is there a way i can tell if freshwater tropical fish will mix well?

Question

from what i've read its all over the place. i want colourful fish such as neon tetras but have been told they can't live with other fish i would like. the main ones im interested in having are:
neon tetras and others
dwarf and other gouramis
moons
mollies
swordtails
glass fish
possibly catfish
also i was looking at fish or possibly snails that will help in keeping the tank clean.

also i would like a betta. i know two males wont mix but will it mix well with smaller fish such as tetras

sorry for this. also angelfish, will they mix with the smaller fish such as neon tetras.

Answer 1

There are a couple of ways you can go about telling what will and won't go together (in generalities, anyway).

Some websites have "compatibility" charts you can use as a rough guide - you can at least get a feel for "should be okay together", "one will disappear and one will get fatter", or "I'd maybe better think about this some more, or at least keep and eye on them".

One site I've seen (and used for suggestions) uses a community approach - "small, peaceful fish", "small active fish", "large predator tank", etc. and lists fish suitable for that type of set-up. Just because a fish is listed, doesn't mean it will get along with all other fish listed for that community, however. As an example, either a rainbow shark and a redtailed shark may both do well in a medium-sized semi-ggressive community tank by themselves, but the two shouldn't be put together. You'd still have to research the individual fish.

Other sites use an approach where swimming level, level of aggression, preferred foods, activity level, adult sizes, and color (similar colors might might lead a fish to consider another fish a "rival" even if it's a different species) are considered and potential problems can be identified before you mix the actual fish.

Lastly, as mentioned above, these are just guidelines. Fish will have an individual personality, and may react to tankmates differently than predicted.

Here are some examples of the guides I've mentioned in the answer:

compatibility chart: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1980&articleid=3284

community approach: http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h701elmers_freshwater_handbook.htm

most features considered: http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/templates/BMan1Blue/Stocking.htm
http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/community.html

Answer 2

The main reason you get so many conflicting answers is because the real answer is sometimes and maybe. It's like mixing cats and dogs... do they get along? Sometimes...maybe... if... the same is true for fish. There are some general guidelines and one's that almost always do fine together, but there is always the exception to the rule as well.

Generally speaking most all tetras and livebearers will to fine together. The gouramis can be a bit aggressive at times and especially towards smaller fish such as neons. Glassfish do well with pretty much anything that doesn't pick on them and as for catfish, they run the full range from cory cats that wouldn't bother anybody to 6 foot monsters that would call most other fish food.

Angels don't mix well with really small fish like neons. They aren't highly aggressive, but will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. Snails make good cleaners for most tanks, as do cory catfish even though they won't help with algae.

Basically stick with fish labeled in the shop as community fish but be aware that there can be an ill tempered jerk in any crowd, even peaceful fish.

MM

Answer 3

From Tim's Tropicals:
The Neon Tetra should be kept in groups of 8 and is compatible with Black Phantom Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Corydoras Catfish, Discus, Dwarf Neon Rainbow, Endlers Livebearer, Gardneri Killifish, Glass Catfish, Glass Fish, Glowlight Tetra, Guppy, Harlequin Rasbora, Honey Gourami, Kuhli Loach, Pleco (Common), Pristella Tetra, Ram Cichlid, Red Phantom Tetra, Silver Hatchetfish, White Cloud,

The angelfish will eat them. Corydoras catfish also are schooling fish and love to clean up :)

Answer 4

I would say no to the Angelfish, it would probably eat the neons and pick on the other fish. For tank cleaning i would reccomend a pleco. Most bettas in my experience are too agressive to be with other fish, but if you want to try, i would reccomend buying one that's already living in a community tank at the petstore (instad of those little cups) at least then you'll know it can get along.Snails don't do much in the way of tank cleaning and they are kind of boring. You can't even tell sometimes if they are still alive or not.

Answer 5

as long as they are all non aggressive fish they should work out fine. Angelfish can be aggressive though so maybe don't get those with the others. Plus they are hard to keep. If you ask the people at the fish store they will tell you what you can keep together. Also you can get fish according to where they are from like keep Africans with Africans and S. Americans with S. Americans. Just make sure that you don't mix aggressive (fish eating) fish with non-aggressive fish. Another good idea is to get all the fish when they are small or at least the same size.

Answer 6

You can mix neon tettras with other non aggressive tetras. I have a school of neons now and i am thinking of adding a school of black neon tetras. As for the betta - I have a betta in the tank with my school of neons and they get along famously. From my own expreience and what others have told me neons and bettas should get along well. Just keep in mind that fish have their own unique personalities - so just keep an eye on things to make sure everyone in the aquarium is happy.

Answer 7

the appropriate reason you get maximum of conflicting solutions is via the fact the actual answer is in specific circumstances and according to risk. this is like blending cats and canines... do they get alongside? in specific circumstances...perhaps... if... the comparable is genuine for fish. There are some commonplace regulations and one's that only approximately continually do positive collectively, yet there is often the exception to the guideline as nicely. usually talking maximum all tetras and livebearers will to positive collectively. The gouramis may well be slightly aggressive at cases and particularly in the direction of smaller fish alongside with neons. Glassfish do nicely with particularly lots something that doesn't p.c.. on them and as for catfish, they run the total variety from cory cats that doesn't hardship all and sundry to 6 foot monsters that would desire to call maximum different fish nutrition. Angels do not blend nicely with fairly small fish like neons. they at the instant are not fantastically aggressive, yet will consume something they might fit of their mouths. Snails make reliable cleaners for many tanks, as do cory catfish even nevertheless they won't help with algae. actually stick to fish categorised in the shop as community fish yet word that there may well be an unwell tempered jerk in any crowd, even non violent fish. MM

Answer 8

in this case...

you need to store a water for a month to let the chemicals go down and to get a pure and clean water, cause if you just put a fresh water directly, there could have many chemicals which the fishes of yours are not used to.. you better store a water for 1 month, then use that after 1 month to let them live...

Answer 9

Only one sure way to see if tropical fish will get along...
put them together and if the big fish don't kill and eat the little fish...then you're ok.

Fish ya know are cannibalistic...

Be sure to include one or two Plecostomus (Suckermouth) Catfish, they'll keep the sides of the tank free of Algae, plus they're gentle and fun to watch.
http://travel.mongabay.com/china/600/china_103-7094.JPG
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/982647/2/istockphoto_982647_plecostomus.jpg

Answer 10

If it can fit it in it's mouth, it'll eat it.