Fish

An effective community aquarium features fish of all colours, shapes and sizes, but where they swim in the tank matters too.

Choosing marine fish can be a minefield, with most of the desirable ones like puffers and butterflyfish being unsuitable for reef tanks.

Want to keep fish but are unsure which tank to go for? Get started the right way with the Swell Buyer’s guide to aquariums.

Want to breed cichlids? Read our useful guide on the five easiest cichlids for you to breed at home, and get started the right way!

Plecos are popular aquarium fish, known for their sucker mouths and their algae-eating capabilities. Some plecos get big however or have specialised care requirements.

If you’ve never kept fish before then the best fish you can start with are danios. Danios are small, active freshwater fish known for their hardiness.

Sharks are some of the most popular tropical fish available and their iconic looks and naming have ensured their popularity throughout the decades.

Feeding frequency depends on the type of fish you keep. As a general rule small fish should be fed little and often and larger ones can go longer between meals.

Damselfish are some of the most colourful, abundant, cheap and hardy fish available to the marine keeper, but they can have their drawbacks.