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.
Paracheirodon innesi
One of the most iconic freshwater fish in the hobby, famous for its striking iridescent blue and red stripes. Originally from the blackwater streams of the Amazon basin, they prefer slightly cooler water than many tropical fish and must be kept in schools to thrive, display natural behaviors, and feel secure.
Neritina natalensis
The gold standard for algae control in freshwater aquariums. Native to Africa, these snails are renowned for their voracious appetite for diatoms and spot algae. A key feature is their inability to breed in freshwater; they lay white sesame-seed-like eggs that will not hatch without brackish/marine conditions, preventing population explosions. They are escapists and require a tight-fitting lid.
Melanotaenia affinis
An active, schooling species native to the streams of northern New Guinea. Known for their striking lateral stripe and vibrant fin coloration that flashes during morning displays. They are peaceful but highly energetic, requiring ample open swimming space and highly oxygenated water to thrive.
Datnioides campbelli
A highly prized, large predatory fish native to the coastal and estuarine waters of New Guinea. Characterized by striking black and gold vertical banding and a deep, compressed body. They are strict piscivores with a massive mouth, capable of eating surprisingly large tank mates. While often kept in freshwater, they are highly tolerant of brackish conditions and often thrive better with some salinity.
Oreochromis niloticus
A massive, incredibly hardy African cichlid primarily known for aquaculture and aquaponics. Due to their enormous size, rapid growth, and destructive digging habits, they require indoor ponds or exceptionally large aquariums. They will enthusiastically uproot plants, rearrange substrate to build crater nests, and consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouths.
Caridina serratirostris
The Ninja Shrimp is a fascinating, completely peaceful dwarf shrimp named for its rapid, darting movements and unique ability to quickly change color (from black and brown to red, blue, or translucent) to camouflage with its surroundings. Unlike Neocaridina, their larvae require brackish water to survive, meaning they will not reproduce and overpopulate a freshwater aquarium.
Poropanchax normani
A small, peaceful, schooling killifish native to Central and Western Africa. Named for the bright, iridescent blue/white crescent on the upper part of their eyes, which glows under aquarium lighting. Unlike many killifish, they are not annual and thrive in community setups. They are highly active swimmers and known jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is required.
Xiphophorus nezahualcoyotl
A beautiful and highly active livebearer endemic to the fast-flowing mountain streams of the Río Pánuco basin in Mexico. Known affectionately in the hobby as 'Nezzies', they prefer slightly cooler, highly oxygenated water with moderate to high flow compared to standard tropicals. As livebearers, they are prolific breeders. They are strong swimmers and known jumpers, requiring a secure lid.
Pundamilia nyererei
A strikingly colorful but highly aggressive cichlid native to Lake Victoria. Known for their brilliant reds, yellows, and black vertical barring (in males). They require rocky setups, hard alkaline water, and strict harem ratios (one male to multiple females) to disperse severe male aggression. They act very similar to Mbuna in the aquarium.
Lamprologus ocellatus
The Lamprologus ocellatus 'Gold' is a popular and highly charismatic shell-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. Despite their tiny size, they are notoriously fierce and will aggressively defend their territory (usually an escargot shell) against much larger fish and even the aquarist's hand. They require hard, alkaline water, fine sand for digging, and an abundance of empty shells.
Pethia padamya
A highly active, stunning schooling fish known for the brilliant red lateral stripe running across the males. Originating from central Myanmar, they thrive in slightly cooler, sub-tropical water compared to typical tropical fish. They are robust and peaceful when kept in proper shoals, but may nip fins if stressed or kept in numbers too small.
Melanotaenia ogilbyi
A rare and stunning schooling fish endemic to the Lorentz River system in West Papua. Belonging to the 'maccullochi' species group, they are relatively small for rainbowfish. They feature a distinct dark mid-lateral stripe and striking horizontal red/orange stripes between their scales. They are incredibly active, peaceful, and thrive in groups where males will 'flash' vibrant colors during morning spawning displays.
Corydoras simulatus
The Olga Cory is a peaceful, long-snouted schooling catfish from the Meta river basin in Colombia. It features a creamy bronze body with a distinct dark band running along its back and a vertical stripe over the eye. Like all Corydoras, it is an energetic bottom-dweller that requires fine sand to sift through without damaging its delicate barbels.
Neritina reclivata
The Olive Nerite Snail is highly prized for its exceptional algae-eating abilities and completely peaceful nature. They have a rounded, smooth, olive-green shell. Unlike many freshwater snails, they will not overpopulate an aquarium because their eggs require brackish or saltwater to hatch and develop. They are notorious escape artists and will climb out of the water, so a tight-fitting lid is mandatory.
Betta unimaculata
A large, mouthbrooding wild Betta species native to the clear, flowing forest streams of Borneo. Unlike the domestic Betta splendens, they are torpedo-shaped, prefer slightly cooler water, and actually enjoy moderate water flow. They are exceptional jumpers and require a heavy, tightly fitted lid with no gaps. They are predatory and will eat fish small enough to fit in their mouths.
Etroplus maculatus
The Orange Chromide is a peaceful, medium-sized cichlid native to southern India and Sri Lanka. Uniquely, it is one of the very few cichlid species naturally found in estuaries and brackish lagoons. While they can adapt to hard freshwater, they thrive and display their best colors in slightly brackish water. They are social shoalers when young, forming strong, territorial pairs to breed and care for their fry.
Caridina loehae
An advanced-level, delicate dwarf shrimp native to the ancient Malili lake system in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Scientifically described as Caridina loehae, they are characterized by their bright orange bodies and white dashes. They require highly stable, warm (26-29°C), and alkaline water mirroring their native ancient lakes. They are peaceful biofilm grazers that will not survive in standard freshwater conditions.
Aulonocara stuartgranti maleri
A stunning Lake Malawi cichlid prized for its vibrant coloration. As an Aulonocara species, they possess sensory pores on their lower jaw to detect prey in the sand. They are relatively peaceful for African cichlids (compared to Mbuna) but require hard, alkaline water, a sandy substrate, and plenty of rockwork. They exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism.
Channa aurantimaculata
The Orangespotted Snakehead (often called the Golden Cobra Snakehead) is a striking, highly intelligent, and aggressive predatory fish native to the Brahmaputra River basin in India. It is an obligate air-breather and a notorious jumper; a heavy, tight-fitting lid is mandatory. They require a distinct seasonal temperature drop (subtropical) to mimic their native habitat, otherwise, they are prone to fatal bacterial infections.
Lepomis humilis
The Orangespotted Sunfish is one of the smallest and most colorful North American sunfishes, making it an excellent choice for unheated or temperate aquariums. They are hardy, highly interactive, and possess big personalities. Like most centrarchids, they are territorial micropredators that will hunt small invertebrates. Males dig nests in the substrate during breeding season.
Polypterus ornatipinnis
The Ornate Bichir is a striking, ancient 'monster fish' characterized by its bold black and yellow patterning. As a primitive species with modified lungs, it is an obligate air-breather and must have access to the water's surface. It is a nocturnal ambush predator that will swallow any tank mate small enough to fit in its surprisingly large mouth.
Rhadinocentrus ornatus
A highly sought-after, elegant dwarf rainbowfish native to the coastal 'wallum' habitats and sand dune lakes of eastern Australia. Known for its intricate scale patterns and iridescent colors, it thrives in soft, slightly acidic, tannin-stained waters (blackwater). Unlike many larger rainbowfish, they are adapted to calm backwaters and prefer gentle flow. They are active but peaceful schooling fish that display fascinating courtship behaviors.
Astronotus ocellatus
A highly intelligent, large, and personable South American cichlid often described as a 'water dog'. They are notoriously messy eaters, heavy waste producers, and will enthusiastically rearrange tank decor and uproot plants. Any fish small enough to fit in their mouth will be eaten. They require excellent filtration and strict water maintenance.
Otocinclus vittatus
A small, peaceful, and highly popular algae-eating catfish native to South America. They are obligate shoaling fish that thrive in mature, heavily planted aquariums with steady water parameters and a constant supply of soft green algae and biofilm. They are extremely sensitive to uncycled or pristine/new tanks without natural food sources.
