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.
Hypsophrys nicaraguensis
A robust and stunning Central American cichlid. Uniquely among many cichlids, the females are actually more vibrantly colored than the males. They are notorious diggers and cave-spawners that will rearrange substrate. Best kept with other similarly sized, robust Central American cichlids in a large tank.
Bedotia madagascariensis
An energetic and colorful schooling fish from the flowing, shaded streams of Madagascar. Frequently misidentified in the aquarium trade as Bedotia geayi. Unlike Australian rainbowfish, they have an elongated, torpedo-like body. They are incredibly active, thrive in well-oxygenated water with some current, and are peaceful but voracious eaters.
Pseudotropheus cyaneorhabdos
A strikingly beautiful, highly active Mbuna from Lake Malawi. They feature dark blue bodies with vibrant light blue horizontal stripes. Unlike the closely related Johannii (where females are yellow/orange), both male and female Mainganos share this stunning blue coloration. They are fiercely territorial rock-dwellers that require hard, alkaline water, sandy substrates for digging, and a strict herbivorous/omnivorous diet to prevent Malawi bloat.
Aulonocara stuartgranti "Maison Reef"
A stunning African Cichlid from Lake Malawi's intermediate zones (sand/rock transitions). They are 'benthophagous' sand-sifters, requiring fine sand to hunt for invertebrates without damaging their gills. Like most Peacocks, they are highly sexually dimorphic and require hard, alkaline water (Rift Lake parameters).
Dimidiochromis compressiceps
A large, highly specialized predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. Named for its legendary habit of biting the eyes out of prey (though it mostly swallows smaller fish whole), it features an extremely compressed body used to camouflage among reeds before ambushing its target. Males turn brilliant metallic blue, while females remain silver.
Lichnochromis acuticeps
An elegant, predatory Haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, named for its elongated, torpedo-shaped body and pointed snout. While it is a true piscivore that will hunt small fish, it is surprisingly peaceful toward other similarly sized cichlids. A fantastic centerpiece for a large 'Hap and Peacock' setup.
Aristochromis christyi
A large, specialized predatory cichlid native to Lake Malawi, commonly known as the 'Malawi Hawk'. It has a distinctive laterally compressed beak-like jaw and hunts by tilting forward to ambush prey. It is a formidable piscivore that will swallow any fish small enough to fit in its mouth. Best kept in a large Hap/Peacock setup with similarly sized, robust tank mates.
Caridina sp. "Malaya"
A unique and highly variable dwarf shrimp native to Southeast Asia. Unlike most dwarf shrimp, Malaya Shrimp are a low-order species, meaning their eggs hatch into tiny larvae rather than fully-formed shrimplets. However, unlike Amano Shrimp, these larvae do not require saltwater or brackish conditions; they metamorphose completely in freshwater. They are peaceful, active scavengers and excellent algae eaters that come in a wide array of colors including red, blue, green, brown, and clear.
Melanoides tuberculata
The Malaysian Trumpet Snail is a highly beneficial, albeit prolific, freshwater invertebrate. They are famous for burrowing deep into the substrate during the day, which prevents toxic anaerobic gas pockets and aerates plant roots. They emerge at night to scavenge for detritus, algae, and uneaten food. They reproduce via parthenogenesis, meaning a single snail can quickly clone itself to start a colony.
Melanotaenia mamberamo
Commonly known in the trade as the Red Dragon or Sepik Rainbowfish (widely recognized scientifically as Glossolepis multisquamata). Native to the floodplains and swampy lagoons of the Mamberamo river basin in New Guinea. This stunning, highly active schooling fish brings brilliant metallic colors to the aquarium. Unlike many rainbowfish that need hard/alkaline water, this species thrives in slightly acidic to neutral environments. They are peaceful but require long tanks to accommodate their energetic swimming habits.
Oxyeleotris marmorata
The Marble Goby (Soon Hock) is one of the largest freshwater gobies in the world. As a strictly carnivorous, nocturnal ambush predator, it is incredibly inactive during the day but will swallow any tankmate that fits into its massive mouth. Due to its enormous adult size, it is strictly a 'monster fish' and requires highly specialized care and heavy filtration.
Polypterus polli
An ancient, prehistoric-looking 'upper-jaw' bichir native to the Congo River basin. They are fascinating bottom-dwelling predators with paired lungs, requiring access to the water's surface to breathe atmospheric air. While generally peaceful towards tank mates too large to swallow, they are highly opportunistic nocturnal predators. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory, and fine sand substrate is critical to prevent fatal impaction during their lunging feeding behavior.
Carnegiella strigata
A uniquely shaped, peaceful surface-dwelling characin famous for its deep, keeled belly and incredible jumping ability. In the wild, they can leap from the water and 'fly' short distances using their powerful pectoral fins to catch insects or escape predators. A tight-fitting lid with absolutely no gaps is mandatory. They require floating plants to feel secure and must be kept in schools.
Loricaria simillima
The Marbled Whiptail is a fascinating, large-growing but extremely peaceful species of Loricariid. Native to South American rivers, they spend most of their time camouflaged on the substrate. A distinctive feature is their reproductive method: males are lip-brooders, carrying the egg mass in an enlarged lower lip fold. They require clean, well-oxygenated water and a fine sand substrate to thrive.
Julidochromis marlieri
A strikingly patterned cichlid endemic to the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika in Africa. They feature a torpedo-shaped body covered in a grid-like pattern of black and white/yellow spots. They are highly territorial cave-spawners that form strong, monogamous pairs. They strictly require hard, alkaline water and an aquarium decorated with extensive rockwork to form secure caves.
Julidochromis transcriptus
The Masked Julie is the smallest species in the Julidochromis genus, endemic to the rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika. They are torpedo-shaped, crevice-dwelling cichlids with striking black and white checkerboard patterns. While generally peaceful toward other species that occupy different water columns, they are highly territorial and violently aggressive toward their own kind once a monogamous breeding pair is established.
Mayaheros urophthalmus
The Mayan Cichlid is a large, intelligent, and highly adaptable Central American cichlid (frequently confused with the True Red Terror). They are euryhaline, meaning they thrive in pure freshwater but can also easily tolerate brackish conditions. Known for their striking vertical bars and a distinct tail spot (ocellus), they demand spacious aquariums with robust filtration due to their heavy bioload and earth-moving habits.
Melanotaenia maylandi
Mayland's Rainbowfish is a beautiful, energetic schooling fish endemic to a single creek system near Lake Holmes in West Papua, Indonesia. They are highly active swimmers that need ample horizontal swimming space and well-oxygenated water. Like most rainbowfish, they thrive in stable, slightly hard and alkaline water. A school should preferably contain more females than males to reduce conspecific chasing.
Tetraodon mbu
The largest freshwater pufferfish in the world, originating from the Congo River. Known for their 'puppy-like' intelligence and personality, they recognize owners and interact with them. However, they grow to massive sizes and possess a beak capable of crushing hard-shelled invertebrates. Unlike many puffers, they are true freshwater fish and do not need salt. They require massive filtration and a diet of hard foods (clams, snails) to keep their teeth trimmed.
Haludaria fasciata
An active, schooling cyprinid endemic to the flowing rivers of Southern India. They are named for the stunning red/pink 'melon' coloration males develop, which contrasts beautifully with their dark vertical bands. They are energetic swimmers that require plenty of open swimming space and must be kept in groups to curb potential fin-nipping behavior.
Cambarellus patzcuarensis
A highly entertaining, fully aquatic dwarf crayfish. In the aquarium trade, the bright orange 'CPO' morph is the most popular. Unlike larger crayfish, they are generally safe with plants and fast-moving mid-to-top dwelling fish. However, they are opportunistic omnivores with claws; they will hunt dwarf shrimp and may nip the fins of slow, long-finned bottom dwellers.
Amphilophus citrinellus
A massive, powerful Central American cichlid famous for its extreme intelligence, interactive 'wet pet' behavior, and intense aggression. Often confused with the Red Devil, the Midas Cichlid is a bulky, earth-eating predator that requires a very large tank, immense filtration, and is notorious for aggressively attacking tank mates, heaters, and even its owner's hands.
Auchenipterichthys coracoideus
A secretive, nocturnal driftwood catfish native to the Amazon. Aptly named for its dark blue-grey body speckled with white 'stars', it is completely peaceful towards suitably sized tank mates. However, it is an opportunistic predator at night and will consume small fish (like Neon Tetras) and shrimp that fit into its mouth. It requires subdued lighting and ample hiding spots, particularly hollow driftwood.
Placidochromis milomo
A striking Lake Malawi Haplochromine famous for developing extremely thick, rubbery lips used to extract prey from rocky crevices in the wild. Its nickname 'Super VC10' is a nod to its surprisingly fast burst speed, named after the Vickers VC10 aircraft. While generally milder than Mbuna, they are large, active predators that require hard, alkaline water and substantial swimming space.
