[Free Resource] šŸ  Friends or Foes?

Discover which fish thrive togetherā€“ Get Your Free Guide

Author

William Shannon
March 30, 2025

Hey ,

A balanced tank doesnā€™t happen by chanceā€”it starts with the right fish.
Weā€™ve put together a set of free resources to help you get species compatibility right from day one.

No stress. No second-guessing. Just a clear path to a thriving aquarium.

Curious how our premium content looks?
Youā€™re about to get a glimpse. Keep reading.

šŸŸ How to Pick Besties (Not Bullies)

1. Match Their Vibes

Temperament Matters:

  • Peaceful Pals: Guppies, Neon Tetras, Corydoras.

  • Lone Wolves: Betta fish (keep solo!), some cichlids.

  • Avoid Mixing: Never pair aggressive + shy fish (spoiler: it ends badly).

šŸš© Red Flags: Spot a Bully

  1. Chasing non-stop

  2. Nipped fins

  3. Food hogging

  4. Hiding 24/7

If you see these, itā€™s time to rehome or rethink your tank squad.

2. Size Does Matter

  • Big Fish Eat Small Fish: Itā€™s not a myth.

    • Example: Angelfish + tiny shrimp = expensive snacks.

Rule of Thumb: Keep fish within similar size ranges.

3. Space to Swim (or Hide)

  • Overcrowding = Stress: More fish ā‰  more fun.

    • Minimum Tank Size: 20L per Betta, 75L+ for schooling fish.

Hideouts:

ā“ FAQs

Q: Can I keep a Betta with other fish?
A: Maybe. Avoid flashy fish (they trigger aggression). Try snails or shrimp instead.

Q: How many fish can I add at once?
A: Slowly! Add 2-3 fish weekly to let your tank adjust.

Q: What if my fish justā€¦ hate each other?
A: Separate the bully ASAP. Use a tank divider (like this one) or rehome.

āœ‹ Waitā€”There's More (Just for You!)

As a thank you for being part of our community, we're giving you access to a section from our premium content libraryā€”normally available only to subscribers.

šŸ‘‡ Dive into this exclusive resource:

šŸš« Donā€™t Add That Fish! (Premium Content)

šŸ“„ Prefer a PDF version?

Donā€™t Add That Fish! (Tank Mates Guide).pdf(Save it, share it, or print it for quick troubleshooting!)26.95 MB ā€¢ File

Want more expert guides like this one?

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šŸ’Ž Want More Guides Like This?

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Weā€™ve made this premium resource completely free to support the communityā€”but thereā€™s more where that came from.

By joining our Aquariums For Beginners Subscribers Club, youā€™ll unlock a full library of advanced guides, exclusive tips, and a growing set of tools made just for new fishkeepers.

For just $4.99/month, youā€™ll get:

šŸŒŸ Bi-Weekly Expert Newsletters
šŸ“˜ Instant Access to Other Premium Guides
šŸ§‘ā€šŸ”§ Expert Support
šŸŽ Early Access to New Tools & Features

āž• And Moreā€¦

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Community Spotlight: Top Post of the Week!

Aquariums For Beginners Community Group
with over 600k+ fishkeepersā€”has been buzzing with conversations.

This weekā€™s top post, caption:
ā€œDisaster in the piranha tank. What caused this?ā€

What caused this disaster?
There are a few possible reasons why one of the piranhas didnā€™t make it:

  1. Aggression from tank mates ā€“ Piranhas can turn on each other, especially if they are stressed, hungry, or overcrowded.

  2. Poor water quality ā€“ High ammonia, nitrites, or lack of oxygen could have weakened or killed the fish.

  3. Illness or injury ā€“ Disease or an unnoticed wound might have led to its demise.

  4. Diet issues ā€“ Malnutrition or feeding problems could contribute to weakness and death.

Definitely looks guiltyā€”like it just got caught red-finned! šŸ‘€ 

šŸ“ø Photo Contest: Show us your most harmonious fish tank setup.
Best photo wins a feature in our next newsletter!

šŸŽÆ Quiz Corner: Are You a Tank Mate Guru?

Test your fishkeeping IQ with our quick quiz! Visit our website to participate and discover if youā€™re a compatibility proā€”or if you need a lifeline.

Scoring Breakdown:

  • 1-2 Correct: "Newbie Navigator" ā€“ Time to study our guides! šŸ§­

  • 3-5 Correct: "Budding Aquarist" ā€“ Youā€™re getting there! šŸŒ±

  • 10/10 Correct: "Tank Mate Master" ā€“ Teach us your ways! šŸ†

Ready to create a tank where every fish is a friend? With these tips, youā€™re well on your way to building a thriving, peaceful underwater community!

šŸ’¬ Whatā€™s your biggest challenge when choosing new fish?

Happy Fishkeeping! šŸŸšŸ’™ 
ā€“ The Aquariums For Beginners Team