Fish selection & compatibility, and what you need to consider when buying fish for your aquarium…

Planning to buy new fish? Restock or Add to your already existing stock? Then this article is a must-read! If you are looking to add some variety to your aquarium, then there is no better way than combining different species of fish together in a single aquarium. While that might sound simple enough on the surface there is a lot you need to consider before just throwing a bunch of random fish together and hoping that it works out. Selecting fish species that are compatible with each other can be a challenge at the best of times, while we know that certain species do work well together it’s always not the case. It all depends on your tank size, how heavily it is scaped or planted, and the temperament and personality of your fish. The following you need to consider when adding different species of fish together:

Aquarium size:

Every single fish you buy will need to have a certain amount of space that it will need to be happy and thrive in, the bigger the tank and the more space each fish has for itself increases the likelihood of all your fish getting along together. The reason why fish should not be crowded into a small space besides it not being healthy for them is they become more agitated and anxious and more likely to start fighting with their tank mates. A commonly used rule for stocking your aquarium is 3cm of fish for every 5 liters of aquarium water. Now obviously you won’t go put an 18cm Oscar in a 30-liter aquarium, which is where a little common sense and research come into play, I always recommend getting the biggest tank you can either afford or fit in your home. Also, the bigger the tank the easier it is to maintain it might sound counter-intuitive but trust me as a fishkeeper with 30+ years of experience under the belt this is the absolute truth. That is due to the volume of water being bigger and it being much more forgiving when you make a mistake in your aquarium. Here are 3 things to consider when getting the right aquarium size.

1. Swim space: Provide enough swimming space for each fish to move freely without crowding or aggression.
2. Water volume: Ensure the tank has enough water volume to dilute waste and maintain good water quality.
3. Future growth: Consider the maximum size the fish will reach and plan accordingly. It’s important to choose the right size of fish for your tank to prevent overcrowding and ensure the health and well-being of your aquatic pets.

Selecting a species of fish:

Different fish species just like people from all over the world communicate and behave differently. It is important to research each species carefully and choose the ones that will thrive in your aquarium’s specific conditions. While some fish are super aggressive and territorial other are gentle and will get along with other fish without any problems. If you make the right choice you will have complete harmony in your aquarium, make the wrong choice and you will have absolute chaos in your aquarium. Here are the 6 things you need to consider when buying and adding fish to your community tank:

1. Compatibility with other fish species in the tank.
2. Size and growth rate of the fish.
3. Water conditions and temperature requirements.
4. Feeding habits and dietary needs.
5. Ease of care and hardiness.
6. Natural habitat and behavior It is important to research each species carefully and choose the ones that will thrive in your aquarium’s specific conditions.

The size of the fish you are considering getting:

Often in the hobby, I have seen people keeping goldfish in a bowl, fighting fish in small jars, or an Oscar in a tiny 3-foot aquarium. This all boils down to ignorance and not doing your research properly before buying your fish. Or following the advice from a shop that just wants to make a sale and money off an unsuspecting fishkeeper that is new to the hobby. Correctly selecting the size of fish for your aquarium is crucial to provide a healthy and comfortable environment for your aquatic pets. Some of the following will become an issue if you don’t consider a fish’s size when you first buy them. If the tank is too small for the fish, it can lead to overcrowding and poor water quality, which can stress and harm the fish. Insufficient swim space can cause fish to become aggressive or stressed, leading to health problems and potential harm to other fish in your community tank. If the tank is too small for the number and size of fish, it can become contaminated with waste, leading to poor water quality and potentially killing all of your fish.

The Gender of the fish that you will be getting:

Although one might not think of it right away, fish gender can also play a role in the ability of fish species to get along in a community aquarium. Male fish have a penchant for being more territorial and aggressive than the female of a fish species so most times you can only keep one or two males of a species in a single aquarium. So it will be worthwhile to investigate how many males you can keep in an aquarium before you start buying fish for your aquarium.