TYPES OF FISH
There are over 25,000 species of fish. Fish at large are divided
into three groups; bony, cartilaginous and jawless fish, the size ranging from
a 45 foot (whale shark) to a 8 mm long (dwarf gopi). Four types of fish are
kept in the home aquarium:-
Tropical fish - are fish that live in either
salt or freshwater but needs a warm (tropical) medium or temperature to live.
Coldwater fish - these fish can be salt or
fresh water fish which needs colder water temperatures.
Marinefish
- these are fish that live in salty seawater. Most commonly, marine fishes need
tropical climate.
Freshwater fish
- these fish live in freshwater and are usually the fish that you would find
in inland rivers and streams of most continents. They can be as colourful as
marine fish and yet need less care. Most freshwater fish in the ornamental hobby
are tropical fish, which require a heater.
In short, the types can be Tropical Freshwater species, Tropical
Marine species, Coldwater Fresh water species and Coldwater Marine species.
Broadly the most common classification is Fresh water fish and Marine water
fish. Some of the most common fresh water aquarium fishes are the gold fish,
Koi (common carp), guppy, molly, swordtail, angelfish etc. Among the Marine
aquarium fish species, damsel fish, clown fish (anemone fish) etc are best for
beginners where as dragonets and lionfish should be kept only by experienced
breeders with large tanks. Sharks, rays, batfishes etc should be avoided. Fresh
water species are easier to keep than marine species. Many marine species will
be completely incompatible and necessitate careful selection of species when
choosing which fish to keep in ones aquarium.
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