Types of Tropical Fish

Tropical fish types

Tropical fish types can be so varied that they can spoil you for choice. Here are a few types:

Oscars – They are an aggressive variety particularly the Red and the Tiger Red Oscars. Since they tend to grow large, a 50 gallon aquarium is best suited with a temperature of 78 – 82 degrees F. Oscars do not make good companions except for a few like the White Tip Sharks, large Plecostomus, Clown Knife Fish and Tinfoli Barbs. When they are very small, floating fish food works well, but after that, they require pellet food. They have an average lifespan of 15 – 20 years.

Angel Fish – These tropical fish types come is a wide assortment of colours. Although they are weak when small, but they rapidly gain strength as they grow. They belong to the Cichlid family and prefer a habitat that houses around 29 gallons of water and breed easily. They enjoy a water depth of 24” and a temperature of 78 – 82 F. They prefer frozen mosquito larvae, black worms and floating flake food and live for about ten years.

Tetra Fish – These tropical fish types are brightly colored with sub-varieties like Glow Light Tetra and Black Phantom Tetra. They live well in 15 gallons of water and require temperature of 75 – 80 F and can live for above ten years.

Tiger Barbs – This tropical fish type cannot be kept more than six in a group since they have a habit of biting and nipping other fishes around. And they do not get well with angel fish. They require at least 29 gallons of heated water and a temperature around 72 – 82 F. they like floating flake food and freeze dried bloodworms.

Black Knife fish – These are very popular variety of tropical fish types and have a unique method of swimming by rolling their fins underneath. They are nocturnal and a bit aggressive. They require 29 gallons of water and a temperature of 78 – 82 F. They like live black-worms and can live for ten years.

Guppies – The males are better hued than females. These tropical fish types prefer warm temperatures at 78 – 82 F and for every 5 gallons of water; they welcome a tablespoon of aquarium salt. They like frozen live food and floating flake food.

Mollies – These tropical fish types breed easily and belong to the family of Swordtails and Guppies. They need 15 gallons of water and a temperature of 70 – 82 F. They also prefer aquarium salt and are a very delicate variety and live for about five years.The other popular tropical fish types include Gaurami, Butterfly Loach fish, Bala Shark, Elephant Nose Fish, Zebra Danio, African butterfly fish and Puffer Fish to name a few.