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.
Cryptoheros nanoluteus
A stunning and relatively peaceful dwarf Central American cichlid. Unlike the common Convict Cichlid, the Yellow Convict has a vibrant golden-yellow body with a blue/green sheen. While generally suitable for robust community tanks, they become highly territorial when spawning and will dig pits in the substrate to protect their fry.
Labidochromis caeruleus
The Electric Yellow Lab is one of the most popular and widely kept African Cichlids from Lake Malawi. Classified as an Mbuna (rock-dwelling cichlid), they are famous for their vibrant yellow coloration and striking black dorsal stripes. While considered one of the most 'peaceful' Mbuna, they are still highly territorial cichlids that require hard, alkaline water, a sandy substrate for digging, and abundant rockwork to establish territories.
Aulonocara baenschi
A striking Lake Malawi cichlid known for the male's vibrant yellow coloration and metallic blue face. As a 'Peacock' cichlid, they are benthic carnivores that require fine sand to sift for invertebrates. While considered one of the more mild-mannered African cichlids, they still require hard, alkaline water and careful management of aggression, usually via an all-male display tank or a harem structure.
Perca flavescens
A popular North American gamefish and temperate aquarium species. Yellow Perch are active, shoaling predators recognized by their brass-colored bodies and dark vertical bars. They require large, well-filtered coldwater setups and will eagerly consume any tankmate that fits in their mouth.
Xenotilapia bathyphilus
An elegant, bottom-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. They are highly specialized 'sand-sifters' that take mouthfuls of sand to filter out small invertebrates. They are relatively peaceful for African cichlids but can be territorial during breeding. They are highly skittish and do best in small shoals. A fine sand substrate is absolutely mandatory for their survival and natural behavior.
Neocaridina davidi var. yellow
A bright yellow color morph of the extremely popular and hardy Neocaridina dwarf shrimp. They are completely peaceful scavengers that excel at cleaning up uneaten food and biofilm. They reproduce readily in freshwater aquariums but are highly vulnerable to predation by most fish. They thrive in colonies and should be kept in groups.
Botia almorhae
A popular, energetic, and boisterous bottom dweller native to the slow-moving and still waters of the Ganges basin (India/Pakistan). Named 'Yoyo' because the dark reticulated patterns on juveniles often resemble the letters Y-O-Y-O. As they mature, the pattern becomes a complex mosaic. They are excellent snail eaters but can be semi-aggressive/boisterous, making them unsuitable for shy or long-finned tank mates.
Asolene spixi
The Zebra Apple Snail, or Spixi Snail, is a striking yellow-and-brown striped freshwater invertebrate native to South America. Unlike Mystery Snails, Spixis lay gelatinous egg clutches completely underwater. They are valuable clean-up crew members known to consume hydra, algae, and occasionally the eggs of pest snails. They require hard, alkaline water to prevent shell deterioration.
Danio rerio
One of the most robust and active aquarium fish available. Native to South Asia, they are a model organism in science due to their genetics. They are extremely active top-level swimmers that must be kept in schools to prevent stress and fin-nipping. They prefer cooler, oxygen-rich water with a current.
Botia striata
A highly active, beautifully striped bottom dweller endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Unlike some larger botiid loaches, the Zebra Loach is peaceful and stays relatively small, making it an excellent community fish. They are highly social, strict schooling fish that establish complex pecking orders. They are also famous for being voracious consumers of pest snails.
Astatotilapia latifasciata
A strikingly beautiful and critically endangered African cichlid from the Lake Kyoga basin (part of the Lake Victoria super-flock). They are maternal mouthbrooders that thrive in hard, alkaline water. They are highly active, moderately aggressive, and do best in a harem setup (one male to multiple females) to disperse breeding aggression.
Otocinclus cocama
A strikingly patterned, highly sought-after nano suckermouth catfish native to Peru. Like other Otocinclus, they are completely peaceful and excellent algae eaters. However, they are notably sensitive to water parameters and require a well-established, mature aquarium with plenty of biofilm, soft algae, and driftwood to thrive. They must be kept in groups to feel secure.
Hypancistrus zebra
A highly sought-after, strikingly beautiful black-and-white striped pleco endemic to the fast-flowing Xingu River in Brazil. Unlike common plecostomus, it is primarily carnivorous (a micropredator) and will not clean algae. They are notoriously shy, slow-growing, and require highly oxygenated, warm water with vigorous flow to thrive.
Brachyplatystoma tigrinum
A striking and highly sought-after predatory catfish from the fast-flowing Amazonian rapids. Known for its striking vertical zebra stripes and incredibly long dorsal fin streamer. They are a 'monster fish' requiring massive enclosures, pristine water, and extreme oxygenation. They are very sensitive to poor water quality.
Mastacembelus zebrinus
The Zebra Spiny Eel is a fascinating, small eel-like fish native to the Inle Lake region of Myanmar. Known for its striking vertical stripes and elongated snout, it is a peaceful but shy bottom-dweller. It strictly requires a soft sand substrate to burrow into, as gravel can severely damage its skin and lead to fatal bacterial infections. A micropredator by nature, it will hunt small shrimp and fry but remains entirely peaceful toward appropriately sized tank mates. A tight-fitting lid is absolutely mandatory, as they are notorious escape artists.
Heterotilapia buttikoferi
A large, highly intelligent riverine cichlid from West Africa renowned for its bold black and white vertical stripes. However, it is also infamous for its extreme, often lethal aggression. Adults are usually completely intolerant of tank mates (including conspecifics) and will heavily rearrange decor, destroy plants, and smash heaters. It is highly recommended to keep them as a solitary 'wet pet'.
