Semi-Aggressive Community

Everything You Need To Know About

Semi-Aggressive Freshwater Aquariums

Almost!

Most semi-aggressive fish earn that title because they are territorial, aggressive when stressed, or simply because they will eat any fish that can fit into their mouths. Most semi-aggressive fish need at least a 30 gallon aquarium - 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 a semi-aggressive community.

Learn about fish compatibility!

Compatibility

What You Need:

1. Fish Tank

2. Heater

3. Water Conditioner

4. Gravel + Decor

5. Plants

6. Fish Food

7. The FISH!

30+ Gallon Tank

I recommend starting with at least 30 gallons.
You can easily purchase a kit that comes with a tank, filter, heater, and an LED equipped lid
Freshwater fish should have a source of lighting on a consistent day/night cycle
Some freshwater fish are known for jumping so it is recommended to have a lid
With a larger tank you have more options for what you can add.

Heater

If you are setting up a freshwater tropical community than you need a consistent water temperature of 76-80 °F
I recommend fully submersible heaters, get a thermometer so you know the temperature
Make sure to unplug the heater when you are doing large water changes

Gravel and Decor

Additional decor reduces aggression
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
Some fish prefer sand instead of gravel
Avoid sharp/pointy decor to avoid tearing fins - look for smooth decor with hiding spots
You will need 1 lb of substrate for every 1 gallon in a standard tank

Plants

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

Additional plants reduce aggression
Real plants produce oxygen and help naturally filter the tank - which is especially important in smaller tanks
Some fish will dig up plant roots so floating plants are a good alternative
A hardy, easy plant is the Anubias species
If you choose fake plants then I recommend silk instead of plastic

Water Conditioner

It's important to get water conditioner to make your water safe for any fish
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
You can also purchase pre-treated water from pet supply stores or use bottled water - however, the mineral content may vary
Don't use local pond/lake/river or rain water

Fish Food

Learn about testing your water parameters!

Water Testing

There are 5 types of food - flakes, pellets, freeze-dried, live, and frozen
Giving your fish a varied diet will make them happier and healthier
Protein (shrimp/worms/larvae) should be the first ingredient
Avoid fillers like wheat flour or rice meal
Always thaw your frozen food before feeding
Some fish food is specific to certain fish - make sure you get the correct food!

The Fish

A good guideline to follow is 1 gallon of water per 1" of fully grown fish
A 20 gallon tank can have 20" of fish; ex. 5 fish that reach 4" when fully grown
Sometimes overcrowding a tank can reduce aggression depending on the species
When adding new fish to an existing community it helps to rearrange the decor to reduce aggression towards the new fish
Always research before adding any new fish into your community

Learn about the nitrogen cycle before adding fish!

The Nitrogen Cycle