Buying an Aquarium for a Child or Teen in Melbourne Buying an Aquarium for Child or Teen in Melbourne | Page 18

One of the factors often overlooked when choosing fish for a community aquarium is the
level the fish prefer. Choosing fish that prefer swimming at different levels will result in a
far more attractive aquarium, while at the same time assuring that your fish will not have
to compete for space. It will also reduce the stress that occurs when fish have to battle for
territories.
Popular fish that swim at any level include:




Pearl Danio
Rosy Barb
Upside Down Catfish
Zebra Danio
 Top Level Fish
Top dwelling fish add movement and color at the top level of the aquarium, which often has
very little decoration. Many fish that prefer the top level are surface feeders in nature and
have upturned mouths designed for top feeding. They hang at the surface waiting for the
next meal to come along.
 Middle-Level Fish
The middle level is the focal point of the aquarium and should be populated with plenty of
active fish. Schooling fish, including most of the Tetra species, as well as some of the Barbs,
are excellent for the middle level of a community tank. Mid-dwelling fish are often selected
as dither fish for cichlid tanks, particularly schools of active fish.
 Bottom-Dwelling Fish
Bottom-dwelling fish lend interest to the lower levels of the tank and often help turn over
the substrate. You will note that most of them have mouths that point downward, making it
easy for them to scour the tank bottom for morsels of food. However, do not fall into the
commonly held myth that bottom dwellers do not have to be fed. All too often bottom-
dwelling fish are under-fed. They cannot subsist only on leftovers from the other fish.
10.0 Easy Fish Tank Care and Maintenance Tips for Beginners
If you keep at this aquarium thing it will get easier, and you’ll be a pro one day. But since
you probably don’t wish to leave a trail of dead fish in your wake as you plod forward and
learn the ropes, it’s worth it to get a few basic ideas down.
Here are 6 things you can do to increase your chances of having happy, healthy fish, and a
great-looking aquarium.