Explore our growing database of freshwater fish species. Each profile includes detailed care requirements, compatibility data, and environmental needs to help you build the perfect aquarium.
Placidochromis electra
An attractive and relatively peaceful 'Hap' from Lake Malawi. As its common name suggests, it is naturally found in deeper waters over sandy substrates where it sifts for invertebrates. They are popular in 'all-male' Hap/Peacock community tanks due to their stunning blue coloration and mild temperament compared to Mbuna.
Polypterus delhezi
An ancient, air-breathing predatory fish from the Congo River basin. Known for its distinct black vertical bands and dinosaur-like dorsal finlets. They are bottom-dwelling ambush predators with poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell. While generally peaceful with similarly sized or larger fish, they are opportunistic piscivores and will eat anything that fits into their surprisingly large mouths.
Pseudomugil tenellus
The Delicate Blue-Eye is a small, highly active shoaling fish native to the swamps and coastal floodplains of Northern Australia and New Guinea. They are euryhaline (tolerating both fresh and brackish water) and thrive in warm, densely planted aquariums. They are peaceful but require a group to feel secure and display their best behaviors.
Chindongo demasoni
A stunning but notoriously aggressive dwarf Mbuna from Lake Malawi. Known for its intense dark blue and black vertical stripes. They are strict herbivores (Aufwuchs grazers) and prone to 'Malawi Bloat' if fed high-protein diets. Due to extreme aggression toward their own kind, they require specific stocking densities.
Sahyadria denisonii
An endangered, stunningly colored cyprinid endemic to the fast-flowing streams of the Western Ghats in India. Characterized by a torpedo-shaped body with a striking red line and black stripe. They are highly active, fast swimmers that require highly oxygenated water, strong flow, and cooler tropical temperatures. They are strictly shoaling fish and can be skittish if kept in small numbers.
Moenkhausia pittieri
A stunning, deep-bodied tetra endemic to Lake Valencia in Venezuela. Named for the brilliant, iridescent scales on its flanks that sparkle like diamonds under the right lighting. They are highly active, peaceful schooling fish that thrive in well-planted aquariums. Males develop spectacular, flowing fins as they mature.
Julidochromis dickfeldi
An elongated, distinctively patterned cichlid endemic to the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika. Dickfeld's Julie is known for its beautiful blue/purple iridescence along its fins and horizontal stripes. They are highly rock-dwelling and fiercely defend their chosen caves. While relatively peaceful toward unrelated species that occupy different water layers, they are highly aggressive toward conspecifics once a pair is formed.
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Known as the 'King of the Aquarium', Discus are stunning, heavily laterally-compressed cichlids. They are famous for their demanding husbandry, requiring high temperatures (28-32°C / 82-90°F), pristine water quality, and specialized diets. They are schooling fish that establish a strict pecking order and must be kept in groups to prevent intense bullying of a single weaker fish.
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
A large, highly active, and deeply social cold-water loach. Famous for their erratic swimming patterns in response to barometric pressure changes (hence 'Weather Loach'). They are entirely unsuited for tropical temperatures and require fine sand to fulfill their natural burrowing behaviors.
Synodontis notatus
A large, unusually active and diurnal upside-down catfish from the Congo Basin. They are characterized by a grey-brown body with one or more prominent dark spots. While peaceful with robust community fish, they are highly territorial toward other Synodontis species and will opportunistically eat small fish. They are more active in the mid-water column than most of their relatives.
Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii
The Dourada is a truly massive, highly predatory migratory catfish native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Known for its silvery-gold sheen and the longest freshwater migration of any fish in the world. In captivity, it is a 'monster fish' that requires a massive custom aquarium or indoor pond. It is exclusively piscivorous and will swallow any fish that fits in its immense mouth.
Tropheus duboisi
An iconic Lake Tanganyika cichlid famous for its dramatic life-stage color change. Juveniles are jet black with brilliant white polka-dots, while adults develop a blue head and a distinctive yellow or white vertical band across a dark body. They are highly aggressive toward their own kind and must be kept in large colonies (10+) to disperse aggression. They are strict herbivores that require a specialized diet to avoid fatal digestive issues.
Corydoras duplicareus
A peaceful, highly social schooling catfish native to the upper Rio Negro basin in South America. They are easily identified by their bright orange patch on the snout and a broad black band running down their back. Like all Corydoras, they require soft sand to sift through without damaging their delicate sensory barbels.
Phalloceros caudimaculatus
A highly adaptable, sub-tropical livebearer native to South America. Known for its hardiness, it thrives in unheated aquariums and can tolerate mildly brackish water. Unlike many common livebearers, they are voracious algae grazers and may damage soft-leaved plants. Males relentlessly pursue females to mate, so keeping a ratio of at least 2-3 females per male is strongly advised.
Ambastaia sidthimunki
An incredibly active, highly social, and peaceful nano loach. Known for its distinct chain-like pattern, this species is an excellent alternative to Clown Loaches for smaller aquariums. They are fantastic snail hunters. They must be kept in groups of at least 6 to feel secure and display their entertaining, hyperactive shoaling behavior.
Corydoras hastatus
One of the true dwarf Corydoras species. Unlike most of their bottom-dwelling cousins, the Tailspot Cory spends a significant amount of its time hovering in the mid-water column. They are incredibly peaceful, schooling nano fish that must be kept in groups. A fine sand substrate is highly recommended to protect their delicate sensory barbels when they do forage on the bottom.
Laetacara curviceps
A small, colorful, and surprisingly peaceful dwarf cichlid native to the Amazon Basin. Known for their 'smiling' facial markings and iridescent blue/green flanks. Unlike many of their larger cousins, they are excellent community fish, though they may become mildly territorial when breeding.
Trichogaster lalius
A peaceful to semi-aggressive labyrinth fish native to South Asia. Famous for their brilliant metallic blue and red stripes. While generally suitable for community tanks, males are territorial toward each other and similar-looking fish. They are sensitive to water quality and prone to Iridovirus if stressed. Requires access to the surface to breathe.
Crenicichla compressiceps
A striking dwarf pike cichlid native to the fast-flowing rapids of the lower Rio Tocantins basin in Brazil. Known for their distinctive vertical green/yellow banding and elongated shape. As a rheophilic (flow-loving) species, they require highly oxygenated water with strong current to thrive. Despite their small size, they have a fiery temperament, are highly territorial, and are active micropredators that will hunt shrimp and small fish.
Poecilia chica
The Dwarf Molly is a rare and peaceful livebearer native to Mexico. It is the smallest member of the True Mollies. They thrive in strictly freshwater environments without the need for added salt, provided the water is hard and alkaline. They are active, constantly grazing on algae, and should be kept in groups with a higher ratio of females to males to reduce reproductive harassment.
Melanotaenia praecox
A brilliant, active schooling fish native to the Mamberamo River basin in West Papua. Known for their iridescent neon-blue bodies, they are an energetic and peaceful addition to community tanks. Because of their high activity levels, they require ample open swimming space alongside planted areas. They are fast eaters and may outcompete shy tank mates for food.
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
The Dwarf Pea Puffer is a tiny, fully freshwater pufferfish native to India. Despite their cute appearance, they are fierce micropredators and notorious fin-nippers. Modern husbandry standards strongly dictate they are highly social and must be kept in species-only shoals of 6 or more in heavily planted aquariums to disperse aggression and reduce stress. They require a steady diet of small snails and live/frozen foods.
Nannostomus marginatus
A tiny, peaceful schooling fish native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Known for their torpedo shape, striking horizontal stripes, and fascinating hovering behavior. Their tiny mouths make them one of the few truly dwarf-shrimp-safe fish. They require densely planted tanks with subdued lighting, soft acidic water, and gentle flow to thrive.
Synodontis lucipinnis
A highly active, peaceful, and gregarious catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Often confused with Synodontis petricola, S. lucipinnis stays smaller. They require hard, alkaline water (Rift Lake parameters) and must be kept in groups to feel secure. Unlike many bottom-dwelling catfish, they spend a significant amount of time actively swimming in the middle water column during the day.
