I am a big fan of colourful freshwater fish, and there is such an amazing variety of just about all the colours you can think of!
Here, I am going to look at some of the most striking red tropical fish.
Examples of Red Coloured Tropical Fish Species:
- Cherry Barb
- Red Blonde Guppy
- Red Wag Platy
- Red Betta
- Rummy nose Tetra
- Red Striped Killifish
- Red Peacock Cichlid
Important considerations when buying aquarium fish.
Tank Size.
The size and shape of your aquarium and how many fish you already have always needs to be considered.
You also need to take into account if the fish need a planted tank or not.
Water Temperature.
Different species will thrive in different temperature ranges.
You need to be certain you are not adding fish to your tank that are going to be uncomfortable, and therefore distressed, in the wrong water climate.
Some species of fish can lose their bright colours if they are in the wrong water.
Tank Mates.
Some fish are known as community fish as they are chilled out and peaceful.
Unfortunately, not all fish are like that.
Make sure you check that the fish are good with other species before you introduce them to your tank.
7 Most Striking Red Tropical Fish.
Cherry Barb.
The Cherry Barb is a friendly, if somewhat timid fish that grows to 5cms.
The males tend to be a lot brighter red in colour than the females. It is always best to have a ratio of at least 2 females to 1 male, as the males will constantly bug the females to breed. An aquarium with plants is a good idea here so the females have somewhere to hide.
The Barbs are a shoaling species, so are best kept in groups of at least 5, but The Cherry Barbs don’t form as tight a group as other Barbs do.
Red Blonde Guppy.
I couldn’t write an article like this without including a Guppy!
The Red Blonde Guppy is a stunning fish. Guppies grow to about 5cms and are placid and social guys.
Like the Cherry Barbs, they are best in a ratio of 3 females to 1 male, and in a planted tank for the females to get some peace!
They need a varied diet to keep their lovely colour-especially the red coloured Guppies.
Red Wag Platy.
The Red Wag Platy is an active fish and a sociable species that works well in a community tank.
It’s a slightly larger fish and grows to about 7.5cms. The male tends to be slightly smaller and more colourful than the female.
The Red Wag Platy is better in a larger tank size due to their energetic nature.
Red Betta.
Betta fish are easily the most visually stunning fish I have ever seen.
Their official title is Siamese Fighting Fish, and they are native to South East Asia.
The name might be a bit of a giveaway but they are very territorial. Males can attack each other until one or both of them die.
Bettas are not recommended for a beginner as they don’t get along as easily with other species of fish.
They especially can’t be in a tank with fish that have a similar body shape or long fins as this will cause trouble.
Rummy Nose Tetra.
The Rummy Nose Tetra is a popular fish amongst both beginners and experienced fish keepers.
They grow to about 5cms, and is a schooling fish, so needs to be kept in a group of at least 5 in the fish tank.
Rummy Nose Tetras tend to hang out around the bottom of the tank.
They are very peaceful so are perfect for community tanks.
Red Striped Killifish.
These small but narrow fish grow to between 5cms-6cms.
Killifish come in many stunning colour variations.
They are generally peaceful fish, although the males can get aggressive with one another, rather than with a different species.
You need a lid on your aquarium with Killifish as they like to jump.
Red Peacock Cichlid.
Red Peacock Cichlids are one of the most colourful freshwater fish species in the world.
They are peaceful (unlike some other Cichlids I could mention) and active, so need a large tank so they have space to have a good swim.
The Red Peacock Cichlid is one of the most popular fish for anyone wanting a bright red addition to their tank.
