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List of Aggressive Tropical Freshwater Fish

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List of Aggressive Tropical Freshwater Fish

List of Aggressive Tropical Freshwater Fish. Before purchasing fish for your tropical freshwater tank, it is important to consider how will the fish will interact. If you buy fish that are overly aggressive, your serene fish tank may turn into a war zone. Certain tropical fish are known for their pugnacious tendencies, so when shopping for new members of your fish tank, watch out for these aggressive species.

prevent your aquarium from becoming a war zone

Piranhas

Piranhas are notorious for their aggression, yet some people keep them as pets. These South American natives are known for their razor-sharp teeth, but rather than eating only meat, piranhas are omnivorous. While piranhas may attack the other fish in your tank, they also do well when kept with companion fish. According to FishTankGuide.net, if you keep your piranha well fed, they can co-exist peacefully with other types of freshwater fish such as guppies and tetras. Also, piranhas can live with other large fish, but may bite a fin or two every once in awhile. The best way to feed your piranha is to purchase commercially-made processed foods rather than introduce feeder goldfish into the tank, since they are often a vector for bringing disease into your aquarium.

Siamese Fighting Fish

Also known as the betta, the Siamese fighting fish is another potentially aggressive fish. These are very elegant fish, known for their long fins and brilliant colors. According to FishLore.com, Siamese fighting fish will only give you a problem when there are two or more males together in the same tank. If you have two males in the same tank, they will fight until one is dead. Siamese fighting fish don't mind a solitary existence. In fact, most people who keep them often allow them to live alone in a small bowl or small tank.

Jack Dempsey Fish

Also known as a Cichlid, the Jack Dempsey fish is so aggressive it is named after the famous boxer from the 1920s, according to FishLore.com. However, you do not need to isolate the Jack Dempsey Fish like the Siamese fighting fish. The Jack Dempsey male only becomes aggressive if you have a small tank and he feels cramped. While it is better to only have one male per tank, more than one Jack Dempsey male can co-exist in the same aquarium if given plenty of room. According to FishLore.com, if you add a cave or a place for the fish to set up a territory, you shouldn't have any trouble.

References

  • Fish Tank Guide: Piranha Care Basics
  • Fish Lore: Betta Fish Care - Siamese Fighting Fish
  • FishLore: Jack Dempsey Fish