Which fish to choose for a small aquarium?

Casandra Greer
It takes approx. 4 minutes to read this article

Fish are not only an addition to the interior, but also a great responsibility. They require attention, proper care and proper selection of species. At the beginning it is advisable to choose a small aquarium and fish adapted to it. Then the time will come for more advanced solutions

Small aquarium with fish

Fish require commitment and our knowledge about them. They are not typical pets, but taking care of them is not that difficult. If you don’t have a lot of space in your apartment and you dream about fish or you are a beginner, a smaller aquarium will be an excellent choice. Without experience it is not worth investing in a larger one, as there is a high risk of failure. We recommend a 20-30 liter aquarium to start with

You must remember not to buy all your dream fish species for the aquarium at once. Also, do not buy with your eyes. This is not desirable behavior, as the fish must match each other in terms of behavior and characteristics. Gender is also of great importance – animals can compete with each other. Their large number will make them feel uncomfortable in a small space. One individual should have ca. 5 liter (1 US gal.) of volume at its disposal. Otherwise the fish might suffer from numerous diseases that will result in premature death

We recommend choosing a freshwater aquarium. It is much easier to use and maintain. Furthermore, taking care of freshwater species is much more pleasant. Saltwater aquariums are only suitable for very large volumes. They are usually the choice of experienced aquarists

Fish for small aquariums

As mentioned earlier, fish for a small aquarium should be freshwater. Before buying it is recommended to check which species of fish can live next to each other and which do not like to be alone. Unfortunately it sometimes happens that different species fight among each other, which is not very beneficial. The following fish species are recommended for smaller aquariums

  1. Dwarf pike

These are very pretty fish that impress with their yellow-beige coloration. They originate from Africa where they inhabit the upper zones of aquariums. They are classified as predatory fish, however they are calm and shy in character. They reach the length of 4 cm. Males are slightly larger than females. They prefer live or frozen food. They can be fed with dry food

  1. Chinese Cardinalfish

It is a very popular aquarium fish, which originates from Asia. It inhabits mainly smaller rivers in China and Vietnam. Individuals reach only 4 cm in length. The fish is distinguished by a light golden blue band running along its body. This is their natural shade. There are breeding forms with other colors, but they are less resistant to diseases, causing them to die prematurely. The fish feed on animal foods such as insects, larvae, and zooplankton. It is recommended to feed them dry food supplemented with live or frozen food

  1. Dwarf Kirlyfish

These are one of the smallest aquarium fish. They are native to South America and mainly inhabit the Amazon basin. Females are only 3 cm long, males 2.5 cm. It is an extremely peaceful species that likes to live in a herd. A minimum of 4-6 specimens is recommended in an aquarium, optimally 10 or more. They can be fed with dry, live or frozen food

  1. Danio erythromicron

This is a small, freshwater fish native to Asia. It is found only in Inle Lake in Myanmar. Individuals reach a small length of about 2 cm. Their body is light red in color, decorated with blue stripes. They have reddish-orange fins. They are mild-mannered and feel best in larger groups of 8-10 fish. A predominance of females is recommended. They naturally feed on algae and zooplankton. In an aquarium they will accept any food

  1. Daylily

This is one of the smallest fish in the world that can be kept in aquariums. It originates from North America. It can be found in smaller, calm rivers. It likes both freshwater and saltwater environment. Males are only 2 cm long, females – 3,5 cm. They are extremely hardy, so they are recommended for beginners. They like larger groups, so the desired number is 6-10 specimens. They are omnivorous and they especially like plant food

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