Types Of Fish

Types Of Fish

There are over 25,000 species of fish. Fish at large are divided into three groups; bony, cartilaginous and jawless fish, the size ranging from a 45 foot (whale shark) to a 8 mm long (dwarf gopi). Four types of fish are kept in the home aquarium:-

Tropical fish - are fish that live in either salt or freshwater but needs a warm (tropical) medium or temperature to live.

Coldwater fish - these fish can be salt or fresh water fish which needs colder water temperatures.

Marinefish - these are fish that live in salty seawater. Most commonly, marine fishes need tropical climate.

Freshwater fish - these fish live in freshwater and are usually the fish that you would find in inland rivers and streams of most continents. They can be as colourful as marine fish and yet need less care. Most freshwater fish in the ornamental hobby are tropical fish, which require a heater.

In short, the types can be Tropical Freshwater species, Tropical Marine species, Coldwater Fresh water species and Coldwater Marine species. Broadly the most common classification is Fresh water fish and Marine water fish. Some of the most common fresh water aquarium fishes are the gold fish, Koi (common carp), guppy, molly, swordtail, angelfish etc. Among the Marine aquarium fish species, damsel fish, clown fish (anemone fish) etc are best for beginners where as dragonets and lionfish should be kept only by experienced breeders with large tanks. Sharks, rays, batfishes etc should be avoided. Fresh water species are easier to keep than marine species. Many marine species will be completely incompatible and necessitate careful selection of species when choosing which fish to keep in ones aquarium.

Types Of Fish

There are over 25,000 species of fish. Fish at large are divided into three groups; bony, cartilaginous and jawless fish, the size ranging from a 45 foot (whale shark) to a 8 mm long (dwarf gopi). Four types of fish are kept in the home aquarium:-

Tropical fish - are fish that live in either salt or freshwater but needs a warm (tropical) medium or temperature to live.

Coldwater fish - these fish can be salt or fresh water fish which needs colder water temperatures.

Marinefish - these are fish that live in salty seawater. Most commonly, marine fishes need tropical climate.

Freshwater fish - these fish live in freshwater and are usually the fish that you would find in inland rivers and streams of most continents. They can be as colourful as marine fish and yet need less care. Most freshwater fish in the ornamental hobby are tropical fish, which require a heater.

In short, the types can be Tropical Freshwater species, Tropical Marine species, Coldwater Fresh water species and Coldwater Marine species. Broadly the most common classification is Fresh water fish and Marine water fish. Some of the most common fresh water aquarium fishes are the gold fish, Koi (common carp), guppy, molly, swordtail, angelfish etc. Among the Marine aquarium fish species, damsel fish, clown fish (anemone fish) etc are best for beginners where as dragonets and lionfish should be kept only by experienced breeders with large tanks. Sharks, rays, batfishes etc should be avoided. Fresh water species are easier to keep than marine species. Many marine species will be completely incompatible and necessitate careful selection of species when choosing which fish to keep in ones aquarium.

Marine fish

Damselfish - Domino

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Scientific Names - Dascyllus trimaculatus.
Family - Pomacentridae.
Origin - Indo-Pacific.
Medium - Tropical.
Diet - Omnivore, flake food.
Temperament - Relatively aggressive and will only get more aggressive as it gets large.
Life Span - Unknown.

The Domino or Three Spot Damselfish is an extremely hardy fish found quite commonly in the pet trade. Very hardy and is often used to help start new aquariums kept by beginners.

Butterflyfish - Lemon

The Lemon Butterfly Fish is an amazing specimen that can add a showy quality to many saltwater aquariums.

Scientific Names - Chaetodon miliaris.
Family - Chaetodontidae.
Origin - Indo-Pacific.
Diet - Chopped seafoods, Carnivore.
Temperament - Most Lemon Butterflies get on well with other fish.

The fish is mainly yellow with many dark spots on its sides forming vertical stripes. It has a black bar through the eyes and its fins are yellow. These are good community fish that are adored by many marine enthusiasts.

Goby - Neon

Though they do not seem to pay other fish in their aquariums much attention, they are territorial amongst themselves, though rarely aggressive.

Scientific Names - Gobiosoma oceanops.
Family - Gobiidae.
Origin - Caribbean.
Diet - Neon Gobies should be offered foods small enough to fit in their mouths. Often, mysis shrimp or brine shrimp are appropriate.
Temperament - Peaceful.

These lovely, peaceful little fish can make good additions to many reef or fish tanks. Neon Goby is also quite hardy, making it ideal for any marine hobbyist.

Freshwater fish

Goldfish

The Goldfish is the most commonly kept aquarium fish in the world. Goldfish can be found in a number of varieties and colors. Careful maintenance is needed for good health. They need to be in tanks that are not crowded and gives them sufficient swimming room and they do best if they are kept with their own types.

Scientific Names - Carassius auratus.
Family - Cyprinidae.
Origin - China.
Medium - Cold Water Fish.
Diet - Flake and pellet foods.
Temperament - Non-aggressive and very hardy. Should only be kept with other goldfish or other larger cold water fish.
Life Span - 7 years.

Arowana

Arowanas are often called Dragon Fish or Arrowanas. Two barbels, which range in color from black to blue to green to red, are located on the lower jaw. Dark gravel in a aquarium with a very large surface area is recommended. The tank should be well-covered for Arawanas are fine jumpers.

Scientific Names - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum.
Family - Osteoglossidae.
Origin - South America.
Medium - Tropical.
Diet - Pellets and flakes. Carnivore.
Temperament - Predatory towards small surface fish. Otherwise relatively peaceful for a large fish.
Life Span - Unknown.

Loaches

There are numerous species of loaches available to aquarists today. Some of the more popular species are Clown Loaches, Yoyo Loaches, Zebra Loaches, and Dojo Loaches. They are very hardy, well adaptive aquarium members.

Scientific Names - Botia macracanthus.
Family - Cobitidae.
Origin - Sumatra, Borneo.
Medium - Tropical.
Diet - Carnivore.
Temperament - Peaceful community fish, active during the day.
Life Span - Unknown.

Angel Fish

Among the most beautiful freshwater tropical fish, the Angel fish comes in many varieties and attractive colours. They grow to large size, and live for years.They comprise of two general groups. One group consists of fishes with different finnage, of which there are two types, normal-finned and long-finned. The basic colours are black and silver. While the fish are young they are fine in a community tank, however they need a larger tank as they grow in size.

Scientific Names - Pterophyllum scalare.
Family - Cichlidae.
Origin - Amazon region of South America.
Medium - Tropical.
Diet - Omnivorous, frozen and flake foods.
Temperament - Normally peaceful, but gets aggressive when spawning and guarding fry.
Life Span - 10years.

Powder Blue Gourami

Suited to smaller aquariums, as well as community aquariums due to their peaceful nature. They should not be kept with very large or aggressive fish. Provide plenty of vegetation, including floating plants that cover part of the surface of the water.

Scientific Names - Colisa lalia.
Family - Belontiidae.
Origin - Ganges, Jumna, Bramaputra.
Medium - Tropical.
Diet - Omnivore, frozen shrimp and worms foods.
Temperament - Quite.
Life Span - 3 to 4 years.

Betta

Betta is one of the most beautiful freshwater fish and one of the famous aquarium fish. Male Betta is perhaps the best looking of all freshwater fish. Perhaps the most recognized is the male with his splendid colors. Bettas are known jumpers and their tanks must be covered.

Scientific Names - Betta splendens.
Family - Belontiidae.
Origin - Cambodia, Thailand.
Medium - Tropical.
Diet - Live foods, flakes, frozen foods, daphnia.
Temperament - Peaceful towards other fish but males will not tolerate each other.
Life Span - 2-3 years.

Spotted Raphael catfish

Spotted Rafael are easy to care for and are friendly, a perfect community fish. Spotted Rafael Catfish are a peaceful animal. They are a solitary fish that will generally not bother other tank mates.

Scientific Names - Agamyxis pectinifrons.
Family - Doradidae.
Origin - South America.
Medium - Tropical.
Diet - Live foods, pellet and tablet food occasionally.
Temperament - Peaceful fish.
Life Span - Unknown.

Cichlid - Rusty

The lovely Rusty Cichlid is a peaceful, Mbuna type Cichlid that can make an impressive addition to many aquariums. These fishes are very popular with the hobbyists because of their bright colors and interesting breeding habits. They do not remain in a specific area of their habitats; rather, they range through top, middle, and bottom levels of their tanks. Rusty Cichlids should not be kept with aggressive fish, or they could be bullied.

Scientific Names - Iodotropheus sprengerae.
Family - Cichlidae.
Origin - Africa.
Medium - Tropical.
Diet - Omnivorous- feed live, frozen and flake foods.
Temperament - Peaceful.
Life Span - Unknown.
Catfish - Ghost

Glass Cat, a unique fish. Its body allows to see its internal organs and the skeleton. The Glass Catfish is a great community fish, if kept in a large enough tank. They will generally not bother other fish, unless they are small enough to be eaten. They should not be kept with fry, as the Glass Catfish will eat them.

Scientific Names - Kryptopterus bicirrhis.
Family - Siluridae.
Origin - Asia (East Indies (Indonesia) to Thailand and Cambodia).
Medium - Tropical.
Temperament - Very active, peaceful.
Life Span - Unknown.

Koi

The Koi is the national fish of Japan. Koi need to be kept in very large aquariums or ponds where they can reach their full adult length of three feet or more. Koi come in a variety of colors and patterns. The color of Koi will change depending on the food chemicals present.

Scientific Names - Cyprinus carpio.
Family - Cyprinidae.
Origin - Japan.
Diet - Vegetables, live foods, Frozen, tablet and pellet foods.
Temperament - Koi are aggressive eaters, but peaceful a fish.
Life Span - 60 years.

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