10 Popular Aquarium Fish That Are Harder to Keep Alive Than You Think
Some fish, though, may seem built for beginners, but end up being deceptively hard to keep. This list brings to you 10 popular aquarium fish that commonly will have a struggle due to some capacity of genetics, disease susceptibility, ability to adapt to specific water parameters or shipping stress.
Important Note
These challenges can all be drastically reduced if the pet store is independently quarantining their stock and sourcing fish from quality suppliers. While larger box stores and some local pet stores have a number of strict guidelines and standards in place, unfortunately all of those stores don’t always follow them, and sadly sometimes your beloved pets end up sick from it.
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10. Bristlenose Pleco
- Travel Stress: 4/10 (Particularly difficult for small specimens)
- Water Parameter Range: 6/10
- Disease Resistance: 8/10
- Genetics: 8/10
- Total Score: 26/40
Transporting small bristlenose plecos can be deadly, and water parameters that oscillate wildly from the pet shop to the fishkeeper can prove disastrous for these bottom-dwellers. Biologically appropriate upon pet arrival and larger, locally bred plecos do much better.
9. Angelfish
- Travel Stress: 4/10 (Small specimens are particularly affected)
- Water Parameter Range: 7/10
- Disease Resistance: 7/10
- Genetics: 7/10
- Total Score: 25/40
Angelfish are difficult to ship and sensitive to rapid changes in water conditions when they are young. Buying angelfish from a breeder means that you’ll probably get healthier fish, and larger ones have better odds of surviving.
8. Betta Fish
- Travel Stress: 8/10
- Water Parameter Range: 7/10
- Disease Resistance: 6/10
- Genetics: 2/10
- Total Score: 24/40
Though bettas are resilient travelers, many store-bought crosses suffer from poor genetics that can lead to tumors and bacterial infections, cutting their life spans by half.
7. Rummy Nose Tetra
- Travel Stress: 5/10
- Water Parameter Range: 6/10
- Disease Resistance: 3/10
- Genetics: 8/10
- Total Score: 22/40
They are susceptible to ick, especially when they are stressed during shipping. Choose tank-bred individuals and well-quarantined fish from reliable shops.
6. Electric Blue Jack Dempsey
- Travel Stress: 8/10
- Water Parameter Range: 8/10
- Disease Resistance: 3/10
- Genetics: 2/10
- Total Score: 21/40
Even though they’re adaptable, it’s a species that’s prone to genetic defects, particularly as it matures, which can make it a challenge to keep long-term.
5. German Blue Ram
- Travel Stress: 3/10
- Water Parameter Range: 3/10
- Disease Resistance: 7/10
- Genetics: 7/10
- Total Score: 20/40
If not kept in optimal conditions, German Blue Rams are sensitive to both water conditions, and changes in temperature, making them susceptible to stress and health problems.
4. Discus
- Travel Stress: 3/10
- Water Parameter Range: 4/10
- Disease Resistance: 4/10
- Genetics: 8/10
- Total Score: 19/40
Discus fish have strict requirements for water parameters, are prone to stress and disease, and are only for experienced aquarists.
3. Guppy
- Travel Stress: 4/10
- Water Parameter Range: 8/10
- Disease Resistance: 5/10
- Genetics: 2/10
- Total Score: 19/40
Once tough, guppies now suffer from bad genes from overbreeding. The first step, and a creme de la creme type of factor for success, is sourcing from good, reputable breeders.
2. Neon Tetra
- Travel Stress: 2/10
- Water Parameter Range: 5/10
- Disease Resistance: 4/10
- Genetics: 7/10
- Total Score: 18/40
Neons are very sensitive to transport and changes in water chemistry, which often incurs heavy losses over the first few days.
1. Molly
- Travel Stress: 5/10
- Water Parameter Range: 5/10
- Disease Resistance: 3/10
- Genetics: 4/10
- Total Score: 17/40
When you see a molly that is sitting there at the top of the tank, fins are clamped to its side and it’s kind of just shaking back and forth. When you see a molly that is sitting there at the top of the tank, fins are clamped to its side and it’s kind of just shaking back and forth.
FAQ
How long are molly fish pregnant?
→ Around 4-6 weeks.
How long do neon tetras live?
→ 5-8 years with good care.
How many guppies in a 10-gallon tank?
→ 5-6 guppies (1 inch per gallon rule).
Are discus fish aggressive?
→ Generally peaceful, but can be territorial.
How big do German Blue Rams get?
→ Around 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm).
Are Electric Blue Jack Dempseys aggressive?
→ Yes, they are semi-aggressive.
How many Rummy Nose Tetras in a 20-gallon?
→ 10-12, as they need to be in schools.
How long do Betta fish live?
→ 3-5 years, sometimes longer with great care.
How to catch Angelfish in Sims 4?
→ Fish in Magnolia Promenade, Sylvan Glade, or Forgotten Grotto using medium-fishing skill.
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