Aquarium Maintenance and Service in Washington, DC -- Tanks For Your Business

Aquarium

Tanks for Your Business

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Cherry Barbs are among the most peaceful and hardy community fish. They are a schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. They reach a maximum size of about 2 inches, making them ideal for any sized freshwater aquarium. Males are a bright red, while females are a more subdued beige. Males kept without females will often fade to a drab brown over time.

Gold Barbs are a staple of the aquarium hobby, being one of the first aquarium fish ever kept. Their bright yellow bodies add a lot of colour to the aquarium. They are a smaller barb, reaching only about 2-3 inches. They are a schooling fish or shoaling fish, best kept in groups of three to six individuals, or more. Gold Barbs are incredibly active and constantly in motion. A small group of these compliments any community aquarium.

The Panda Barb or Red Panda Barb is a fairly new import to the United States. These are a beautiful and peaceful fish that does well in small shoals. They are ideal for well planted aquariums. These are active fish that will eat a variety of prepared fods.

The Bristle Nose Pleco, Bushy Nose Pleco, or Ancistrus is an excellent algae eater for most freshwater aquariums. Unlike the common pleco, which can reach sizes of up to two feet, the bristlenose pleco reaches only about four inches. There area number of variants of bushynose pleco availalbe, including the wild-type brown, albino bristlenose plecos, and long-finned varieties. They easily breed in the aquarium: males can be identified by having many more bristles on their face.

The angelfish is one of the most beloved fish in the aquarium hobby, and one of the oldest, first introduced into the aquarium hobby over 125 years ago. Numerous varieties of angelfish exist, including this marble veiltail and the pearlscale. While peaceful, care should be taken in choosing tankmates for angelfish, as small fish, such as tetras, will be eaten.

The Bala Shark or Tricolor Shark has a shape that reminds many people of actual sharks. However, they are actually a minnow and not even remotely related to true sharks. Like most minnows, the Bala Shark is a schooling fish and may become skittish when kept singly or in pairs. The Tricolor Shark is fast growing and aquarium specimens reach sizes of over a foot. Active and fast swimming, they require very large aquariums. They have recently been listed as endangered by the IUCN, and all specimens in the hobby are captive bred.

The Redtail Black Shark may not be the most colourful fish in the aquarium, but the contrast of black against red makes him a striking fish. These are not actually sharks, but members of the minnow family. The Redtail Shark is quite peaceful and will actually eat algae in the aquarium. They should be kept with other similar looking sharks, such as the rainbow shark.

Clown Loaches are famed for their 'clowning' behaviour, individuals will sometimes play dead in the aquarium. Additionally, they are excellent snail eaters. Clown loaches can often be quite delicate, requiring perfect water quality. They also reach an enormous maximum size of at least 8-10 inches, requiring large aquariums for succesful long term care. Clown loaches do best in small groups of at least 3-6 individuals: a solitary fish will generally just hide and waste away.

Neon Tetras sport surreal colouration that nearly glows. These small, schooling fish do best in large groups of at least 6-12 individuals, and look best like this, too. They should never be placed in an aquarium with larger fish, as the neons may be eaten. Care must be taken when acclimating neon tetras to the aquarium; they're often kept in soft, acidic water, and cannot handle the transition to our tap water. After acclimation, they tend to be very hard.

Neon Tetras sport surreal colouration that nearly glows. These small, schooling fish do best in large groups of at least 6-12 individuals, and look best like this, too. They should never be placed in an aquarium with larger fish, as the neons may be eaten. Care must be taken when acclimating neon tetras to the aquarium; they're often kept in soft, acidic water, and cannot handle the transition to our tap water. After acclimation, they tend to be very hard.

Although rarely seen for sale, the Sailfin Tetra is a hardy member of the Characin family. The fins of the male will form long sails as it matures. Unlike most tetras, the sailfin tetra is easy to breed. Eggs will be lain on the top of caves or similar structures, and will be guarded by the male.

The Dojo Loach, or Weather Loach, is a cute, eel-like bottom-dwelling fish. They eagerly move along the bottom of the aquarium hunting for food, which should include sinking pellets. They are peaceful fishes. Their name, 'Weather Loach,' comes from their ability to predict storms. When storms are coming, the weather loach is much moe active. Believe it or not, they are a popular food item throughout Asia, where they are eaten like sardines.

The Giant Danio or Malabar Danio is one of the hardiest fishes. These are a beautiful blue with orange stripes, and are often called the 'Poor Man's Rainbowfish.' They are constantly moving and a great choice for an active aquarium. They are a schooling fish, and do best in groups of at least six. Additionally pictured are red rosy barbs, angelfish, and swordtails.

Hatchetfish make an excellent choice for adding some movement to the top of the aquarium. They are topwater fish, and constantly moving across the surface of the aquarium. Hatchetfish are a schooling fish and do best in groups of at least 3-6. As well as the Silver Hatchetfish, there is also the smaller and more delicate Marble Hatchetfish. Their unique shape makes them able to 'fly' in the wild, where they will leap from the surface to catch insects. A covered aquarium is a must.

The Emporer Tetra is a peaceful, community fish. It is a smaller fish, reaching a maximum size of about two inches, making it an ideal tankmate for other small, peaceful fish, such as the neon tetra. Males will develop a deep purple body when kept in small groups of at least six fish. It is is often confused with the Kerri Tetra, which is a much smaller fish and lacks the long, flowing fins that the Emporer Tetra will develop.

The Parrot Cichlid is believed to be a hybrid of two cichlid fishes, although no one knows the exact parentage. They are artificially produced in the Far East, which leads to their high prices. Most fish are this bright orange, though some individuals will become a deep red, and others a softer yellow. These fish are sterile, and cannot breed. They reach a maximum size of at least 12 inches, and are relatively peaceful. They should not be housed with smaller fish, nor with aggressive fishes.

Known as the Platy or Moon, these livebearers are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns, including these Orange Calico Platies. Platies reach a size of only about 3 inches, and are ideal community tank fishes. They are easily bred, and give birth to live young. Males can be identified by a modified fin called a 'gonopodium,' which is a long, thin tube located behind the pelvic fins.

Rainbowfish are a group of fishes from Australia and New Guinea, and easily among the most beautiful freshwater fish. Most are small, peaceful fish that reach a maximum size of about four inches. They are shoaling fihs and do best wehn kept in small groups, often of mixed species. They are active, fast swimming fish and need plenty of room in the aquarium.

Rainbowfish are a group of fishes from Australia and New Guinea, and easily among the most beautiful freshwater fish. Most are small, peaceful fish that reach a maximum size of about four inches. They are shoaling fihs and do best wehn kept in small groups, often of mixed species. They are active, fast swimming fish and need plenty of room in the aquarium. These are Boesmani Rainbowfish.

The beautiful Jewel Cichlid is an aggressive cichlid from West Africa. They are hardy and forgiving of most water conditions. Males are bright red, while females are considerably less colourful. These are not for a community tank. The Jewel Cichlid does best in a tank with fast moving, boisterous fish that will not be picked on by the Jewel Cichild. The Jewel Cichlid often breeds in the home aquarium.

African Rift Lake Cichlids, or Mbuna, are incredibly vibrant, colourful fish. Most tend to be fairly aggressive fish and should only be mixed with other equally aggressive fish. This is a Yellow Labidochromis, from Lake Malawi. It is one of the least aggressive Mbuna and mixes well with other less aggressive fishes, such as parrots, gouramies, and giant danios. Yellow Labs are maternal mouthbrooders, with the female carrying the eggs in her mouth until hatching. They are easily bred.