Freshwater Fish Species, Aquarium Fish Profiles

Freshwater Fish Care Information and Pictures By Freshwater Fish Species / Fish Types

Click on the picture of the freshwater fish listed below for detailed profiles along with comments and tips from fellow freshwater aquarium fish hobbyists.

Anabantids - Bettas and Gouramis

Betta
Betta One of the most beautiful of all freshwater fish, male bettas need to be kept as singles due to aggression.

Blue Gourami The fairly hardy Blue Gourami gets to be about 6 inches as adults. Can be temperamental with other gouramis.

Dwarf Gourami The Dwarf Gourami is another beauty that can get aggressive with other dwarf gouramis.

Kissing Gourami Best to keep only one Kissing Gourami per tank because they will pester smaller Kissing Gouramis.

Mahachai Betta One of the newest additions to the Betta scene, this species is mostly wild caught.

Pearl Gourami Male Pearl Gouramis may bicker with each other, but overall this is generally a good community fish.

Archerfish

Archerfish The Archerfish can shoot water out of the aquarium and are really good jumpers. A tank with a hood is needed.

Arowanas

Silver Arowana The Silver Arowana can get huge and is best left in the wild unless you have a massive tank.

Butterfly Fish

African Butterfly Fish A unique freshwater fish that has an inconspicuously large mouth. Beware if housing it with smaller species.

Catfish

Chinese Algae Eater Often mistaken for the otocinclus catfish, this algae eater can get big and somewhat aggressive with tank mates as it grows.

Corydoras Catfish One of the coolest little freshwater fish you can keep. We're biased though since it's one of our all time favorite species.

Iridescent Shark This "freshwater shark" gets way too big for most home aquariums.

Otocinclus Catfish Great little catfish that eats algae, may not do well if not acclimated properly.

Plecostomus Many different species with many that get too big for most home aquariums.

Queen Arabesque Pleco Beautiful pleco sometimes used as a substitute for the zebra pleco.

Zebra Pleco A plecostomus that demands high prices due to limited availability. Populations in the wild are threatened.

Characins - Tetras

Black Neon Tetra A nice little tetra that can be quite hardy and looks really good in a planted tank or aquariums with darker substrates.

Black Phantom Tetra A medium sized tetra that does well with similarly sized fish species.

Black Skirt Tetra A tetra with larger fins so use caution if you plan on stocking them with known nippers.

Bleeding Heart Tetra Has the signature small red spot (don't think it looks like a heart though) on its sides.

Bloodfin Tetra A slim lined tetra with red fins, a fast swimmer that does well in planted tanks.

Buenos Aires Tetra One of the larger aquarium tetras, they can also be somewhat territorial with other fish.

Cardinal Tetra Looks very similar to the neon tetra, but the cardinal tetra has more red on its body. This tetra looks fantastic in large schools.

Head and Tail Light Tetra A peaceful little tetra that also does well in schools like most tetras.

Glow Light Tetra
Glowlight Tetra Has an orange/red strip running horizontally along its sides. Has a good reputation amongst hobbyists as being quite hardy.

Neon Tetra Has to be one of the most popular of the tetras. This freshwater fish is a very pretty blue and red and appears iridescent.

Piranha
Piranha Check with your local laws before getting a Piranha. Some municipalities have banned the sale of this species.

Pristella Tetra Can be considered a good tetra for the freshwater fish beginner due to its hardy and peaceful nature.

Pacu
Red Belly Pacu The Pacu gets way too big for most home aquariums and is then sometimes released into local waterways. Ugh. Do not release fish into your local water ways!

Colombian Tetra Another medium sized tetra that can get aggressive with other species.

Red Eye Tetra Another tetra that has been known to nip a fin or two or three. Use caution when selecting tank mates.

Rummy Nose Tetra These tetras have red heads that can change colors depending on environmental stressors.

Serpae Tetra Can get a little nippy with other species, keep in small schools to limit the nipping.

Silver Dollar An old standby in the hobby, the Silver Dollars are known plant destroyers.

White Skirt Tetra An albino form of the black skirt tetra with long flowing fins.

Cichlids

Angelfish Can be temperamental with other species when they pair off.

Blue Ram Cichlid Awesome looking cichlid that needs to be slowly acclimated and fed a high quality diet.

Cockatoo Cichlid Colorful cichlid that likes hiding places and live plants.

Convict Cichlid One of the most commonly kept cichlids. They are great parents and fairly easy to breed.

Discus
Discus The ultimate freshwater fish species perhaps, it's definitely one of the prettiest and can be considered challenging to keep long term.

Firemouth Cichlid Another great cichlid that is an excellent parent to it's young.

Jack Dempsey Cichlid
Jack Dempsey Named after the famous prize fighter, these cichlids need larger tanks.

Jewel Cichlid The Jeweled cichlid can get aggressive with tankmates (like many cichlids) when they pair off.

Kribensis Cichlid Another one of the easier to breed cichlids.

Oscar Fish
Oscar Often sold to new hobbyists that should now better. Oscars need larger tanks than most hobbyists can provide.

Red Devil Cichlid A large and mean cichlid that needs a large tank.

Zebra Cichlid A few different varieties of zebra cichlids are out there. Pictured is the red zebra and males can get very territorial. Another African cichlid that is not recommended for a community type tank setup.

Cyprinids - Barbs

Bala Shark, Silver Shark
Bala Shark Gets big and likes to be in schools making optimal care conditions difficult in the home aquarium.

Cherry Barb Males turn cherry red and these make excellent fish for beginning freshwater fish tank keepers.

Gold Barb Another barb that is an excellent choice for newbies to the freshwater hobby.

Goldfish The most popular fish of all time? Our old friend the goldfish.

Harlequin Rasbora Looks fantastic in a heavily planted and kept in schools.

Koi
Koi This is a pond fish and not suitable for most home aquariums unless you're wintering your koi indoors.

Odessa Barb A beautiful barb that is quite colorful. Not very common at the local fish store.

Rainbow Shark Best kept as a single due to aggression with members of the same species.

Redtail Shark
Red Tail Shark Another "freshwater shark" that is very territorial and will not do well with other red tails.

Rosy Barb Also known as the Red Barb, this fish should bring lots of activity to a tank.

Scissor Tail Rasbora Named for the unique motion of it's caudal fin that moves like scissors.

Tiger Barb A notorious fin nipper that doesn't do all that well in community tanks.

Tinfoil Barb Likes to be in schools but gets too big for most freshwater tanks.

White Cloud
Mountain Minnow Can tolerate colder water temperatures and can be very active and easy to breed.

Zebra Danio Another very popular freshwater fish that used to be used to cycle new tanks. We don't do that anymore, right?

Hatchetfish

Marble Hatchetfish
Marble Hatchet Fish The hatchetfish are top level swimmers that do well in schools.

Killifish

Killifish A fascinating smaller fish species with some killis being very short lived.

Loaches

Clown Loaches
Clown Loach A loach with tons of personality that needs to be properly acclimated to your larger sized tank.

Dojo Loach Also known as the weather loach because of their behavior during low fronts in the weather system.

Hillstream Loach A somewhat reclusive loach that needs current and highly oxygenated and cooler tank water.

Kuhli Loach A smaller sized loach that does well in many freshwater setups.

Livebearers

Endlers Livebearer This livebearer species might be extinct in the wild. They have very similar care requirements as the guppy and the two are closely related.

Fancy Guppy
Guppy One of the first species for beginning hobbyist to breed. Prolific breeders that can be quite hardy and colorful.

Molly
Mollies Pictured is the black molly. These livebearers like some aquarium salt in the water and will give lots of fish babies. Be responsible and only breed them if you have a plan for what to do with all the fry.

Platy Fish
Platy Another popular freshwater fish species and a very hardy livebearer.

Swordtail Many colorful varieties are available and males can develop their signature "sword" like tail.

Ambassidae

Glassfish A commonly dyed or tattoed species. Please read the dyed fish article and don't buy these artificially dyed fish!

Freshwater Invertebrates

Australian Blue Crayfish
Crayfish
(Crawdad) Not suitable for community tank setups.

Ghost Shrimp A smaller shrimp that likes to scavenge. Keep only with smaller sized fish species.

Gold Inca Snail Freshwater snail that does a decent job grazin on algae. They may also need supplemental feedings.

Brackish Water Fish Profiles

Columbian Shark A fish that can get large! Only keep them in the largest of aquariums.

Anabantids - Bettas and Gouramis
Betta	One of the most beautiful of all freshwater fish, male bettas need to be kept as singles due to aggression.
Blue Gourami	The fairly hardy Blue Gourami gets to be about 6 inches as adults. Can be temperamental with other gouramis.
Dwarf Gourami	The Dwarf Gourami is another beauty that can get aggressive with other dwarf gouramis.
Kissing Gourami	Best to keep only one Kissing Gourami per tank because they will pester smaller Kissing Gouramis.
Mahachai Betta	One of the newest additions to the Betta scene, this species is mostly wild caught.
Pearl Gourami	Male Pearl Gouramis may bicker with each other, but overall this is generally a good community fish.
Archerfish
Archerfish	The Archerfish can shoot water out of the aquarium and are really good jumpers. A tank with a hood is needed.
Arowanas
Silver Arowana	The Silver Arowana can get huge and is best left in the wild unless you have a massive tank.
Butterfly Fish
African Butterfly Fish	A unique freshwater fish that has an inconspicuously large mouth. Beware if housing it with smaller species.
Catfish
Chinese Algae Eater	Often mistaken for the otocinclus catfish, this algae eater can get big and somewhat aggressive with tank mates as it grows.
Corydoras Catfish	One of the coolest little freshwater fish you can keep. We're biased though since it's one of our all time favorite species.
Iridescent Shark	This "freshwater shark" gets way too big for most home aquariums.
Otocinclus Catfish	Great little catfish that eats algae, may not do well if not acclimated properly.
Plecostomus	Many different species with many that get too big for most home aquariums.
Queen Arabesque Pleco	Beautiful pleco sometimes used as a substitute for the zebra pleco.
Zebra Pleco	A plecostomus that demands high prices due to limited availability. Populations in the wild are threatened.
Characins - Tetras
Black Neon Tetra	A nice little tetra that can be quite hardy and looks really good in a planted tank or aquariums with darker substrates.
Black Phantom Tetra	A medium sized tetra that does well with similarly sized fish species.
Black Skirt Tetra	A tetra with larger fins so use caution if you plan on stocking them with known nippers.
Bleeding Heart Tetra	Has the signature small red spot (don't think it looks like a heart though) on its sides.
Bloodfin Tetra	A slim lined tetra with red fins, a fast swimmer that does well in planted tanks.
Buenos Aires Tetra	One of the larger aquarium tetras, they can also be somewhat territorial with other fish.
Cardinal Tetra	Looks very similar to the neon tetra, but the cardinal tetra has more red on its body. This tetra looks fantastic in large schools.
Head and Tail Light Tetra	A peaceful little tetra that also does well in schools like most tetras.
Glowlight Tetra	Has an orange/red strip running horizontally along its sides. Has a good reputation amongst hobbyists as being quite hardy.
Neon Tetra	Has to be one of the most popular of the tetras. This freshwater fish is a very pretty blue and red and appears iridescent.
Piranha	Check with your local laws before getting a Piranha. Some municipalities have banned the sale of this species.
Pristella Tetra	Can be considered a good tetra for the freshwater fish beginner due to its hardy and peaceful nature.
Red Belly Pacu	The Pacu gets way too big for most home aquariums and is then sometimes released into local waterways. Ugh. Do not release fish into your local water ways!
Colombian Tetra	Another medium sized tetra that can get aggressive with other species.
Red Eye Tetra	Another tetra that has been known to nip a fin or two or three. Use caution when selecting tank mates.
Rummy Nose Tetra	These tetras have red heads that can change colors depending on environmental stressors.
Serpae Tetra	Can get a little nippy with other species, keep in small schools to limit the nipping.
Silver Dollar	An old standby in the hobby, the Silver Dollars are known plant destroyers.
White Skirt Tetra	An albino form of the black skirt tetra with long flowing fins.
Cichlids
Angelfish	Can be temperamental with other species when they pair off.
Blue Ram Cichlid	Awesome looking cichlid that needs to be slowly acclimated and fed a high quality diet.
Cockatoo Cichlid	Colorful cichlid that likes hiding places and live plants.
Convict Cichlid	One of the most commonly kept cichlids. They are great parents and fairly easy to breed.
Discus	The ultimate freshwater fish species perhaps, it's definitely one of the prettiest and can be considered challenging to keep long term.
Firemouth Cichlid	Another great cichlid that is an excellent parent to it's young.
Jack Dempsey	Named after the famous prize fighter, these cichlids need larger tanks.
Jewel Cichlid	The Jeweled cichlid can get aggressive with tankmates (like many cichlids) when they pair off.
Kribensis Cichlid	Another one of the easier to breed cichlids.
Oscar	Often sold to new hobbyists that should now better. Oscars need larger tanks than most hobbyists can provide.
Red Devil Cichlid	A large and mean cichlid that needs a large tank.
Zebra Cichlid	A few different varieties of zebra cichlids are out there. Pictured is the red zebra and males can get very territorial. Another African cichlid that is not recommended for a community type tank setup.
Cyprinids - Barbs
Bala Shark	Gets big and likes to be in schools making optimal care conditions difficult in the home aquarium.
Cherry Barb	Males turn cherry red and these make excellent fish for beginning freshwater fish tank keepers.
Gold Barb	Another barb that is an excellent choice for newbies to the freshwater hobby.
Goldfish	The most popular fish of all time? Our old friend the goldfish.
Harlequin Rasbora	Looks fantastic in a heavily planted and kept in schools.
Koi	This is a pond fish and not suitable for most home aquariums unless you're wintering your koi indoors.
Odessa Barb	A beautiful barb that is quite colorful. Not very common at the local fish store.
Rainbow Shark	Best kept as a single due to aggression with members of the same species.
Red Tail Shark	Another "freshwater shark" that is very territorial and will not do well with other red tails.
Rosy Barb	Also known as the Red Barb, this fish should bring lots of activity to a tank.
Scissor Tail Rasbora	Named for the unique motion of it's caudal fin that moves like scissors.
Tiger Barb	A notorious fin nipper that doesn't do all that well in community tanks.
Tinfoil Barb	Likes to be in schools but gets too big for most freshwater tanks.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow	Can tolerate colder water temperatures and can be very active and easy to breed.
Zebra Danio	Another very popular freshwater fish that used to be used to cycle new tanks. We don't do that anymore, right?
Hatchetfish
Marble Hatchet Fish	The hatchetfish are top level swimmers that do well in schools.
Killifish
Killifish	A fascinating smaller fish species with some killis being very short lived.
Loaches
Clown Loach	A loach with tons of personality that needs to be properly acclimated to your larger sized tank.
Dojo Loach	Also known as the weather loach because of their behavior during low fronts in the weather system.
Hillstream Loach	A somewhat reclusive loach that needs current and highly oxygenated and cooler tank water.
Kuhli Loach	A smaller sized loach that does well in many freshwater setups.
Livebearers
Endlers Livebearer	This livebearer species might be extinct in the wild. They have very similar care requirements as the guppy and the two are closely related.
Guppy	One of the first species for beginning hobbyist to breed. Prolific breeders that can be quite hardy and colorful.
Mollies	Pictured is the black molly. These livebearers like some aquarium salt in the water and will give lots of fish babies. Be responsible and only breed them if you have a plan for what to do with all the fry.
Platy	Another popular freshwater fish species and a very hardy livebearer.
Swordtail	Many colorful varieties are available and males can develop their signature "sword" like tail.
Ambassidae
Glassfish	A commonly dyed or tattoed species. Please read the dyed fish article and don't buy these artificially dyed fish!
Freshwater Invertebrates
Crayfish (Crawdad)	Not suitable for community tank setups.
Ghost Shrimp	A smaller shrimp that likes to scavenge. Keep only with smaller sized fish species.
Gold Inca Snail	Freshwater snail that does a decent job grazin on algae. They may also need supplemental feedings.
Brackish Water Fish Profiles
Columbian Shark	A fish that can get large! Only keep them in the largest of aquariums.