Successful Aquariums

I’ve been keeping fresh water fish for about ten years now and have had many different kinds of fresh water fish. Here are a few of my favorite fresh water fish that can add some color and personality to your tank. Clown loach The clown loach is a very popular fish amongst professional freshwater fish keepers because of its bright orange and black colors, its long life and its mystery. Clown loaches can only be found in the wild along the inland waters of Indonesia and the surrounding islands. Very little is known about clown loach mating habits and because of that no one has yet been known to successful mate clown loaches in captivity. Clown loaches can grow very large if they are given space to grow. They are a very active and social fish that prefers large groups of other loaches and often can be heard making clicking noises when feeding or fighting. In my experience, clown loaches are fun fish with lots of personality but really deserve a tank at least 60 gallons and preferably should be kept in as large schools, around 7-15 or more. They need lots of hiding places and love to burrow themselves in tiny spaces and holes. They are highly susceptible to the ich disease so they should only be kept by mature fish keepers with time and experience. Albino cory The albino cory is an adorable little bottom feeder that has been specially developed and bred for fish aquariums. The albino corys look about how you would expect, with white, nearly see-through skin and pink, reddish eyes. These fun little guys love being in a group of at least 3 or 4 and can often be seen cruising along the bottom of the tank picking up scraps or bouncing up and down the glass of the tank. Albino corys do not get very large and do not need any special care so they are perfect for the new fish keeper who is looking for a bottom feeder to help keep their tank clean. Blue Gourami Gouramis come in all different sizes and colors, but I find the blue gourami to be one of the most visually striking of the family. Gourami fish have a long, slender body with elongated rays at the front of their pelvic fins which can be quite beautiful once the fish grows larger and is fed the right food to keep them looking shiny and healthy. The one caveat about these beautiful fresh water tank fish is that they are often very territorial and are notorious fin nippers, often harassing other small fish in community tanks. Thus, gouramis should be kept with other fish that are quick enough to avoid the gourami’s bullying or do not have long, flowing fins that can be easily nipped at.