This list seems to be written for the type of person who wouldn't do any research to determine what good fish to buy are. Which means, the person this list is for will never see it.
PFK 10 worst fish for community tank
- Thread starter fishorama
- Start date
digitalphrage
oh god how did this get here i am n
I'm a little sad to see Golden Wonders on the list. Yes, they do best in groups (maybe minimum 1 male, 2 female) and no they definitely do not belong in a tank smaller than 20 gallons -- even that might be a tad small. However, in all the years I kept them, I never once had an issue with them eating another fish, except for their own babies. It is surprising how big of a fish they can fit in their mouths, though. I once made the mistake of putting 1/2 grown babies back in with the parents and I don't think any of the babies survived, IIRC. Kinda funny, but kinda sad, too.
However, I kept bumble bee gobies and F. gardneri in the same tank (55 gals) and not one of those ever disappeared. But maybe I just had an unusual experience.
However, I kept bumble bee gobies and F. gardneri in the same tank (55 gals) and not one of those ever disappeared. But maybe I just had an unusual experience.
They just had a series last month, I believe, on tankbusters...mentioning IDs and pacus, along with red tailed catfish.
I am not sure this list is that great either, I agree with most of the ones mentioned, but certainly I could have found better.
I don't think blood parrots are bad community fish. I have never heard of any choking on gravel, and laying eggs...what's the big deal about that?
What about hatchets? They're very jumpy. Eels and knives would have been on my list as well. Clown loaches would definitely be at the TOP of the list because they get so massive and are prone to ich (however are generally the only loaches available at chain pet stores).
Mollies, anyone? For the same reason as the guppies, above, and because they do best in brackish conditions.
I am not sure this list is that great either, I agree with most of the ones mentioned, but certainly I could have found better.
I don't think blood parrots are bad community fish. I have never heard of any choking on gravel, and laying eggs...what's the big deal about that?
What about hatchets? They're very jumpy. Eels and knives would have been on my list as well. Clown loaches would definitely be at the TOP of the list because they get so massive and are prone to ich (however are generally the only loaches available at chain pet stores).
Mollies, anyone? For the same reason as the guppies, above, and because they do best in brackish conditions.
Guppies and mollies are great begginner fish IMO, when they start to breed it's one of the main things that pull people into the hobby. Plus, if you get all males you won't have any problems, and they only overpopulate when it's in a planted tank IMO, and I doubt that a "noob" would keep so many live plants without doing basic research.
Clown Loaches should be number two, with ID's and Pacus somewhere else on the list. Saltwater fish in gennerally should've been number one. I know that they aren't technically a community tank, but every other newbie to the hobby wants or tries to make a saltwater tank, and ends up failing and becoming frustrated and gennerally quitting the hobby.
Clown Loaches should be number two, with ID's and Pacus somewhere else on the list. Saltwater fish in gennerally should've been number one. I know that they aren't technically a community tank, but every other newbie to the hobby wants or tries to make a saltwater tank, and ends up failing and becoming frustrated and gennerally quitting the hobby.
That list kind of makes me want to start a tank with some angels, a gold nugget pleco, a group of pictus and may be a golden wonder killifish 
However I do understand the intent of the list. While I would put my hypothetical community in a 75 gallon tank. They would be a disaster in a 20 gallon high kept by a novice.
However I do understand the intent of the list. While I would put my hypothetical community in a 75 gallon tank. They would be a disaster in a 20 gallon high kept by a novice.
It's not meant to be a "bad for beginners" list - just debunking certain fish as community fish. I think it's sort of implied, also, that "community tank" means freshwater.
the information is aimed at the begginner, anyone else should know not to mix bettas with flashy fish.
I also looks like they tried to take fish that might be labelled "community fish". How else do explain a list that does not include iridescent sharks, oscars and pacus.
