Can Marine fish and Tropical fish be kept in the same tank?

Question

I currently have a tropical tank, but I am looking to invest in a marine tank as marine fish look stunning, especially with the coral and sand in the tank, it gives you that ocean feel. I was just wondering if marine fish could reside alongside my tropical fish in the same tank? If not then I will have to look to sell my tank, along with my fish that currently reside inside it. Could someone please tell me if they can or cannot reside together. Thank you

Answer 1

no they cant marine are salt water and tropical are fresh water two different kinds of water you need to seperate tanks

Answer 2

They cannot reside together for the same reason that they are not found residing together in nature.
Water temperature, PH and Salt requirements are all different for these 2 kinds of fish.
What's good for one will kill the other.

Marine tanks are a much more expensive and care intensive hobby. After reading up about it well, make sure the added fuss is taken into account when you make this decision. Marine = Ocean. You need plenty of room for fewer fish, a
real big tank and salt/protein level controls.

By comparison it is easier to keep multiple schooling fish in a relatively smaller tropical tank.

Good luck!

Answer 3

No, they need 2 completely different water requirements-one fresh water one salt water.

But, the tropical fish mollies, can be acclimated to full marine conditions. I've seen them in full salt water tanks at a pet store before-the first and only time I've seen that. But, it's a very slow process to do that, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you knew what you were doing.

Otherwise, I can't think of any tropical fish you may have in your tank that could be adjusted to marine conditions. Why not buy another tank to use for a salt water set up? Or, you could find a store willing to take/possibly buy your fish, that way you wouldn't need a new tank for a salt water tank.

Answer 4

Ah, the confusion is that "marine" is usually a reference to saltwater animals. Thus you got some answers on brackish animals, vs. aquatic invertebrates and non-fish that are still freshwater. The more common are shrimp, snails, freshwater clam, and crawfish. There are also dwarf aquatic frog, like the African Dwarf Frog, that are 100% aquatic and can be housed with calm and peaceful fish in shallower tanks. In some crab species that can be kept, like a Panther Crab. And even some bugs like a Water Scorpion that can be kept in a freshwater tropical aquarium. Of course be sure to research the invert as some need specialty setups or species only setups and are not compatible with all freshwater tropical arrangements.

Answer 5

In general, NO! Marine fish need to have a specific concentration of sea salts in their water to live. That level of salt would kill most freshwater fish. "Tropical" merely refers to the temperature at which the fish are kept. There are marine tropicals, just as there are marine and freshwater "coldwater" species.

Getting back to why I said "in general" freshwater fish can't survive in marine conditions, there are a few freshwater species that are actually better consider "brackish", meaning they should have some salt in their water. These can make the transition to saltwater if the salt is added to their water slowly (a few days to a week is best). These would be guppies and mollies. If you have these, you can keep these with peaceful marine fish (small enough that they wouldn't eat the guppies and mollies). Just follow the drip acclimation procedures discussed in this link: http://www.fishlore.com/acclimating-tropicalfish.htm or add sea salt mix by the teaspoonful to their tank (no more than 1 per hour or so) until you get the correct salinity.

Answer 6

no tropical live in fresh water marine live in salt water also some one else said you cant have a lid on marine not true i had a lid on my juwel 125 litre for 2 years and that was thriving when i upgraded to a rena 440 littre depending on what fish you keep some need a lid morey eals as they can stick there heads and body way out of water they can also push lids up if not secured down also you only need a protim skimmer for corals you can safley keep a just fish setup with a good cannister filter as i didnt have a skimmer on my 125 litre and had that 2 year and lost only 3 fish

Answer 7

Nooooooooooo. marine are in salt water and tropical in fresh. I think you'd better get a book and read up on the subject. Marine fish are more care, you have to buy the salt and mix it up, ideally let sit a while. Then you have to know how the test the salinity, etc. Here's some info. that will give you an idea:
http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/sbegin-longterm.html

Answer 8

NO they cannot live together in one tank! Marine fish are VERY VERY hard to look after and are alot different from tropical fish - only very experianced topical fish keepers can keep marine fish successfully. Do lots of research and make sure you have lots of money and you should be fine

Answer 9

do not put marine fish in fresh water or even any saltwater plants or coral. u can sell your fish n use your tank n set up for trigger fish n coral but u can not go back to fresh water ocean fish need more room n more hiding habitat if your tank is not 35 gallons or more stick to tropical fish some tropical fish are just as cool as ocean fish they are hard to keep alive n a lot of care if u need to ask this do not get ocean fish try fresh water plants n rocks u can make a bridge with n fresh water drift wood n fresh water coral i had both n did well but ocean fish are to much work n die easy n cost to much you will regret the ease of fresh water

Answer 10

they can not stay in the tank together as marine fish live in very salty water. if you not sure go 2 a shop that sells fish and ask someone. marine fish are very hard to look after so i would advise you to talk to someone

Answer 11

Nope. Marine fish need salt. Tropical fish can not tolerate it.