Which Fish Shouldn't Share the Same Aquarium?

When you are deciding which fish to place in an aquarium, you may not realise it but you cannot always place two different types of fish together. Some species need to be kept separately and some need specific requirements that might conflict with another fish species. There are many things that you need to consider and here you will find out more about the types of fish that you shouldn't place together.

The Different Types of Fish

The most obvious difference that you need to familiarise yourself with is which fish are cold water fish and which are tropical fish. You cannot keep the two types of fish together as they need entirely different temperatures and environments. Goldfish, sturgeons and Koi are all coldwater fish. There are many different types of goldfish to choose from and they all need to be kept in cold water.

Tropical fish are the most popular types of fish available but they do require a lot more care. They need specific heating and lighting requirements. There are literally hundreds of different types of tropical fish to choose from and they are the ones that you will have a problem knowing which will fight and which will get along!

Tropical Fish that you Should Not Place Together

The main species of fish that you need to be aware of is Betta fish. It is ok to have around five-six females in an aquarium but if you have more than one male then it will cause problems as they do tend to fight and be quite aggressive towards other fish! Also you should not keep Betta males and females together either as this can cause a large number of problems. You can only keep a male and female Betta fish together if it is just one single breeding pair.

Barb fish should be kept in species only tanks. So if you want more than one type of fish in your aquarium then you should not include any type of barb fish. It is fine to keep barb fish together, just not with any other species.

Generally the above are the main types of fish that cannot live together. However you will have to do as much research as possible on the types of fish that you are interested in to see if you can place them together. It would be a good idea to ask a member of staff at the place where you will be purchasing your fish from. They will be able to give you a better idea of which fish to choose depending upon the tank that you opt for and your own specific requirements.

Overall choosing the right fish is important if you would like to have a happy, healthy aquarium. It is not always easy knowing which two species of fish will not fight if placed together and so it is always a good idea to get expert advice. After all, you do not want to purchase a tank full of fish only to have them all die from fighting less than a week after you have brought them home!

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses.

by Derek Rogers - 10/07/08

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