🐠 Species-Specific Sensitivities

🔒 15+ Sensitive Aquarium Species

These species require special care due to their sensitivity to water parameters, metals, or tank mates. Below you'll find ideal water conditions, rescue tips, and compatibility hacks to help them thrive.

🐠 Betta Fish
Water Params: pH 6.5–7.5 | Temp: 78–80°F | Low Flow
Rescue Tips:
  • Use Indian almond leaves to soothe stressed bettas
  • Check for fin rot in low-quality setups
Compatibility Hacks:
  • No long-finned tank mates
  • Great with snails, not other bettas
🌈 Neon Tetras
Water Params: pH 6.0–7.0 | Temp: 72–76°F | Soft Water
Rescue Tips:
  • Watch for "neon tetra disease"
  • Use a gentle drip acclimation when introducing
Compatibility Hacks:
  • Best in schools of 6+ with peaceful tankmates
🍤 Cherry Shrimp
Water Params: pH 6.5–7.5 | Temp: 70–78°F | No Copper
Rescue Tips:
  • Never use copper-based meds in shrimp tanks
  • Provide plenty of moss and hiding spots
Compatibility Hacks:
  • Keep with nano fish like ember tetras
  • Separate breeding tank = more babies
🐌 Mystery Snails
Water Params: pH 7.0–8.0 | Temp: 68–82°F | No Copper
Rescue Tips:
  • Cracked shells? Add crushed coral for calcium
  • Feed blanched veggies and algae wafers
Compatibility Hacks:
  • Avoid loaches — they nip!
  • Great cleanup crew in peaceful tanks

Other Sensitive Species to Know:

  • Otocinclus Catfish – need mature tanks, very sensitive to ammonia
  • Discus – require pristine water and stable temperature
  • Amano Shrimp – like cherry shrimp, sensitive to copper and nitrate spikes
  • Clown Loaches – do poorly in small tanks or fluctuating pH
  • German Blue Rams – temperature and stress-sensitive
  • Crystal Red Shrimp – ultra-sensitive to TDS and GH/KH shifts
  • Kuhli Loaches – need hiding spots and stable water
  • Pencilfish – hate strong flow, prefer soft, blackwater
  • Hatchetfish – jumpers, stressed by poor water flow or tank mates
  • Pygmy Corydoras – small but sensitive to nitrates

Always quarantine new additions, test your water weekly, and avoid sudden changes in temperature or pH when caring for these sensitive species.

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What is Aquariums For Beginners?

Aquariums For Beginners is a blog and online community focused on everything Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums. We write articles tailored to beginner aquarists about compatible fish,plants, and other important topics we believe are most critical to keeping a healthy tank. Our Facebook group is one of the largest in the world, with thousands of posts and comments each week discussing best practices, sharing experiences, and plenty of Q&A!

As Florida residents, we have plenty of experience keeping both Tropical Freshwater and Reef Aquariums. We’re avid aquarists, fishermen, scuba divers, and spear fishers living on the West Coast of the state.

Join the Aquariums For Beginners Facebook Group to get to know us and join the discussion on everything Fish!

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Who we are?

My name is Will. I’m the founder of Aquariums for Beginners – it’s great to meet you.

I started this blog to go along with the Facebook group to provide additional resources to beginner aquarists. We cover freshwater and saltwater fish species: from basic care to breeding, as well invertebrates, plants, diseases, and other relevant topics that will help you keep your aquarium in tip top shape.

If there’s any specific topics that you’d like us to cover or have questions, feel free to reach out over email or in the Facebook group.

Happy fishkeeping!

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