Dither fish
Encyclopedia
The term dither fish refers to an arbitrary group of aquarium fish used by cichlid
keeping aquarists to reduce innate timidity in some species of cichlids (Barlow, 1967). Dither fish swim around the top of a tank and this behavior lets shier fish know that there are no predators around and allows them to relax and venture out more. The technique relies on the ability of cichlids in an aquarium to use the behaviour of other fish species as a measure of environmental security (Loiselle, 1979). Good dither fish are typically schooling species such as some Danio
species, barbs and some tetra
species.
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
keeping aquarists to reduce innate timidity in some species of cichlids (Barlow, 1967). Dither fish swim around the top of a tank and this behavior lets shier fish know that there are no predators around and allows them to relax and venture out more. The technique relies on the ability of cichlids in an aquarium to use the behaviour of other fish species as a measure of environmental security (Loiselle, 1979). Good dither fish are typically schooling species such as some Danio
Danio
The Danio genus comprises many of the species of danionins familiar to aquarists. The common name "danio" is used for members of the genera Danio and Devario.-Taxonomy:...
species, barbs and some tetra
Tetra
thumb|right|250px|Pristella tetra — [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|Golden Pristella tetra, a [[morph |morph]] of [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|[[Silvertip tetra]] — Hasemania nana....
species.