Best Dither Fish for Cichlid Aquariums

In the almost-fifteen years that I've been keeping freshwater fish, I've usually selected species that aren't shy-- that like coming out to "play," where they can be easily seen in the open. But, once I started keeping butterfly cichlids (also known as ram cichlids), these shy little critters did what they're famous for: hid out inside the lava-rock caves I had set up throughout the aquarium. I knew that, like most cichlids and other shy, intelligent freshwater fish, ram cichlids need "dither fish" in their tanks in order to feel safe and at home.

A dither fish is a small, active fish that boldly ventures into the open spaces of an aquarium without hesitation. Over many millions of years of evolution, cichlids and other relatively intelligent fish have learned that water open water without little fish is a bad sign: in the wild, it means that a predator has recently passed through the area, either consuming the little fishies or scaring them into hiding. Water that is teeming with schooling fish, on the other hand, is clearly safe, so cichlids and other shy fish will happily swim out into the open to join them. Here are examples of excellent dither fish, especially for cichlids.

Tetras

Small, schooling tetras are among the best dither fish because they join together in large schools. Many also prefer the soft, acidic waters favored by many cichlid species. Some of the most popular options are neon tetras and similar species, which look stunning and form large schools. Harlequin and rummy-nose tetras are also good choices. Be sure to always keep neon tetras in schools of eight or more, and don't house them with cichlids large enough to eat them (like discus and angelfish).

Zebra Danios and Variations

The zebra danio is a quick, active little fish whose fast-moving antics are likely to draw even the shyest cichlids out of hiding. They're excellent dither fish because they're so fearless and willing to brave open water (even when there really are scary, big fish around!). Zebra danios, which are top-feeders, are available in dozens of varieties, including gold, albino, leopard, and genetically modified "GloFish" varieties.

Dwarf Gourami

The dwarf gourami can be an excellent dither fish, especially for small cichlid varieties (like the ram cichlid and kribensis cichlid). Dwarf gourami do not form schools like most popular dither fish, but their small size and tendency to hang out in open water makes them interesting to cichlids. These little guys double as "target fish" for small cichlids, because they perceive them as competitors for territory and nesting ground. Small cichlids will often form strange "friendships" and territorial dynamics with dwarf gourami.

Livebearers

Several types of livebearer can act as dither fish. One popular option is the ubiquitous fancy guppy, which is as colorful as it is prolific. Fancy guppies swim readily in open water, and their tendency to breed easily (producing free, easy food for your cichlids) will tend to pull your cichlids out of hiding. Other livebearers, like the Endler's livebearer (a close relative to the guppy), the molly, the platy, and the swordtail are also good choices and will add a nice splash of color to your tank.

Ultimately, the best dither fish for your aquarium will depend on a variety of factors, including the ecology of your tank. For example, guppies and small tetras aren't good choices for tanks with large carnivorous fish, and you may need to choose either top- or middle-water feeders based on what niches in your aquarium are already claimed. Equally importantly, you'll need to consider if your water parameters and temperature are suitable for your new dither fish. Once you've made the best decision based on the specific needs of your aquarium and its inhabitants, you'll see your shy cichlids much more frequently. 

What happens when you keep schooling fish alone?

I've been keeping freshwater ornamental fish for almost fifteen years, and in that time I've kept many schooling fish. Schooling fish, especially tetras, barbs and corydoras catfish, are the highlights of many fish tanks. There's just nothing quite like the sight of ten beautiful, identical fish moving together as one organism. But what happens when you keep schooling fish by themselves? Would it, for example, be okay to keep just one or two neon tetras, or a single tiger barb?

Many people assume that it's just fine to keep schooling fish alone, because they assume that fish can't get lonely. In my early days of fishkeeping, I made that mistake. I thought that a simple organism with such a tiny brain can't feel deep, "human" emotions like loneliness. And, in a way, they can't. I highly doubt that minnows are capable of feeling loneliness the way that we feel it, but keeping schooling fish alone can still seriously harm your fish.

Schooling fish kept alone, or in schools that are too small, have a tendency to become depressed. You may be rolling your eyes, but bear in mind that depression is a set of biological symptoms, including sluggishness and appetite loss. It doesn't mean your fish will experience an existential crisis and require a daily dose of Zoloft. Depression can be fatal for fish, because they may stop eating and swimming enough to stay healthy.

Stress is another problem that tends to affect schooling fish kept alone--and, again, this is a reference to a physiological condition, not a human emotion. Schooling fish kept alone have high levels of body stress hormones and may experience symptoms like stunted growth, infertility, heart problems, and susceptibility to disease. These symptoms can also cause a fish to die prematurely.

Schooling fish kept alone won't die instantly, so that has led many beginning aquarists to believe that it's perfectly safe and healthy for them. There will always be a few people with anecdotes about an unusually resilient fish who lived alone for five years with no problems. But, statistically speaking, a schooling fish kept by itself is much more likely to suffer from stress and depression, and may have a shortened lifespan as a result.

Another problem that tends to occur when schooling fish are kept alone is aggressive behavior toward tank mates. Tiger barbs are a perfect example of this. They have a reputation for being fin-nippers and attacking other fish, but they're actually quite peaceful when kept in suitably large groups (of eight fish or more). Schooling fish establish a pecking order and tend to more or less leave their tankmates alone when they're kept in groups, but lonely schooling fish will take out their natural intra-species aggression on slow-moving, long-finned tankmates.

If you don't have a large enough tank to keep an entire school of fish, stick to fish that do fine as solitary fish or in pairs or trios. Dwarf gourami, white cloud mountain minnows, Siamese fighting fish, and livebearers are all good beginner-friendly options that you might want to consider if you don't have enough room for more than three fish. Keeping a schooling fish alone simply isn't a good option.

Which Freshwater Aquarium Fish Live Longest?

Because freshwater aquarium fish are often treated as disposable pets, they often live unnaturally short lives due to poor water conditions, excessive inbreeding, and malnutrition. Surprisingly to many freshwater aquarium fish owners, many species of aquarium fish are actually capable of living for decades.

The following popular aquarium fish are capable of living surprisingly long, healthy lives if properly cared for.

Goldfish (carassius auratus)

Due to the fact that goldfish are often kept in very poor conditions, goldifsh have a reputation for having extremely short lives. In fact, owing to the tendency of novice aquarists to keep goldfish in dirty, hypoxic bowls rather than properly maintained aquariums, many people erroneously believe that goldfish only live for a few weeks or months. However--shockingly-- healthy goldfish routinely live for ten to thirty years. The Guiness Book of World Records has even successfully confirmed the age of "Tish", a goldfish who is now forty-eight years old!

Bala Shark (balantiocheilus melanopterus)

The Bala Shark is a silver, egglaying cyprinid popular in community aquariums. Like the goldfish, it is widely misunderstood. Because pet-store bala shark individuals are usually no more than two inches when sold, many aquarists believe that this is the standard adult size of the species, when its adult size is usually a minimum of fourteen inches. When poorly cared for, the Bala Shark will have a longevity of no more than two years. However, well-kept individuals often have a lifespan ranging from ten to fifteen years.

Dojo Loach (misgurnus angullicaudatus)

A popular addition for community tanks, the dojo loach is an extremely hardy bottom-dwelling fish. Because it is native to very unhospitable regions of Japan, Thailand, and China, is has a remarkable ability to survive in very poor aquarium conditions. Poorly cared-for dojo loaches will still surprise their owners by living five to ten years, but well-kept specimins often live to be twenty or more.

Angelfish (pterophyllum altum)

The beautiful freshwater angelfish is popular because of its impressively long fins, round bodies, and beautiful patterns. Well-cared for angelfish have an average longevity of 8-10 years, although most live much shorter lives owing to poor aquarium conditions. Like many other fish species, the angelfish continues to grow throughout its life span, making the decade-old adults up to eight inches in length.

Bloodfin Tetra (aphyocharax anisitsi)

The bloodfin tetra is a lovely tetra species known for its pretty markings and active personality. These peaceful schooling fish are easy to care for. Throughout their life spans, bloodfin tetras remain forgiving of poor aquarium conditions. Because of their adaptability, they may live anywhere from eight years in poor conditions, to fifteen years with optimum care.

Neon Tetra (paracheirodon innesi)

One of the most popular fish for home aquariums, the neon tetra is a quick, active fish noted for its brilliantly glowing markings. The longevity of neon tetras is variable because some mass-bred strains are weaker than carefully bred individuals. While pet-store varieties of neon tetras may max out at only two years of age, properly bred and cared-for neon tetras often have life spans of ten yearas or more.

Plecostomus (hypostomus plecostomus)

The plecostomus (called a "pleco" by fans of the fish) is a term covering a range of long-lived catfish species. Casually known as a "sucker fish" because of its tendency to use its mouth to latch onto the side of an aquarium, these tough, hardy fish can survive in extremely poor conditions. Several species of plecostumus have been known to routinely live for fiftteen to twenty years, especially when cared for properly.

Oscar (stronotus ocellatus)

Popular because of their beautiful markings, intelligence, and strong-willed personalities, the oscar is a carnivorous cichlid known for being very high-maintenence. Owners of oscars are in for a challenge, since these striped creatures require live food, often jump out of tanks, and enjoy uprooting plants. However, the payoff is magnificent: oscars have an average lifespan of at least sixteen years.

Discus (symphysodon aequifasciatus)

Another fish species worth including in your will is the discus. The common discus is a variety of cichlid that features beautiful, marbled blue patterns and is a popular aquarium fish because of its beauty and longevity. The care and feeding of the discus can be a challenge, as with other cichlids, but they respond well to proper conditions. Both in the wild and in captivity, the discus is known to live fourteen to twenty years under ideal circumstances.

Jack Dempsey Cichlid (rocio octofasciata)

Cichlids never fail to amaze aquarists with their impresively long life spans, and the Jack Dempsey is not an exception--in fact, it may be the rule. Weighing in at a longevity of twenty years or more, these tough, aggressive fish are an unbeatable addtion to a long-lived aquarium. While their angry, predator attitudes make them a handful, they reward their owners by living long, healthy lives.

Proper care and maintenence of can lead to many years of life for several species of aquarium fish. Simply rejecting the notion that freshwater fish are disposable, flushable ornaments is the first step in guaranteeing longevity for your aquatic companions.

Plans for Stocking a 1-Gallon Mini Aquarium

For people who can't afford, or don't have room for, a large aquarium, very small aquariums can look quite appealing. Who wouldn't love the look of a one-gallon desktop aquarium brimming with active, happy, healthy fish? Owing to misadvertisements from the manufacturers, often showing an unrealistic number of fish in these tiny tanks, many new fishkeepers believe that they can keep an entire school of fish in a one-gallon aquarium.

Unfortunately, the options for stocking a one-gallon aquarium are limited at best and nonexistant at worst. There are only three truly viable options for stocking a one-gallon aquarium that will survive and thrive for more than a few months.

A Single Male Betta

It is not recommended that bettas be kept in tanks smaller than three to five gallons, but they can still live in very small tanks. The reason that bettas are so popular in very small tanks is that they are equipped with a lung-like gill adaptation, called a labyrinth organ, that enables them to breathe air. This helps them to survive in very poor and polluted water.

However, surviving is not the same thing as thriving. While a betta can indeed thrive in a one-gallon tank, it requires careful maintenance, including the introduction of a filter, live plants, and-- unless your home's temperature never drops below the mid-seventies-- a heater. With very frequent water changes, sparse feedings, and a properly maintained aquatic ecosystem, the betta is one of the few species of fish fully capable of remaining healthy in a one-gallon tank.

Ghost Shrimp

A one-gallon aquarium stocked with a few ghost shrimp will actually look wonderful on a desktop or small stand. The addition of ghost shrimp to a small aquarium is delightful, and the antics of these peculiar creatures are fun to watch. A balanced ecosystem with live plants two or three ghost shrimp can thrive indefinitely.

Your guests will be delighted and entertained when they see your tiny shrimp scavenging at the bottom of the tank. These little guys are sure to amuse fishkeepers and laymen alike, and they are very active and full of personality. A small tank full of ghost shrimp can be as enjoyable as a much larger tank.

Plants Only

A planted tank featuring exotic or unusual vegetation can have the beauty and appeal of a bonsai tree. A one-gallon aquarium can hold a miniature water-garden, with one or two small, exotic water plants. If properly maintained, the plants will grow and bloom until they look positively magical when properly lit on a desk or shelf.

The art of aquatic plant-keeping may seem dull compared to an aquarium full of fish, but it can be thrilling in its own right, since it requires skills and maintenence similar to a small garden or a houseplant. Friends might at first ask where your fish are, but they may find themselves intrigued and fascinated by the sight of a small aquarium that hosts its own plant-based ecosystem.

Despite manufacturer's advertising, small fish like zebra danios, neon tetras, guppies, and white cloud minnows are wholly incompatible with life in a one-gallon aquarium. While they are small, all these fish require plenty of swimming space to stay happy and healthy. And, although some aquarists assume that fish can not get lonely, schooling fish are known to become depressed and starve themselves to death in the absence of companions-- and no one-gallon tank can accomodate an entire school of any species.

Prevent cruelty and select stock for your one-gallon aquarium with full knowledge of the limitations. While a one-gallon tank can still be a very enjoyable addition to a home, it can also be a tragic cruelty device if not stocked carefully and considerately.

Plans for Stocking a 10-Gallon Aquarium

Ten gallon aquariums are tricky to stock, because they are not quite large enough to house a dynamic community of freshwater fish, yet they are large enough to comfortably accomodate more than a handful of tiny fish.

Many fish in ten-gallon and smaller tanks die prematurely from inadequately maintained and overstocked aquaria, because many fishkeepers are wholly convinced based on product advertisements that a large community of more than twenty fish can be stocked in one of these petite aquariums.

The following suggestions for stocking a ten-gallon aquarium are ideal for maintaining the health of your freshwater fish. By keeping your plans moderate, you significantly reduce the stress to your fish, and increase the life of your aquarium.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: Fancy Guppies or Endler's Livebearers

Either of these two close relatives can live in groups of up to seven in a well-maintained ten-gallon aquarium, and, with very good water maintenance, some aquarists have found that populations of up to ten adults can be sustainable. Guppies and Endlers are very hardy and forgiving, and are ideal for beginners who are just stocking their first small aquarium. Their bright colors make them a delighful and pleasant addition to a home aquarium. Because they breed very readily, purchase only male livebearers unless you plan on housing a brood of babies. Most pet-store females are already pregnant when bought.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: Platys or Swordtails

The platy, or its close relative the swordtail, can be another excellent, forgiving choice for a beginner aquarist with a ten-gallon tank. Up to five adults can usually be comfortably housed in a small aquarium if the tank is kept very healthy and well-filtered. Like guppies, they are beautiful to look at but breed quite readily, and a beginning fishkeeper should only keep males unless prepared to add another tank (or ten) to the collection. They are active, full of personality, and very attractive additions to a small aquarium.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: White Cloud Mountain Minnows

Another forgiving species, the white cloud mountain minnow is tough and requires no heater to thrive. They do best in large groups and will often become depressed and stop eating unless they have "friends" of the same species around. In a very well-kept ten-gallon aquarium, up to ten can live without comprimising water quality. They are quick, active, and colorful, and sure to delight almost any aquarist.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: Dwarf Gouramis amd Corydoras Catfish

The dwarf gourami is an exciting and slightly more advanced addition to a ten-gallon aquarium, and may be kept in groups of up to five, depending on the specific temperaments of the gouramis themselves. Most often, two gouramis and two to three corydoras catfish will work better to create a more balanced aquarium ecosystem and to prevent conflict between competing members of the community.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: Betta and Corydoras Catfish

A single male betta will do very well in a ten-gallon tank, but they require little space and are extremely forgiving of poor water conditions owing to their lunglike adaptation called a labyrinth organ. While a male Siamese Fighting Fish alone in a ten-gallon tank will do well, you can add balance and flair to the tank by including one to six corydoras catfish in the tank. Their antics will amuse, while the betta's beauty will stun. It's a combination that can't be beat.

The ability of a small aquarium to hold a given number of fish will vary tremendously based on the conditions of the water and the individual personalities of the fish, so these estimates are rough and may call for modification as the aquarist gains experience. However, these hardy species are an almost-guarantee of a successful, long-lived community for a ten-gallon aquarium.

Plans for Stocking a 5-Gallon Aquarium

Five-gallon aquariums are popular because they are so compact, ideal for desks, kitchens, and children's bedrooms. Unfortunately, due to common misunderstandings about the chemical dynamics of healthy community tanks, many fish kept in five-gallon tanks die prematurely from overcrowding.

Since a five-gallon aquarium is too small to comfortably accomodate most varieties of freshwater fish, the options for stocking a healthy tank are limited. However, these five plans can comfortably enable your five-gallon aquarium to house a healthy and long-lived community.

Stocking Plan 1: Guppies

Although they are a schooling variety of livebearer, guppies will do surprisingly well in pairs or small groups. A five-gallon aquarium can comfortably accomodate two or three adult guppies without a high risk of nitrate buildup or overcrowding. Guppies breed readily (whether you want them to or not!) so it is best to get only male guppies. In addition to being much more attractive, they are a safer bet for a small tank than females, who are often already pregnant by the time you buy them.

Stocking Plan 2: Betta

A single male Siamese fighting fish (or any other member of the betta genus) will feel like a king in a five-gallon aquarium. Although it may seem boring to have only one fish in the aquarium, a male betta will look stunningly attractive in a well-planted five-gallon tank. They can do surprisingly well in poor-quality water and are very forgiving if you are a first-time aquarist, although attention should still be kept to maintaining good water quality.

Stocking Plan 3: White Cloud Minnows

White Cloud Mountain minnows are a very forgiving member of the carp family, and can adjust well to harsh aquarium environments. For this reason, it is often widely recommended for beginning aquarists and those with small tanks. White Cloud Mountain minnows are a very social schooling fish and should always be kept in groups--they tend to become depressed and stop eating, often to the point of starvation, if they are kept isolated. Although they should ideally be kept in groups of eight or more, they will still thrive in schools of four to five individuals, which is the maximum that can be comfortably housed by a five-gallon tank.

Stocking Plan 4: Cardinal Tetras

Cardinal tetras are a close relative of the more popular neon tetra, and they are nearly identical. Although less common in the aquarium trade, they can be an ideal first fish because they are hardier and less inbred than their neon cousins. Their bright colors and flourescence make them a charming and beautiful addition to any tank, and their compact size makes them perfect for small aquaria. Up to five cardinal tetras can live in a five-gallon aquarium without much trouble, especially if the tank is kept well-planted and well-filtered. In addition to its aesthetic and practical benefits over the neon tetra, cardinals are also ideal because they help to protect the Amazon rainforest .

Stocking Plan 5: Zebra Danios

Zebra danios are quick, active schooling fish with a tremendous amount of personality. Like cardinal tetras and white cloud minnows, zebra danios thrive when kept in large numbers. Dwarf varieties of zebra danio can be kept in groups of four to five in a five-gallon tank without excess nitrate buildup. Zebra danios should be carefully selected, because some strains of them are excessively inbred, including some of the long-finned varieties and the genetically modified "Glofish". Zebra danios are hardy but prefer fast-moving water and well-planted tanks.

Ideas for Decorating a New Aquarium

I have been keeping fish for over ten years, and I've always found that my favorite part of getting a new tank is determining how to decorate the tank. Aquascapers have developed hundreds of different themes, designs and layout ideas for decorating a new freshwater aquarium. To make your new tank look its best, follow a single motif or theme; this will keep the tank cohesive and visually appealing. Depending on the size of your new aquarium, the fish you are keeping and your own personal tastes, you might consider some of the following ideas for decorating a new aquarium.

Biotope Theme

Many serious aquarists prefer to set up freshwater aquariums in a biotope style. Biotope tanks are designed to closely mimic a fish's natural environment and they vary widely in their presentation. For example, a fishkeeper who likes tetras may keep tetras and discus in a blackwater tank with driftwood and peat filtration. African cichlid lovers may keep several species in a rocky lake that mimics Lake Victoria. The possibilities are limitless and the finished piece has a uniquely natural aura.

Island Motif

Aquarists who prefer the natural look of a biotope aquarium may not enjoy tropical, beach or island-themed aquariums. However, when properly executed, an island motif for decorating a freshwater aquarium can be surprisingly tasteful and aesthetically pleasing. Sand substrate, smooth sand-colored stones, natural seashells and realistic artificial palms can look elegant with brightly-colored fish. I enjoy placing decorations on a slightly raised platform in the center of an aquarium, with the rest of the area lined with sloped sand. This makes the aquarium look distinctly island-like.

Ocean Style

This idea for decorating an aquarium is related to the island theme, but it is more realistic and some find it more tasteful. An ocean look isn't limited to saltwater aquariums; aquarists can use the ocean look for freshwater fish as well. Use sand or aragonite substrate with crushed seashells and artificial coral. Plants should be used sparingly, if at all, in an aquarium with this theme; L.E.D. lights can offer an additional marine-like ambiance. Brackish water fish like mollies and pufferfish benefit from the chemistry of an ocean-style aquarium even if little or no salt is added.

Sunken Ship

Executed alongside the ocean theme, sunken ships and other pirate-style ornaments can look stunning. Use the classic ornaments for the ocean theme along with realistic sunken ship ornaments. I find that those with fabric sails look elegant and mysterious. For this slightly eerie theme, subdued lighting is a must and brightly-colored fish like neon tetras can create a treasure-box effect. Some aquarists may take the theme a step further and add aircraft, bridge or building ornaments to create an Atlantis-like appearance. Small pieces of driftwood can give the water a "tea-stained" look.

When selecting an idea for decorating a freshwater aquarium, be sure to stick with a single motif. Don't mix waving divers or Spongebob ornaments with natural driftwood; these decorations clash and look unprofessional. Always keep the needs of your fish in mind; some fish need the gentle acidity of driftwood, while others benefit from the alkalizing effects of aragonite or crushed coral. The employees at your local fish store can also be a valuable resource for helping establish your new tank.