Aquatic Species Monitoring Library

This ten-profile library separates species-specific sources, broad freshwater handling ranges and environmental habitat information. Only a species- and life-stage-specific source should be used to set animal-care alarms.

Ten-profile data matrix

Profile Environment Source-backed numeric context Monitor and missing-test checklist
Betta Tropical freshwater, calm flow UF/IFAS notes that an unheated container should be in room air no lower than 22 C; this is not presented as a complete preferred water range Monitor water temperature and pH; separately test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and dissolved oxygen as required
Goldfish Temperate freshwater SRAC: optimum temperature about 18-24 C; pH near 7; dissolved oxygen at least 5 mg/L; unionized ammonia and nitrite below 0.05 mg/L Rovynel can trend pH and temperature; DO, ammonia and nitrite require separate tests
Guppy Tropical freshwater No species-specific numeric source approved in this release; general freshwater handling ranges are not an alarm target Temperature, pH and TDS/EC trend plus separate ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, hardness, alkalinity and DO tests
Neon tetra Tropical freshwater No species-specific numeric source approved in this release Temperature and pH plus separate nitrogen-cycle, hardness, alkalinity and DO tests
Discus Warm freshwater No single range is asserted because life stage, source population and breeding goals materially change targets Temperature, pH and TDS/EC trend plus separate nitrogen-cycle, alkalinity, hardness and DO tests
African cichlid Freshwater; lake and species group required No universal “African cichlid” range is asserted Temperature, pH and TDS/EC trend plus lake-specific hardness/alkalinity and nitrogen-cycle tests
Koi Temperate freshwater pond SRAC: optimum temperature about 18-24 C; pH near 7; DO at least 5 mg/L; unionized ammonia and nitrite below 0.05 mg/L Rovynel can trend pH, temperature and contextual ORP; DO, ammonia and nitrite require separate tests
Cherry shrimp Freshwater invertebrate No species-specific numeric source approved in this release; TDS alone does not describe mineral balance Temperature, pH and TDS/EC trend plus separate ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, GH/KH and mineral-profile checks
Clownfish Tropical marine No clownfish-specific alarm range is asserted from the approved source set Temperature, pH, salinity and specific gravity plus separate ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, alkalinity and DO tests
Reef-building coral Shallow tropical marine reef NOAA: many grow optimally at 23-29 C and require salinity about 32-42 ppt; coral species and aquarium husbandry require narrower validated targets Temperature, pH, salinity and SG plus alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nutrients, flow, light and DO as appropriate

General freshwater context - not a species target

UF/IFAS transport guidance gives broad “good” freshwater ranges of pH 6.5-9.5 and dissolved oxygen 5-15 ppm while explicitly noting species dependence. These values are useful for recognizing that pH and oxygen matter, but they are too broad to serve as a guppy, tetra, discus, cichlid or shrimp alarm profile.

Warning and action rules

  • Animal stress, gasping or mortality: immediately evaluate temperature, dissolved oxygen, total ammonia, pH and nitrite; contact an aquatic veterinarian or qualified fish-health professional.
  • Rapid pH or temperature change: investigate the system and acclimation process; stability and change rate can matter as much as a single value.
  • Marine salinity change: confirm units, temperature compensation and a maintained marine reference method before correction.
  • ORP change: use as context only; ORP does not identify the chemical cause or replace disinfection, ammonia, nitrite or DO tests.
  • Never release aquarium animals: use responsible rehoming or disposal guidance.

Profile governance

Each future numeric profile must name the scientific species, source population if relevant, life stage, freshwater/marine/brackish system, acclimation method, recommended range, warning range, action threshold, reference method, source, reviewer and next review date.

Sources

Database version 2.0. Reviewed August 1, 2026. Open fields are a deliberate technical-control measure, not an invitation to copy unsourced hobby ranges.