What Kinds of Tropical Fish Can Coexist in the Same Aquarium?

Owning an aquarium can be one of the best experiences for fish lovers. In many instances, you can have multiple fish species cohabiting in one tank, offering you a glimpse into the ocean depths. However, before you create your personal tropical habitat, it’s important to understand which fish can safely live together. Check out this guide, provided by the aquarium experts at Aquatic Warehouse, to understand the types of fish that should and shouldn’t be tank roommates.

Why Do Fish Need to Get Along?

Although this may seem self-explanatory, it’s an important topic to discuss. When you create a habitat, you’re in control. You have the power and responsibility to ensure everything in the tank works properly, including the interactions between the fish themselves. Fish that don’t get along will add a great deal of stress to the tank. Some fish will even become so aggressive that they’ll either bully or kill one another. Understanding why fish fight can prepare you for your own tank.

Why Do Fish Fight?

As with any animal, there’s always the potential for a fight. Understanding why you need to carefully choose your fish is crucial for their wellbeing:

• Resources – One reason for negative interactions is competition. Fish that don’t get along often chase off their rivals to battle for resources such as food, rocks, plants, and other items in the tank. 
• Mates – Depending on the species, you may need to be careful when it comes to your female-to-male ratio. Some fish may fight each other over the breeding rights of the harem. 
• Clash in Personality – Certain species of fish are known for their shy tendencies, while others are considered “fighting fish.” Researching the fish you want to include in your aquarium should always be the first step. 
• Territory – Although fighting over territory sounds similar to fighting over resources, it’s somewhat different. Some fish are more territorial than others. If the tank is too small, they may begin to chase the other fish in an attempt to free up space.

Which Tropical Fish Can Live Together?

First of all, this is just a basic guide to go by. Rules can always be bent or broken. Fish have personalities just like dogs, cats, or even people. We have had very aggressive fish cohabitate with mellow fish. Below is a list of species of freshwater tropical fish that can, for the most part, cohabit in the same tank:

• Small catfish
• Corys
• Danios
• Small gouramis
• Guppies
• Loaches
• Mollies
• Platies
• Small plecos
• Raspboras
• Swordtails
• Tetras

Which Tropical Fish Shouldn’t Share the Same Tank?

To avoid aggression between your new pets, keep this list in mind. These fish are best when kept with individuals of the same species:

• Tiger barbs
• Red-tailed sharks
• Bettas
• Convict cichlids
• Chinese algae-eaters
• Angelfish

Buying the right fish is just one of the important steps you need to take when you have an aquarium. You also need to make sure you have all the correct supplies. Whether you need aquarium monitors, protein skimmers, LED lighting, beneficial bacteria, or other supplies for your fish tank, Aquatic Warehouse has you covered. If you have any questions about the fish you should buy to cohabit your tank or the supplies you can’t do without, give us a call today at 858-467-9297.