Here are the water quality reference ranges for the most common types of pet fish. Click here to find water quality requirements for more exotic fish species.
| Parameter | Range |
| Ammonia | ≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm) |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/L |
| Nitrate | < 20 mg/L |
| pH | 6.5-9.0 |
| kH (alkalinity) | > 100 mg/L |
| gH (hardness) | > 100 mg/L |
| Temperature | 32-85F (0-29C) |
| Parameter | Range |
| Ammonia | ≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm) |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/L |
| Nitrate | < 20 mg/L |
| pH | 6.5-9.0 |
| kH (alkalinity) | > 100 mg/L |
| gH (hardness) | > 100 mg/L |
| Temperature | 32-85F (0-29C) |
| Parameter | Range |
| Ammonia | ≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm) |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/L |
| Nitrate | < 20 mg/L |
| pH | 7.0-8.5 |
| kH (alkalinity) | > 100 mg/L |
| gH (hardness) | > 100 mg/L |
| Temperature | 78-82F (25-28C) |
General Tropicals
| Parameter | Range |
| Ammonia | ≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm) |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/L |
| Nitrate | < 20 mg/L |
| pH | 7.0-8.5 |
| kH (alkalinity) | > 100 mg/L |
| gH (hardness) | > 100 mg/L |
| Temperature | 78-82F (25-28C) |
Please keep in mind these are general guidelines – not all fish read the book!
