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.
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Despite its name, the Bala Shark is a peaceful, schooling cyprinid. They are extremely active, fast swimmers that grow very large and startle easily. They are notorious for injuring themselves by crashing into the aquarium glass if kept in small tanks or easily spooked. They must be kept in groups and eventually require massive, custom-sized aquariums.
Poecilia latipinna hybrid
A selectively bred morphological variant characterized by a shortened spine and a rounded, balloon-like belly. Due to their altered anatomy, they are poorer swimmers than standard mollies and are prone to digestive and swim bladder issues. Like all mollies, they thrive in hard, alkaline water, appreciate algae in their diet, and are highly tolerant of brackish conditions.
Atyopsis moluccensis
A large, completely peaceful freshwater filter-feeding shrimp. They use specialized fan-like appendages to catch microorganisms and fine food particles from the water column. They require an established aquarium with moderate to high water flow and tall resting places (like driftwood) directly in the current.
Acantopsis choirorhynchos
More commonly known in the hobby as the Horseface Loach, the 'Banana Loach' is a highly specialized, elongated bottom-dweller. They are famous for completely burying themselves in the substrate with only their eyes protruding to watch for predators or prey. A soft, deep sand bed is absolutely mandatory; sharp gravel will severely damage their bodies and sensitive barbels.
Apistogramma bitaeniata
A stunning South American dwarf cichlid native to the blackwater streams of the Amazon basin. Known for their distinct dual lateral stripes, they are a bottom-dwelling species that requires soft, acidic water, sandy substrate, and complex environments with caves or leaf litter. They are generally peaceful in a community tank but highly territorial towards other bottom-dwellers, especially when breeding.
Toxotes jaculatrix
Famous for their ability to shoot down insects with a precise jet of water. As surface-dwelling predators native to mangrove estuaries, they require hard, brackish water to thrive long-term. They have a high prey drive and will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouths. A tight-fitting lid is absolutely mandatory as they are exceptional jumpers.
Etroplus suratensis
The Banded Chromide (or Pearlspot) is a massive, laterally compressed cichlid native to the fresh and brackish estuaries of Southern India and Sri Lanka. Known for its striking greenish-grey body covered in pearly white spots, it is an impressive display fish. They are euryhaline and thrive in hard, alkaline freshwater or brackish setups. As primarily herbivorous grazers and substrate sifters, they will consume soft aquatic plants and require plenty of swimming space.
Heros notatus
Often sold as the Spotted Severum, this large South American cichlid is prized for its disc-like shape and the striking spots and bands along its lower half. They are native to the blackwater Rio Negro basin. While generally considered 'gentle giants' in the cichlid world, they are opportunistic predators that will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouths. They are also notorious for devouring live aquarium plants.
Trichogaster fasciata
The Banded Gourami is a robust and hardy labyrinth fish known for its striking diagonal stripes. Considerably larger than the Dwarf Gourami, they are active swimmers but generally peaceful in community settings. They require access to the water's surface to breathe atmospheric air. Males can be highly territorial toward each other.
Leporinus fasciatus
A large, striking, cigar-shaped characin native to the Amazon Basin, recognized by its bold black and yellow bands. While beautiful, they are notoriously active, prone to jumping, and infamous for systematically destroying live plants. They grow quite large and can be semi-aggressive, particularly toward their own kind or fish with long fins.
Melanotaenia trifasciata
A large, robust, and highly active schooling fish native to Northern Australia. Famous for its intense geographic color variations (such as the red 'Goyder River' morph). They are peaceful but incredibly fast and vigorous swimmers, requiring long aquariums with plenty of open swimming space.
Corydoras metae
A highly social, peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish endemic to the Rio Meta basin in Colombia. Instantly recognizable by the black 'bandit' mask over its eyes and the dark ridge stripe along its back. Like all Corydoras, they must be kept on a soft sand substrate to prevent severe damage and infection to their sensitive foraging barbels. They are schooling fish that require groups of at least 6 to thrive and display natural behavior.
Bunocephalus coracoideus
A bizarre, highly camouflaged bottom-dweller that perfectly mimics a dead leaf or piece of bark. Extremely docile and strictly nocturnal, the Banjo Catfish spends most of its daylight hours completely buried in the sand or hiding under debris. They are famous for 'playing dead' when netted or disturbed.
Apistogramma barlowi
A unique South American dwarf cichlid officially described as Apistogramma barlowi (2008), but widely known in the hobby by its trade name 'Maulbrüter' (German for mouthbrooder). Unlike most Apistogramma species which exclusively spawn in caves, this species is a facultative, biparental mouthbrooder. They thrive in soft, acidic water and require fine sandy substrates.
Chilatherina fasciata
A robust, active, and highly colorful schooling fish native to the clear, fast-flowing streams of New Guinea. They are named for the distinctive vertical black bars on their lower flanks. As highly active swimmers that do best in hard, alkaline water, they require a spacious, long aquarium (minimum 4 feet) with strong oxygenation and plenty of open swimming space.
Melanotaenia batanta
A stunning, active shoaling fish endemic to Batanta Island in West Papua, Indonesia. They inhabit clear, moderately fast-flowing rainforest streams. Like most rainbowfish, they are highly social, energetic swimmers that require plenty of horizontal swimming space and clean, well-oxygenated water. Males exhibit striking blueish coloration with narrow orange stripes. The species is considered Vulnerable in the wild.
Scleromystax barbatus
A large, striking, and somewhat atypical relative of standard Corydoras. Native to the highly oxygenated, cooler coastal streams of Brazil, they require sub-tropical temperatures and will stress or die in standard tropical tanks. They exhibit strong sexual dimorphism. Highly social, they must be kept on a soft sand substrate to protect their sensitive barbels.
Nannostomus beckfordi
A peaceful, slender schooling fish native to the sluggish rivers and swamps of South America. They are famous for the males' harmless but spectacular lateral sparring displays. They require heavily planted aquariums with gentle flow and make excellent tank mates for other peaceful, soft-water species. A tight-fitting lid is essential as they are known to be proficient jumpers.
Caridina logemanni
A highly prized dwarf freshwater shrimp known for its striking opaque color bands. Native to streams in Southern China, they require specific parameters to thrive: cool, highly oxygenated, acidic, and very soft water. This is usually achieved using RO (Reverse Osmosis) water remineralized with specific shrimp salts and active buffering soil. They are highly sensitive to nitrogen spikes and copper, and are extremely vulnerable to fish predation.
Caridina cantonensis
A sensitive, highly prized dwarf shrimp species known for its vivid red/white or black/white banding. Unlike the hardy Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina), Bee Shrimp require cool, soft, acidic water and typically require active buffering soil to thrive. They are peaceful grazers perfect for specific biotope setups.
Botia dario
A strikingly patterned, highly active loach native to the Brahmaputra and Ganges basins. Like most Botiid loaches, they establish complex social hierarchies and must be kept in groups to prevent stress and aggression. They are excellent snail hunters but require a soft, sandy substrate to protect their delicate sensory barbels from abrasion.
Hyphessobrycon bentosi
A striking, deep-bodied tetra native to the slow-moving waters of the Amazon basin. Characterized by a reddish-brown tint and a prominent black spot on the dorsal fin, often tipped with white. They are active but peaceful schooling fish. Males will frequently engage in harmless, visually impressive sparring displays to establish hierarchy and impress females.
Betta splendens
The Siamese Fighting Fish is an aquarium icon known for its labyrinth organ (allowing air breathing) and vivid colors. While hardy, they require heated, filtered water (24-30°C). Males are solitary and fiercely territorial. Females are generally less ornate but can be kept in 'sororities' with strict precautions (minimum 5 females in 75L+).
Betta imbellis
Known as the 'Peaceful Betta', Betta imbellis is a wild species closely related to Betta splendens. Unlike their highly aggressive domestic cousins, they can often be kept in pairs or carefully managed groups. They are native to blackwater swamps and require calm, tannin-stained water with plenty of cover. They are exceptionally prone to jumping.
