For the beginner, the happy family collection is of most interest. Here in one large tank he can observe the interesting habits, shapes and colors of a great variety of fish. If he desires he may remove them to separate tanks during breeding periods. The danger of cross breeding in the community tank is practically eliminated by the presence of a pair of each species.
The following fish are discussed in this handbook, those marked * being recommended for the community tank.
Bad tempered fish may appear in some normally peaceful species and vice versa.
Also fish which may make trouble in a small aquarium may be peaceful in a large well planted one.
Live Bearers (young are born alive) *Guppy, *Swordtail, *Moon or Platy, *Sailfin, *Black Mollienisia, *Helleri, *Mosquito Fish, *Platy Variatus.
Labyrinth (breathe air taken from surface, bubble nest builders) Paradise, Bettas, *Dwarf Gourami, Three-Spot Gourami.
Cichlids (Egg layers, guard eggs and fry) Jewel Fish, *Angel Fish, Mouth Breeder, Blue Acara, Orange Chromide.
Danios (Egg droppers) *Zebra, *Pearl Danio, *Giant Danio.
Barbs (spawn on plants like goldfish) *Rosy Barb, *Barbus Oligolepis.
Characins (Deposit adhesive eggs on plants) *Silver Tetra, *Tetra Von Buenos Aires, *Tetra Von Rio, *Blood Fin, *Pristella Riddlei, *Head and Tail Light. *Featherfins, *Black Tetra, *Neon Tetra.
Cyprinodontidae (Egg droppers) *Medaka, *Panchax.