Coldwater fish
Encyclopedia
Coldwater fish, in the context of aquarium
s, refers to fish
species that prefer cooler water temperatures than tropical fish
, typically below 20 °C (68 °F). Some examples are koi
and goldfish
. These species tend to grow more slowly and live longer than fish that live in warmer waters, and are generally felt to be easier to keep.
Coldwater fish are fish such as goldfish, koi, and other members of the carp family that are able to survive in cold water temperatures. When kept in a household aquarium, they do not require a heater and are quite comfortable at around 60℉. These fish are also desirable choices for outdoor ponds, although they must be kept indoors during the winter.
Note: The above contains a mix of true coldwater fish and sub-tropical fish that can survive and thrive at room temperature.
, arctic char
, and arctic grayling
), that prefer colder waters.
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
s, refers to fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
species that prefer cooler water temperatures than tropical fish
Tropical fish
Tropical fish include fish found in tropical environments around the world, including both freshwater and salt water species.Tropical fish are popular as aquarium fish, due to their often bright coloration...
, typically below 20 °C (68 °F). Some examples are koi
Koi
or more specifically , are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens....
and goldfish
Goldfish
The goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
. These species tend to grow more slowly and live longer than fish that live in warmer waters, and are generally felt to be easier to keep.
Freshwater aquarium fish
- Southern redbelly daceSouthern redbelly daceThe Southern redbelly dace , is a North American species of temperate freshwater fish of the Cyprinidae family. The natural geographic range extends from Western New York to Minnesota, and south to Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Alabama...
- LepomisLepomisLepomis is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The most recognizable species of the sixteen in this genus is the Bluegill....
- Common goldfishCommon goldfishCommon goldfish or hibuna are a type of goldfish with no other modifications from their ancestors other than their colour. Most varieties of fancy goldfish were derived from this simple breed...
- Fancy goldfish
- Weather loachWeather loachThe Dojo Loach , is a freshwater fish in the loach family Cobitidae. They are native to Asia but are also popular as an aquarium fish...
- White Cloud Mountain MinnowWhite Cloud Mountain minnowThe White Cloud Mountain minnow is a hardy, species of freshwater fish and coldwater fish often kept in aquaria.These creatures are brilliant for children as they are very easy to look after. The species is a member of the carp family of order Cypriniformes, native to China...
- Buenos Aires tetraBuenos Aires tetraThe Buenos Aires Tetra is a hardy and boisterous community tropical fish which was discovered in South America. It is best kept in shoals.-Description:...
- Gold barbGold BarbThe Green Barb or Chinese Barb is a subtropical freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family . Its native habitat is the Red River basin in southeast China. This species was originally named Barbus semifasciolatus, and is also referred to as Capoeta semifasciolata, Barbus fasciolatus, and...
- Rosy barbRosy barbThe rosy barb is a subtropical freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family . It originates in Bengal, India and other parts of Southeast Asia.-Physical description:...
- Variable platyfishVariable platyfishThe variatus platy , also known as variable platyfish or variegated platy, is a species of freshwater fish in family Poecilidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. A live-bearer, it is native to southern Tamaulipas and northern Veracruz states in northeastern Mexico...
- Fathead minnowFathead minnowThe fathead minnow , is a species of temperate freshwater fish belonging to the Pimephales genus of the cyprinid family. The natural geographic range extends throughout much of North America, from central Canada south along the Rockies to Texas, and east to Virginia and the Northeastern United...
- Banded corydorasBanded corydorasThe banded corydoras or bearded catfish, Scleromystax barbatus, is a subtropical freshwater fish belonging to the Callichthyinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family...
- Chinese high fin banded sharkChinese high fin banded sharkThe Chinese high fin banded shark, Myxocyprinus asiaticus, is a popular freshwater community-aquarium fish that belongs to the Catostomidae family. They grow to over three feet long and may be unsuitable for most home aquariums. A large pond, over 1,000 gallons, would be a more suitable home[6]...
- Three-spined sticklebackThree-spined sticklebackThe three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, is a fish native to much of northern Europe, northern Asia and North America. It has been introduced into parts of southern and central Europe.-Distribution and morphological variation:...
- Ticto barbTicto barbThe Ticto Barb or Twospot Barb is a freshwater and brackish subtropical fish belonging to the minnow family...
- Pygmy sunfishPygmy sunfishElassoma is a genus of freshwater fish, the only member of family Elassomatidae and suborder Elassomatoidei of order Perciformes. The type species is E. zonatum, the banded pygmy sunfish. The Elassomatidae are known collectively as pygmy sunfishes, but are not true sunfishes, which are members...
- EnneacanthusEnneacanthusEnneacanthus Gill, 1864, is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is E...
- Texas cichlidTexas cichlidThe Texas cichlid is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family. Also known as Rio Grande cichlid, this species is originated from the lower Rio Grande drainage in Texas and Northeastern Mexico, particular on the sandy bottom of deep rivers...
- Paradise fishParadise fishParadise fish or paradise gouramis are small freshwater labyrinth fish found in ditches and paddy fields in East Asia, ranging from the Korean Peninsula to Northern Vietnam....
- Green barb
- FlagfishFlagfishThe flagfish or American flagfish, Jordanella floridae, is a killifish native to Florida. It received its name because the male fish resembles the American flag, with a large black/blue dot and alternating red and black/blue stripes on its body. It is a common, native fish in Florida that is...
- Zebra danio
- Bengal danioBengal danioThe Bengal danio or Sind danio, Devario devario, is a subtropical fish belonging to the minnow family . Originating in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, this fish is sometimes found in community tanks by fish-keeping hobbyists...
- GloFishGloFishThe GloFish is a patented and trademarked brand of genetically modified fluorescent zebrafish with bright red, green, orange-yellow, blue, and purple fluorescent colors...
- Leopard danio
- Bulldog plecChaetostomaChaetostoma is a genus of fishes. Species include Chaetostoma thomsoni, which is native to fast-moving mountain streams of Colombia and Venezuela, where it is known in Spanish as Carachama. Some species are kept in unheated aquaria.Other species include:*Chaetostoma carrioni-External links:*...
- RhinogobiusRhinogobiusRhinogobius is a genus of primarily freshwater gobies native to tropical and temperate parts of Asia. Most are small, streamlined in shape, and often sexually dimorphic. Few are of commercial importance, but R. duospilus Rhinogobius is a genus of primarily freshwater gobies native to tropical and...
- Desert gobyChlamydogobiusChlamydogobius is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Gobiidae .They live in extreme environments; for example, several species of Chlamydogobius are found in the water that emerges from geothermal springs in Australia, such as the Dalhousie goby, found in the waters around Dalhousie Springs,...
- Highland swordtailXiphophorusXiphophorus is a genus of euryhaline and freshwater fishes in the family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. The many Xiphophorus species are all called either platyfish or swordtails. The type species is X. hellerii, the Green swordtail. Platyfish and swordtails are Live-bearers, meaning...
(Xiphophorus malinche) - Japanese ricefishOryzias latipesOryzias latipes, also known as Medaka and Japanese killifish, is a member of genus Oryzias , the only genus in the subfamily Oryziinae. This rather small...
- Zacco (fish)Zacco (fish)Zacco is a small East Asian genus of ray-finned fishes in the family Cyprinidae.- Species :* Zacco chengtui Sh. Kimura, 1934* Zacco platypus * Zacco taliensis...
- Black lined loachYasuhikotakiaYasuhikotakia is a genus of loaches, many which are popular aquarium fish. It is named in honor of Japanese collector/researcher Dr. Yasuhiko Taki. This genus has been separated from the genus Botia in the paper by Maurice Kottelat in 2004. Some future study might further place Y. sidthimunki and Y...
(Yasuhikotakia nigrolineata) - Red shinerCyprinellaCyprinella is the genus of satinfin shiners, ray-finned fish in the Cyprinidae family.It contains the following species:*Cyprinella alvarezdelvillari Contreras-Balderas & Lozano-Vilano, 1994...
(Cyprinella lutrensis) - Spotted garSpotted garThe spotted Gar is a primitive freshwater fish of the family Lepisosteidae, native to North America from the Lake Erie and southern Lake Michigan drainages south through the Mississippi River basin to Gulf Slope drainages, from lower Apalachicola River in Florida to Nueces River in Texas, USA. It...
- Longnose garLongnose garThe longnose gar, Lepisosteus osseus, is a primitive ray-finned fish of the gar family. It is also known as the needlenose gar.- Description :...
- Rosy red minnowFathead minnowThe fathead minnow , is a species of temperate freshwater fish belonging to the Pimephales genus of the cyprinid family. The natural geographic range extends throughout much of North America, from central Canada south along the Rockies to Texas, and east to Virginia and the Northeastern United...
- Hillstream loachHillstream loachThe hillstream loaches or river loaches are a family, the Balitoridae, of small Eurasian fish. Many of the species are popular for aquaria. They have a number of similarities with the Cobitidae, their sibling family of "loaches", such as multiple barbels around the mouth...
- Spined loachSpined LoachThe Spined Loach is a common freshwater fish in Europe and Asia. It is sometimes known as spotted weather loach, not to be confused with the "typical" weather loaches of the genus Misgurnus...
- Stone loachStone LoachThe Stone loach, Barbatula barbatula, is a species of ray-finned fish in the Balitoridae family.It is found in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein,...
- Common minnow
- Vietnamese cardinal minnowTanichthys micagemmaeTanichthys micagemmae is a species of freshwater fish. It is a member of the carp family of order Cypriniformes. It was only discovered in 2001, in a tributary of the River Ben Hai in Quang Binh province, Vietnam....
- GM Glowing MedakaOryzias latipesOryzias latipes, also known as Medaka and Japanese killifish, is a member of genus Oryzias , the only genus in the subfamily Oryziinae. This rather small...
- GobioGobioGobio is the genus of typical gudgeons, ray-finned fish in the Cyprinidae family. Members of the genus are usually small fish, rarely longer than 10 cm...
- Amur Bitterling
- Rosy Bitterling
- Light's BitterlingRhodeus lightiThe Light's bitterling, Rhodeus lighti, is a temperate freshwater fish belonging to the Acheilognathinae sub-family of the Cyprinidae family. It originates in Russia and China, from the Amur River basin to southern China. It was originally described as Pseudoperilampus lighti by H.W...
- Deep Bodied Bitterling
- Rainbow ShinerRainbow ShinerRainbow Shiner is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Notropis.The Rainbow Shiner has a length of 5 to 8 centimeters. It has translucent color from pink to golden with a silver-black stripe along its flanks. The base of its fins are of a reddish color. Adult males change their color during...
(Notropsis chromosus) - Black sharkLabeoLabeo is a genus of carps in the family Cyprinidae. They are found mainly in the Old World tropics.It contains the typical labeos in the subfamily Labeoninae, which may not be a valid group, however, and is often included in the Cyprininae as tribe Labeonini...
(not to be confused with the tropical red tailed black shark) - Golden cobra snakeheadChanna aurantimaculataChanna aurantimaculata is a species of snakehead. Its body is of brownish colour intermixed with vertical orange stripes. Its type locality is Dibrugarh, the most north-eastern area of Assam, India. Dibrughar is the same type locality as that of Channa bleheriThis species grows to 16 inches...
- Dwarf snakeheadChanna gachuaChanna gachua is a species of snakehead. It is a species of dwarf snakehead and has a length of . It gave its name to the aquarists' term dwarf snakeheads to denote the smaller Channa species*Channa bleheri*Channa burmanica...
- Rainbow snakeheadChanna bleheriThe Rainbow snakehead, Channa bleheri, is a species of snakehead. Its type location is Dibrugarh, the most north-eastern area of Assam, India. It is known in Assamese as Sengeli....
- Spotted snakeheadChannaChanna is a genus of the Channidae family of snakehead fishes. This genus contains about 29 species, but the most well known are probably northern snakehead and the giant snakehead . Channa has a wide natural distribution extending from Iran in the West, to China in the East, and parts of Siberia...
(Channa punctata) - Pearl danioPearl DanioThe Pearl Danio is a tropical fish belonging to the minnow family . Originating in Sumatra, Burma, and Thailand, this fish is sometimes found in community tanks by fish keeping hobbyists. It grows to a maximum length of 2.6 inches and lives for around 5 years...
- Northern snakeheadNorthern snakeheadThe Northern snakehead is a type of snakehead fish native to China, Russia, North Korea and South Korea. In the United States, the fish is considered to be a highly invasive species...
Note: The above contains a mix of true coldwater fish and sub-tropical fish that can survive and thrive at room temperature.
Freshwater pond fish
- Three-spined sticklebackThree-spined sticklebackThe three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, is a fish native to much of northern Europe, northern Asia and North America. It has been introduced into parts of southern and central Europe.-Distribution and morphological variation:...
- Nine-spined stickleback
- Common goldfishCommon goldfishCommon goldfish or hibuna are a type of goldfish with no other modifications from their ancestors other than their colour. Most varieties of fancy goldfish were derived from this simple breed...
- ShubunkinShubunkinare a hardy, single-tailed fancy goldfish with nacreous scales, and a pattern known as calico. The shubunkins are of Japanese origin....
- CometComet (goldfish)The comet or comet-tailed goldfish is the most common variety of fancy goldfish in the United States. It is similar to the common goldfish, except slightly smaller and slimmer, and is mainly distinguished by its long deeply forked tail.-Origins:...
- SterletSterletThe sterlet is a common Eurasian species of sturgeon, one of the smaller species of sturgeon. It is a common domestic species in the UK and Europe and an angling species all over the world...
- Siberian sturgeonSiberian sturgeonThe Siberian sturgeon is a species of sturgeon in the Acipenseridae family. It is most present in all of the major Siberian river basins that drain northward into the Kara, Laptev and East Siberian seas, including the Ob, Yenisei the Lena and Kolyma rivers...
- Stellate sturgeon
- Diamond sturgeonRussian sturgeonThe Russian sturgeon is a species of fish in the Acipenseridae family. It is found in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. This fish can grow up to six feet and weigh almost 250 lbs...
- KoiKoior more specifically , are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens....
- Golden Orfe
- Blue Orfe
- BitterlingRhodeusRhodeus is a genus of cyprinid fish, consisting of 21 species called bitterlings. The scientific name is derived from the Greek word rhodeos, meaning "rose"....
- GobioGobioGobio is the genus of typical gudgeons, ray-finned fish in the Cyprinidae family. Members of the genus are usually small fish, rarely longer than 10 cm...
- Grass carpGrass carpThe grass carp is a herbivorous, freshwater fish species of family Cyprinidae, and the only species of the genus Ctenopharyngodon. It is cultivated in China for food, but was introduced in Europe and the United States for aquatic weed control...
- Albino grass carpGrass carpThe grass carp is a herbivorous, freshwater fish species of family Cyprinidae, and the only species of the genus Ctenopharyngodon. It is cultivated in China for food, but was introduced in Europe and the United States for aquatic weed control...
- GambusiaGambusiaGambusia is a large genus of fish in family Poeciliidae . Gambusia contains over 40 species, most of which are principally found in freshwater habitats, though some species may also be found in brackish or saltwater habitats. The type species is the Cuban gambusia, Gambusia punctata)...
- Fathead minnowFathead minnowThe fathead minnow , is a species of temperate freshwater fish belonging to the Pimephales genus of the cyprinid family. The natural geographic range extends throughout much of North America, from central Canada south along the Rockies to Texas, and east to Virginia and the Northeastern United...
- Rosy red minnowFathead minnowThe fathead minnow , is a species of temperate freshwater fish belonging to the Pimephales genus of the cyprinid family. The natural geographic range extends throughout much of North America, from central Canada south along the Rockies to Texas, and east to Virginia and the Northeastern United...
- Mirror carpMirror carpMirror carp are a type of fish, commonly found in the United Kingdom and Europe. The name "Mirror Carp" originates from their scales' resemblance to mirrors. They can grow in excess of 60lb - the last few British record fish have all been mirror carp....
- Common carpCommon carpThe Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
- Golden ruddRuddThe common rudd Scardinius erythropthalmus is a bentho-pelagic freshwater fish, widely spread in Europe and middle Asia, around the basins of the North, Baltic, Black, Caspian and Aral seas.-Artificially introduced:...
- Green tenchTenchThe tench or doctor fish is a freshwater and brackish water fish of the cyprinid family found throughout Eurasia from Western Europe including the British Isles east into Asia as far as the Ob and Yenisei Rivers. It is also found in Lake Baikal...
- Golden tenchTenchThe tench or doctor fish is a freshwater and brackish water fish of the cyprinid family found throughout Eurasia from Western Europe including the British Isles east into Asia as far as the Ob and Yenisei Rivers. It is also found in Lake Baikal...
- Channel catfishChannel catfishChannel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is North America's most numerous catfish species. It is the official fish of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee, and is informally referred to as a "channel cat". In the United States they are the most fished catfish species with approximately 8...
- Golden Rainbow troutRainbow troutThe rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
- RoachRoach (fish)The Common Roach is a freshwater and brackish water fish native to most of Europe and western Asia...
- BluegillLepomisLepomis is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The most recognizable species of the sixteen in this genus is the Bluegill....
- PumpkinseedLepomisLepomis is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The most recognizable species of the sixteen in this genus is the Bluegill....
- Weather loachWeather loachThe Dojo Loach , is a freshwater fish in the loach family Cobitidae. They are native to Asia but are also popular as an aquarium fish...
- Stone loachStone LoachThe Stone loach, Barbatula barbatula, is a species of ray-finned fish in the Balitoridae family.It is found in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein,...
- Spined loachSpined LoachThe Spined Loach is a common freshwater fish in Europe and Asia. It is sometimes known as spotted weather loach, not to be confused with the "typical" weather loaches of the genus Misgurnus...
- Common minnow
Marine aquarium fish
- Garibaldi (fish)Garibaldi (fish)The Garibaldi or Garibaldi damselfish is a brightly colored orange fish of the damselfish family that is native to the North-Eastern subtropical parts of the Pacific Ocean, ranging from Monterey Bay, California, to Guadalupe Island, Baja California...
- Catalina goby
- Zebra Catalina goby (Lythrypnus zebra)
- Ornate boxfishAracanidaeThe Aracanidae are a family of bony fishes related to the boxfishes. They are somewhat more primitive than the true boxfishes, but have a similar protective covering of thickened scale plates. They are found in the Indian Ocean and the west Pacific...
- Shaw's boxfishAracanidaeThe Aracanidae are a family of bony fishes related to the boxfishes. They are somewhat more primitive than the true boxfishes, but have a similar protective covering of thickened scale plates. They are found in the Indian Ocean and the west Pacific...
- White bar boxfishAracanidaeThe Aracanidae are a family of bony fishes related to the boxfishes. They are somewhat more primitive than the true boxfishes, but have a similar protective covering of thickened scale plates. They are found in the Indian Ocean and the west Pacific...
- Truncate coralfishTruncate coralfishThe Truncate Coralfish is a species of butterflyfish in the genus Chelmonops endemic to Australia. It is also known as the Eastern Talma-Description:...
- Blue devilLongfinThe longfins also known as roundheads or spiny basslets are a family, Plesiopidae, of fishes in the order Perciformes. They are elongated fishes, found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.-Species:...
- Pot bellied seahorse
Wild fish
The term is also used to refer to fish species in the wild (such as lake troutLake trout
Lake trout is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw, lake char , touladi, togue, and grey trout. In Lake Superior, they can also be variously known as siscowet, paperbellies and leans...
, arctic char
Arctic char
Arctic char or Arctic charr is both a freshwater and saltwater fish in the Salmonidae family, native to Arctic, sub-Arctic and alpine lakes and coastal waters. No other freshwater fish is found as far north. It is the only species of fish in Lake Hazen, on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic...
, and arctic grayling
Arctic grayling
Arctic grayling is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It comprises five subspecies native to the Nearctic and Palearctic ecozones. T. a. arcticus is widespread throughout the Arctic and Pacific drainages in Canada, Alaska, and Siberia, as well as the upper...
), that prefer colder waters.