Take a different approach to creating a fish tank habitat with a black water fish tank. Freshwater angelfish are among those whose native habitat is South American blackwater streams. These streams have wood and leaves that make the water soft and acidic occur worldwide. While fish from these streams might not live together in nature, they can be part of a blackwater biotope tank. Fish size and temperament is the prime consideration for including a fish in a blackwater community tank. Fish with territorial tendencies may not make the best tank mates for angelfish as they tend to nip their fins.
Fish For A South American Blackwater Community Tank
Angelfish: These cichlids are the common freshwater angelfish.
Discus: These cichlids inhabit the Amazon River Valley. They are a quiet fish, but not recommended in an angelfish community tank.
Dwarf Cichlids: This group of small cichlids can be used as community fish. They like hiding places and can be territorial.
Characins and Tetras: Cardinal, neon, rasbora, black, black skirt, and other tetras show off their colors best in a blackwater tank. Neons and smaller tetras may be eaten.
Hatchet Fish: Hatchet fish are a popular fish good for community blackwater tanks with angelfish.
New World Dwarf Cichlids
These tend to be territorial, but generally peaceful. Some examples are Agassiz, cockatoo, yellow, and blue rams.
Catfish and Plecostomus
Corydoras: These common catfish live in blackwater.
Loricards: This group includes farlowella and sucker mouth, or plecostomus catfish.
Some Asian blackwater fish could be included in the South American tank. These could include kuhli loaches, glass catfish, and licorice, pearl, banded, thick lipped, dwarf, honey dwarf, gouramis.
Bigger tanks are better for a blackwater setup. Blackwater tends to help fish of that biotope spawn. This makes the rams and gouramis more territorial. The bigger tank gives these fish a little more space.