Tropical Fish Picture Dictionary

For the marine life enthusiast, working with just fresh and salt water fish may not be enough. After mastering raising the more streamlined varieties of fish, you may be ready to move into the tropical fish arena. However it is crucial to know what kind of fish work together in a tank, what they look like, how big they are, and how to take care of them.

To learn about tropical fish, begin by using a tropical fish picture dictionary.

Determine What the Fish Look Like

A tropical fish picture dictionary will give you an idea of the size of the fish. Seeing the fish can help you determine whether or not you would like to have them in your home. Colors, shapes, and features of tropical fish can vary greatly, so keep this in mind when choosing your fish.

A Source of Basic Information

You may want to find a tropical fish picture dictionary that includes some basic information regarding tropical fish, such as their main source of nutrition and if they have any known enemies. For example, you would naturally want to avoid getting tropical fish that are known predators of the other fish you currently have in your tank.

Do Your Research and Then Get a Specialist

Once you have your list of tropical fish, speak to a specialist. Some species may be classified as exotic, or not permitted for you to keep as pets. Therefore, you want to have a variety on your list to choose from. Always consult an expert regarding proper nutrition, care, and shelter before purchasing any tropical fish.

Other Uses for a Tropical Fish Picture Dictionary

Besides starting your own tropical fish collection, you can use a tropical fish picture dictionary for several other reasons:

• You may want to find a picture of a creature mentioned in a newspaper story.
• You may want to see a clearer picture of a fish you saw on television.
• You could use the photos as reference points for school reports.

Regardless of the reason you need a tropical fish picture dictionary, you will find several available online with different features. Choose the one that best fits your needs.

Online Tropical Fish Picture Dictionaries

There are a variety of websites that contain photos and information on tropical fish. Although they may not be called "tropical fish picture dictionaries, they are excellent at providing you with the information which you will need to select and enjoy your fish. You may want to keep several websites bookmarked for quick reference.

If you are unsure exactly what fish species constitutes the tropical variety, visit a short list of common tropical fish at AquariumFish.net.

Visit the following websites for pictures and information on tropical fish:

• Drs. Foster and Smith's Pet Education.com: View photos of various freshwater species by clicking on the name of the kind you want to learn about. For example, clicking on "Cichlids: African" takes you to a page with a photo and several paragraphs of additional information. Information is given on the varieties, personality, and egg laying habits of each type of fish. Links to articles at the bottom of the description are helpful as well.
• Foster and Smith Aquatics' LiveAquaria.com: Scroll through their species of saltwater and marine fish for tropical types like eels and angelfish. Clicking on "Large Marine Angelfish" will bring up a page with photos of the various species. To learn more, click on the variety you like. A "Quick Stats" box appears on each species page, along with information about diet, temperament, and size.
• Aquatic Technology's The Fish Information Service: Search this extensive database for photos of your favorite tropical fish. Look for photos by searching in marine or freshwater, by Latin or common name, or by type. For example, search by "type" of marine fish, and you get the option to look further by either name or picture. Clicking on "Lionfish by picture" brings you to a page with several photographs. Each photograph can be clicked on to enlarge. Although no additional information is given in the picture dictionary, you can find out more about a particular fish by searching the rest of the website.
• Reef Hot Spot: The Reef Hot Spot website has an extensive variety of tropical fish for sale. The categories are in alphabetical order. Clicking on a type of fish will bring up the subcategories of that fish. Although no additional information is provided, these photographs are clear, crisp, and realistic.
• Badman's Tropical Fish: Scroll down to "The Families" section of this website. From there, click on the family you would like to know more about, such as "Tetras." A large variety of photos then comes up, with information regarding care, traits, behaviors, communities, and water. This website offers a large amount of photos, but the number of advertisements can interfere with readability.
• Popular Freshwater Tropical Fish: Use the Identification Guide to find the tropical fish about which you would like to learn. Search by letter, then click on the photo or name of fish. "Aplocheilus panchax" brings up a large photo of the fish, along with a short informational guide that gives information like food, water temperature, and adult size.

Learning about tropical fish online is made easier by knowing where to find photo and picture dictionaries of the different kinds of fish. Be sure to ask about what fish are compatible with one another before setting up your own tropical fish tank.