Category Archives: Fish Facts

Tropical fish can be either saltwater fish or freshwater fish. They are often vibrantly colored and tend to prefer slightly warmer water in the fish tank.

admin    July 21, 2019   CATEGORY: Fish Facts

Tropical Fish: What Defines Them and Which Breeds are Popular for Aquariums

For those new to owning an aquarium, the concept of tropical fish may need to be explored. On the surface, the phrase may seem obvious, but there are still some basic facts new hobbyists may not realize.

What are Tropical Fish?

The Coral Beauty Angelfish is one of the most popular fish for saltwater aquariums.Tropical fish are defined as any number of fish found in aquatic tropical environments around the world, with tropical describing the area of the Earth that surrounds the equator. There are thousands of species of tropical fish.

Many new hobbyists may confuse them for saltwater fish, but that’s not the case at all. Tropical fish can be saltwater fish or freshwater fish. However, many are coral reef fish, which may explain their vibrant colors. Their bright colors and intriguing patterns make them popular among fish tank owners.

Many also tend to be on the small side, so as long as they have room to swim freely, you don’t need an oversized aquarium to give them a good home. The best news is that many breeds are strong, so as long as you properly maintain the tank, they should be easy to care for as well.

Tropical Aquariums

If you are planning to create a tropical aquarium, there are a few things you should know.

For one, tropical fish and similar livestock may be accustomed to warmer water than other types of fish. In fact, the aquarium should include a heater to keep the livestock comfortable. The ideal temperature to maintain in tropical fish tanks is 75 to 80 degrees.

The fish also may be more comfortable with plants and live rock in the aquarium with them.

Some of the most popular fish for tropical aquariums include:

  • Angelfish: Relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain, there are several breeds of angelfish with varying temperaments.
  • Barbs: Lively, strong, and colorful, they’re best kept in schools.
  • Bettas: Best known for their long, extravagant fins, bettas only grow to about 2 inches and can live alone.
  • Butterflyfish: There are more than 100 species of butterflyfish, including lemon butterflyfish and raccoon butterflyfish.
  • Dwarf Gouramis: They are peaceful and shy, and they need to be near the surface of the water in order to breathe air.Several breeds of catfish are popular for tropical aquariums.
  • Guppies: Guppies are one of the most common pets for freshwater tropical aquariums.
  • Tetras: Tetras are peaceful fish, but ideally you should have six or more.
  • Rainbow Sharks: Sharks are wonderful additions to a tropical aquarium, and it’s fun to tell people you have a shark at home.
  • Several breeds of Catfish: Catfish provide a unique look in an aquarium, and the fact that many are algae eaters means they can help keep that fish tank clean.
  • Cichlids: Cichlids can be somewhat aggressive, so you will want to keep them separated from other fish. But they sure are pretty.
  • Mollies: Mollies can be found in freshwater and brackish water, and they require a larger tank.
  • Tropical Discus: Known as the kings of the aquarium, the flat, round shape of a discus fish adds an intriguing appeal to your fish tank.

Contact Seatech Aquariums for fish tank installation in the greater Phoenix area, as well as additional information or facts about tropical fish.

 

 

TAGS: Tropical Aquarium, Tropical Fish,

Angelfish are among the more versatile aquarium fish.

admin    June 18, 2019   CATEGORY: Fish Facts

What are the Differences Between Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish?

On the surface, the differences between freshwater fish and saltwater fish are obvious: one lives in saltwater and the other lives in freshwater.  If you delve deeper into the issue, however, you’ll see there are actually several less apparent differences based on the biology and history of the fish.

In fact, you could say the two different types of fish are from different worlds.

The Main Differences Between Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish

Let’s start with some basic definitions. Saltwater typically refers to water found in oceans and seas, and freshwater is found in lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. Freshwater only accounts for less than 3 percent of all the water on earth, but ironically, freshwater fish make up almost half of all fish species.

The differences between freshwater fish and saltwater fish include the idea that freshwater fish are more resilient.

Gourami fish are among the more popular fish for freshwater aquariums.

The way fish take in and eliminate water is perhaps the most significant difference between saltwater and freshwater fish. Fishes’ natural biological functions compensate for the environment in which they live in order to survive.

Both types of fish need salt in order to survive, but the way their bodies function is actually the opposite of what one may expect.

A saltwater fish’s body contains less salt than the water around it. In order to prevent dehydration, it takes in a large amount of water and secretes the salt through its gills. In other words, it’s saltwater in and salt out on a regular basis. Saltwater fish produce very little urine in order to hold onto the now more pure water created through this elimination of excess salt.

A freshwater fish, on the other hand, does hold onto the salt in its body because there isn’t as much of it in its environment. It takes water in through its skin and gills all the time in order to stay healthy. As a result, it produces much more urine than saltwater fish.

Other Notable Differences

There are many differences between freshwater fish and saltwater fish, like this black, gold, and white dotted clown triggerfish.

Saltwater fish, like this Clown Triggerfish, tend to be more colorful than freshwater fish.

  • Because the bodies of water that freshwater live in are smaller than oceans and seas, the body of water itself changes over time. As a result, freshwater fish may be tougher and can adapt to their environments easier than saltwater fish do. Saltwater fish that live in abundance of space are accustomed to a more stable lifestyle. As a result, taking care of saltwater fish in an aquarium may be a little more challenging.
  • Freshwater fish can be coldwater fish or tropical fish, while saltwater fish are almost all coldwater fish, which means they are comfortable in slightly cooler water.
  • Saltwater fish tend to be more colorful and diverse in their appearance as a result of how they live and behave in their natural habitat in the ocean or sea.
  • A few types of fish and other animals can live in either saltwater or freshwater, although it’s not common.

Brackish Fish

Scat fish are among the most common brackish fish.

Scat fish are among the most common brackish fish.

Some types of fish live in brackish water, which is where freshwater meets saltwater and where rivers flow into oceans. There isn’t a big selection of these fish, called brackish fish, in the aquarium hobby, although some hobbyists do keep brackish tanks.

Breeds of brackish fish include drum fish, tigerfish, Asian cichlids, halfbeak fish, flagfish, and scats.

TAGS: Brackish Fish, freshwater fish, saltwater fish,