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.
Buccochromis lepturus
A massive, open-water predator native to Lake Malawi. They are pelagic pursuit hunters that will consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouths. Due to their enormous adult size and extreme swimming speed, they require exceptionally large aquariums. They should only be housed with other large, robust Malawi cichlids.
Buccochromis rhoadesii
A massive, apex-predator Haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. They are open-water pursuit predators characterized by an immense mouth and a distinct diagonal stripe across the body. Due to their enormous adult size and strictly piscivorous nature, they require massive aquariums and can only be housed with similarly large, robust species. Any tank mate small enough to fit in their mouth will be eaten.
Exodon paradoxus
The Bucktooth Tetra is a highly active, predatory shoaling fish infamous for its scale-eating (lepidophagous) behavior. They are extremely aggressive and will strip the scales, fins, and even eyes off almost any tankmate. They must be kept in a species-only tank in large groups (12+) to disperse their intense conspecific aggression; otherwise, they will systematically kill each other.
Hyphessobrycon anisitsi
A large, incredibly hardy, and highly active tetra from South America. While they are nearly bulletproof regarding water parameters and great for beginners, they are notorious fin-nippers and voracious plant eaters. They must be kept in larger schools to disperse internal aggression and housed with equally robust, fast-moving tank mates (like larger Barbs or robust Catfish). Do not keep with long-finned fish, slow swimmers, or in delicate aquascapes.
Polypterus palmas buettikoferi
The Buettikoferi Bichir (often sold as the Gold Dust Bichir) is a fascinating ancient fish native to West Africa. Like all bichirs, it possesses a modified swim bladder acting as a primitive lung, requiring a small air gap at the surface to breathe atmospheric air. They are peaceful towards similarly-sized fish but are highly predatory nocturnal ambushers that will consume anything that fits in their mouths.
Steatocranus casuarius
A highly unique, riverine cichlid native to the fast-flowing rapids of the Congo River. It possesses a reduced swim bladder, meaning it 'hops' or 'jerks' along the bottom rather than swimming freely in the water column. Unlike Rift Lake African cichlids, it requires softer, neutral-to-acidic water and exceptionally high oxygenation/flow. They form strong monogamous pairs.
Horabagrus brachysoma
A large, nocturnal predatory catfish native to the backwaters of Kerala, India. It is easily identified by the large, golden-ringed black 'bullseye' spot behind its gills. While completely peaceful toward tank mates too large to be swallowed, it is a highly capable piscivore that will consume any small fish overnight.
Channa marulius
A massive, apex-predator fish native to South Asia. The Bullseye Snakehead is one of the largest snakehead species, capable of reaching lengths up to 4-6 feet (120-180cm). They possess a suprabranchial organ allowing them to breathe atmospheric air. Due to their extreme size, intense aggression, and powerful jumping ability, they are strictly for advanced monster-fish keepers with indoor ponds or massive custom enclosures.
Chilatherina bulolo
A rare and highly active rainbowfish native to the fast-flowing mountain streams and white-water rapids of the Markham and Ramu river systems in Papua New Guinea. They possess a silvery body with a distinct black streak on the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin. Because of their specialized natural habitat, they require highly oxygenated, fast-flowing water and alkaline conditions to thrive in an aquarium.
Microglanis iheringi
The South American Bumblebee Catfish is a small, nocturnal bottom-dweller known for its striking yellow and dark brown bands. Highly secretive during the day, it requires plenty of caves, crevices, and driftwood for hiding. While completely peaceful towards larger tank mates, it is a strictly opportunistic predator with a surprisingly large mouth—any fish, fry, or shrimp small enough to swallow will be eaten at night.
Pseudotropheus crabro
A robust and highly aggressive Mbuna from Lake Malawi. They are famous for their rapid color changes; while females and juveniles boast striking yellow and black 'bumblebee' bars, dominant males turn almost completely pitch black. In the wild, they are opportunistic feeders that clean parasites from large catfish and steal their eggs.
Brachygobius xanthozonus
A miniature, bottom-dwelling goby famous for its striking black and yellow stripes. While they are often sold as freshwater fish and can survive in it temporarily, they are highly susceptible to fungal infections in fresh water and truly require a brackish setup (SG 1.002-1.005) to thrive long-term. They are notoriously picky eaters, often ignoring flakes in favor of live or frozen foods (like bloodworms or brine shrimp).
Ameca splendens
A robust and highly active splitfin livebearer native to the Ameca River basin in Mexico, where it is considered critically endangered or extinct in the wild. They are notorious fin-nippers and can be very boisterous, making them unsuitable for peaceful community tanks. They thrive in hard, alkaline water and require a strong vegetable component (like algae) in their diet.
Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
One of the most colorful and slightly more aggressive Peacock cichlids from Lake Malawi. They are obligate sand-sifters that search for benthic invertebrates. They require hard, alkaline water and plenty of rocky caves. Like most Aulonocara, they exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism.
Dekeyseria brachyura
A strikingly patterned, flat-bodied plecostomus known for its ability to change color to match its surroundings (often alternating between light and dark bands). Native to the Rio Negro basin, it is a highly capable algae eater that requires well-oxygenated water with good flow. It is generally peaceful but can be territorial over favored caves.
Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides
The Cairns Rainbowfish is a critically endangered species native to the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. Unlike many rainbowfish, this species inhabits clear, fast-flowing, shaded rainforest creeks with rocky bottoms and virtually no aquatic plants. They are active, peaceful schooling fish that require highly oxygenated water and plenty of horizontal swimming space.
Peckoltia vittata
The Candy Striped Pleco (L015) is a strikingly patterned, dwarf Loricarid native to the Amazon Basin. It features a dark brown body crossed with bold yellow to white stripes. Due to its small adult size, it is an excellent alternative to Common Plecos. It is primarily nocturnal and omnivorous, requiring both meaty foods and vegetable matter. Driftwood is essential for its digestion and to provide hiding spaces.
Caridina dennerli
A stunning but highly sensitive dwarf shrimp native to the ancient Lake Matano in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Famous for its bright red coloration and contrasting white front appendages (often called 'white gloves'). They require extremely specific, pristine water conditions (high temperature, high pH, specific remineralizers) and are only recommended for advanced aquarists.
Paracheirodon axelrodi
A stunning schooling fish native to the upper Orinoco and Rio Negro basins in South America. Famous for its brilliant iridescent blue line and a vivid red stripe that extends the full length of its body (distinguishing it from the Neon Tetra). They are strictly schooling fish that thrive in warm, acidic blackwater environments.
Nomorhamphus liemi
A fascinating surface-dwelling livebearer native to the fast-flowing freshwater streams of Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia. They possess an elongated lower jaw and are strict top-dwellers. Unlike many other halfbeak species in the trade, they are strictly freshwater and do not require salt. As predatory insectivores, they are known to eat fry. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory as they are exceptional jumpers.
Marosatherina ladigesi
An active, schooling fish native to the karst (limestone) streams of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Known for their striking neon blue lateral stripes and yellowish fins. They strictly require hard, alkaline water to thrive and are highly sensitive to soft, acidic conditions. A peaceful species that requires plenty of open swimming space.
Danio margaritatus
A breathtaking nano fish native to small, vegetated ponds in Myanmar. They feature a midnight blue body covered in pearlescent spots with striking red and black striped fins. CPDs are notoriously shy and require heavily planted aquariums to feel secure. Males will constantly display and mock-spar with each other, so a larger group is essential to disperse this behavior.
Dichotomyctere fluviatilis
The Ceylon Puffer (often sold as the Topaz Puffer) is a highly interactive but aggressive brackish water species. Like many puffers, they require hard, crunchy foods (like snails and crabs) to keep their continuously growing teeth ground down. Often falsely sold as freshwater fish, they strictly require brackish water, with adults thriving in high-end brackish or full marine conditions. They are notorious fin-nippers and are best kept in a species-only solitary setup.
Australoheros facetus
The Chanchito, commonly known as the Chameleon Cichlid, is a robust and highly adaptable cichlid native to South America. Known for rapid color changes reflecting their mood and environment, they are famously cold-tolerant and can survive without aquarium heaters in many indoor climates. They are active diggers that will uproot most live plants and become fiercely territorial during breeding.
