Latest news with #NeonTetra
Scotsman
6 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Schooling Tropical Fish 2025: There are the 15 most popular fish to form colourful shoals
From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl (although goldfish need more space to thrive) – the UK is a nation of fish lovers. Around 10 per cent of British households own fish – making them the third most popular pet after dogs and cats. There's plenty of choice when it comes to adding fish to (well prepared and correctly set up) home aquariums , with pet shops offering a bewildering range of colourful and interesting finned friends. Schooling fish are particularly popular – fish that are only happy in a group of the same species, travelling around your tank in colourful packs. As a general rule you should make sure to have at least six of these fish in your tank at any one time – and be aware that some species thrive when there's a particular proportion of males to females (if there's any doubt ask an expert at your local pet shop). So, here are 15 of the best species of schooling fish for aquarists (the official name for people who maintain aquariums). 1 . Neon Tetra The Neon Tetra is the UK's (and probably the world's) most popular tropical fish - and is the epitome of a schooling fish. The tiny fish's bright red and blue colouring and ease of care are a winning combination for beginners. They originally come from backwater streams in the Amazon basin in South America. You'll need a seperate tank if you want to breed then though. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Black Skirt Tetra Larger than their Neon Tetra close cousins, the Black Skirt Tetra is a peaceful and hardy schooling fish that can hold its own against larger rivals. It's native to the Paraguay River basin of south-central Brazil, Paraguay and northeast Argentina. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Lemon Tetra Yellow bodies with red-tipped fins give Lemon Tetras a cheerful appearance. They prefer groups, show brighter colors in well-planted tanks, and are peaceful companions for other small tropical fish. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish A shoal of Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish add a silvery shimmer to your aquarium. You'll want a minimum of six, with equal numbers of males and females to minimise the risk of aggression. These beautiful fish originally come from the Mamberamo River basin in Indonesia. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales Related topics: Pets
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
How Long Do Tropical Fish Live For 2025? Here are the average lifespans of 19 popular aquarium fish
It is estimated that around 10 per cent of British households own pet fish – making them the third most popular animal to welcome into our homes after cats and dogs. How long can you expect these colourful fish to live for? | Canva/Getty Images From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl – the UK is a nation of fish lovers. There's plenty of choice when it comes to adding fish to (well prepared and correctly set up) home aquariums , with pet shops offering a bewildering range of colourful and interesting finned friends. One thing to consider is that some fish tend to live considerably longer lives than others - the humble goldfish can live for over 30 years, while the aggressive Betta often won't reach its third birthday. Here's how long 19 of the most popular freshwater tropical fish live for. 1 . Discus Also known as the Pompadour Fish, the Discus is a native of the Amazon River in Brazil and is highly sought after by aquariasts due to the dazzling array of colours different fish exhibit - from vivid orange to metallic turqouise. They are a long-living breed that can be expected to reach 10-18-years-of-age. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Neon Tetra Probably the world's most popular tropical fish, the tiny Neon Tetra originally comes from backwater streams in the Amazon basin in South America. You can expect them to live for at least 5 years. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Guppy Also known as the Millionfish or Rainbow fish and known for their large multi-coloured tails, the Guppy originally comes from northeast South America. They live for 3-5 years. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Platy The bright orange Platy is native to the east coast of Central America and southern Mexico. You can expect them to live for 3-5 years. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales Related topics: Pets
