Small Animal Clinical Sciences Freshwater Tank

Natural History: Mollies inhabit slow-moving rivers throughout North and South America. They come in a wide variety of colors, mostly as a result of breeding in the aquarium industry. Female mollies are usually larger than males! Mollies are also livebearers, meaning the female will give birth to free-swimming fry. 

Diet: Like Silver Dollars, mollies also consume mostly plant matter but will eat high protein foods. 

Lifespan: Between 3-5 years.

Behavior: Mollies are peaceful shoaling fish who do best in groups. You may see them swimming either by themselves or with another member of their species. 

Natural History: Panda Corydoras are a species of catfish that can be found in the Ucayali River system in South America. Originally from Peru, the species was first identified in 1968 and later introduced into the aquarium hobby. Panda Corydoras prefer blackwater conditions that are created by tannins in the water.

Diet: They are omnivorous scavengers that dwell on the bottom of the tank. They enjoy a variety of different foods and are most active at night! 

Lifespan: They can live up to 10 years!

Behavior: Panda Corydoras are very peaceful fish who prefer to hang out with members of their own species. 

Natural History: Ember tetras are indigenous to the Araguaia River Basin in Brazil, but are now commonly found in the aquarium trade. They are beautifully colored, and under proper conditions, can turn bright red.

Diet: They will accept most high-quality flake and pellet foods, and also love frozen varieties.

Lifespan: They can live up to 10 years!

Behavior: Ember tetras are very peaceful fish who prefer to shoal together, but they may be found with the celestial pearl danios in our tank. They tend to stay towards the middle of the water column. 

Natural History: Celestial Pearl Danios were discovered in 2006 and are native to Southeast Asia. They prefer areas of shallow water with dense vegetation. Males tend to be brighter colored.

Diet: Like Ember Tetras, they tend to stay towards the middle of the water column and accept a variety of small flake or pellet foods. They especially love baby brine shrimp!

Lifespan: 3-5 years on average.

Behavior: They tend to stay with their own species due to their shy nature.

Natural History: They originally come from Southeast Asia and are a very popular aquarium fish, due to their eel-like appearance and fascinating behavior.

Diet: They are omnivorous and stay at the bottom of the tank, scavenging for their food. 

Lifespan: 3-5 years

Behavior: Kuhli loaches are a very shy species who mainly come out at night, so they are rarely seen during the day.