Review of popular large aquarium fish

An aquarium is the best decoration for any home. A glass tank looks much more interesting and attracts more attention if large and beautiful fish live in it. There are many popular underwater species that do great in home aquariums. Let's get to know them better.

Not all aquarists agree to be content with keeping exceptionally small and harmless fish. Many have a special love for large underwater inhabitants, who have a more expressive appearance that attracts a lot of attention. Consider a few of the most spectacular types of aquarium fish.

One of the largest representatives of the sucker catfish species. Pterygoplicht is a full-fledged cleaner of the aquarium in which he lives. This fish can perfectly clean glasses and any objects in the tank from accumulated deposits. Pterygoplicht is able to assimilate atmospheric air due to the circulatory system in its intestines. If there is not enough oxygen in the water, it will rise to the surface.

Pterygoplicht grows slowly. This individual can reach a length of 15-18 cm only by three years. This catfish can reach its maximum size only closer to five years, when this aquarium cleaner can have a length of about 50 cm.

Catfish require an exceptionally large and spacious aquarium. In cramped conditions, this big man will be very uncomfortable, and the fish neighbors can cause irritation and conflict situations.

Catfish Clarias is a large carnivore belonging to the Clariaceae family. Usually, representatives of this species lead an active lifestyle in the dark. Under natural conditions, it can grow up to 1 meter in length. If we are talking about aquarium maintenance, then here the predator grows to a mark of 25-70 cm.

Clarias keeps in the lower layers of the reservoir. It is a solitary fish, but sometimes forms a pair. If the catfish form a pair, they will spend a lot of time together. Such behavioral features are extremely rare in fish.

Clarias can breathe atmospheric air too. For this, there is a special accessory organ - a modified lung, with the help of which the catfish can receive air. In the aquarium, this catfish should not be kept in the vicinity of small fish, because the Clarias will simply exterminate them. These African predators are characterized by aggressive behavior.

Red-tailed catfish are real river monsters. They have a huge mouth, the width of which is the same as the width of the whole body of the fish. In aquarium conditions, red-tailed catfish can grow up to 130 cm. The maximum recorded size of this fish in nature is 180 cm with a weight of 80 kg.

This interesting fish usually stays in the bottom layer. As the red-tailed catfish grows older, it can lie on the bottom for hours without any movement. These fish are unpretentious in care. Moderate light, a small amount of driftwood and stones in the tank is enough for them.

When installing shelters or decorations in the aquarium, it is very important to make sure that they are all secured "conscientiously", since the red-tailed catfish can dump even heavy objects.

This name is a very interesting shark catfish, which has an unusual appearance. Fish are similar to sharks, but in miniature. In their natural habitat (Thailand, Laos), these beauties can grow up to 1 m in length, and in an aquarium - up to 70 cm.

There are several varieties of pangasius. Let's consider a description of different subspecies.

• Siamese. This is a high fin shark catfish. Otherwise, it is called a freshwater shark. This fish has a dark gray body color with a beautiful blue tint. A flattened head is characteristic, and the fins and tail have the same structure as those of real sharks.
• Sutchy. A very shy fish. It has a smaller size than that of Siamese individuals. In moments of strong fright, the catfish sutchi can rush in different directions and beat against the walls of the aquarium. You should not irritate this fish, as well as scare it, as this can result in serious injuries for it.

The Sutch are less aggressive, trying to stay in the middle layers of the water. Such catfish can get used to their owner and will react to his appearance in the room.

Insanely popular and beautiful fish, distinguished by their impressive size. Carp are undemanding individuals. They can be of a variety of colors - from gold to deep red.

Carps are not only large, but also strong, strong fish. A standard medium-sized aquarium will not be enough for them. By about 6 years old, subject to proper care, carp can grow up to 70 cm and weigh 5-7 kg.

Handsome discus fish can become a real decoration of a large aquarium. They are distinguished by a non-standard body structure, flattened on the sides. They have a small head and tiny mouth.

Discus have a peaceful disposition. They are not very mobile. The fish are shy and try to stay in small groups in the middle layers of the water. They are used to staying in shady places in the aquarium, they love diffused lighting.

Not so long ago, fish of this species were considered rare. Today they are well known. The popularity of arowans is due not only to their interesting appearance, but also to the unusual serpentine structure of the body. In its natural habitat, arowana can reach a length of over 1 meter.

Arowana grows very quickly. They need to prepare spacious aquariums. There are several subspecies of arowan:

• African;
• platinum;
• black;
• silver.

If you decide to have such an interesting fish, you should know that it has managed to exist for many millions of years, while maintaining excellent health. That is why arowana cannot be called a capricious and demanding fish. They feed her not only worms, but also grasshoppers, frogs, live fish and even mice or beef heart.

Nowadays, arowana is considered a symbol of prosperity. It can be a decoration for any home. But we must remember that this fish is hardly suitable for a general aquarium.

Another unique species, whose representatives have an amazing appearance that never goes unnoticed. Endlicher's polypterus belongs to the multi-pen family. In length, it can reach 75 cm. This fish is also distinguished by a decent life expectancy. Under good conditions, polypterus can live for more than 10 years.

This fish has large pectoral fins and an interesting scallop-like dorsal fin. Outwardly, Endlicher's polyperus looks like a dragon living under water. These amazing creatures can be kept in an aquarium, but it is important to ensure that you have a sturdy and well-secured lid as they may jump out of the tank. Once outside the aquarium, the polypterus will be able to move around the house for some time, but a long stay in such conditions will end in death for it.

Despite its formidable appearance, Endlicher's polyperus can easily coexist with other fish neighbors. The main thing is that the latter are of the appropriate size - individuals that the polyperus can swallow will one day become its victims. Ideal neighbors for sea dragons are chic arowans, large cichlids, chitala ornata and similar fish.

It is an interesting fish with an exuberant disposition. She easily deals with small neighbors. Quarrels and conflicts between medium-sized individuals cannot be avoided if an aggressive cichlazoma lives in the aquarium. These underwater pets show anger and aggression towards both the fish and the vegetation in the tank.

Representatives of this species can grow up to 20-25 cm. They should be kept in tanks where all plants are well anchored in special pots. It is advisable to give preference to hard-leaved vegetation. The diet of these underwater inhabitants must include animal feed.

In an aquarium, these fish are usually 20-25 cm long. In nature they are larger - 40 cm. Macrognatuses are active at dusk, and are distinguished by night activity. The favorite food of these individuals is mosquitoes, earthworms and tubifex.

Macrognatus loves to bury himself, therefore, it will not be possible to do without soil in the aquarium where such a fish lives. It is important to make sure that there are no stones with sharp edges at the bottom, as the pet can seriously injure itself from them. As with the polypterus, it is important for the macrognatus to prepare a spacious aquarium with a well-secured lid. These fish also love to get out of the tank, especially around corners, wires and ducts.

A beautiful and very interesting fish that feels great in aquarium conditions. Botia clownfish is not the largest fish in the world, but in an aquarium it can reach a length of 20-26 cm, so a spacious tank is needed for it. In nature, these individuals can grow up to 50 cm in length.

The name of this fish is "talking". She has a bright yellow-orange body color with wide black stripes. It is impossible not to notice such beautiful underwater inhabitants in the aquarium.

Hiding places in the aquarium are very important for representatives of this species. You can buy ready-made "houses", or you can independently build structures from stones or branches.For the fight, it is necessary to prepare a large aquarium, the volume of which is at least 400 liters.

Despite its considerable size, the clown battle is a relatively peaceful fish, not showing unnecessary aggression. However, the battle should not be kept in the same tank with small underwater inhabitants, since it can perceive such neighbors as food.

For the types of large aquarium fish, see the next video.