Single & pair fish

Slightly less sociable: the single and pair fish

Some fish species do not live in groups or schools, but are either solitary or form permanent pairs.

“Uninvited roommates” in the form of additional members of the same species often lead to chases, which not only cause enormous stress, but also often end outside the aquarium.

However, for most fish in this category, this does not mean that they have to be kept completely alone in the aquarium. In many cases – even with single fish – it is possible to live harmoniously with other fish species or invertebrates.

• Single fish: It is best to only put a single individual of these fish species in the aquarium. Normally, this category includes those fish that have a high potential for aggression, often view the entire aquarium as their territory and do not tolerate other members of their species in it. The classic fish for which it is recommended to keep a single animal per aquarium include the male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). They see other males of their species as competition and, in the worst case, fight them to the death. Females who are unwilling to mate are also rarely tolerated and hunted.
• Pair fish: these fish naturally live in pairs and are therefore best kept in pairs. As a couple, they often defend their territory together and raise their offspring. If the aquarium is large enough, in many cases several pairs can be kept. The pair fish include dwarf and ram cichlids of the genus Apistogramma or Microgeophagus or dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia).