Everything You Need To Know About
Aggressive Freshwater Aquariums
Almost!
Aggressive Community
Aggressive fish are territorial, predators, will fight over food, will fight when mating, and will attack other fish. With aggressive fish, the aquarium is set up according to the fish species you will be keeping. Some aggressive fish prefer to be alone or in pairs, while others like to school. Sometimes overcrowding the aquarium can reduce aggression and lead to a peaceful cohabitation. Most aggressive fish need at least a 55+ gallon aquarium - usually with more room there is less aggression. You must also have a proper filter and heater. Weekly water changes must be performed and you should research any fish before adding it to an aggressive community.
Learn about fish compatibility!
What You Need:
1. Fish Tank
2. Heater
3. Water Conditioner
4. Gravel + Decor
5. Plants
6. Fish Food
7. The FISH!
55+ Gallon Tank
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I recommend starting with at least 55+ gallons
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You can easily purchase a kit that comes with a tank, filter, heater, and an LED equipped lid
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I recommend canister filters for larger aquariums
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Freshwater fish should have a source of lighting on a consistent day/night cycle
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Some freshwater fish are known for jumping so it is recommended to have a lid
Heater
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If you are setting up a freshwater tropical community than you need a consistent water temperature of 76-80 °F
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I recommend fully submersible heaters
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Get a thermometer so you know the temperature
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Make sure to unplug the heater when you are doing large water changes
Gravel and Decor
5-10 gallon tank = 50 watt heater
20-30 gallon tank=
100-200 watts
40-50 gallon tank=
100-400 watts
75+ gallon tank=
200-600 watts
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Always purchase aquarium safe gravel or sand and rinse it with hot water to get off any dust or debris - never boil or use soap on your gravel
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Some fish prefer sand instead of gravel
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Avoid sharp/pointy decor and look for smooth decor with LOTS of hiding spots
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Some aggressive fish prefer little to no decor in the tank
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You will need 1 lb of substrate for every 1 gallon in a standard tank
Plants
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Additional plants reduce aggression
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Real plants produce oxygen and help naturally filter the tank
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Some fish will dig up plant roots so floating plants are a good alternative
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A hardy, easy plant is the Anubias species
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If you choose fake plants then I recommend silk instead of plastic
Water Conditioner
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It's important to get water conditioner to make your water safe for any fish
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You can use tap/sink water in your tank WITH conditioner to neutralize chlorine or any metals that might be present - testing your water parameters is very important
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You can also purchase pre-treated water from pet supply stores or use bottled water - however, the mineral content may vary
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Don't use local pond/lake/river or rain water
Fish Food
Learn about testing your water parameters!
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There are 5 types of food - flakes, pellets, freeze-dried, live, and frozen
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Giving your fish a varied diet will make them happier and healthier
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Protein (shrimp/worms/larvae) should be the first ingredient
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Avoid fillers like wheat flour or rice meal
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Always thaw your frozen food before feeding
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Some fish food is specific to certain fish - make sure you get the correct food!
The Fish
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Most aggressive fish reach 12+ inches, make sure you have an appropriately sized aquarium
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Sometimes overcrowding a tank can reduce aggression depending on the species
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When adding new fish to an existing community it helps to rearrange the decor to reduce aggression towards the new fish
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Always research before adding any new fish into your community
Learn about the nitrogen cycle before adding fish!
Learn about fish compatibility!