Exploring Basic Fish Care Methods and Popular Fish Species for Pets

1. Introduction

The following essay explores basic fish care, fish care methods, and the best fish species for pets. To attend to their basic needs, fresh, saltwater, and semi-aquatic fish require a variety of methods and tools. However, with proper knowledge, this type of pet ownership necessitates relatively little work.

Fish care includes maintaining general knowledge of the fish chosen. Beginning aquarists should choose disease-resistant and quiet fish. Most people prefer non-sensitive species. Small, community fish such as tetras, corydoras, and guppies are strong. In addition, a 5-10 gallon tank and a healthy, growing environment such as Amano Shrimp will help counteract possible difficulties. Many fish require minimal energy to live, including animals that are most frequently moved at a supermarket. It's fast and straightforward, simple to clean, and simple to water.

Goldfish are the largest aquarium species, needing larger water and somewhat modified hydrochemistry than the above species. Goldfish have a small number of varieties, a mere $10.00 each, and are relatively simple to rear after the beginning of goldfish. Goldfish are higher in cold water and may be found in all room temperatures. Goldfish may grow to be very enormous and hold a lot of tank room in a small water-to-fish ratio. Such fish may flourish without a filter in a tank using normal bioloads, vigorous cleaning, and an operation of part or full cycling.

2. Setting Up a Fish Tank

How to set up a fish tank - The first step to a happy aquarium

Congratulations on taking on the popular, fun, and rewarding venture of keeping fish! It's always a good idea to start off with the basics, and that is definitely setting up a proper fish tank. A fish tank is your fish's entire world, and, as such, it's important to be set up the right way from the beginning. Use the following guidelines to help get you off to a good start, get your new fish home and into a comfortable new place as quickly, painlessly, and happily as possible. Alright, let's start converting your tank into a little slice of the ocean!

When setting up a new aquarium, first and foremost, the most important thing to consider is the tank size, since, as we all know, "Size really does matter!" It's a common misconception that the larger a body of water is, the more management it will require. This is totally true to the point that it's so false. Believe it or not, the larger body of water actually requires the least amount of management due to its stability. However, we've got to work with what yard space and budget has given us. Larger aquariums not only stand more steady against the bad things but also the good things, too! With a larger aquarium, your fish could live longer, healthier lives since your water quality can stay perfect for longer. For the average home, a 10-gallon fish tank should be a good size to start with. The more fish you want to keep in a single tank, the larger it should be.

2.1. Choosing the Right Tank Size

When it comes to fish keeping, one of the first questions is deciding what size tank to purchase. This decision affects a variety of factors such as the number, species, and behavior of the fish you can keep, the degree of difficulty involved in maintenance, and the overall investment. A basic rule of thumb to consider is that a 1-inch fish needs 1 gallon of water, but many species are often managed in greater densities. In general, larger tanks are easier to manage due to their increased water volume, can endure more mistakes, and allow for a wider variety of species. Aquarists interested in a larger tank should consider if they have the space to display the tank and are willing to invest in a unit with a proper load-bearing stand.

When choosing a tank size, a critical point to consider is the tank's footprint, as not all tanks with the same volume will have the same surface area. More water volume can help further dilute waste compounds, but the surface area of a tank is where gas exchange primarily occurs, and more surface area frequently encourages higher oxygen content. Another factor when choosing a tank size is the behavior of the fish one is interested in keeping. Ideally, tanks should be large enough to allow for the fish to maintain a stable biofilm without depleting the system of edible organisms, enough to preserve secure territory free from aggression or stressful encounters, and enough space for the fish to swim and interact with its environment freely. In general, providing more space than what is listed here can only enhance the overall happiness and health of the pet fish. After deciding on a suitable tank, the aquarist should consider other aquarium equipment such as the filter, lighting, and heater.

2.2. Selecting Substrate and Decorations

Substrate is another essential when it comes to setting up a fish's environment. There are many different options when choosing what to put on the bottom of your fish tank. For a beginner, Kremer recommends a generic tank bottom gravel. It is good to go with a light color as it will show fish waste and uneaten fish food.

Decorations are an important decision to make as well. Be sure to choose decorations that are appropriate for your tank. Anything that you add in will change the environment of the fish living in it. Lazarus warns to avoid shiny or sharp decorations for betta fish because they will mistake their reflection for another fish and will continuously flail at it, which causes them to rip their fins. Young kids are especially susceptible to this mistake and constantly want to pick the sparkly long-tailed fish, feeling that the long tails are pretty and desirable. It's best to pick silk plants over faux ones and ones with lots of holes or edges. This will drastically reduce the risk of damage to fish fins and scales from tearing. Décor can also have positive effects on the fish. It has been shown that a properly decorated tank can reduce aggression. According to Franco et al., the results of their study "provide evidence that environmental enrichment by tank decoration, including substrate, may reduce the level of aggression in aquarium situations" for male Betta splendens. If you are going to fancy routes, like owning a goldfish, Kremer says to be sure that the ornaments are glass or plastic to help prevent scratches and to avoid ornaments with a hole in them that they could get stuck in.

2.3. Setting Up Filtration and Heating Systems

Setting up Filtration and Heating Options

Filtration

A good "rule of thumb" to follow when deciding on what filter system to use is to have "10 times the volume of your aquarium" as your water movement flow rate. For instance: a 20 gallon tank with 200 gallons per hour flow rate or 20 litres with 200 litres per hour. Canister, box, or under gravel are just some of the different types of filtration systems that are available for purchase. The mechanical part of the filter catches and removes liquid and solid waste particles from the water as it passes through the filter. Because the filters are reusable, you should clean them gently with a pad to remove as much debris as feasible but soaking it in dechlorinated water. The use of tap water should be avoided, as it contains chlorine which is harmful to the new bacteria the filter brings.

Heating

A heater is used to maintain a constant water temperature in an aquarium that is kept indoors in an unheated room. These generally come with a single control pre-set at 26°C, which can be adjusted to the needs of the fish tank. Other types have manual controls with a thermometer attached to the fish tank, while the heater turns itself off when the water temperature has reached its maximum. These are the most reliable and can maintain an exact temperature. It is always important to refer to any and all directions from the manufacturer to make sure that you are properly handling and installing the equipment. Following the directions will help to ensure that the equipment is installed correctly, which will help to keep a healthy environment maintained for your fish to live in.

3. Water Quality Management

Just like people, pet fish require certain water quality conditions in order to remain healthy. Unlike people, the water quality condition that fish tolerate well is generally low or "bad" for bacteria. Once these basic water conditions have been established, fish keeping and care can be very simple. To set up biological filtration, biological surface area must be built for the bacteria to grow on. The process of establishing biological filtration is called "cycling". Most pet shops now have good biological filter media to put in your filter, meaning you will not need to cycle since this filtering media already has lots of good bacteria in it.

If you do require information on cycling your tank, most reference aquarium books and the internet will cover this in detail. Once established, biological filtration will protect fish from ammonia and nitrite poisoning – two of the major killers of pet fish. Water quality is again a major concern of fish keepers. It is important to test the tank water at least weekly. pH, nitrite, and ammonia tests are the most important to establish that standard biological filtration is working efficiently. Other tests must also be carried out when trying to establish disease or if you feel there is a problem with your tank (i.e., gill flukes are a common parasite in fish, if your fish are flashing more/rubbing on rocks/plants to scratch their gills due to high parasite numbers, it is best to also check for gill flukes). Written down in forums, pet shops, etc., the ideal pH ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 for freshwater tropical fish. However, everyone is having such success with their fish where the pH varies from 5.5 to 8 with little change, and everyone is also having so much trouble when they are finding it difficult to adjust the pH to within 6.5 to 7.5, so it is not the end of the world if your pH extends out of this range by a little bit. Ensuring that your water parameters are always sound will keep you a happy and successful fish keeper for years to come.

3.1. Cycling the Tank

Though solid biomedia are often used to house beneficial bacteria within filters, it is possible for filters to be run without media. More importantly, the water in which your fish will live should have an established community of beneficial organisms. To achieve this, you should cycle your tank. Cycling a tank refers to establishing a bacterial population sufficient to support a healthy aquarium through the partial breakdown of waste ammonia, the conversion of ammonia to nitrite, and the conversion of nitrite to a less harmful waste called nitrate. This process may take anywhere from a few weeks to as long as a month.

Realistically, it may even take longer. This may seem like a long time. Yet bear in mind that water quality is one of the most significant factors impacting the lives of aquarium inhabitants. Cardiovascular health, coloration, growth, and successful disease resistance are all related to the quality of these organisms' blood. You simply cannot keep your fish in good health if you do not also monitor and maintain water quality. When, after several weeks or longer, ammonia is successfully converted into nitrate, the filter is said to be "cycled." At this time, a fishkeeper could begin adding starter livestock to an acceptable capacity. Ideal aquarium filtration and maintenance methods promote the growth and function of this biological component.

3.2. Testing and Maintaining Water Parameters

Testing and maintaining constant optimal water parameters are crucial in maintaining a healthy ecosystem for pet fishes. The basic water parameters consist of pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and total hardness & carbonate hardness. These parameters are different in nature. Some factors that cause stressors can be reduced from the water and tolerated by the fish (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite). However, other factors that cannot be removed can be altered to maintain steady water conditions (CaCO3) crystals and other compounds that can provide calcium. Correcting and maintaining the optimal water parameters can be done as simply as doing a water change, using a pre-sterilized liquid, or purchasing a new gadget to groom the water. However, these methods require some research or seeking advice from the pet store to be able to perform them in the simplest way.

Measure the pH of the tank's water at least once a week. Conduct a water test by using a pH kit that simply describes how acidic or basic the water is. Amend the water or tank condition to a pH of 6.5 - 7.5. Test for the presence of ammonia and remove it from the water based on the values obtained from the test kit. The higher the ammonia readings, the more water should be changed. The colors of the test result and the fish's health and stress can be indicators of the water quality in the tank. Some test kits don't show ammonia and nitrate, so it's very helpful in allergy recognition and test results in selecting reliable brands. Regular testing for nitrate does not really matter. However, for nitrate and nitrate testing, it's sufficient for monthly use, just like a written recommendation for pet store owners to test weekly for an inducement to sell more products.

4. Feeding and Nutrition

A diet of live, freeze-dried, and/or flake food, and sometimes also gel food, is usually recommended for pet fish. Live foods, which can be purchased or grown, are considered the most natural diet for fish because they most accurately mimic what the species would eat in the wild. Bloodworms, tubifex, krill, daphnia, brine shrimp, mealworms, ghost shrimp, earthworms, and blackworms are just a few of the numerous foods available in live or freeze-dried form. Purchased foods are preserved by flash-freezing or freeze-drying them, often preventing them from decomposing swiftly. They generally retain more of their original nutritional value than other processed foods. Some fish can be fed flakes or pellets. Pellets designed for "tropical" or "marine" fish are not safe. Pellets and flakes should float so you can observe your fish eating them. Fish that are active feeders tend to consume rapidly and then float, while slower eaters may tend to become waterlogged and require mixing. By using high-quality ingredients and feeding it, primarily freeze-dried bloodworms, or live foods infrequently, most fish can be trained to consume high-protein dry foods.

Many manufacturers' instructions on fish food packages are misleading. To assess accurately how much your pet will eat, take some time each day to see. Your fish should eat all of the food present in about a minute. When you first put food into the tank, you might want to determine how long it takes for your fish to eat before beginning the daily ritual. It is advised to feed your pet fish twice a day because doing so replicates their feeding pattern in the wild. Most aquarium fish prefer being well-fed, but adults can survive on a good diet for a few days without consuming any food at all. Young have developing systems that are easily harmed if deprived of food for more than one day and require to be given 3 small meals per day to avoid health issues.

4.1. Types of Fish Food

There are four types of fish food available for home aquariums: Flakes #1. Flakes are an all-purpose food that many aquarium owners rely on, but some flake formulas are designed for a specific species. Generally, flake food is the most popular choice, as it is affordable and can be used for many common community tank fish. Pellets are more of a premium price, though their contents are often healthier for your fish. Pellets #2. Pellets are used for the same fish as flake food, but tend to be more well-balanced in terms of nutrition. Many fish owners use floating pellets to make sure that mid and top-dwelling fish eat before the bottom-dwellers. For some species, different-sized pellets are important to ensure that fish with smaller mouths can eat as well. Many companies also offer a "sinking" pellet, which is designed for bottom-dwelling fish that may not reach the surface.

In addition, there are live or frozen foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp. #3. Live/frozen foods are designed specifically for specific types of fish that may have an appetite for a specific mixture of bloodworms, brine shrimp, black worms, or various grubs. It is suggested that you begin with substitutes for these live varieties, such as frozen foods (commonly sold in cubes and needing to be thawed), before making too many investments in live food items. Keep in mind that live and frozen fish food items can be quite expensive compared to flakes or pellets. Live/frozen fish food typically costs between $2 and $10, depending on the size of your fish and how much food you purchase. #4. When asked why they switched to live/frozen food, fish owners often claim that their tank's overall cleanliness improved and their fish appeared more healthy. Supplements and treats There are a variety of supplements and treats that can help increase the general mental and physical state of your aquarium. Fish love freeze-dried bloodworms and live brine shrimp, and these make excellent treats.

4.2. Feeding Frequency and Quantity

While there are various factors to take into consideration, most dead and unhealthy fish in pet stores and home aquariums are a result of incorrect care and improper water conditions. Many of the most popular fish for sale are inexpensive due to their short life expectancies when not cared for properly. When aiming to keep fish as a pet, it is essential to consider the fish’s physical traits, water quality, temperature, compatibility with other fish, space, and much more. According to the American Veterinary Hospital, the following basic steps can ascertain the proper care of pet fish.

Frequency and portion size are other key factors to consider when feeding your fish. It is important to understand that they have no such thing as moderate consumption. They feed when they want, and food is frequently supplied to them when they are still full. This can lead to health issues with your fish as well as compromised water quality. Tropical fish munch intermittently and should be fed small quantities two to four times each day, in most cases. Feeding up to three times a day will suffice for larger cichlids that gobble up food rapidly. These fish can be fed a larger quantity once or twice a day, depending on your needs. Only once a day is sufficient for a few catfish and bottom feeders, such as loaches, although they will welcome a snack during the day. An aquarium that is fed every day should not be fed anything on the seventh day to imitate the natural cycle of the fish going hungry after leaving their home to find food.

5. Common Fish Diseases and Prevention

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, better known as ick or white spot, is one of the most prevalent (and dreaded) fish diseases. This parasite latches onto the outer layer of fish skin and gills. At the beginning of the infestation, it's relatively harmless, leaving one or two white cysts latched onto the fish's body. If the water quality is poor or the fish's skin is cut, ich will end up multiplying inside the fish drastically, making it die an extremely painful death. Other common parasites include fish lice, anchor worm, and flukes.

There are many ways to treat these, but they are avoidable if a fish keeper takes good care of their tank. Maintain a consistent water temperature, elimination of fish waste, no overcrowding, and clean water that's been dechlorinated are all good prevention methods against parasites. Fish can get bacterial infections like fin rot, columnaris, pop-eye, and dropsy. These are often untraceable diseases that, with the right conditions, can spread throughout the entire tank. However, stress, unclean water, and overcrowding increase their likelihood. Since it's always difficult to treat a whole tank, prevention is the only method against these diseases. Keep your tank clean, and don't stress your fish out. Constipation, swim bladder, ich, overpopulation, anchor worm, fungus, parasites, and air embolisms are all preventable maladies. A clean environment free from overcrowding and uneaten food will stop these mini-epidemics from infecting your fish. Also use dechlorinated water!

6. Popular Freshwater Fish Species for Beginners

Although the Betta fish, Guppy fish, and Tetra fish vary in terms of their care requirements, they are all suitable for beginners. Bettas are known as Siamese Fighting Fish when traced back to their lineage. These fish are beautiful and intelligent creatures. Their average length is three inches, but some breeds, like the King Betta, can reach up to five inches in length. Bettas can live up to five years or more with proper care. Guppies are another popular freshwater fish for beginners. Males are known for their colorful and patterned tails and long, luxurious fins, while females have smaller and less colorful patterns. These livebearers reproduce incredibly quickly and have a lifespan of up to two years. Tetra fish are small and easy to care for. Tetras can be active and peaceful and get along well with other community fish, making them great inclusions for a home freshwater aquarium. Some popular and easy-to-care-for tetras are the Neon, Lemon, Cardinal, Ember, and Rummynose Tetras.

The Betta fish, Guppy fish, and Tetra fish are great freshwater tropical fish for beginners. These fish can be kept in a community tank without too many extra requirements, like larger tanks or very carefully monitored water parameters. All three fish have different care requirements, so you should always do a lot of research to make sure these pets are suitable for you. For starters, Bettas are also known as Siamese fighting fish and should be kept in their own homes. Some people may keep them in a community tank, but males can be very territorial and should be monitored closely. They prefer small tanks, and a five-gallon setup will give your Betta plenty of space to move around. You should also provide a good amount of filtration, light, and heating.

6.1. Betta Fish

Betta Fish (Male Betta) 1.3.1. Description - Betta are often called "Siamese Fighting Fish" due to the male Betta's aggressive nature. However, these fish are more appropriately termed "Siamese Display Fish" due to their unique behaviors and vibrant colors. These fish are extremely popular as an easy-to-care-for pet fish. Here's a look at how to keep Betta fish.

Caring for Betta Fish

Feeding Pet Fish

Betta Environmental Concerns

6.2. Guppy Fish

Guppies are one of the most prevalent aquarium fish species since they are straightforward to look after, reproduce like rabbits, and come in a broad variety of attractive color combinations that the ladies of the species can't get sufficient of. In fact, guppies find their way into the tanks of so many beginning aquarists minded merely by their looks and those stunning tails, which range from ribbon-sized and flowy to spiky like a porcupine, that they wind being way more influential than any other "first steps" or "before you purchase your first tank" style of educational articles about entering the hobby. The only purpose they didn’t make the pinnacle of this list is that they are also so prevalent and much talk has already been expanded.

The ideal guppy tank will change based on how many guppies you plan and how big your specific strains develop. The general suggestion, nevertheless, is that guppies, like nearly all fish, value horizontal swimming area much more than vertical swimming area. This means the surface of the tank is as crucial as the volume of the water, which should be at least 10 gallons. Like all tropical fish, guppies need to be maintained in water between 75 and 82°F, which often indicates buying a heater if you reside in an atmosphere that feels winter. Guppies also require a filter to keep the aquarium water clean. Depending on the size of your tank, you will always have to do partial water changes once a week.

6.3. Tetra Fish

A tank full of tiny, colorful tetras filling one's home with joy is something all pet owners dream of, especially beginners. If you possess basic fish care knowledge and can assemble the required tank equipment, you are more than capable of giving the tetra fish a comfortable home. These schooling fish with neon markings are usually found in the waters of the Amazon basin. As of now, scientists have documented 1,700 tetra fish species in the wild. Hobbyists have bred high-stress and sensitive tetras, but as a pet owner, you can avoid adopting these former species. Neon tetras are a good choice if you are searching for tiny, peaceful fish. Tetra fish require a 5-gallon water tank or roughly 20 liters to keep. As a box for starter tetra fish, this is the perfect size tank. Often maintain the water temperature at 26°C and the pH between 5.0 and 7.5.

A small gravel bed or a rugged, heated sponge filter is required for a tank with neon tetras. Tank plants are preferred since tetra fish prefer the shade of the plants. The tetra fish is best kept with other tetra varieties such as the cardinal tetra or can be placed in a community tank with fish that share the same water temperature and pH level. They should not be stored with other fish that think of them as feed. A place to hide or rest is required for tetras. Female tetras should be kept in a group. Ideally, each group will contain three to five male and female tetras. The male will swim about in order to divide them up. It's fairly evident that you can easily breed your tetra fish if you find the female heavy with eggs. The eggs on the plant surfaces should be well-maintained. If you want separate children, don't grow tetras alongside fish.

7. Popular Saltwater Fish Species for Beginners

Saltwater fish species are suitable for experienced aquarists and beginners alike. Some saltwater fish species are particularly hardy and well-suited to the home aquarium environment, making them a good match for people new to maintaining and enjoying a marine aquarium. A variety of different fish species can be used to get started in a beneficial way. Clownfish are possibly the most well-known saltwater aquarium fish species. They are tough, lively, and eat delicious meals. Clownfish are perfect for both newcomers to the saltwater hobby as well as experienced aquarists. They come in various shapes, colors, and patterns, all of which are attractive. Gold lightning, percula, and maroon clownfish are just a few examples of the many species of clownfish available.

Blue Tangs are bold and fearless fish that require plenty of swimming space. They have a vivid blue color with a tiny yellow tail. As a full-size adult, they will require a substantial tank to live in. Pacific Blue Tangs can grow to a height of up to 12 inches in diameter. The Atlantic Ocean has a lot of Royal grammas. These vivid and hardy fish are best for beginners. A Royal Gramma would prefer to stick to the bottom and swim in the rocky regions of the tank. They're often seen peering out from within a hole or cave and then withdrawing in case of danger. Pallid, the royal gramma can adjust its color from a light/pastel purple to a bright yellow/orange.

7.1. Clownfish

Clownfish are widely recognized for their unique combinations of coloration and their fascinating relationships with the sea anemones that they call home. Both these traits are likely drawing factors for anyone interested in keeping fish or an aquarium, so it should be no wonder that "Clowns" are the most commonly talked-about fish and a popular choice for beginners in the saltwater aquarium hobby. This section will detail the common care elements, essential tank setup particulars, and compatibility/selectivity factors for keeping Clownfish when various experience levels of the hobbyist.

First, a large portion of aquarists and retailers agree that Clownfish are quite hardy and suitable for beginners. Although "hardy" can be a bit of an overused descriptor, in this sense, we refer to the Clown's username, A. ocellaris, as this multi-species "complex" is regarded as a good introductory fish to the nuances of a saltwater aquarium. Furthermore, clownfish are compatible with anemones; however, because of the difficulty level of anemones (which aren't required to keep Clownfish), we aren't going to cover that topic in depth in this chapter.

Secondly, a Clownfish-specific thumb-rule is "an inch of fish per five gallons," which is an accordingly somewhat of a careful species-to-tank-size ratio for an eel. Despite these thumb-rules, it should be made clear that the "Smart Buyer's Strategy" is not rushing into a "first step" impulse purchase; i.e. if you are interested in a more complex fish, system, or high-maintenance aspect of saltwater aquariums, it might be wise to work towards that rather than purchasing on a temporary basis. However, given all the "worst-case scenario" considerations, tank size can be modified so long as other guidance is followed. For default minimums, a 30-gallon tank is a good size for a single clown.

7.2. Blue Tang

Reaching ten inches in length, the Blue Tang is another popular fish among saltwater enthusiasts. It was made famous in the movies Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. Hesitating to view the movie did not cease popularity in parents purchasing this fish for their children. Beginning with the correct size of tank, the importance of having appropriate size for larger fish is that it helps reduce more gradual it becomes more diluted faster. This provides a buffering gradient to the total water volume of the aquarium if there was say a chemical spike. Monitor aquarium temperatures to stay between seventy-seven and eighty-two degrees for this fish. Given 5 out of 5 for family compatibility, special licensing is not needed to own this fish since it is easily found at nearby shops with kids in mind and the occasional mail order.

Want to house a Blue Tang? Blue Tangs are a large semi-aggressive saltwater fish that can reach ten inches when fully mature. They will need an appropriate size of fish tank, which is a minimum of one hundred twenty gallons and it must be at least four foot long. A minimum standard four foot hundred-twenty-gallon tank is suggested, but a larger six foot wide hundred eighty to two hundred gallon long tank is highly recommended for swimming and turning lazy circles. Required hiding spots are crucial, not just for shy fish but when a rushed, highly stressed fish finds themselves in a jam, they can dart into one of these hiding spots to calm down. Also, when fish are asleep they're vulnerable, so if they can dart into a dark hole they feel presumably safer and can rest with greater ease. Therefore, hiding spots are critical for the fish to lead a healthy well-being.

7.3. Royal Gramma

Royal gramma (Gramma loreto) is a vibrant purple and yellow saltwater fish that possesses a peaceful and childlike disposition. Its colors shine beneath blue aquarium lighting, adding a gorgeous adornment to popular pieces of reef. These fish are easy to care for and are absolutely fantastic marine fish and my favorite saltwater aquarium fish species. Royal gramma is among the more well-liked marine fish choices, and thanks to their overall peacefulness and conspicuous attractiveness, they are an excellent choice for a great first aquarium.

The appropriate tank setup for royal gramma is a ten-gallon aquarium or something bigger than that since these fish can have a length of up to 3 inches. They are a fantastic basic fish to add to a coral reef fish aquarium for beginners who do not have much experience. They are well compatible with many popular dwarf marine angelfish species, butterflyfish, as well as clownfish, saltwater goby fish, pygmy angelfish, and much more. Additionally, they are not prone to harming corals. The aquarium should be fitted with a lid or a hood to keep gramma from slipping out of the aquarium, as they are notorious jumpers. Gramma prefer a saltwater aquarium with plenty of rockwork hiding places and a lovely sandy substrate. The lighting may be low to high. To make this saltwater fish feel at ease in the aquarium, a minimal amount of moderate water movement is recommended.

References:

Diaz, E. J. P., 2023. Effects of Treated Wastewater in Growth, Behavioral Aspects, and Maternal Transfer in Heterandria formosa. ohiolink.edu

Bridgeman, J., 2020. Behavioural Thermoregulation and Escape Behaviour: Investigating the Thermal Biology of Round Gobies. brocku.ca

Hillier, D., 2021. North Atlantic Crossroads: The Royal Air Force Ferry Command Gander (Newfoundland) Unit, 1940-1946. [HTML]

MASONS, T. O., . SATURDAY FOR STPDY OF PLAN. digitalcommons.murraystate.edu. murraystate.edu

Heavirland, H. L., 2023. Surviving the Sand: My Family's Struggle to Farm the Pasco Desert. [HTML]