My boyfriend's sister wants some fish. I suggested tropicals since she could go with a smaller tank and still have plenty of fish to watch, but I don't know much about tropicals myself. I once read here that tropicals are sort of layered- some go on top, some swim in the middle, and some like the bottom. Could someone re-iterate this for me? I want to know what to help her look for to get a nice balanced tank.

She doesn't have a tank yet, but I've explained to her the cycling process. She'll probably end up with a 10 or 20 gallon. I'm not sure how soon she'll get a tank because I suggested to her a glass one but all the stores seem to sell acrylic. Is this normal? (I didn't buy either of the two tanks we have, they were handed down)

There are lots of glass set ups available. I prefer glass, but that is just my personal preference. Also, if your friend can get a 20 gallon tank, that is a nice size for a tropical community.

There are many nice combinations of fish that you can put in a tropical tank. As you mentioned, it is good to put fish in that accommodate all of the levels. Corydoras catfish are nice peaceful bottom dwellers. Peppered and bronze corys are the most hardy and readily available.

I also like harlequin rasboras. They are very pretty and very peaceful fish. They tend to swim mid level. There are lots of nice tetras to pick from, too, and it is really personal preference.

Zebra, pearl and leopard danios are very hardy top dwellers. They should be kept in groups of at least 6. In a group that size, they occupy themselves and don't chase the other occupants of the tank. Other nice top dwellers are white cloud mountain minnows. They also like to be kept in a shoal of around 6.

What I would suggest is that your friend visit the fish shop and see what is available. Perhaps get a few good books out of the library on tropical communities, or do some research on the internet.

I'm sure some of the other will jump in here with there favourite fish suggestions

glass is heavier and cost more. acrylic is lighter and less expensive yet they are easily scratched.

I love black neon tetras Some people say they look too plain for them, but I think that they are beautiful. If cared for, they turn silvery with a thick black horizontal line, and above that is a thin neon colored line, usually a shimmery aqua-white color. My two, Ruby and Rummert have been thru absolutely everything in 6 months and so they are pretty hardy BTW they like groups of at least 5ish and I am getting them some friends soon

Thanks for all the suggestions. I went to show them to her but she's so impatient that her husband built her a pond... and I don't want to get involved in that mess because I'm sure she's already putting fish to death in it

However I can use these because it looks like I'll be moving my pleco to a 20 gallon and he could use some tank mates.