaches are true scavengers; they will eat flakes, pellets, detritus, algae and frozen food.

Breeding

Kuhli loaches lay their eggs on plant-roots under the substrate. The Kuhli keeper may not be aware that breeding has taken place until the fry swim out into the water. Try keeping a very large group of Kuhlis in a large, well-maintained tank.

Water Parameters

Kuhli loaches thrive in a narrow pH between 6-7. They are relatively sensitive to nitrates and ammonia; keep nitrate levels below 25 and ammonia levels as low as possible.

Temperature

Kuhli loaches are a tropical species; they require a heater. Keep your aquarium between 75-85 degrees.

Variations

Several variations of Kuhli loach exist in the wild. They display a wide array of natural color patterns, including stripes and spots. The similar "black loach" is sometimes marketed as a variation of the Kuhli loach, but it is in fact a different species.

Clown Loach Fact Sheet

The clown loach is one of the most popular ornamental fish for freshwater aquariums, but many novice fishkeepers fail to provide the species with the amount of space and interaction that it requires. As a long-term aquarist, I have always admired the clown loach because of its beautiful coloration and entertaining behavior.

When kept properly, a clown loach may live a decade or more . Use this clown loach care guide to give your fishy friend the long, healthy life he deserves.

Adult Size

Clown loaches in pet stores are almost always very young fry, so fishkeepers may underestimate the animal's adult size. Many healthy clown loaches have exceeded one foot in length.

Tank Size

A clown loach can not live for more than one to two years in a small tank. A 55 gallon aquarium is the minimal acceptable tank size for an adult cown loach.

Social Behavior

Clown loaches are friendly and social; they get along well with each other and other species. To thrive, these peaceful fish should be kept in small schools of four or more individuals.

Tank Mates

Clown loaches can live with almost any peaceful tankmates. They will gladly school with fish that have similar patterns, including the tiger barb.

Life Span

Expect your well-kept clown loach to live 10-12 years. In poor conditions, a clown loach will have a much shorter life expectancy.

Diet

Clown loaches eat a wide variety of plant-based foods and small bits of animal matter. Fresh, frozen and flake food are all acceptable foods; clown loaches will also help to clean up algae.

Breeding

Your clown loaches aren't likely to breed in a home aquarium; few breeders have successfully conditioned them to lay eggs. Most clown loaches are wild-caught in Borneo; they swim into bamboo traps and are sold to Western markets.

Water Parameters

Keep your clown loach at a pH between 6-7.5. Nitrate levels should remain below 25 and ammonia levels should remain nearly undetectable. Frequent water changes are essential.

Temperature

These tropical fish can only thrive in warm tanks. Clown loaches will only thrive at a temperature between 75-85 degrees.

Variations

Because it is resistent to commercial breeding, there are no domesticated varieties of clown loach.

10 Facts About Tiger Barbs

The tiger barb fish offers impressive coloration and beautiful schooling behavior. More than any other cyprinid species, tiger barbs can provide fishkeepers with years of beauty and entertainment with very little labor input. These tough, hardy fish can thrive in a large aquarium if they are kept in suitably large schools.

If you are interested in this species, know these 10 interesting facts about tiger barbs.

1. Tiger barbs have a strong need to be in large groups. They are highly social and will only thrive when kept in groups of eight or more.

2. A school of tiger barb fish will develop a pecking order, similar to a pack of wolves or a pod of dolphins. If you learn to discern the differences between your tiger barbs, you will see that they eat in the exact same order every time.

3. The tiger barb looks very similar to its two closest relatives, the black ruby barb and the five-banded barb. It will willingly interbreed with most other barb species.

4. Selective breeding has produced many interesting varieties of tiger barb, including long-finned, albino, golden, rosy, red and green strains. These varieties can all interbreed with one another.

5. Tiger barbs will school with fish that have similar patterns of color. Watch your tiger barbs school alongside clown loaches, five-banded barbs, and even flame tetras.

6. Female tiger barbs can lay as many as 1000 eggs in a day.

7. Depending on the strain of tiger barb fish, adults may reach anywhere from 2-4 inches in size.

8. The term "barb" applies to all members of the genus, which differ from other cyprinids in that they completely lack barbels near the mouth.

9. Tiger barbs are notorious for their fin-nipping tendencies; they may harass members of other species. However, this behavior is usually minimal in barbs kept in sufficiently large schools.

10. Tiger barbs have no obvious sexual differences, but the females may be a bit stouter than the males.

Giant Danio Fact Sheet

The giant danio is an ideal freshwater fish for beginners. As a long-term aquarist, I've enjoyed taking care of these lively, colorful minnows.

Giant danios originate in the clear streams and rivers of India and Sri Lanka, and they are now bred extensively for the aquarium trade. If you are interested in keeping giant danios, know these facts about giant danio care.

Size

An adult giant danio may exceed 4 - 4.5 inches in length. While this is small compared to many other freshwater fish species, it is nearly twice the size of other danio species.

Feeding

Giant danios require an omnivorous diet. They will eagerly eat flake, frozen or live foods and may graze on algae.

Tank Size

In general, a school of giant danios will do best in an aquarium of 29 gallons or more. They require plenty of open space for swimming.

Social Behavior

Giant danios are a schooling species and belong in schools of 5 or more individuals. Large schools of 10 or more are best, but they require more space.

Temperature

As a tropical species, the giant danio will thrive best in a water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees.

Aquarium pH

Giant danios can tolerate a fairly wide range of water conditions. They can survive at any pH between 6.0 and 8.0.

Sex Differences

Male giant danios are smaller than females, with longer fins and more intense coloration.

Tank Mates

When kept in overly small groups, giant danios may playfully pester other fish in the aquarium. However, they are otherwise peaceful. You can keep giant danios with almost any other smallish freshwater species.

Varieties

Cultivated strains of giant danio exist, including albino breeds and long-finned strains.

Scissortail Rasbora Fact Sheet

The three-lined rasbora, also known as the scissortail rasbora, is commonly used as a freshwater ornamental fish. Although less visually impressive than some other cyprinid species, scissortail rasboras are easy to care for and compatible with almost any other freshwater species. If you are interested in keeping scissortail rasboras, know these facts about scissortail rasbora care.

Size

Scissortail rasboras rarely exceed four inches in length, but some adults may grow to seven inches or more. Their adult size may vary significantly depending on water quality and genetics.

Tank Size

Keep your scissortail rasboras in an aquarium that is at least 29 gallons in size. These fish grow relatively large and thrive only in groups of five or more.

Strata

Like most other rasboras and danios, scissortail rasboras roam, swim and forage in the middle and upper regions of a fish tank.

Water pH

Maintain a pH between 6.0 and 8.0 in your fish tank. These hardy fish are not picky about water parameters.

Temperature

Scissortail rasboras are a tropical species. They will do best in a tank between 73 and 81 degrees and require a heater to thrive.

Tank Set-Up

Provide your scissortail rasboras with a long tank, planted on each side. This provides openswimming space with the added benefit of live plants.

Feeding

Scissortail rasboras enjoy a varied diet containing live, frozen and freeze-dried food. They are omnivorous.

Checkered Barb Fact Sheet

The checkered barb, a beautiful but modest aquarium fish, is not as popular as many other barb species. However, it can provide a fish tank with beautiful, lively activity and an array of interesting colors. If you want to keep checkered barb fish in your own aquarium or fish tank, consider these important facts about checkered barb fish care.

Size

Adult checkered barbs grow to be two inches in length.

Minimum Tank Size

Because of its relatively small stature, the checkered barb can thrive in relatively small tanks. A small school of checkered barbs can thrive in a 20 gallon aquarium.

Strata

Your checkered barb fish will generally swim and eat in the bottom and middle ranges in the aquarium.

Water Parameters

Keep your checkered barbs in waters with a pH between 6 and 7.5. Ammonia should be undetectable, and nitrates should remain below 30 at all times.

Temperature

Checkered barbs are tropical fish. Keep them in a tank between 72-82 degrees at all times.

Social Behavior

Keep checkered barbs in groups of five or more individuals. This minimizes aggressive behavior and keeps them happy and healthy.

Set-Up

Checkered barbs thrive in loosely planted tanks with soft substrate.

Feeding

The checkerd barb is a true omnivore. Feed it fine-grade foods including both plant and animal-based products. Flake, frozen and live food are all acceptable.

Flying Fox Fish Fact Sheet

The flying fox fish is a beautiful, exotic minnow ideal for a home aquarium. These small cyprinids are closely related to other freshwater "sharks", such as the rainbow shark and red-tail shark. If you have a flying fox fish or intend to own one, learn these guidelines for flying fox fish care. Proper care can prolong the life of your fishy friend.

Adult Size

An adult flying fox fish may grow to 4-7 inches in length.

Minimum Tank Size

Flying fox fish do best in tanks that are at least 29 gallons in size. A small school requires more space.

Strata

Your flying fox fish will forage in all ranges of the aquarium, although they do not like open water.

Water pH

Flying foxes prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

Temperature

Keep the temperature of your flying fox fish tank between 77-82 degrees. They are a tropical species and will die prematurely at low temperatures.

Water Parameters

In general, flying foxes are sensitive to nitrates and ammonia. Keep both pollutants as low as possible; nitrates should not exceed 20 ppm.

Social Behavior

Flying foxes are aggressive when kept alone or in pairs, but they tend to mellow out when they are kept in groups of four to six individuals.

Feeding

Your flying fox fish will eagerly clean up algae in your tank, but it also requires herbivorous dry food, flakes and small live food.

Set-Up

Provide your flying foxes witha densely planted fish tank with fast-moving, clean water.

Red-Finned Loach Fact Sheet

The red-finned loach, a pleasant freshwater aquarium fish, is overshadowed in popularity by other loach species. However, this peaceful, powder-blue fish commands a second look. It can provide an interesting focal point for a well-established aquarium. If you are interested in keeping red-finned loach fish in your own aquarium, familiarize yourself with red-finned loach care.

Adult Size

A well-kept red-finned loach may grow to eight inches or more, but many never exceed five inches.

Minimum Tank Size

Provide your red-finned loach fish with at least 29 gallons of water.

Strata

Red-finned loaches forage only in the bottom third of the aquarium.

Water pH

Red-finned loaches enjoy a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

Water Parameters

Keep your red-finned loach fish in an aquarium with minimal ammonia levels and nitrates below 20 ppm.

Temperature

Red-finned loaches are native to tropical areas. They do best in a heated tank between 75-85 degrees.

Set-Up

Offer your red-finned loaches loose plants and ornaments. Provide a territory and hiding-place for each fish.

Social Behavior

Red-finned loaches thrive in small groups of 3-5 individuals. They fight with other bottom-dwelling species.

Feeding

Provide your red-finned loach fish with mosquito larvae, tubifex worms, freeze-dried brine shrimp and daphnia. They may nibble on algae.

Leopard Danio Fact Sheet

The leopard danio is an exotic-looking strain of the better-known zebra danio. In recent decades, scientists have changed the leopard danio's scientific classification several times. Although many consider it to be a breed or subspecies of the zebra danio, others consider it to be a separate species entirely. Leopard danio care is very easy, even for beginners; it is a robust, lively fish that is ideal for beginning aquarists.

Adult Size

Adult leopard danios grow to approximately 2.5 inches in length, but many never exceed 1.5 inches.

Minimum Tank Size

Leopard danios are extremely active and require large, open spaces for swimming. Keep leopard danios in a 20 gallon tank at minimum. Bigger is better.

Strata

The leopard danio dwells in the middle and top strata of an established aquarium.

Water pH

Leopard danios can tolerate any pH between 6.5 and 7.5, with 7.0 as the ideal target range.

Water Parameters

Leopard danios will do best in tanks with very low nitrate levels, below 20 ppm. Some domesticated strains can tolerate up to 40 ppm. Keep nitrite and ammonia levels undetectable at all times.

Temperature

As a tropical species, the leopard danio thrives in warm waters between 72-82 degrees. They can live without a heater if your home stays consistently warm.

Tank Set-Up

Keep your leopard danios in bright lighting to bring out is vibrant colors and lively behavior. Offer plenty of wide, open spaces for this active fish to swim.

Social Behavior

Leopard danios are highly social; they must be kept in groups of 6 or more in order to thrive. They will eagerly school with similar fish, including long-finned, blue, zebra, albino, golden and silver danios.

Feeding

The leopard danio can do well eating only flake foods, but it is best to offer live and freeze-dried treats as an occasional supplement.