Freshwater Community Fish Care Guide

SPECIES

Tetras, Platies, Guppies, Rainbows, Danios and Swordtails.

AVERAGE ADULT SIZE

 .5-3 inches long depending on species 

SWIM LEVEL

Mid to top level

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Community fish are peaceful fish compatible with a wide range of other peaceful species that do not cause aggression in your tank. Community fish such as Tetras, Danios, Guppies and Rainbows do best in groups of 5 or more as they generally like to school and feel safety in numbers. Community fish are an excellent beginner fish as they often stay smaller in size and compatibility is easy to achieve within the tank. Some community fishes like small Tetras can be very sensitive to stress and sudden water chemistry changes, so these species are best added to an established aquarium.

TANK REQUIREMENTS

 5 gallons or more

WATER TEMPERATURE

70°-80°F depending on species 

FEEDING

Offer your community fish tropical fish flakes, appropriately sized pellets, or frozen or freezedried insect larvae daily. Most aquariums should be offered food twice a day in a quantity that can be completely consumed by its inhabitants within 1-2 minutes. Leftover foods should be removed from the aquarium to avoid rotting. Stock level and types of species may require adjustments to these feeding recommendations.

SUPPLEMENTS

While supplements are not usually needed for freshwater community fish if they are fed a varied diet, a lot of research has been done to suggest giving Vitamin C to a fish helps in disease prevention and healing.

ENVIRONMENT

Most community fish will do well in a tank with multiple hiding places with either live or artificial plants for cover. Some smaller species in this category are sensitive to high water flows, so dense plants are advised. Some Tetras such as Neons will also do well in a blackwater aquarium.

ACCLIMATING & QUARANTINING

We recommend water acclamation and 24 hours of quarantine (if possible) for your new freshwater fish. To achieve this, float the bag containing the new fish in your aquarium for 10 to 15 minutes to equalize temperatures. At this point, you can add small amounts of your tank water to the fish bag every 15 minutes or so 3-4 times. Then, catch your new fish out of the bag and release it into your quarantine aquarium.

ACCLIMATING NEW FISH

We recommend water acclamation and 24 hours of quarantine (if possible) for your new freshwater fish. To achieve this, float the bag containing the new fish in your aquarium for 10 to 15 minutes to equalize temperatures. At this point, you can add small amounts of your tank water to the fish bag every 15 minutes or so 3-4 times. Then, catch your new fish out of the bag and release it into your quarantine aquarium.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• Tropical pellet or flake foods
• Frozen or freeze-dried insect larvae
• Low-flow filters (for turbulent sensitive species)
• Driftwood and leaf litter for tannins (blackwater aquariums)
• Live aquatic plants + Aquarium decor to provide hide spots

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.