The 10 Worst Aquarium Fishs
- Jan 20, 2025
- Anshika Mishra
- 6 0 0
Here is the list of the top 10 worst aquarium fishes for reef hobbyists:
Gulper Catfish
This gigantic fish can reach up to 12-14 inches in size, and from that alone, you better believe you'll need a large aquarium. It's not their size that is the problem. Plenty of fish grow to this size and do just fine in a 4-foot aquarium.
But the problem is that their mouth and appetite are insane. This fish is called Gulper fish for a reason. They can eat fish twice their size. That's why they are best kept alone or with fishes way bigger than them.
It's also difficult for them to set up a tank. Since they are scale-less and susceptible to injury if you have anything edged or share decor. If they get sick, you have to be cautious about what medication you use not to poison your catfish.
Mollies and Swordtails
While they have a striking color variety, they are not recommended. They are eye-catching but can also be super temperamental. They require hardware conditions that usually don't work for other tropical fishes.
Swordtails, while a cool-sounding fish species are heavy breeders. If left unchecked, they can breed 50 fry per spawning, which will quickly overpopulate the tank. So have a large tank if you want to keep them.
Pirhanas
If you want to keep a school of these fish, you better have a huge tank. They need their space to swim. A lot of fish keepers are drawn to the idea of owning them. However, the reality is often a bit of a letdown since these fishes aren't exactly the life of the party.
They are very bland. Plus, they will eat other fish in the tank.
Chinese Algae Eater
These fishes don't eat algae. This false impression is due to their sucker mouth. It just helps them stay stationary in flooded rivers and fast-moving waters. They are semi-aggressive and usually aggressive towards their kind.
They are also competitive and territorial. So, if you don't want the dram, ditch these fishes.
Flowerhorns
Flowerhorns need a 75-gallon tank just for one fish. They are also very aggressive. The best you can do is keep them in a pair. If you have a mated pair, ensure plenty of hiding space for the female.
Convict Cichlids
While these fishes grow only 4-6 inches. They can reproduce as much as livebearers. If you have got a pair, not only will they harass and murder all your fish while breeding, but they will also fill your tank with lots of babies.
Arowanas
Arowanas are space takers. Even the smaller one spans a few feet long, and with that, there is the need for a bigger tank. Plus, it's tough to find a tankmate for these fish, as anything smaller than that or that fits into their mouth is just food.
These are also known for their jumpy personality. So you need a huge, tight-lid tank.
Fancy Goldfish
Goldfish are the stereotypical species to keep in a tank. But getting the fancy ones requires absolute cleanliness. They might be very good-looking in the tank, but they are quite messy in their faces. Other goldfishes way overbreed or have features that give them delicate parts.
Large Plecos
Having a large Pleco will require a large tank and care. You have to start with a 75-gallon tank; as they grow, you'll have to upgrade to 180-gallon ones and up. With fish this large, you need better equipment, like a powerful filter, and you need to regularly change the tank water to maintain the desired parameters of the Pleco.
They prefer water similar to tropical habitats. So, it's essential to have a water heater. They are often known as janitor fishes.
Hatchet Fish
The Hatchet fish is known for their light-producing organs. These are mainly to avoid nearby predators, which might sound good, but you would rather not keep this fish. They can't always be schooled with their kind.
Moreover, these fishes will like to jump out of their tank, so you will need a tight lid for this species. They are surface dwellers, so you must be vigilant about how they move around. It's challenging to keep them alive.
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