7 Different Fish that Live in Warm Water

Perhaps you’ve experimented with a coldwater aquarium and now you want to try something new. Fish that live in warm water require more care, especially when it comes to the temperature of their habitat. Have a read of the following article in order to find out more about these aquatic creatures.

The first thing you need to get is a specific aquarium that can withstand temperatures that are higher than normal. The water should always be between 75 and 82 degrees, which you can control by installing a special thermostat. This way, you can be sure that the water in your tank always maintains the same approximate temperature.

Another factor that you need to take into account is that some warm water fish don’t get along very well with others. This may have to do with territory, food, or even reproductive matters. And it goes without saying that you should never put a tropical fish with a coldwater fish as their needs are the complete opposite.

Fish that live in warm water: Which ones to choose?

Pay good attention to the characteristics of the following warm water fish if you’re interested in putting together a beautiful aquarium:

1. Clownfish

These days, many associate the clownfish with the popular children’s Disney movie Finding Nemo. With bright vertical stripes of black, orange, and white, these fish grow to be up to 4.3 inches long.

Clownfish have a calm nature, can live for up to 10 years, and reproduce easily. They need a tank that can hold at least 52 gallons, with warm salt water (about 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit). What’s more, they need plants that emulate their natural habitat so that they can swim among them.

2. Kissing gourami

The kissing gourami is a river-dwelling fish that, given the shape of its lips, always seems to be in the mood for a kiss. You can find this species in Thailand and Malaysia, more specifically in slow-running or stagnant bodies of water. They live in waters with plenty of vegetation and temperatures between 71 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Kissing gouramis are ivory in color and need a tank that measures at least 59 inches.

3. The blue tang

This beautiful fish is round in shape with vibrant colors that will bring life to your warm water fish tank. This species has a number of common names, including the blue surgeonfish, because of the sharp spines at the base of its tail. It grows to measure up to about 8 inches long, lives for some 15 years, and can be somewhat aggressive.

If you want to have blue tang in your fish tank, it will need to contain warm salt water (between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit). What’s more, it will need to have a capacity of at least 158 gallons.

4. The Oscar

This South American fish is slow-growing and, therefore, becoming more and more popular for fish tanks. They are dark in color, with orange spots and, in the wild, can grow to measure up to 3 feet long. Oscars are particularly intelligent, as they are able to associate their owners. In fact, they can even distinguish between people they know and strangers.

If you want an Oscar in your tank, make sure it can hold at least 105 gallons. Also, keep the temperature of your water between 72 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Butterflyfishes

These beautiful fish can be somewhat delicate to take care of… But, at the same time, they are an agile and colorful addition to your fish tank. Butterflyfishes usually live in coral reefs, so you’ll need to use decorations in your tank that simulate this environment. Also, make sure to fill your aquarium with saltwater between the temperatures of 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Esthetically, their main feature is that they have a spot in the shape of an eye near their tails. They use this characteristic to distract predators. As for the rest of their body, it’s yellow in color. These fish have a life expectancy of 4 years, grow to be up to 8 inches long, and are aggressive towards their own species.

6. Angelfish

Angelfish are the most popular warm mater choice among aquarium lovers. In nature, this aquatic species can be found in the Amazon river, swamps, and sunken land with dense vegetation combined with clear water. Angelfish form schools and can be quite territorial, meaning they may attack other fish. In adulthood, they eat small fish that fit in their mouths, including their own young.

7. Discus

Last on our list of fish that live in warm mater is the Discus, a fish suitable for expert aquarium keepers. That’s because this species can be very expensive and also requires a great deal of care. So, while they have the potential to be the prettiest fish in your tank, it’s best for beginners to hold off before bringing a discus home.

If given the proper care and maintenance, the discus can grow to be 6 inches long and live for 12 years. For that to happen, the discus needs a 55-gallon fish tank with warm freshwater (around 82 degrees Fahrenheit).