| The days are long gone when the only fish you | | | | Many of the Cichlids types are reasonably easy to |
| would see in someone's fish tank would be a | | | | keep, feed and breed. Depending on the species |
| goldfish. Now you are able to find thousands of | | | | of Cichlids, they can be omnivorous, carnivorous |
| different species to select from and a individual | | | | or herbivorous. |
| store will often have no less than ten different | | | | Discus |
| types of fish to pick from. | | | | Discus fish, are a member of the Cichlid family, |
| Tropical fish are very desirable because of their | | | | and are notorious for being particularly hard to |
| vivid looks and ranges of behaviour. The | | | | keep. They cannot tolerate unfavorable conditions |
| freshwater variety is straightforward to keep | | | | well, so it is essential to keep an eagle eye on |
| since they require only tap water, providing that | | | | water temperature, acidity and cleanliness of the |
| the temperature and acidity of the water are | | | | fish tank. |
| carefully monitored. Below is just a small selection | | | | They are a group fish and usually live happily with |
| of the wide variety of freshwater tropical fish | | | | other fish. Before adding more Discus fish to an |
| species that can be bought. | | | | existing collection, they must be quarantined in |
| Betta | | | | another tank first, in case they introduce disease. |
| Betta fish are very popular and fairly easy to look | | | | Discus fish can be very fussy eaters. Finding out |
| after. Many novice fish owners begin with Betta | | | | what and how often to feed them is essential. |
| fish due to this. | | | | They are carnivorous and will eat both live and |
| Male Betta fish can be very aggressive and must | | | | frozen blood worms and brine. |
| be segregated. Male and female fish will also fight. | | | | Catfish |
| Two females can be kept together, however it is | | | | As well known bottom-feeders, catfish are great |
| necessary to still give them plenty of tank space | | | | for keeping an aquarium clean. Some aquarium |
| or fights will occur. | | | | owners struggle against algae but many catfish |
| Betta are also easy to feed. They are | | | | varieties will feed on this and help control this |
| carnivorous but can tolerate a wide selection of | | | | problem. |
| food, such as blood worms, brine shrimp. This | | | | Most other fish tolerate catfish well, and do not |
| allows you to experiment and find out over time | | | | view them as a threat to their territory. Catfish |
| which food your fish prefers. | | | | are therefore best added to aquariums with other |
| Cichlid | | | | species of fish instead of being put in a fish tank |
| Cichlids are available in an array of diverse shapes | | | | by themselves. |
| and sizes. They are actually a family of fishes and | | | | There are various catfish species available and |
| there are as many as 3,000 different species | | | | you should choose one that suits what you are |
| altogether. The most popular type of Cichlid is the | | | | looking for, for example, some do not eat much |
| angelfish - which can be recognised from its | | | | plant material, some are more territorial than |
| distinctive triangular fin shape. | | | | others. |