Fish Species Database — AquaMind

Agassiz Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii

One of the most popular and colorful dwarf cichlids, with males displaying vibrant reds, blues, and yellows. Excellent centerpiece fish for planted South American biotope tanks.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Alligator Gar

Atractosteus spatula

Alligator Gar is one of the largest freshwater predators in North America, reaching over 2 meters. Requires pond-scale housing.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Graceful, tall-bodied cichlid. Semi-aggressive when breeding; pairs may defend territory.

Expert💧 freshwater

Arapaima

Arapaima gigas

Arapaima (Hai Tuong Long) is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, reaching over 2 meters. Requires pond-scale or public aquarium housing.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Arc-eye Hawkfish

Paracirrhites arcatus

A colorful hawkfish with a distinctive arc-shaped marking around its eye and red-brown body stripes. Perches on coral heads and may eat small ornamental shrimp.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Asian Arowana

Scleropages formosus

The Asian Arowana, also known as Dragon Fish or Red/Golden Arowana (Huyet Long/Kim Long), is one of the most prized freshwater aquarium fish. A large, powerful predator requiring very large systems.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Asian Snakehead

Channa striata

Hardy predatory fish requiring large setups. Not suitable for community tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Australian Redclaw Crayfish

Cherax quadricarinatus

A large, colorful freshwater crayfish. Hardy and active. Will eat plants and may catch slow fish. Best kept alone or with fast tank mates.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Bala Shark

Balantiocheilos melanopterus

A large, silver schooling fish with black-edged fins. Despite its shark-like appearance, the Bala Shark is a gentle giant requiring spacious quarters.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Banggai Cardinalfish

Pterapogon kauderni

Distinctive black and white cardinalfish. Mouthbrooder.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Bartlett's Anthias

Pseudanthias bartlettorum

A stunning schooling anthias with vibrant orange-pink coloration. Males display a distinctive purple dorsal stripe; best kept in groups in reef aquariums.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Betta Imbellis

Betta imbellis

The Peaceful Betta — a wild-type betta with iridescent green and blue coloration. Unlike Betta splendens, males are generally peaceful with each other. Hardy and beautiful.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Betta Macrostoma

Betta macrostoma

A mouthbrooding betta with a large head and warm orange-red coloration on males. One of the most prized wild bettas. Requires soft, acidic water and pristine conditions.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Bicolor Blenny

Ecsenius bicolor

A small, entertaining blenny with a dark front half and orange-yellow rear. Feeds on algae and is an excellent addition to reef tanks for algae control.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Black Arowana

Osteoglossum ferreirai

A stunning dark-bodied arowana that changes color with maturity. A surface-dwelling predator that needs very tall tanks and a tightly sealed lid.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Black Cap Basslet

Gramma melacara

A gorgeous basslet with a deep purple body and black cap extending from head to dorsal fin. Shy but beautiful, prefers caves and overhangs in reef tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Black Ghost Knifefish

Apteronotus albifrons

A nocturnal fish that uses weak electrical fields to navigate. Its undulating anal fin allows graceful, silent movement in any direction.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Black Moor Goldfish

Carassius auratus

A distinctive fancy goldfish with protruding telescopic eyes and a matte black body. Gentle and slow-moving, best kept with similarly slow tankmates.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

A calm, hardy tetra with a bold neon stripe contrasting a dark body. Ideal for peaceful community tanks.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon megalopterus

A graceful dark tetra with elegant fins; males flare their dorsal in display. Hardy and perfect for peaceful planted tanks.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Black Piranha

Serrasalmus rhombeus

Black Piranha is a large, solitary piranha species. One of the most predatory freshwater fish kept in aquariums.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Hardy tetra with a distinctive black body and flowing fins. Peaceful but may nip fins of slow tankmates.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Blue Acara

Andinoacara pulcher

A striking blue-scaled cichlid that is relatively peaceful for its size, though territorial when breeding. An avid digger, so anchor plants well.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Blue Devil Damselfish

Chrysiptera cyanea

One of the hardiest and most colorful marine fish, with an electric blue body. Extremely tough and adaptable — ideal for cycling new marine tanks. Can be territorial.

Advanced🌊 saltwater

Blue Tang

Paracanthurus hepatus

The iconic "Dory" fish — a vibrant royal blue tang with a black palette marking and yellow tail. Demands large tanks with excellent water quality and strong flow.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Boesemani Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia boesemani

Known for a striking blue-to-orange gradient body. Needs a roomy tank and a group to look its best.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Bolivian Ram

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

A hardy, peaceful dwarf cichlid that sifts sand for food. More tolerant of cooler water and varied chemistry than the Blue Ram.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus

A manageable pleco (up to 13 cm) that eats algae and fits most community tanks. Males grow bristly tentacles.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Bronze Corydoras

Corydoras aeneus

One of the hardiest and most popular catfish for community tanks. Forages the substrate in groups; sand is the ideal substrate.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Bucktooth Parrot

Cichlasoma festivum

Peaceful cichlid with distinctive head shape.

Intermediate🐟 brackish

Bumblebee Goby

Brachygobius doriae

A tiny, charming goby with bold black and yellow banding resembling a bumblebee. Perfect for nano tanks, though they can be shy and prefer brackish or slightly brackish water.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Cardinal Tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Brighter and larger than the neon tetra. Prefers soft, slightly acidic blackwater conditions.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Celestial Pearl Danio

Danio margaritatus

A tiny, stunning fish covered in galaxy-like spots. Shy and needs a planted, dimly lit tank.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Cherry Barb

Puntius titteya

A shy, peaceful barb that shows intense red color when happy. Great for planted aquariums.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Chili Rasbora

Boraras brigittae

Care profile for Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae): 2 cm adult size, 23–27°C, pH 4–7, intermediate difficulty.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Chocolate Gourami

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

A small, shy labyrinth fish with a rich chocolate-brown body and yellow banding. One of the more challenging gouramis, requiring soft, acidic water and calm tankmates.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Clarkii Clownfish

Amphiprion clarkii

One of the most widespread clownfish species, adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Features yellow fins and dark bands, and readily hosts in many anemone species.

Advanced🌊 saltwater

Cleaner Wrasse

Labroides dimidiatus

A specialized parasite-eating wrasse that sets up cleaning stations for other fish. Difficult to keep as it relies on parasites from tankmates for nutrition.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Clown Killifish

Pseudepiplatys annulatus

A stunning nano fish with bold black bands and a vibrant orange-red tail. One of the most colorful killifish, ideal for planted nano tanks and peaceful community setups.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Clown Knifefish

Chitala chitala

A large, silver fish with distinctive spots and an undulating anal fin. A powerful predator that uses weak electrical discharges to navigate and hunt.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Playful, social loach with striking orange-black stripes. Grows to 30 cm and needs a very large group.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Care profile for Clown Pleco (Panaqolus maccus): 10 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 6.5–7.5, beginner difficulty.

Advanced🌊 saltwater

Clown Triggerfish

Balistoides conspicillum

A large, striking triggerfish with bold patterns. Powerful jaws can crush shells. May rearrange decorations and eat tank mates.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides

A colorful dwarf cichlid that forms harem groups. Territorial when breeding; best in a species or biotope tank.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Common Goldfish

Carassius auratus

The classic goldfish. Hardy, peaceful, and one of the most recognized aquarium fish worldwide. Needs more space than commonly assumed.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Common Pleco

Hypostomus plecostomus

Grows much larger than most expect (30+ cm). Needs a very large tank; consider a dwarf species for smaller setups.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Congo Dwarf Cichlid

Nanochromis parilus

A small, colorful West African cichlid with males displaying blue and yellow patterns. Pairs form strong bonds and both parents guard the eggs.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

A large, shimmering tetra with rainbow reflections on mature males. Needs a spacious tank and a shoal to display its best colors.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Convict Cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

A hardy, aggressive cichlid famous for being one of the easiest fish to breed in captivity. Its bold striped pattern and territorial behavior make it a fascinating species for dedicated tanks.

Advanced🌊 saltwater

Copperband Butterflyfish

Chelmon rostratus

A striking butterflyfish with a long snout for picking food from crevices. Beautiful but difficult to keep. May nip at corals.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Coral Beauty Angelfish

Centropyge bispinosa

One of the most affordable and hardy dwarf angelfish, with deep blue and orange-red vertical barring. Semi-reef-safe — may nip at large-polyp stony corals.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Cupido Cichlid

Biotodoma cupido

A small, colorful cichlid with a distinctive dark spot behind the ear and blue-tinged fins. Peaceful and active, suitable for community planted tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Delhezi Bichir

Polypterus delhezi

Delhezi Bichir, also called Armored Bichir, is a popular predatory fish with a distinctive pattern and robust body.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Denison Barb

Sahyadria denisonii

Known as the Roseline Shark, this colorful barb features a distinctive red stripe. An active, peaceful schooling fish for larger community tanks.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Diamond Watchman Goby

Valenciennea puellaris

A beneficial sand-sifting goby that constantly filters sand through its mouth, keeping the substrate clean. Peaceful and excellent for reef aquariums.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Discus

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

The king of the aquarium — demanding stable warm water and high-quality food. Very rewarding for experienced keepers.

Expert💧 freshwater

Dubois’ Tropheus

Tropheus duboisi

Care profile for Dubois’ Tropheus (Tropheus duboisi): 12 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 7.8–8.6, expert difficulty.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Dwarf Chain Loach

Ambastaia sidthimunki

Small peaceful loach that eats snails. Best kept in groups.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Dwarf Gourami

Trichogaster lalius

A small labyrinth fish with beautiful red-blue stripes. Hardy but prone to stress in poor water conditions.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Dwarf Lionfish

Dendrochirus brachypterus

A smaller, more manageable lionfish with venomous spines. Striking appearance with flowing fins. May eat small fish and shrimp.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia praecox

A vivid blue-and-red rainbowfish that stays small. Active open-water swimmer — needs a longer tank and a shoal of at least 8.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Dwarf Pencilfish

Nannostomus marginatus

One of the smallest pencilfish. Peaceful nano species for soft, acidic planted tanks. Best kept in schools.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Dwarf Snakehead

Channa barca

A small but striking snakehead with blue-green markings. Air-breathing predator that needs a secure lid and species-only tank.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Eartheater Cichlid

Geophagus altifrons

A large, elegant South American cichlid that sifts substrate through its gills to find food. Peaceful for a cichlid, requiring sandy substrate and spacious tanks.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Electric Yellow Cichlid

Labidochromis caeruleus

The famous yellow 'Yellow Lab' from Lake Malawi. One of the most peaceful mbuna; keep one male with several females.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Elephantnose Fish

Gnathonemus petersii

A unique, dark brown fish with an elongated snout used to probe substrate for food. Uses weak electrical fields to navigate and communicate in murky water.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon amandae

A tiny, glowing orange tetra that adds brilliant color to nano and planted tanks. Peaceful and hardy, best kept in a group of 8 or more.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Emerald Betta

Betta smaragdina

Care profile for Emerald Betta (Betta smaragdina): 7 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 6–7.5, beginner difficulty.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Celestichthys erythromicron

Not a true rasbora but a small danio from the cool, alkaline waters of Lake Inle. Unusual for a nano fish: it needs neutral-to-alkaline water.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Emperor Angelfish

Pomacanthus imperator

Emperor Angelfish is one of the most iconic marine aquarium fish with striking adult coloration. juveniles look completely different with blue and white spirals.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Emperor Snakehead

Channa marulioides

Emperor Snakehead is one of the largest and most impressive snakehead species, prized by advanced predatory fish keepers.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon palmeri

A striking tetra with an extended, three-pronged tail in males. Males establish mild territories, so a roomy, planted tank suits them best.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Endler's Livebearer

Poecilia wingei

A tiny, dazzling livebearer closely related to the guppy. Avoid keeping it with guppies, as the two species hybridize freely.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Endlicheri Bichir

Polypterus endlicheri

Endlicheri Bichir is one of the larger bichir species, a powerful predator requiring spacious aquariums.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Fancy Goldfish

Carassius auratus

Coldwater classic. Fancy varieties need more space and better filtration than common goldfish — 150 L+ for a single adult.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Fantail Goldfish

Carassius auratus

A popular fancy goldfish variety with a distinctive double tail. Graceful swimmer that needs clean, cool water.

Intermediate🐟 brackish

Figure-8 Puffer

Tetraodon biocellatus

A charming brackish puffer with distinctive markings. Needs hard-shelled foods to wear down its beak-like teeth; excellent personality for its size.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Firefish Goby

Nemateleotris magnifica

A slender goby with a gradient from white to bright orange-red on the tail, and a distinctive elongated dorsal fin filament. Peaceful and hardy, perfect for nano reef tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Firehead Tetra

Hemigrammus bleheri

Often confused with the Rummy Nose Tetra, this species features a bright red head and striking black-and-white striped tail. A beautiful schooling fish for planted community tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Firemouth Cichlid

Thorichthys meeki

Named for the fiery red throat it flares during display. Robust and adaptable, but an avid digger — use sand and anchored decor.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Flame Angelfish

Centropyge loricula

Care profile for Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula): 12 cm adult size, 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4, intermediate difficulty.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Flamehawkfish

Neocirrhites armatus

Colorful hawkfish. Perches on rocks. May eat small shrimp.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Flasher Wrasse

Paracheilinus filamentosus

A dazzling wrasse known for its rapid fin-flashing display during courtship. Males display brilliant orange and blue colors, making them a reef tank showpiece.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Foxface Rabbitfish

Siganus vulpinus

Excellent algae eater. Venomous dorsal spines.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Freshwater Stingray

Potamotrygon motoro

A fascinating bottom-dwelling ray from South American rivers. Requires a sandy substrate and excellent water quality; venomous barb on its tail.

Advanced🌊 saltwater

Frogfish

Antennarius striatus

Frogfish are masters of camouflage among marine aquarium fish. They use a lure to attract prey and can engulf fish nearly their own size.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Frontosa Cichlid

Cyphotilapia frontosa

A majestic, slow-growing cichlid from Lake Tanganyika with bold black-and-white vertical stripes and a distinctive nuchal hump. One of the most iconic African cichlids.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

German Blue Ram

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

Care profile for German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi): 6 cm adult size, 26–29°C, pH 5.5–7, intermediate difficulty.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Giant Danio

Devario aequipinnatus

A large, fast-swimming schooling fish with iridescent blue stripes. Hardy and active, making it an excellent choice for beginner community setups.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus vitreolus

A truly transparent catfish that is shy unless kept in a group of 6 or more. Needs gentle flow and a dimly lit, mature tank.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Golden Pencilfish

Nannostomus beckfordi

Care profile for Golden Pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi): 6 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 5.5–7.5, intermediate difficulty.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Golden Wonder Killifish

Aplocheilus lineatus

A surface-hunting killifish with golden flanks and red fins. Not annual, quite hardy, but will eat any fish small enough to fit its mouth.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Green Chromis

Chromis viridis

A peaceful, schooling damselfish that adds shimmering movement to a reef tank.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Green Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon simulans

A smaller, more iridescent relative of the Neon Tetra with a brilliant green-blue horizontal stripe. Peaceful nano fish for soft, acidic planted tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Beautiful South American cichlid with golden-green coloration.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Guppy

Poecilia reticulata

Colorful, active livebearer that is extremely easy to breed. Tolerates a wide range of water conditions.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Halfbeak

Dermogenys pusilla

A slender surface-dwelling fish with an elongated lower jaw. Hardy and fascinating to observe, though males can be territorial with each other.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma heteromorpha

A peaceful, hardy schooling fish with a distinctive black triangle marking. Ideal for planted community tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Hatchetfish

Gasteropelecus sternicla

A surface-dwelling fish with a distinctive hatchet-shaped body. Can leap from the water to catch insects. Needs a tight-fitting lid.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Hillstream Loach

Sewellia lineolata

A unique bottom-dwelling fish with a flattened body shaped like a suction cup, adapted to cling to rocks in fast-moving streams. Fascinating to watch and excellent algae grazers.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Honey Gourami

Trichogaster chuna

Care profile for Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna): 5 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 6–7.5, beginner difficulty.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Iridescent Shark

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

A massive schooling catfish often sold small but reaching over a meter. Despite its peaceful nature, its enormous adult size makes it suitable only for very large systems.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Jack Dempsey

Rocio octofasciata

A bold, colorful Central American cichlid with iridescent blue-green spots on a dark body. Named for its aggressive temperament. Hardy and visually striking.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Jaguar Cichlid

Parachromis managuensis

A powerful Central American predator cichlid with spotted markings resembling a jaguar. Extremely aggressive and territorial; best kept alone or with equally robust tankmates.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Jardini Arowana

Scleropages jardinii

Jardini Arowana, also known as Australian Arowana, is a smaller species of arowana suitable for large predator aquariums.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Koi

Cyprinus rubrofuscus

Ornamental carp bred for color and pattern. Hardy and long-lived. Primarily a pond fish but can be kept in very large indoor tanks.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Kole Tang

Ctenochaetus strigosus

A small tang with a distinctive dark body covered in fine yellow spots. One of the smallest tang species, ideal for mid-size reef tanks. Excellent algae grazer.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Kribensis

Pelvicachromis pulcher

A beautiful West African dwarf cichlid and one of the best beginner cichlids. Provide caves; pairs become territorial when breeding.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Kubotai Rasbora

Microdevario kubotai

Care profile for Kubotai Rasbora (Microdevario kubotai): 2.2 cm adult size, 22–27°C, pH 6.5–7.5, beginner difficulty.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Kuhli Loach

Pangio kuhlii

Eel-like, nocturnal loach that loves hiding among plants and driftwood. Peaceful scavenger.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Lambchop Rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

A small, peaceful rasbora with a copper-orange body and a lambchop-shaped black patch. Perfect for nano planted tanks.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Lawnmower Blenny

Salarias fasciatus

The most effective algae-eating blenny for marine aquariums. Mottled brown camouflage pattern and distinctive bristly lips.Active and entertaining personality.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

A gentle, schooling tetra with translucent yellow fins and lemon-tinted body. Great for planted community aquariums.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Leopard Frog Pleco

Peckoltia compta

A small, spotted pleco with a distinctive leopard-like pattern. Hardy and adaptable, making it a good choice for intermediate pleco keepers.

Expert💧 freshwater

Licorice Gourami

Parosphromenus linkei

A tiny, shy labyrinth fish with subtle brown and orange banding. Requires very soft, acidic water and dense planting. A specialist species for experienced keepers.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Lionfish

Pterois volitans

A dramatic marine fish with venomous spines and flowing red-and-white striped fins. Popular for its stunning appearance but venomous spines require careful handling.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Longnose Butterflyfish

Forcipiger flavissimus

A striking butterflyfish with an extremely elongated snout for picking small invertebrates from crevices. Can be finicky about feeding in captivity.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

A slender, prehistoric predator with an elongated snout full of needle-like teeth. An ambush hunter that can grow over a meter long.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Longnose Hawkfish

Oxycirrhites typus

A distinctive hawkfish with a long pointed snout and red-and-white checkered pattern. Perches on gorgonians and may prey on small shrimp.

Advanced🌊 saltwater

Lyretail Anthias

Pseudanthias squamipinnis

A reef planktivore that needs frequent small feedings. Groups with one dominant male.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Lyretail Killifish

Aphyosemion australe

A stunning killifish with lyre-shaped fins. Best kept in a small, heavily planted tank.

Advanced🌊 saltwater

Mandarin Fish

Synchiropus splendidus

One of the most beautifully colored fish in the ocean, with psychedelic patterns of blue, orange, and green. Difficult to keep due to specialized diet of live copepods.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Marble Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

A selectively bred color variant of the freshwater angelfish with a striking marbled pattern of black, white, and silver. Classic centerpiece fish for community tanks.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Marine Betta

Cephalopholis argus

A colorful marine grouper with blue spots. Shy but predatory. May eat smaller tank mates. Needs hiding spots.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Maroon Clownfish

Premnas biaculeatus

A bold and territorial clownfish known for its deep maroon color and white stripes. Often hosts in bubble-tip anemones and can be aggressive toward tankmates.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Melanurus Wrasse

Halichoeres melanurus

A colorful wrasse with vibrant blue-green stripes and a distinctive tail pattern. Active and reef-safe, it helps control pyramid snails and small pests.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Midas Cichlid

Amphilophus citrinellus

A bold, brightly colored cichlid known for its impressive nuchal hump. Highly aggressive and territorial, demanding a species-only or carefully planned predator setup.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Molly

Poecilia sphenops

A hardy livebearer available in many colors. Tolerates a wide range of water conditions. Breeds readily in captivity.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Naso Tang

Naso lituratus

Naso Tang, also known as Lipstick Tang, is a large graceful tang species popular in reef and FOWLR systems.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Neon Blue Rasbora

Sundadanio axelrodi

A tiny, brilliantly blue nano fish from the peat swamps of Borneo. One of the smallest aquarium fish, requiring soft, acidic water and careful maintenance.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Neon Goby

Elacatinus oceanops

A tiny, brilliant blue-striped goby that acts as a cleaner fish on coral reefs. One of the few marine fish that readily accepts prepared foods. Ideal for nano reef tanks.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

A classic schooling tetra with a bright blue-red stripe. Hardy, peaceful and ideal for community tanks.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Ocellaris Clownfish

Amphiprion ocellaris

The classic orange clownfish made famous by animation. Hardy and reef-safe, can host anemones.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Odessa Barb

Pethia padamya

A small, strikingly striped barb with a red-gold blaze. Peaceful and ideal for planted community aquariums.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Oranda Goldfish

Carassius auratus

Fancy goldfish with a distinctive head growth (wen). Elegant and popular, requires slightly more care than common goldfish.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Orinoco Peacock Bass

Cichla monoculus

A powerful South American predator cichlid prized for sport fishing. Colorful and active, but requires very large tanks and can bully smaller tankmates.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Ornate Bichir

Polypterus ornatipinnis

Ornate Bichir, one of the most colorful and sought-after bichir species. A primitive predatory fish with distinctive ornate patterning.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Oscar

Astronotus ocellatus

Intelligent large cichlid. Can recognize owners. Very messy.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus affinis

Small algae-eating catfish that is the perfect cleanup crew for planted tanks. Needs established algae or supplemental food.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Pajama Cardinalfish

Sphaeramia nematoptera

A peaceful, slow-moving cardinalfish with red spots on its rear half and a dark vertical band. A mouthbrooder that is easy to care for in reef systems.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Panda Corydoras

Corydoras panda

A beloved black-and-white Cory that prefers cooler water than most tropical fish. Peaceful and perfect for planted tanks.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Paradise Fish

Macropodus opercularis

A hardy labyrinth fish with striking blue and red coloration and flowing fins. One of the first tropical fish imported to Europe. Tolerates cooler temperatures than most tropicals.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Pea Puffer

Carinotetraodon travancoricus

The world's smallest pufferfish, reaching only 2.5 cm. A fascinating, intelligent nano fish that hunts snails. Requires species-only or carefully selected tank mates.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Peacock Bass

Cichla ocellaris

A large, powerful predatory cichlid with a distinctive eyespot on the tail. Requires a very large tank and robust filtration.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Pearl Gourami

Trichopodus leerii

A peaceful labyrinth fish dusted with pearl-like spots. Adaptable to varied water, but enjoys floating plants and gentle filtration.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Peppered Corydoras

Corydoras paleatus

A charming armored catfish that scavenges the substrate. Peaceful and social, great for community tanks.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Percula Clownfish

Amphiprion percula

Care profile for Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula): 8 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 8–8.4, beginner difficulty.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

An active, spotted catfish with long barbels and an energetic personality. Best kept in groups; may eat small tankmates due to its predatory nature.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Pike Cichlid

Crenicichla compressiceps

A slender, elongated predatory cichlid from South America. Fast, agile hunter that needs plenty of swimming space.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Porcupine Puffer

Diodon holocanthus

Porcupine Puffer is a charismatic marine pufferfish covered in spines. Known for inflating when threatened and for its expressive face.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Powder Blue Tang

Acanthurus leucosternon

An iconic saltwater fish with a powder-blue body, white face, and bright yellow tail. Beautiful but prone to Ich; needs pristine water quality and a large tank.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Purple Tang

Zebrasoma xanthurum

A stunning tang with a deep purple body and yellow tail, prized for algae control. Requires ample swimming space and a varied herbivorous diet.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Pygmy Corydoras

Corydoras pygmaeus

Care profile for Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus): 2.5 cm adult size, 22–26°C, pH 5.5–7.5, beginner difficulty.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Pygmy Rasbora

Boraras maculatus

One of the smallest known fish species, reaching only 2 cm. A true nano fish for specialized planted tanks with soft, acidic water.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Queen Angelfish

Holacanthus ciliaris

A Caribbean icon with vivid blue and yellow coloration and a distinctive blue-ringed eye spot. Grows large and may nip at corals in reef setups.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Queen Triggerfish

Balistoides vetula

A large, powerful triggerfish with iridescent blue facial markings and a sturdy dorsal spine. Can be aggressive and may rearrange rockwork or eat invertebrates.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Raccoon Butterflyfish

Chaetodon lunula

A recognizable butterflyfish with a dark raccoon-like mask across its eyes. Hardy for a butterflyfish but may nip at coral polyps in reef tanks.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Rainbow Shark

Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

A striking freshwater fish with a sleek black body and vibrant red-orange fins. Active bottom-dweller that can be territorial. Best in spacious tanks with hiding spots.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Rainbow Snakehead

Channa pulchra

Rainbow Snakehead (Channa pulchra) is a colorful medium-sized snakehead popular in predatory fish aquariums.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Ranchu Goldfish

Carassius auratus

The King of Goldfish in Japan. A dorsal-less fancy variety with a rounded body and gentle disposition.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Red Devil Cichlid

Amphilophus labiatus

A fiery-red Central American cichlid with a feisty personality. Extremely aggressive toward tankmates and known for rearranging aquarium decor.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Red Garra

Garra rufa

Care profile for Red Garra (Garra rufa): 12 cm adult size, 20–27°C, pH 6.5–8, beginner difficulty.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Red-Bellied Pacu

Piaractus brachypomus

A large, round-bodied fish with human-like teeth designed for crushing nuts and seeds. Often confused with piranhas but primarily herbivorous as an adult.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Red-Tail Shark

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

A striking freshwater shark with a vibrant red tail. Semi-aggressive and best kept with robust tankmates in a well-planted aquarium.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Red-bellied Piranha, the most well-known piranha species. A schooling predator that requires secure housing and careful handling.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Red-tailed Catfish

Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

Red-tailed Catfish is one of the most iconic large predatory catfish, reaching over 1 meter. Requires very large systems or ponds.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Rosy Barb

Pethia conchonius

A hardy, active barb that tolerates cooler water and is even kept as a pond fish in mild climates. Best in schools of 5 or more.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Royal Gramma

Gramma loreto

A stunning basslet with a bright purple front half fading to golden yellow on the rear. One of the most colorful and hardy marine aquarium fish, perfect for nano reef tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

A large, stunning pleco with bold white stripes on a dark body. Known for its wood-eating behavior — must have driftwood in the tank for proper digestion.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Rummynose Tetra

Hemigrammus rhodostomus

Care profile for Rummynose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus): 5 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 5.5–7.5, intermediate difficulty.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Ryukin Goldfish

Carassius auratus

A classic fancy goldfish with a pronounced hump behind the head and flowing fins. Elegant and hardy, suitable for intermediate keepers.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Sailfin Pleco

Pterygoplichthys pardalis

A large algae-eating pleco with a distinctive sail-like dorsal fin. Hardy and effective at controlling algae, but grows very large for most home aquariums.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Sailfin Tang

Zebrasoma veliferum

Sailfin Tang is one of the most recognizable tang species with its dramatic sail-like dorsal fin. An active herbivore for larger marine aquariums.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Scarlet Badis

Dario dario

A tiny, brilliantly colored fish with males displaying vivid red and blue vertical stripes. One of the smallest freshwater fish, ideal for nano tanks but can be territorial.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Senegal Bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Hardy bichir species. Air-breathing, needs secure lid.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon eques

A vivid red tetra that may nip fins unless kept in a large group of at least 12. Very active and hardy once settled.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Severum

Heros severus

A relatively peaceful South American cichlid with a tall, disc-shaped body. Known for intelligent behavior and occasional plant-digging habits.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Short-finned Molly

Poecilia sphenops

A versatile livebearer that tolerates hard, even brackish water. Males reach 8 cm while females can grow to 12 cm.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus oblongus

One of the few fish that reliably eats black beard algae (BBA). A sleek, active bottom-dweller with a distinctive horizontal black stripe. Best in groups.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta splendens

One of the most popular aquarium fish, known for flowing fins and labyrinth breathing. Best kept alone or with peaceful tankmates.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Silver Arowana

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

The Silver Arowana (Ngan Long) is one of the largest commonly kept freshwater aquarium fish, reaching up to 1 meter. A surface-dwelling predator requiring extremely large systems.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Silver Hatchetfish

Gasteropelecus sternicla

Care profile for Silver Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla): 6.5 cm adult size, 24–28°C, pH 6–7.5, intermediate difficulty.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Six Line Wrasse

Pseudocheilinus hexataenia

A small, active marine fish with six vibrant purple-pink horizontal lines on a orange body. Excellent reef inhabitant that hunts flatworms and parasitic snails.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Smiling Cichlid

Laetacara curviceps

A peaceful dwarf cichlid named for the curved markings on its face that resemble a smile. One of the most docile cichlids, ideal for community planted tanks.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Snowflake Eel

Echidna nebulosa

A hardy moray eel with a white body covered in dark snowflake-like spots. Generally reef-safe but may eat small fish and invertebrates it can fit in its mouth.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Southern Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus

A friendly, colorful livebearer that adapts to almost any community tank. Extremely easy to keep and breed.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Sparkling Gourami

Trichopsis pumila

A tiny croaking gourami that fits nano planted tanks. Excellent jumper — a tight lid and floating plants are essential.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Spiketail Gourami

Pseudosphromenus dayi

A small, slender labyrinth fish with a pointed snout and subtle patterning. Hardy and adaptable, suitable for community tanks with soft to moderate water.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Spotted Gar

Lepisosteus oculatus

A prehistoric-looking fish with a long, toothy snout and armored body. An ambush predator that requires large, open swimming space and a secure lid.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Spotted Snakehead

Channa punctata

A hardy, aggressive predator capable of breathing air. Requires a secure tank and should be kept alone or with carefully selected robust tankmates.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Sri Lanka Gourami

Malpulutta kretseri

A small, colorful labyrinth fish with males displaying blue-green iridescence. Peaceful and hardy, suitable for community planted tanks.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Stars and Stripes Puffer

Arothron hispidus

A large pufferfish with white spots and radiating stripes resembling the American flag. Known to eat invertebrates and may nip at corals.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Sterbai Corydoras

Corydoras sterbai

One of the most popular Corydoras species, valued for its striking spotted pattern and ability to tolerate warmer water than most Corydoras, making it ideal for tropical community tanks.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Swordtail

Xiphophorus hellerii

Active livebearer named after the male's long sword-like tail. Very easy to keep and breed.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Synodontis Catfish

Synodontis multipunctatus

The Cuckoo Catfish — a fascinating African catfish that is a natural brood parasite, laying its eggs in cichlid mouths. Hardy, active, and social bottom-dweller.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Tailspot Blenny

Ecsenius stigmatura

A small, hardy blenny with a distinctive dark spot at the base of the tail. Excellent algae grazer with an entertaining personality. Safe for reef tanks.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Telescope Goldfish

Carassius auratus

A fancy goldfish variety featuring prominent protruding eyes. Available in many colors, this gentle fish requires careful tankmate selection.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Threadfin Rainbowfish

Iriatherina werneri

An ethereal, delicate rainbowfish with males displaying extraordinarily long, flowing dorsal and anal fin rays. Peaceful and graceful, best in species tanks or with similar gentle fish.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Three Stripe Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma trifasciata

A slender dwarf cichlid with three dark horizontal stripes and blue-tinged fins. Males develop elongated fin extensions in mature tanks. Found in slow-moving streams across South America.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Three-Barred Peacock Bass

Cichla temensis

The largest of the peacock bass species, a formidable apex predator. Incredibly powerful and aggressive; requires massive aquariums with robust filtration.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Three-Lined Corydoras

Corydoras trilineatus

Most 'Julii Cory' sold in stores are actually this species. A lovely shoaling catfish with three dark lines along the flanks.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Three-Spot Gourami

Trichopodus trichopterus

The hardy 'Blue Gourami', available in many color morphs. Males can be aggressive with each other; a good snail-control fish.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Tiger Barb

Puntigrus tetrazona

An iconic striped barb with a reputation for fin nipping — avoid it with long-finned fish unless kept in a group of 8 or more.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Tiger Shovelnose Catfish

Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum

A spectacular large catfish with tiger-like striping and a flattened snout. A powerful predator that can reach 1 meter; requires an enormous tank.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Tinfoil Barb

Barbonymus schwanenfeldii

A shiny, active schooling fish that can grow quite large. Hardy and beginner-friendly but needs a big tank due to its adult size.

Beginner🌊 saltwater

Tomato Clownfish

Amphiprion frenatus

A hardy clownfish species with a vibrant red-orange body and a single white head bar. One of the easier saltwater clownfish to keep in home aquariums.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Walking Catfish

Clarias batrachus

A hardy air-breathing catfish capable of moving over land. An aggressive predator that can escape poorly covered tanks; best kept in species-only setups.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Weeks Bichir

Polypterus weeksii

A primitive, eel-like fish with dorsal finlets running along its back. A nocturnal predator that can breathe atmospheric air through a modified swim bladder.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Wolf Cichlid

Parachromis dovii

One of the most aggressive freshwater fish, the Wolf Cichlid is a fearsome predator reaching half a meter. Only for experienced aquarists with very large systems.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Yellow Coris Wrasse

Halichoeres chrysus

A small, reef-safe wrasse with a bright yellow body and distinctive eye stripe. Hunts flatworms and parasitic snails. Active swimmer that adds vibrant color to reef tanks.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Yellow Tang

Zebrasoma flavescens

A bright yellow surgeonfish that needs a very large tank and plenty of grazing rock.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Yellow Watchman Goby

Cryptocentrus cinctus

A bright yellow goby that forms a symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimps. The shrimp digs and maintains a burrow while the goby stands guard. Fascinating behavioral display.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Yoyo Loach

Botia almorhae

A playful, social loach with a distinctive yoyo or almond-shaped pattern. Excellent snail hunter and bottom-dweller. Must be kept in groups of 5 or more.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Zebra Loach

Botia striata

A beautiful black-and-gold loach that lives for a decade or more. Needs sand substrate to protect its barbels and a group of 5 or more.

Intermediate💧 freshwater

Zebra Mbuna Cichlid

Pseudotropheus zebra

An aggressive African cichlid that needs a hard, alkaline Malawi tank. Not for beginners or community tanks.

Intermediate🌊 saltwater

Zebra Moray Eel

Gymnomuraena zebra

A large eel with striking black-and-white stripes. Generally peaceful toward fish too large to eat. Needs plenty of hiding spots.

Advanced💧 freshwater

Zebra Pleco

Hypancistrus zebra

One of the most coveted and expensive aquarium fish, with bold black-and-white zebra striping. Endangered in the wild, captive-bred specimens are available.

Beginner💧 freshwater

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

An energetic, hardy fish with horizontal stripes. A great beginner species that thrives in cooler water.

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Fish Species

Agassiz Dwarf Cichlid

Alligator Gar

Angelfish

Arapaima

Arc-eye Hawkfish

Asian Arowana

Asian Snakehead

Australian Redclaw Crayfish

Bala Shark

Banggai Cardinalfish

Bartlett's Anthias

Betta Imbellis

Betta Macrostoma

Bicolor Blenny

Black Arowana

Black Cap Basslet

Black Ghost Knifefish

Black Moor Goldfish

Black Neon Tetra

Black Phantom Tetra

Black Piranha

Black Skirt Tetra

Blue Acara

Blue Devil Damselfish

Blue Tang

Boesemani Rainbowfish

Bolivian Ram

Bristlenose Pleco

Bronze Corydoras

Bucktooth Parrot

Bumblebee Goby

Cardinal Tetra

Celestial Pearl Danio

Cherry Barb

Chili Rasbora

Chocolate Gourami

Clarkii Clownfish

Cleaner Wrasse

Clown Killifish

Clown Knifefish

Clown Loach

Clown Pleco

Clown Triggerfish

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Common Goldfish

Common Pleco

Congo Dwarf Cichlid

Congo Tetra

Convict Cichlid

Copperband Butterflyfish

Coral Beauty Angelfish

Cupido Cichlid

Delhezi Bichir

Denison Barb

Diamond Watchman Goby

Discus

Dubois’ Tropheus

Dwarf Chain Loach

Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Lionfish

Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish

Dwarf Pencilfish

Dwarf Snakehead

Eartheater Cichlid

Electric Yellow Cichlid

Elephantnose Fish

Ember Tetra

Emerald Betta

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Emperor Angelfish

Emperor Snakehead

Emperor Tetra

Endler's Livebearer

Endlicheri Bichir

Fancy Goldfish

Fantail Goldfish

Figure-8 Puffer

Firefish Goby