There are about 1,270 marine fish species, and almost every warm water climate in the world has a marine fish species somewhere or a fossil record of a marine fish species that once existed. The species differ in color and fins, and although they are closely related to the viviparous carp, they are egg-laying fish – but unlike any other fish on the planet.
Here’s what you need to know about the different types of saltwater fish, including what they eat and how to care for them in your aquarium.
1. Killifish
Killifish, or egg-laying carp, are very closely related to viviparous carp (guppy, mollie, platy, and swordtail), although they have different reproduction methods. Marine fishes are widely distributed from the United States through Central America to South America to Argentina. In the Old World, they range from most of Africa and the Far East, including Japan, with a few species in the Middle East and southern Europe.
2. Natural environment
Popular aquarium species have two distinct habitats. Some come from tropical rainforests, living in ponds, swamps, and streams. There is a thick forest that shields the water from the sun. Fish from this type of habitat usually spawn by laying their eggs in the roots of floating plants. Most common Aphiosemion species and “punchocks” species spawn this way.
Other and more popular marine fish live in ponds in tropical savannas, and often, the ponds dry up during the dry season. These fish bury their eggs (egg barrier or bottom spawner). As the pond dries up, the parents die, but the eggs, buried about 2 or 3 centimeters under the soil, survive and hatch months or sometimes even a year later in the wet season in the hours following the next rain.
3. Annual fish
These types of fish are often called annual fish because they can only live for one season. This species has bright, bright colors and beautiful wings but a very short lifespan. Although they are beautiful for a short and bright period, they quickly begin to fade, wither and die. It’s not the hobbyist’s fault when this happens; Even under perfect conditions, that’s the nature of things. The life span of this fish is short, and this does not change the fact that there is never a dry season in the aquarium.
4. Killifish in aquariums
Killer whales are small fish that are predators and feed mainly on insect larvae. In their constant search for mosquito larvae, it has the same habits as their cousins, guppies, and mollies. Killifish prefer live food in the aquarium but can be fed dry flake food supplemented with frozen shrimp and bloodworms. They are not really good community aquarium fish due to their nutritional requirements and preference for cool water temperatures. killifish species is temperamentally compatible with most community aquarium fish.
But unlike the betta, special attention should be paid to the water conditions If soft tap water is unavailable, rainwater can help, but if the rainwater comes from an urban or industrial area, try getting reverse osmosis water from your local tropical fish store for the best results.
5. Accommodation
Because they are small, goldfish do well in a small tank; if you don’t overcrowd it, consider the number of saltwater fish you plan to keep. living with them. In general, an aquarium of at least 20 gallons is best. If you only want to keep a few saltwater fish, such as three, you can comfortably keep them in a 10-gallon tank.
Low, dim light is best for killifish, so choose plants that don’t need too much light when decorating your tank. Keep the water temperature between 72 and 75 F using a heater if necessary. And for substrates, choose darker options such as water-hardened sand or gravel.
6. Basic agriculture
For top spawners:
A 1/2-inch layer of pre-cooked peat moss in the bottom of the grow tank will acidify the water and provide the dark bottom these fish prefer. It is necessary to boil the peat for five minutes and then drain it to extract all excess acidity from it. Provide them with floating aquarium plants to lay their eggs.
For bottom spawners:
Peat should be about 1 inch thick to provide enough depth for egg laying. These species must be given the illusion of burying their eggs deep enough to withstand the coming drought.
When spawning marine fish, it is best to put one male with three females because males are tough drivers. Males are usually easier to distinguish because, in many species, they have lyre-shaped wings and are more colorful than females.
Hanger eggs take three weeks to hatch, while bottom-spawning eggs must be removed from the water tank and kept in moist peat for about three months (depending on the species) before the water is returned to the tank.
It is possible to experience the wonder of the saltwater fish life cycle by purchasing eggs from breeders online. These eggs hatch in moist peat moss and are already properly aged. You add the appropriate amount of water per the instructions, and chicks will be hatching in a few hours. It’s cheaper and easier to get a stock of saltwater fish than buying adult fish. They have a shorter life span so that you can enjoy them for a long time.
7. Chocolate Lyritile
This popular marine fish comes from West Africa and lives in small streams and ponds in the rainforest. They grow up to 2 1/2 inches and are very easy to sex. They require soft, slightly acidic water and are egg hangers. Every day, she lays several eggs between threads of nylon cloth suspended from a plug.
8. Blue lyretail (Phandulopanchox gardneri)
Blue lyretail saltwater fish comes from West Africa and grows to about 3 inches. They exist in two color forms: yellow, where the edges of the tail, anal and dorsal fins are yellow in males, and a blue form, where the yellow is replaced by light blue. The female is similar to all Aphiosemian females. This is another egg hanger, taking up to 21 days to hatch, but sometimes longer, depending on temperature.
9. Striped Pancock (Aplochilus lineatus)
This hardy, robust “panchax” comes from India, where it grows to about 4 inches. They can survive well in a community aquarium, but they can eat small fish and guppies. The male is lighter in color than the female, with a more rounded tail. This is a typical egg hanger; depending on the temperature, the eggs take about two to three weeks to hatch. They eat dry food.
10. Bivittatum (Aphiosemion bivittatum)
This fish comes from West Africa and grows to about 2 inches. They have a long, dark colored body with two dark bands of red spots running down each side, the colors vary between populations. Individual males are often seen with golden brown dorsal surfaces, bluish flanks, and golden ventral surfaces. This fish is a typical egg hanger (surface spawner), which lays its eggs on the roots of floating plants in the wild but also accepts floating nylon fabric in the aquarium where it lays its eggs. Eggs hatch in 14 to 21 days. It is not a good aquarium fish like all “killifish” (egg-bearing carp).
11. Blue gularis (Aphiosemion sjostedti)
This fish comes from West Africa and is larger than most Aphiosemian species, growing up to 4 1/2 inches. Males are easily identified by the three-pointed tail. This fish lays its eggs on the bottom between peat fibers. Eggs should be collected from there and kept in a closed plastic box for about six weeks.
