Group by needs before appearance
Read each fish’s temperature, food and compatibility requirements before sharing a tank. The base water temperature is Temperate. Add a Water Heater for tropical water or a Coldwater Cooler for cold water.
Starting with one species per tank makes incompatible residents easier to avoid. Some predators eat smaller fish, and some species only tolerate their own kind.
Check capacity, filtration and food
| Check | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Add up each fish’s Size, rather than counting only the number of fish. Check the tank panel’s total against its capacity. |
| Water quality | Compare the residents’ combined Messiness with filtration. Feeding facilities can also contribute pollution. |
| Food | Supply Flake Food or Fresh Food as each fish requires; one universal feeder is not a substitute. |
| Maintenance | Confirm a Marine Life Expert can reach and maintain the aquarium. |
Increase or upgrade filtration if water becomes dirty. Do not add more residents until the existing fish have suitable water, enough space and working food provision.
Finish the visitor side
Leave a continuous route around the tank and cover it with information and donation facilities. Put visitor services somewhere reachable.
Read the Buzz Bonus on each fish. One may need a particular plant while another rejects rocks; an attractive tank does not automatically meet either condition. Recheck health, temperature, water quality, capacity and feeding after placing fish. There is no universally verified best tank area in this guide.