Bitterling Care Guide

The Bitterling is an attractive and sociable fish that can be a delightful addition to your aquarium. It is moderately hardy and moderately rare, making it a popular choice for aquarists who enjoy keeping less common species. Their vibrant appearance is complemented by a peaceful demeanor, making them suitable for community tanks.

Tank Setup

Bitterlings prefer tanks that can accommodate various parts of their habitat, as they are comfortable in different levels of the water column, including the surface, mid-tank, and bottom areas. To ensure that your Bitterlings thrive, a minimum of 30 liters of water per fish is recommended, with a school size of at least six to keep them comfortable. The ideal water parameters for keeping Bitterlings are a pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.0 and a temperature range of 10°C to 18°C. Due to their slightly more specific needs, this care process is considered moderately challenging.

Feeding

Bitterlings are omnivorous and have a varied diet. It's important to offer a mix of flake foods and pellets along with a selection of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, daphnia, and micro worms. Supplementing their diet with vegetable matter, algae wafers, and color-enhancing foods will ensure their nutritional needs are met while promoting vibrant coloring. Freeze-dried foods, especially feeder fish, can be used as occasional treats, while stick-on tablets can add variety to feeding times.

Social and Behavioral Characteristics

Bitterlings are social by nature and thrive in groups. They are very peaceful, making them ideal companions for other non-aggressive fish in a community tank setting. While they exhibit moderately territorial behavior, their territoriality is generally manageable. During breeding, these fish might become slightly more aggressive, but this behavior is not typically problematic.

Maintenance

Classification of the Bitterling specifies a low maintenance level, which means that although their care requires attention, it does not demand intensive time investment. Regular water changes, proper filtration, and monitoring of water conditions are necessary to maintain their habitat's quality. Adopting these measures ensures that Bitterlings live in a healthy and balanced environment.

By providing an appropriate tank setup, a balanced diet, and a social environment, you can enjoy the beauty and tranquility that Bitterlings bring to your aquarium.