Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: 3 Freshwater Fish Tank Fish For Your Community Aquarium

In this article we describe three freshwater fish
tank fish in detail with information about their
behavior, feeding requirements, tank and water
parameters, what they look like and how to breed
them.

Madagascar Rainbow Fish - Bedotia geayi (Family:
Atherinidae)

Behavior: The Madagascar rainbow, also know as
the Madagascar minnow, is happy in a community
tank but prefers to be in a small shoal of its
own kind.

It is an active swimmer. It is a hardy and
peaceful fish that tends to dwell in the top half
of the aquarium and has become very popular.

Water and tank conditions: A higher than normal
temperature range of 25 to 28 degrees Centigrade
is ideal.

Features and colors: A somewhat peculiar aspect
of the Bedotia genus is the fact that the fish
have two dorsal fins with the second one being
much longer. It has a horizontal dark line
running form its eye to the caudal peduncal. The
main body color is olive green. It may grow to
around eight cms.

You will see that the vertical fins are yellow
and have dark edging. The male is more darkly
colored than the female and its caudal fin is
colored red.

Feeding: It is not a fussy eater and will eat a
wide range of food but it won't leave the top
half of the tank to get it!

Breeding Conditions: Pretty easy to breed you
will need a well planted tank with hard water at
a temperature of 26 degrees centigrade. It will
take several days for spawning to take place and
eggs are attached each day by threads to the
plants.

Normally the eggs will not be eaten by the
parents. Because of the lengthy spawning time fry
will hatch at different times and you will end up
with fry at various stages of development. They
can be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp and fine
dried food.

Merry Widow - Phallichthys amates (Family:
Poeciliidae)

Behavior: This freshwater fish tank fish is ideal
for the community environment. It is very active,
sturdy and well-behaved.

Water and Tank Conditions: An average planted
aquarium with a water temperature range of
between 21 and 25 degrees centigrade will be fine.

Features and Colors: An unusual feature is the
presence of a gonopodium (which is seen in the
Family Poeciliidae) in the male. This gonopodium
is like a rod positioned under the belly and
becomes active in the mating process.

The adult male can grow to about 3 cms but the
female can be twice the size.The main color is
olive green and the male has dark bars on its
flanks and blue gills. The fish also has a
splendid dorsal fin with black bordering but the
female lacks this element.

Feeding: The merry widow prefers vegetable matter
and green algae and will accept dried foods.

Breeding Conditions: Be warned that this fish
will be likely to eat its young! You do not need
a separate breeding tank but use a breeding trap
and you should be alright. The fish will produce
live babies as it is viviparous. Although up to a
hundred fry may be produced not too many will
pull through.

Penguin - Thayeria boehlkei (Family: Characidae)

Behavior: The reason its is called the penguin is
because of its coloring and when it is still, its
tails hangs down and it appears to look like a
tiny penguin. Another name it is often called is
the hockey stick tetra. It is a bit shy on its
own so you may find it hiding in the plants.

Better if it is in a small shoal. It is a lively
swimmer, also peaceful and sturdy so will be an
ideal freshwater fish tank fish for a community.
You will need a cover for your aquarium as it is
a good leaper.

Water and Tank Conditions: As an active swimmer
you need to ensure there is plenty of swimming
area and there must be some densely planted
areas. The water temperature should be about 22
to 26 degrees centigrade.

Features and Colors: They can grow up to 10 cms.
The tail is forked and the lower part is
longer.The main body color is silver changing
into olive green on its back. A black strip runs
along the sides of the fish.

Feeding: Will eat anything really. Not fussy.

Breeding Conditions: A breeding tank with tall
plants and water at 29 degrees centigrade should
be employed. As in a lot of cases using the
strategies of separating and conditioning the
pair to be mated should be used.

Remove the fish from the breeding tank after
spawning. Fry will appear from the eggs in three
to four days and can be fed on micro live foods
such as green water (suspended algae).

So there we have it. Three more freshwater fish
tank fish suitable for a community environment
for you to choose from.

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Paul Curran is webmaster at
Fresh-Water-Aquariums-Guide.com and provides a
care information system for fresh water
aquariums. Get your FREE E-Course on how to set
up and maintain a beautiful aquarium and learn
about more freshwater fresh tank fish at
http://www.fresh-water-aquariums-guide.com/freshwa
ter-fish-tank-fish/

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