Fish and Invert Temperment chart

[lReef lKeeper]

General Fish and Critter Temperments

Which fish get along ?? Below is a compilation from carious sources to aid you in selecting fish that are likely to get along. In addition, the three following rules will usually apply:

*1. Any fish that will fit into another fish's mouth usually ends up there.
*2. The less related any two fish are, the more likely they will get along.
*3. The less two fish resemble one another, the more likely they will get along.

Table Keys;

* a. PEACEFUL - not commonly known to bother other fish.
* b. SPIRITED - normally peaceful, but may chase slow species.
* c. MILDLY AGGRESSIVE - should not be kept with slow or timid species.
* d. AGGRESSIVE - should be kept with larger, active fish.
* e. TERRITORIAL - attempts to drive away fish of the same or related species and even unrelated fish with similar shape or colors.
* f. PUGNACIOUS - not acceptable in community tanks.
* g. VULNERABLE - likely to be harassed, picked on, or fin nipped by other fish, sometimes even by otherwise peaceful fish.
* h. CHANGEABLE - may be mixed with other fish when young, but may become more aggressive when older, and may eat smaller fish.
* i. HARDY - tolerant of various water conditions and not commonly affected by hard to treat diseases.
* j. MODERATELY HARDY - a good specimen for a healthy aquarium.
* k. TOUCHY - sensitive to water quality or disease prone.
* l. SUBJECT TO "ICH" - particularly sensitive to this common but treatable parasite.
* m. FAST GROWTH - may become much larger than purchased size.
* n. HERBIVOROUS - need additional vegetable matter in the diet.
* o. CARNIVOROUS - eats primarily "meaty" type foods, including brine shrimp, plankton or fish of suitable size.
* p. EATS SESSILE INVERTEBRATES - feeds on or kills anemones, live corals, sponges, feather dusters or live rocks.
* q. EATS MOTILE INVERTEBRATES - feeds on or kills shrimp, crabs or starfish.
* r. SPECIAL FOOD - may require a special diet to remain healthy.
* s. FILTER FEEDER - requires liquefied foods.

Angels
annularis = b,e,k,n,p,r
bicolor = a,e,k,n
black or french = b,e,h,j,m,n,p
blue or queen = b,e,h,j,m,n,p
blue face = a,e,j,n,p
blue girdled = a,e,j,n,p
coral beauty = a,e,j,n
flagfin = a,e,k,n,p
flame = a,e,j,n
flameback = a,e,j,n
imperator = a,e,h,k,l,n,p
koran = b,e,j,n,p
lemon peel = a,e,k,n
passer's = d,e,h,i,n,p
potter's = a,e,j,n
regal = a,g,k,n,p,r
rock beauty = a,e,h,k,l,n,p,r
tibicen =a,e,j,n
yellow = a,e,j,n

Angler
common = a,g,i,m.o,q,r

Anthias
purple queen = a,g,i,o
pink square = a,j,o
Basslet
harlequin = a,i,o,q
royal gramma = a,e,i,o

Batfish
orbicularis = b,e,g,h,i,m,p
pinnatus = a,e,g,j,k,p
teira = b,e,g,h,i,m,p

Blenny
misc. = c,e,i,o
scooter = a,i,o,r

Butterfly
auruiga = a,e,j,o,p
black back = a,e,j,o,p
blue spot = a,e,k,o,p,r
blue stripe = a,e,j,o,p
copperband = a,e,k,o,p,r
punctato = a,e,j,o,p
falcula = a,e,j,o,p
foureye = a,e,j,o,p
fourspot = a,e,j,f,o,p
heniochus = a,e,g,j,o,p
latticed = a,e,j,o,p
longnose = a,e,j,o,p
melon = a,e,k,o,p,r
mertense = a,e,j,o,p
ornate = a,e,k,o,p,r
pakistan = a,e,k,o,p,r
pearlscale = a,e,j,o,p
pelewenses = a,e,j,o,p
racoon = a,e,j,o,p
saddleback = a,e,j,o,p
teardrop = a,e,j,o,p
triangle = a,e,k,o,p,r
vagabond = a,e,j,o,p
zoster = a,e,j,o,p

Cardinal
spotted = b,e,i,o

Clown
maroon = c,e,i
melanopus = c,e,i
percula = a,e,j
sebae = a,e,i
tomato = b,e,i

Damsel
blue = b,e,i
green chromis = a,g,j
three spot = b,e,i
2,3, or 4 stripe = b,e,i
yellow = c,e,i
yellowtail blue = b,e,i

Drumfish
high hat = c,i,p
jack knife = a,g,j,p

Eels
asst. moray = b,h,i,o,q
ribbon = a,k,o,q,r,s?

Filefish
fantail = b,j,o,p,r
orange spot = a,k,o,p,r

Goatfish
asst. = b,e,i,m,p,q

Goby
bar = a,e,i,o
catalina = a,j,o
clown = a,i,o
mandarin = a,e,j,o,r

Grouper
asst. = d,e,h,i,m,o,q
sea betta = a,e,g,i,o,q

Hawk
flame = b,e,i,o,q
longnose = a,e,j,o,q
spotted = b,e,i,o,q

Hogfish
asst. = a,h,i,o,p,q

Lionfish
dwarf = a,h,j,m,o,q,r
fu man chu = a,h,j,m,o,q,r
volitans = a,h,j,m,o,q,r

Moorish Idol
idol = a,g,k,o,p,r

Parrot
bicolor = a,e,j,o,p,q

Porkfish
all = b,j,p,q

Pseudochromis
all = b,e,i,o

Rabbitfish
foxface = a,e,i,p

Ray
asst. = a,g,j,o,p,q,r
blue dot = a,g,k,o,p,q,r

Seahorse
all = a,g,k,o,r

Shark
leopard = d,h,j,,o,q,r
nurse = d,h,i,m,o,q,r

Snapper
red emperor = c,e,h,i,m,o,q

Sweetlips
spotted = b,e,h,k,m,o,q,r
striped = b,e,g,h,k,o,q,r

Squirrel
all = a,i,o,q

Tang
achilles = b,e,g,k,n,p
blue (Atl.) = c,e,h,i,m,n
blue (Pac.) = a,e,j,l,n
chevron = b,e,g,j,n
clown = b,e,g,j,n
convict = b,e,g,j,n
naso = a,e,g,j,n
powder blue = b,e,j,n
powder brown = b,e,j,n
sailfin = c,e,i,m,n
yellow eye = e,i.,n

Trigger
clown = d,e,h,j,m,o,p,q
picasso = c,e,h,i,m,o,p,q
niger = c,e,h,i,m,o,p,q
undulated = f,h,i,m,o,p,q

Wrasse
bird = b,e,j,o
cleaner = a,e,k,r
coris = a,j,o
tusk = c,e,h,i,o

Invertebrates

Anemone
Atlantic = j,o,r,s
carpet = i,o,r,s
long tentacle = i,o,r,s
sebae = i,o,r,s
tube = i,o,q,r,s

Gorgonian
all = k,o,r,s

Crabs
anemone = a,j,o,r,s
arrow = c,e,i,m,o,p,q
hermit = b,h,i,n,o,p,q
horseshoe = a,i,n,o
porcelain = a,j,o,r,s
lightfoot = b,h,i,n,o,p
spider = a,i,n,o,p

Feather Duster
all = a,g,j,r,s

Jellyfish
all = a,j,o,r,s

Lobster
Hawaiian = d,h,i,m,o,p,q
Indian Ocean = b,i,o,p,q

Nudibranch
all = a,k,n,o,p,r

Octopus
all = e,f,h,j,o,p,q,r

Sea Apple
all = a,i,n,p

Sea Fan
all = k,o,r,s

Shell
clam = a,j,r,s
scallop = a,g,j,r,s
cowrie = a,i,n,o,p

Shrimp
coral = b,e,h,i,m,o
camel = a,i,n,o
cleaner = a,i,n,o
fire = a,i,n,o
harlequin = a,j,q,r
mantis = e,f,i,o,q

Sponge
all = a,g,j,r,s

Starfish
African = a,i,o,p
blue = a,k,o,p
brittle = a,i,o,s
chocolate chip = a,i,o,p
serpent = a,i,o,s

Urchin
all = a,j,n,o,p

The information in this guide is based on aquarium literature, and personal experience. Exceptions are always possible, but these guidelines should give a basic understanding of the normal behavior of aquarium specimens. Many factors, including tank size, water quality, available hiding places, and even the order in which specimens are added, can affect compatibility.

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