A vast number of species of 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...

 have been successfully kept in the home freshwater

Freshwater

Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...

 aquarium

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...

. This list gives only some of the most commonly kept species.

Bichirs and reedfish

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	pH Range	Recommended water hardness
Gray bichir, Senegal bichir, or dinosaur bichir	Polypterus senegalus		35.5 cm (14 in) in the wild, 9 inches more typical in home aquarium	Species	Easy	Predatory needs a big tank
Ornate bichir	Polypterus ornatipinnis		38 cm (15 in)	Species	Easy/Intermediate
Reedfish	Erpetoichthys calabaricus		40 cm (15.7 in)	Species	Easy/Intermediate	Nocturnal	22 and 28 °C (72 and 83 °F)	6.5-7.5 pH

Catfish

Armored catfish Callichthyidae Callichthyidae is a family of catfishes , called armored catfishes due to the two rows of bony plates running down the length of the body. This family contains some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish, such as the Corydoras.-Taxonomy:The family derives its name from the Greek words kallis...  including Aspidoras Aspidoras Aspidoras is a genus of catfishes of the family Callichthyidae.-Taxonomy:The type species for this genus is Aspidoras rochai... , Brochis Brochis Brochis is a genus of freshwater catfish in the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family in order Siluriformes. The type species is the emerald catfish, Brochis splendens. The name Brochis is derived from the Greek word "brogchia", meaning "throat" or "trachea".These fish are often... , Callichthys Callichthys Callichthys is a small genus of freshwater catfish in the Callichthyinae subfamily of the armored catfish family, and consists of 4 species from South America. The genus Callichthys is distributed in most freshwater drainages of South America.... , and Corydoras Corydoras Members of the South American Corydoras genus are freshwater temperate and tropical catfish in the armored catfish family , and are commonly referred to as corydorases, cories, or cory catfish.-Taxonomy:...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	pH Range	Recommended water hardness
Brown-point shield skin longirostris	Aspidoras fuscoguttatus Aspidoras fuscoguttatus Aspidoras fuscoguttatus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the upper Paraná River basin in Brazil and Peru. It was originally described by Nijssen & Isbrücker in...		3.8 cm (1.5 in)				22 to 25 °C (72 to 77 °F)	5.5–6.8 pH
Paranankaitamonninen	Aspidoras lakoi Aspidoras lakoi Aspidoras lakoi is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the upper Paraná River basin in Brazil. It was originally described by P. de Miranda Ribeiro in 1949.The fish will...		4 cm (1.6 in)
Schmerlenpanzerwels (loach catfish)	Aspidoras rochai Aspidoras rochai Aspidoras rochai is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in coastal rivers in Ceará, Brazil. It was originally described by Hermann von Ihering in 1907.The fish will grow in...		4 cm (1.6 in)
Sixray corydoras, false corydoras	Aspidoras pauciradiatus		2.9 cm (1.1 in)				73-82 F (23-28 C)	6.5 pH
Britski's catfish	Brochis britskii		8.9 cm (3.5 in)			Brochis is sometimes synonymized with Corydoras Corydoras Members of the South American Corydoras genus are freshwater temperate and tropical catfish in the armored catfish family , and are commonly referred to as corydorases, cories, or cory catfish.-Taxonomy:...
Emerald catfish	Brochis splendens		10 cm (3.9 in)			Brochis is sometimes synonymized with Corydoras Corydoras Members of the South American Corydoras genus are freshwater temperate and tropical catfish in the armored catfish family , and are commonly referred to as corydorases, cories, or cory catfish.-Taxonomy:...	70-82 F (21-28 C)	6.5 pH
Hognosed brochis	Brochis multiradiatus		6.6 cm (2.6 in)			Brochis is sometimes synonymized with Corydoras Corydoras Members of the South American Corydoras genus are freshwater temperate and tropical catfish in the armored catfish family , and are commonly referred to as corydorases, cories, or cory catfish.-Taxonomy:...
Cascarudo	Callichthys callichthys Callichthys callichthys The cascarudo , armored catfish, bubblenest catfish, hassar, or mailed catfish is a subtropical freshwater fish belonging to the Callichthyinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family.-Taxonomy:...		20 cm (7.9 in)
Adolfo's catfish	Corydoras adolfoi		5.7 cm (2.2 in)				72-79 F (22-26 C)	6.0-7.0 pH
Banded corydoras	Scleromystax barbatus		10 cm (3.9 in)
Masked corydoras, bandit corydoras	Corydoras metae		4.8 cm (1.9 in)				72-79 F (22-26 C)	6.0-7.0 pH
Barredtail corydoras	Corydoras cochui		2.5 cm (0.984251968503937 in)
Blackstripe corydoras	Corydoras bondi		4.7 cm (1.9 in)
Blacktop corydoras	Corydoras acutus		4.4 cm (1.7 in)
Blue corydoras	Corydoras nattereri		5.4 cm (2.1 in)
Bluespotted corydoras	Corydoras melanistius		5.1 cm (2 in)
Bronze corydoras	Corydoras aeneus		6.35 cm (2.5 in)	Community		The albino strain is common
Caracha	Corydoras atropersonatus Corydoras atropersonatus Corydoras atropersonatus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the upper Amazon River basin in Ecuador and Peru. It was described by S.H. Weitzman and H...		4.5 cm (1.8 in)
Hohtolaikkumonninen	Corydoras ehrhardti Corydoras ehrhardti Corydoras ehrhardti is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in coastal rivers in the Santa Catarina and Paraná states of Brazil from the Iguazu River basin. It was originally described by Franz Steindachner in 1910.The...		4.1 cm (1.6 in)
Ruutuselkämonninen	Corydoras evelynae Corydoras evelynae Corydoras evelynae is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Amazon River basin in Brazil. It was described by F. Rössel in 1963.The fish will grow in length up to 1.6...		4 cm (1.6 in)
Sukamonninen	Corydoras geoffroy Corydoras geoffroy Corydoras geoffroy is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in coastal rivers in South America, and is found in Suriname and French Guiana...		7 cm (2.8 in)
Hellgrüner Panzerwels	Corydoras latus Corydoras latus Corydoras latus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Beni River basin in Bolivia. It was described by N.E. Pearson in 1924.The fish will grow in length up to 2.0...		5.2 cm (2 in)
Deckers Panzerwels	Corydoras loxozonus Corydoras loxozonus Corydoras loxozonus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Meta River basin in Colombia. It was described by H. Nijssen and I. J. H. Isbrücker in 1983...		4.9 cm (1.9 in)
Corydoras nain	Corydoras nanus Corydoras nanus Corydoras nanus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Suriname and Maroni River basins in Suriname and the Iracoubo River basin in French Guiana. It was originally...		4.5 cm (1.8 in)
Narziß-Panzerwels	Corydoras narcissus Corydoras narcissus Corydoras narcissus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Purus River in the central Amazon Basin in Brazil. It was originally described by H. Nijssen & I. J. H....		6.5 cm (2.6 in)
Schmuckpanzerwels	Corydoras ornatus Corydoras ornatus Corydoras ornatus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Lower Tapajós River basin in Brazil. It was originally described by H. Nijssen and I. J. H. Isbrücker in...		4.9 cm (1.9 in)
Sirrimonninen	Corydoras osteocarus Corydoras osteocarus Corydoras osteocarus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in South America, and is found in the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela and coastal rivers in Suriname. It was originally described by J.E. Böhlke in 1951...		4 cm (1.6 in)
Savannenpanzerwels	Corydoras polystictus Corydoras polystictus Corydoras polystictus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Paraguay River basin in Brazil. It was originally described by C. Tate Regan in 1912.The fish will grow...		3.2 cm (1.3 in)
Scleromystax prionotos	Scleromystax prionotos Scleromystax prionotos Scleromystax prionotos is a tropical freshwater catfish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in coastal rivers in southeastern Brazil from Espírito Santo to São Paulo. It was originally described by...		5.3 cm (2.1 in)
Flügelpanzerwels	Corydoras semiaquilus Corydoras semiaquilus Also called South American Armoured Catfish.Corydoras semiaquilus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the western Amazon River basin in Brazil and Peru. It was...		6 cm (2.4 in)
Siebenfleck-Panzerwels	Corydoras septentrionalis Corydoras septentrionalis Corydoras septentrionalis is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Orinoco River basin in Colombia and Venezuela. It was originally described by W.A. Gosline in...		4.9 cm (1.9 in)
Schlichter Schwarzrücken-Panzerwels	Corydoras simulatus Corydoras simulatus Corydoras simulatus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Upper Meta River basin in Colombia. It was originally described by Weitzman & Nijssen in 1970.The fish...		4.9 cm (1.9 in)
Gewellter Panzerwels	Corydoras undulatus Corydoras undulatus Corydoras undulatus is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the lower Paraná River basin and coastal rivers in southern Brazil and Argentina. It was originally described...		4.4 cm (1.7 in)
Dwarf corydoras	Corydoras hastatus		3.5 cm (1.4 in)	Community
Elegant corydoras	Corydoras elegans		5.1 cm (2 in)	Community
False network catfish	Corydoras sodalis		4.9 cm (1.9 in)
False spotted catfish	Corydoras leucomelas		4.5 cm (1.8 in)
Green gold catfish	Corydoras melanotaenia		5.8 cm (2.3 in)
Guapore corydoras	Corydoras guapore		4.1 cm (1.6 in)
Mosaic corydoras, reticulated corydoras	Corydoras haraldschultzi Corydoras haraldschultzi Corydoras haraldschultzi is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It is found in Brazil and Bolivia. It was originally described by J. Knaack in 1962.The fish will grow to 7 centimeters...		5.9 cm (2.3 in)	Community
Mosaic corydoras, reticulated corydoras	Corydoras reticulatus Corydoras reticulatus The reticulated corydoras , mosaic corydoras, network catfish, or network corydoras is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Lower Amazon River basin in Brazil. It was...			Community
Panda corydoras	Corydoras panda			Community
Pastaza corydoras	Corydoras pastazensis
Peppered corydoras	Corydoras paleatus Corydoras paleatus Corydoras paleatus is a species of catfish of the family Callichthyidae. Its common names include peppered cat, pepper cory or salt & pepper cory. It originates from the lower Paraná River basin and coastal rivers in Uruguay and Brazil.-Description:This fish species reaches about...			Community
Pink corydoras	Corydoras axelrodi
Pygmy corydoras	Corydoras pygmaeus			Community
Sailfin corydoras	Corydoras macropterus
Salt and pepper catfish	Corydoras habrosus			Community
Schwartz's catfish	Corydoras schwartzi			Community
Spotted corydoras, longnose corydoras	Corydoras ambiacus
Sterba's corydoras	Corydoras sterbai		6.8 cm (2.7 in)	Community
Sychr's catfish	Corydoras sychri
Tailspot corydoras	Corydoras caudimaculatus
Threestripe corydoras, leopard catfish	Corydoras trilineatus		6.1 cm (2.4 in)	Community
Xingu corydoras	Corydoras xinguensis

Armored suckermouth catfish Loricariidae Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish , with almost 700 species and new species being described each year. Loricariids originate from fresh water habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and...  (plecos Plecostomus Hypostomus plecostomus is the scientific name for a type of freshwater tropical Central and South American fish belonging to the family Loricariidae. They are large algae eaters, and to differentiate them from small algae eaters, they are often referred to as plecostomus, often abbreviated as... )

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Bristlenose pleco, bushynose placo	Ancistrus spp. Ancistrus Ancistrus is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Loricariidae of order Siluriformes. Fish of this genus are commonly known as the bushynose or bristlenose plecos.-Taxonomy:The type species is Ancistrus cirrhosus...					the bristlenose genus has at least 59 identified species and many others yet to be named
Gold nugget pleco	Baryancistrus spp. Baryancistrus Baryancistrus is a genus of freshwater Loricariid catfish. They inhabit regions of the Amazon river in countries such as Brazil and Venezuela....					many species exist but not yet officially identified; the three common aquarium species are known as L-018, L-081, and L-177
Whiptail catfish	Rineloricaria spp. Rineloricaria Rineloricaria is a genus of freshwater tropical catfish belonging to the Loricariidae family. They are commonly called whiptail catfish because of the long filament that grows out of the tip of the caudal fin that is characteristic of the genus...					there are about 20 species of whiptail catfish
Twig catfish	Farlowella spp. Farlowella Farlowella is a genus of catfish of the family Loricariidae. These fish resemble twigs or sticks, hence the common names twig catfish or stick catfish. They may also sometimes be referred to as whiptail catfish...					there are at least 20 species in the twig catfish genus
Panaque	Panaque spp. Panaque The genus Panaque contains a small number of small to medium sized South American armoured catfishes that are notable for being among the very few vertebrates that feed extensively on wood. In addition, algae and aufwuchs are an important part of the diet, and they use their rasping teeth to...					Several species of panaque are popular aquarium fish
Pineapple pleco, orange cheek pleco	Pseudorinelepis spp. Pseudorinelepis Pseudorinelepis genibarbis is a species of the Hypostominae subfamily of the Loricariidae catfish family. P. genibarbis is distributed throughout the Upper Amazon River basin.-Taxonomy:...					there are 4 species in this genus
Common pleco, suckermouth catfish, Amazon sailfin catfish	Pterygoplichthys pardalis Pterygoplichthys pardalis Pterygoplichthys pardalis is a tropical fish, a Plecostomus in the Armored Catfish family . Some synonyms for this species are Hypostomus pardalis, Liposarcus pardalis, Liposarcus varius, and Liposarcus jeanesianus. It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the Common Pleco or...		16 cm (6.3 in)		Easy	one of the several fish sold under this name; there is also an albino variation
Common pleco, suckermouth catfish	Hypostomus punctatus Hypostomus punctatus The Suckermouthed Catfish is a tropical fish known as a Plecostomus belonging to the armored suckermouth catfish family . Hypostomus punctatus is a freshwater fish native to South America, in the coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil...					one of the several fish sold under this name
Common pleco, suckermouth catfish	Hypostomus plecostomus Hypostomus plecostomus Hypostomus plecostomus, the suckermouth catfish or common pleco, is a tropical fish belonging to the armored catfish family , named for the armor-like longitudinal rows of scutes that cover the upper parts of the head and body...					one of the several fish sold under this name
Leopard sailfin pleco, clown sailfin pleco	Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps					other related fish also share this common name
Zebra pleco, L-046	Hypancistrus zebra
Sailfin catfish	Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus is a tropical fish known as a Plecostomus belonging to the armored catfish family . Named for its sail-like dorsal fin, the part of its scientific name multiradiatus means "many-rayed" and refers to the rays of the dorsal fin. P...
Golden dwarf sucker, golden oto	Macrotocinclus affinis
Zebra dwarf sucker, zebra oto	Otocinclus cocama Otocinclus cocama The zebra oto or tiger oto is a fish of the genus Otocinclus of the family Loricariidae that originates from Peru.-Taxonomy:...			Community

Airbreathing catfish

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Walking catfish	Clarias batrachus		21 cm (8.3 in)		Easy/Intermediate	albino form is common in the aquarium trade.After some years of keeping this fish, it will know its owner and come to his/her hand when he/she puts his/her hand in. This fish can stay out of the water and "walk WALK WALK may refer to:*WALK , a radio station licensed to East Patchogue, New York, United States*WALK-FM, a radio station licensed to Patchogue, New York, United States... " as long as moisturised for a very long time.

Banjo catfish Aspredinidae The Aspredinidae are a small South American family of catfishes also known as the banjo catfishes.-Distribution:Aspredinids are found throughout the major tropical rivers of South America...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	pH Range	Recommended water hardness
Banjo catfish	Bunocephalus coracoideus	|2-15 centemeters|

Talking catfish Doradidae Doradidae is a family of catfishes also known as thorny catfishes or talking catfishes. These fish are native to South America, primarily in Brazil, Peru, and the Guianas.Doradids are omnivorous.-Taxonomy:...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Striped Raphael	Platydoras armatulus
Spotted Raphael	Agamyxis pectinifrons Agamyxis pectinifrons The spotted talking catfish or spotted raphael catfish is a species of catfish of the family Doradidae....		Females at around 6 inches males slightly smaller around 5.5 inches	Tropical aquarium	Intermediate.	Main diet is algae. Needs a cave, feed when lights out.

Squeakers and upside-down catfish Mochokidae The Mochokidae are a family of catfishes that are known as the squeakers and upside-down catfish. There are 10 genera and about 188 species of mochokids. All the mochokids are freshwater species originating from Africa....

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Cuckoo squeaker	Synodontis multipunctatus Synodontis multipunctatus Synodontis multipunctata, also known as the cuckoo catfish, cuckoo squeaker, or multipunk, is a small catfish from Lake Tanganyika, one of the lakes in the Great Rift Valley system in Africa...
Decorated squeaker	Synodontis decorus
Even-Spotted squeaker	Synodontis petricola Synodontis petricola Synodontis petricola is a catfish from Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It is sometimes kept as an aquarium fish. It is mostly nocturnal....
Featherfin squeaker	Synodontis eupterus
Lake Malawi syno	Synodontis njassae
Polka dot syno	Synodontis angelicus
Common syno, false upside down catfish	Synodontis nigrita Synodontis nigrita Synodontis nigrita is a species of fish in the Mochokidae family. It is found in Uganda and possibly the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Twongo, T.K. 2005. . Downloaded on 5 August 2007....
Upside-down catfish	Synodontis nigriventris		9.6 cm (3.8 in)	Community		Prefers bottom feeding of Tubifex Tubifex Tubifex is a cosmopolitan genus of tubificid Annelids that inhabit the sediments of lakes, rivers and occasionally sewer lines. There are over ten known species of Tubifex, but the number is not certain, as the species are not easily distinguishable from each other.-Food and feeding:Tubifex worms... but main diet is algae.

Shark catfish

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Iridescent shark	Pangasius hypophthalmus			Community		albino form is common in the aquarium trade Needs at least a 300 gallons (1,135.6 l) aquarium (preferably larger).
Chao Phraya giant shark, Giant pangasius	Pangasius sanitwongsei					dwarf "balloon" form is available in the aquarium trade

Sea catfish Ariidae The Ariidae or ariid catfish are a family of catfish that mainly live in marine waters with many freshwater and brackish water species. They are found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate zones.-Taxonomy:...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Colombian shark catfish	Arius seemanni
Berney's shark catfish	Arius berneyi Arius berneyi Arius berneyi , also known by the scientific names Neoarius berneyi, Arius cleptolepis, and Ariopsis berneyi and the common names Berney's Catfish, Berney's Shark Catfish, or the Lesser Salmon Catfish, is a freshwater catfish that is commonly kept in aquariums...
Australian shark catfish	Arius graeffei

Sheatfish

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Glass catfish	Kryptopterus bicirrhis		10–12 cm (4–5 in), 15 cm (6 in) in the wild.			Needs to be kept in a group of 5 or more.
Two spot glass catfish	Ompok bimaculatus		45 cm (17.7 in)			Looks very similar to Kryptopterus bicirrhis except the difference lies in the triangular dorsal fin of the Ompok in contrast to what looks like a small spine than a fin of the K. bicirrhis.

Bagrid catfishes Bagridae Bagridae are a family of catfish that originate from Africa and Asia from Japan to Borneo. These fish are commonly known as naked catfishes or bagrid catfishes.Large Bagrids are important as food fish. Some species are kept as aquarium fishes....

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Crystal eyed catfish	Hemibagrus wyckii Hemibagrus wyckii Hemibagrus wyckii is a species of catfish of the family Bagridae. It is occasionally called the crystal eyed catfish.-Distribution:...		71 cm (28 in)			This fish is highly aggressive and must be kept alone.
Asian redtail catfish	Hemibagrus wyckioides Hemibagrus wyckioides Hemibagrus wyckioides is a species of catfish of the family Bagridae. It is occasionally called the Asian redtail catfish.-Distribution:...		130 cm (51.2 in)			This fish is highly aggressive and must be kept alone.
	Horabagrus brachysoma Horabagrus Horabagrus is a small genus of catfishes . It comprises two species, H. brachysoma and H. nigricollaris. H. brachysoma is an important food fish, and both species are available as aquarium fish.-Common names:...		45 cm (17.7 in)

Long-whiskered catfish Pimelodidae Pimelodidae, commonly known as the long-whiskered catfishes, is a family of catfishes .-Taxonomy:Pimelodidae has undergone much revision. Currently, the family contains about 30 genera and about 90 recognized and known but unnamed species...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recmomended water hardness
	Leiarius marmoratus Leiarius Leiarius is a genus of catfishes of the family Pimelodidae. It includes four species. Most of the genus' species are ornamental species kept as pets in the aquarium hobby.-Taxonomy:...		100 cm (39.4 in)
	Leiarius pictus Leiarius Leiarius is a genus of catfishes of the family Pimelodidae. It includes four species. Most of the genus' species are ornamental species kept as pets in the aquarium hobby.-Taxonomy:...		60 cm (23.6 in)
Redtail catfish	Phractocephalus hemioliopterus		120 cm (3.9 ft)			this fish grows really large and will need a 300 gallons (1,135.6 l) min. when mature.
Spotted pimelodus, pictus, Pictus catfish	Pimelodus pictus Pimelodus pictus Pimelodus pictus, also known as the pictus cat, is a small member of the Pimelodidae family of catfishes, native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins and commonly kept as a pet in freshwater aquariums. It was described by Franz Steindachner in 1876...		30 cm (11.8 in)			these catfish are very appealing when small but may grow somewhat large. their mouths look small but do not trust them with smaller fish, as they can open their mouths very wide
Ornate Pimelodus	Pimelodus ornatus
Tiger shovelnose catfish	Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum Pseudoplatystoma Pseudoplatystoma is a genus of several South American catfish species of family Pimelodidae. The three species are known by a number of different common names. They inhabit the major rivers of north-eastern Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay and Brazil. They prefer the main channels and...		104 cm (3.4 ft)			This fish is easy to confuse with P. tigrinum.
Tiger shovelnose catfish	Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum Pseudoplatystoma Pseudoplatystoma is a genus of several South American catfish species of family Pimelodidae. The three species are known by a number of different common names. They inhabit the major rivers of north-eastern Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay and Brazil. They prefer the main channels and...		130 cm (4.3 ft)			This fish is easy to confuse with P. fasciatum.
Firewood catfish, (Planiceps shovelnose catfish)	Surubimichthys planiceps	178 cm (70.1 in)			the largest of the shovelnoses, this catfish grows huge and will need a 450 gallons (1,703.4 l) min when mature.
Lima shovelnose catfish	Sorubium lima		90 cm (3 ft)			although they are smaller than the tiger shovelnose, these catfish are extremely aggressive and extremely fast.

Characins

Characidae

The Characidae, characids or characins are a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their status as a by and large monophyletic group at family...

 and other characiformes

Characiformes

The Characiformes are an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, there are a few thousand different species, including the well-known piranha and tetras.-Taxonomy:...

Tetra Tetra thumb|right|250px|Pristella tetra — [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|Golden Pristella tetra, a [[morph |morph]] of [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|[[Silvertip tetra]] — Hasemania nana.... s

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Black phantom tetra	Hyphessobrycon megalopterus		4.5 cm (1.8 in)	Community	Easy	the black phantom tetra enjoy being in groups of 6 or more and a slightly shaded tank. Males may claim small territories and occasionally minor battles may occur. The Phantom tetra goes well with other tetras of similar size. They also prefer floating plants.
Black neon tetra	Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi		4 cm (1.6 in)	Community	Intermediate	this fish is similar to the neon tetra other than coloration.
Black tetra	Gymnocorymbus ternetzi		5 cm (2 in)	Community	Easy	a highly spirited fish that may occasionally chase its own species as well as harass slow moving fish with long fins. This fish is very hardy and can stand a variety of water qualities. Disease is not a big problem with the black tetra. The black tetra is also known as the black skirt tetra. The female black tetra is more robust and larger than the male.
Bleeding heart tetra	Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma Bleeding Heart Tetra, Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma is a peaceful mid-dwelling community fish in the aquarium. Grows to the size of 64mm and lives about 5 years. It requires warm water . This fish, like most tetras, needs soft, acid water, pH 6.5-6.8, with plenty of plants.- General :This fish...		6.5 cm (2.6 in)	Community	Intermediate	the bleeding heart tetra is distinguished by the small red spot on both sides of the fish. This fish is very prone to diseases, and can grow larger than most tetra species. It is not recommended for beginners.
Bloodfin tetra	Aphyocharax anisitsi		5 cm (2 in)	Community
Blue tetra Blue Tetra Blue Tetra is a common name used for various species of tetra including:*Mimagoniates microlepis*Tyttocharax madeirae*Knodus borki, previously misidentified as Boehlkea fredcochui-References:*...	Knodus borki Knodus borki Knodus borki is a species of characin endemic to Peru where it is found in the vicinity of Iquitos....			Community
Bucktooth tetra	Exodon paradoxus		5 cm (2 in)			will eat smaller fish and harass larger fish, lepidophage (scale eater)
Buenos Aires tetra	Hyphessobrycon anisitsi		7.5 cm (3 in)		Easy	Has some reputation as a fin nipper
Cardinal tetra	Paracheirodon axelrodi		5 cm (2 in)	Community
Cave tetra, blind tetra	Astyanax mexicanus		12 cm (4.7 in)		Easy	cave tetra is the blind cave form of the Mexican tetra. The blind cave tetra is easy to care for and is hardy. The fish is born with eyes, but they quickly deteriorate leaving behind two scars where the eyes once were. The blind tetra needs to be in a shoal in order to show peaceful behavior, and to prevent fin nipping. Despite their lack of eyes, the blind cave tetra can easily avoid other fish and obstacles in the tank. This tetra prefers low to moderate lighting.
Congo tetra, Lufundi (native name)	Phenacogrammus interruptus		7.5 cm (3 in)	Community	Intermediate	Sufficiently peaceful for home aquariums, though it may bite fishes smaller than its size. It is more comfortable in indirect light. Over-head lighting is preferred and under no circumstances should light be directed at the front or rear glass.
Emperor tetra	Nematobrycon palmeri Nematobrycon palmeri The Emperor tetra is found the streams and rivers of western Colombia including the Rio Atrata and the Rio San Juan.- In the aquarium :...		5 cm (2 in)		Easy
Garnet tetra, pretty tetra	Hemigrammus pulcher Hemigrammus pulcher Hemigrammus pulcher is a semi-popular aquarium species, also known as the pretty tetra, garnet tetra or black wedge tetra ...		6.5 cm (2.6 in)	Community
Glowlight tetra	Hemigrammus erythrozonus Hemigrammus erythrozonus Hemigrammus erythrozonus, also known as the glowlight tetra, is a small tropical fish found in the wild in the Essequibo River, Guyana, South America. It is silver in colour and a bright iridescent orange to red stripe extends from the snout to the base of its tail. The front part of the dorsal...		3.75 cm (1.5 in)	Community	Easy
Golden pristella tetra	Pristella maxillaris Pristella maxillaris Pristella maxillaris is the only species in the genus Pristella and is commonly known as the golden pristella tetra or X-ray tetra because of its highly transparent body. It is a widely distributed and adaptable fish, being found in coastal rivers of Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Venezuela in...		5 cm (2 in)	Community	Easy
Green neon tetra	Paracheirodon simulans		2.5 cm (0.984251968503937 in)	Community	Intermediate
Head and tail light tetra	Hemigrammus ocellifer Head & Taillight tetra The Head & Tail Light Tetra is a South American freshwater fish. Also known by the binomial synonyms Hemibrycon ocellifer and Tetragonopterus ocellifer it is found in the rivers of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and the Amazon Basin of Brazil and Peru.Most specimens offered for sale in the...		4 cm (1.6 in)	Community	Easy
Lemon tetra	Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis		5 cm (2 in)
Neon tetra	Paracheirodon innesi		3.75 cm (1.5 in)	Community	Easy	the neon tetra is sensitive towards water quality and is susceptible to many freshwater diseases. However, the fish is very peaceful and will not attack another member of the tank. Females are larger than the males. Due to their small size, the neon tetra should not be kept with large fish. Neon tetras are also very delicate and any harassment they may receive can result in death. This can be prevented by putting them with other small community fish or fish known to ignore their tankmates. The neon tetra feels the most comfortable when in groups.
Penguin tetra, blackline penguinfish	Thayeria boehlkei Thayeria boehlkei Thayeria boehlkei is a species of characin fish endemic to the Amazon river basin and Araguaia river, in Peru and Brazil respectively. The species is popular with aquarium hobbyists where it is traded under a variety of common names including blackline penguinfish, blackline Thayeria, hockey-stick...		6.5 cm (2.6 in)
Red Eye tetra	Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae Red eye tetra The red eye tetra , also known as the yellow-banded moenkhausia, the yellow back moenkhausia and the yellowhead tetra is a species of tetra...		4 cm (1.6 in)	Community	Easy
Rummy-nose tetra	Hemigrammus rhodostomus		5 cm (2 in)	Community	Intermediate
Disk tetra	Myleus schomburgkii		5 cm (2 in)				5.0 - 7.0	23°C to 27°C
Serpae tetra	Hyphessobrycon serpae		4.5 cm (1.8 in)	Community	Easy	this fish may nip the fins of slow moving fish or fish smaller than it. It is best put with other large tetras or with fish of similar size or larger.

Hatchetfish Freshwater hatchetfish The freshwater hatchetfishes are a family, Gasteropelecidae, of ray-finned fish. The common hatchetfish is the most popular member among fish keeping hobbyists...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Common hatchetfish	Gasteropelecus sternicla
Silver hatchetfish	Gasteropelecus levis Gasteropelecus levis The silver hatchetfish, Gasteropelecus levis, is a member of the The silver hatchetfish, Gasteropelecus levis, is a member of the...
Marbled hatchetfish	Carnegiella strigata		5 cm (2 in)	Community	Intermediate	Peaceful and dwells at the top of the tank in schools. Rarely breeds in captivity. This powerful leaper can easily jump out of an aquarium, so keep only in a fully covered tank.
Black-winged hatchetfish	Carnegiella marthae		4 cm (1.6 in)	Community	Intermediate	Peaceful and dwells at the top of the tank in schools. The most hardy of all the hatchetfish, but not the most plentiful. Does not breed in captivity. This powerful leaper can easily jump out of an aquarium, so keep only in a fully covered tank.

Pencil fish Pencil Fish Nannostomus is a genus of fish belonging to the Lebiasinidae family of Characins. All of the species in this genus are known as Pencil Fish or Pencilfish, several of which have become popular aquarium fish due to their attractive coloration, unique shape and interesting demeanor.-Taxonomy:The... es

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Three-lined pencilfish	Nannostomus trifasciatus Nannostomus trifasciatus Nannostomus trifasciatus, commonly known as the three-lined pencilfish, is a freshwater species of fish belonging to the genus Nannostomus in the Lebiasinidae family of Characins...		5 cm (2 in)	Community	Intermediate	Males defend small territories. Otherwise a peaceful, beautiful species.

Headstander Headstander A headstander is any of several species of South American fish, including Anostomus ternetzi, Anostomus anostomus and members of genus Chilodus from the family Chilodontidae. The name derives from their habit of swimming at a 45° angle, head pointed downwards. The fish could "stand up" with its... s

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Marbled Headstander	Abramites hypselonotus Abramites hypselonotus Abramites hypselonotus, or the marbled headstander, is a member of the family Anostomidae of the order Characiformes. Under normal fish classifying rules you would gather from its upturned mouth and long streamlined body that the marbled headstander is a surface dweller. In reality marbled...		13 cm (5.1 in)	Community	Intermediate	Keep either one headstander Headstander A headstander is any of several species of South American fish, including Anostomus ternetzi, Anostomus anostomus and members of genus Chilodus from the family Chilodontidae. The name derives from their habit of swimming at a 45° angle, head pointed downwards. The fish could "stand up" with its...  or a group of seven or more as they will fight amongst themselves in small groups.

Serrasalminae Serrasalminae Serrasalminae is a subfamily of fish within the family Characidae. The name means "serrated salmon family", which refers to the serrated keel running along the belly of these fish.-Common names:...  (pacu Pacú Pacu or pacú is the common name of several South American fishes.PACU, Pacu or pacú may also refer to:*Piaractus mesopotamicus , a South American ray-finned fish that is endemic to the Paraguay-Paraná River basin*Tambaqui , known as black pacu, black-finned pacu, giant pacu*Philippine Association... s, piranha Piranha A piranha or piraña is a member of family Characidae in order Characiformes, an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers. In Venezuela, they are called caribes... s, and silver dollar Silver dollar Silver dollar may refer to:* A Dollar coin made of any white metal, especially one made of silver.* A Canadian silver dollar commemorative coin.* Silver trade dollars issued by a number of countries... s)

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Silver dollar	Metynnis argenteus Metynnis argenteus Silver dollar is a common name given to a number of species of fishes, mostly in the genus Metynnis, tropical fish belonging to the Characidae family which are closely related to piranha and pacu...		15 cm (5.9 in)			The name "silver dollar" may also refer to Metynnis hypsauchen Metynnis hypsauchen Metynnis hypsauchen is a species of characin found in Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana and Peru. It is one of the fish knowns as the "silver dollar" in the aquarium trade.... , Metynnis maculatus Metynnis maculatus Metynnis maculatus, the Spotted metynnis, is a species of characin found in Argentina and Brazil and possibly in Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru. It is one of the species of fish known in the aquarium trade as the "silver dollar".... , or other related fishes. It will chew and eat plants.
Red bellied pacu	Colossoma bidens		120 cm (3.9 ft)		Difficult	the red bellied pacu is a close relative of the piranha Piranha A piranha or piraña is a member of family Characidae in order Characiformes, an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers. In Venezuela, they are called caribes... s, but without the sharp teeth and the aggression. However, care should be taken if interacting physically with the pacu as their powerful jaws can crush human bone. The Pacu is a peaceful fish that requires at least a 750 litre (200 gallon) tank when fully mature. It is omnivorous and can be put with large cichlids, but avoid smaller fish. Despite their similar appearance to piranhas, the pacu is not suited to eat meat very well, as their natural diet of nuts suggests. Be aware that this fish can grow to 1.2 metres (four feet) and the owner must be prepared to house them in a very large tank if they wish to keep the fish (750 l/200 gal minimum). Also be aware that this fish grows very fast, and can grow as much as one foot in the first year.	78–82 °F (26–28 °C)

Cichlids

Lake Malawi Lake Malawi Lake Malawi , is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This lake, the third largest in Africa and the eighth largest lake in the world, is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania...  cichlids

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Sunshine peacock cichlid	Aulonocara baenschi		15 cm (5.9 in)		Easy	Beautiful coloration on males
Red fin hap	Copadichromis borleyi Copadichromis borleyi Copadichromis borleyi is a species of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species is popular in the fishkeeping hobby where it is frequently kept in aquariums. The species has numerous common names used in the ornamental fish trade including: Redfin Hap and Goldfin...
Eureka red peacock	Aulonocara jacobfreibergi Aulonocara jacobfreibergi The Eureka Red Peacock is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is also known as Freiberg's Peacock or Fairy Cichlid. There are several colour morphs including red or yellow. They generally can get around 15 cm in length.It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater...		15 cm (5.9 in)		Easy	Beautiful coloration on males
Spilo	Champsochromis spilorhyncus		40 cm (15.7 in)
Blue dolphin cichlid, lumphead cichlid	Cyrtocara moorii		25 cm (9.8 in)		Easy
Afra cichlid, dogtooth cichild	Cynotilapia afra Cynotilapia afra Cynotilapia afra, is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family. The genus name roughly translates as dogtooth cichlid which describes the sharp, conical unicuspid teeth unique to this genus within the Lake Malawi flock. The species afra is endemic to Lake Malawi and is found in rocky habitats...		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna	Easy
Rusty cichlid, lavender cichild	Iodotropheus sprengerae Iodotropheus sprengerae The rusty cichlid, Iodotropheus sprengerae, is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family. It is also known as lavender mbuna or lavender cichlid. This mbuna species is endemic to Boadzulu and Chinyankwazi Islands regions of Lake Malawi. It prefers a temperature range of 24-26°C.Rusty cichlids are...		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna
Fuelleborn's cichlid, Blue mbuna	Labeotropheus fuelleborni		18 cm (7.1 in)	Mbuna
Electric yellow cichlid	Labidochromis caeruleus Labidochromis caeruleus Labidochromis caeruleus is a species of cichlid fish that is endemic to the central western coastal region of Lake Malawi in East Africa. It is also known as lemon yellow lab, the blue streak hap, the electric yellow or yellow prince, depending on the colour morph...		20 cm (7.9 in)	Mbuna	Easy	Very active and entertaining fish, need many rock caves to allow establishment of territories, less aggressive than other mbuna
Malawi eyebiter	Dimidiochromis compressiceps				Easy
Hongi, Red-top kimpumpa	Labidochromis sp. "Hongi"		13 cm (5.1 in)	Mbuna
	Labidochromis sp. "Mbamba Bay"		13 cm (5.1 in)	Mbuna
Auratus cichlid, Malawi golden cichlid	Melanochromis auratus Melanochromis auratus The auratus cichlid, Melanochromis auratus, is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family. It is also known as golden mbuna and Malawi golden cichlid. It is endemic to the southern region of Lake Malawi, particularly from Jalo Reef southward along the entire western coast down to Crocodile Rocks...		10 cm (3.9 in)		Easy	Aggressive
Chipokee cichlid	Melanochromis chipokae Melanochromis chipokae Melanochromis chipokae is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....		12 cm (4.7 in)	Mbuna	Easy	Aggressive
Blue johanni cichlid, Maingano	Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes. Since it is an endemic species, there is not very much information available, except that posted below by owners...		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna	Easy	Very active and entertaining fish, need many rock caves to allow establishment of territories. Aggressive
Pearl of Likoma	Melanochromis joanjohnsonae		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna
Johanni cichlid	Melanochromis johannii Melanochromis johannii Melanochromis johannii, is a freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae. The species is endemic to littoral zones on the east, Mozambique coastline of Lake Malawi, south of Chuanga. The species is popular in the fishkeeping hobby and is frequently kept in cichlid aquariums...		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna	Easy	Aggressive
Aurora	Melanochromis aurora		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna	Easy
Red zebra cichlid	Metriaclima estherae		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna	Easy	Very active and entertaining fish, need many rock caves to allow establishment of territories
Cobalt blue cichlid, cobalt zebra cichlid	Maylandia callainos Maylandia callainos Maylandia callainos is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. The correct name of its genus is disputed, with some using Maylandia and others Metriaclima.It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes...		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna	Easy	Very active and entertaining fish, need many rock caves to allow establishment of territories
Kenyi cichlid	Maylandia lombardoi		13 cm (5.1 in)	Mbuna	Easy	Aggressive; sexually dichromatic
Fusco	Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus The Spothead Hap or Fuscotaeniatus Hap is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family.It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...		25 cm (9.8 in)
Livingston's cichlid	Nimbochromis livingstonii Nimbochromis livingstonii Nimbochromis livingstonii, Livingston's Cichlid or kalingono, is a freshwater mouthbrooding cichlid fish of the genus Nimbochromis, native to Lake Malawi, an African Rift Lake. It is also found in the upper Shire River and Lake Malombe...		25 cm (9.8 in)
Kaligono	Nimbochromis polystigma Nimbochromis polystigma Nimbochromis polystigma is one of five species of the Nimbochromis genus of Lake Malawi, in the Great Rift Valley system of Africa. Usually, it includes the dubious "species" N. maculimanus and N. pardalis. Some authors include N. polystigma in N...		30 cm (11.8 in)
Venustus cichlid, giraffe cichild	Nimbochromis venustus Nimbochromis venustus Nimbochromis venustus, commonly called Venustus Hap or Giraffe Hap, is a Haplochromine cichlid native to Lake Malawi in Africa. It prefers the deeper regions of Lake Malawi where it hunts smaller juvenile cichlids with a specialised hunting technique...		25 cm (9.8 in)		Easy	'giraffe' spotting is juvenile coloration only
Red empress cichlid	Protomelas taeniolatus Protomelas taeniolatus Protomelas taeniolatus is a utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. The fish is popular in the aquarium hobby due to the bright rainbow-like colors of adult males and its relatively peaceful temperament. Juvenile and female P...		15 cm (5.9 in)
Bumblebee cichlid, hornet cichlid	Pseudotropheus crabro Pseudotropheus crabro The bumblebee cichlid, Pseudotropheus crabro, is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family. It is also known as hornet cichlid. It is endemic to many regions of Lake Malawi and is found in different habitats but most frequently in large caves...		15 cm (5.9 in)	Mbuna
Yellow-tail acei	Pseudotropheus acei Pseudotropheus acei Pseudotropheus acei is a Mbuna from Lake Malawi that grows to around 7 inches in length. There are two different varieties found, the most common Pseudotropheus acei , and the white-tail Pseudotropheus acei...		10 cm (3.9 in)	Mbuna
	Pseudotropheus demasoni Pseudotropheus demasoni Pseudotropheus demasoni is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes....		10 cm (3.9 in)
Saulosi	Pseudotropheus saulosi Pseudotropheus saulosi Pseudotropheus saulosi is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 5 August 2007....		7.5 cm (3 in)	Mbuna
Malawi barracuda	Rhampsochromis cf. macrophthalmus		23 cm (9.1 in)
| Tyrannochromis macrostoma Tyrannochromis macrostoma Tyrannochromis macrostoma, or Big-Mouth Hap, is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...		38 cm (15 in)

Lake Tanganyika Lake Tanganyika Lake Tanganyika is an African Great Lake. It is estimated to be the second largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, and the second deepest, after Lake Baikal in Siberia; it is also the world's longest freshwater lake...  cichlids

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
| Boulengerochromis microlepsis		90 cm (35.4 in)			The largest cichlid
Frontosa cichild	Cyphotilapia frontosa Cyphotilapia frontosa Cyphotilapia frontosa is a fish from the cichlid family native to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. C. frontosa is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and is widespread in the northern half of the lake, whereas the closely related Cyphotilapia gibberosa inhabits the southern half of the lake. Unlike many...		40 cm (15.7 in)			Aggressive; well-known
	Cyathopharynx furcifer					Not readily available in the aquarium trade.
	Variabilichromis moorii
Frontosa cichild	Cyphotilapia gibberosa		40 cm (15.7 in)			The frontosa have recently been broken up into three separate species. The gibberosa come from the southern part of the Lake
Frontosa cichild	Cyphotilapia sp. "North"		40 cm (15.7 in)			This yet to be officially named species is intermediate in scale count between gibberosa and frontosa.
Julie cichlid	Julidochromis dickfeldi Julidochromis dickfeldi Julidochromis dickfeldi is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa where it is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia.-References:...				Easy	Beautiful; interesting
Masked Julie	Julidochromis marlieri Julidochromis marlieri Julidochromis marlieri is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa where it is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. In the aquarium trade, it is commonly known as Marlier's Julie or Spotted Julie.-References:*...		15 cm (5.9 in) fem / 10 cm (3.9 in) male		Easy	Striking coloration
Julie cichlid	Julidochromis ornatus
Julie cichlid	Julidochromis regani		15 cm (5.9 in) fem / 10 cm (3.9 in) male
Julie cichlid	Julidochromis transcriptus		10 cm (3.9 in)		Intermediate	Striking coloration
Herring cichlid, Sardine cichlid	Cyprichromis spp. Cyprichromis Cyprichromis is a genus of cichlids with five species. They are also known as the herring cichlids or sardine cichlids since they form large schools in the open water of Lake Tanganyika. Of the known species, only C. microlepidotus has been recorded outside Lake Tanganyika ....
| Ectodus descampsii Ectodus descampsii Ectodus descampsii is a cichlid fish, the only member of its genus Ectodus. It is a small sand-sifting species endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.-References:* - FishBase...
	Chalinochromis spp. Chalinochromis Chalinochromis is a small and disputed cichlid genus from the subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae; it contains just two species. These ray-finned fishes are endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Eastern Africa's Great Rift Valley. The scientific name refers to the bridle-like markings across the heads of members...
| Neolamprologus multifasciatus Neolamprologus multifasciatus Neolamprologus multifasciatus is one of the small shell-dwelling cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika. The male reaches five centimeters in length, and the female only 2.5 cm. This makes them one of the smallest cichlid species in the world. Its natural habitat is the neothauma shell beds of...		3.8 cm (1.5 in)			A small shell-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Distinguished from the similar L. similis by the lack of striping on the face
| Lamprologus ocellatus Lamprologus ocellatus Lamprologus ocellatus is a type of shell dweller from Lake Tanganyika. It is a popular aquarium fish due to its small size, appearance, and intelligence. Lamprologus ocellatus are members of the cichlid family....		5 cm (2 in)
| Neolamprologus similis Neolamprologus similis Neolamprologus similis is a shell-dwelling cichlid native to Lake Tanganyika in east Africa. N. similis is copper coloured with vertical white stripes running from the head to near the base of the tail. It typically grows to between four and six centimeters in size...		3.8 cm (1.5 in)			A small shell-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Very similar to N. multifsciatus but similis has striping from the body continue to the head
| Lobochilotes labiatus Lobochilotes labiatus Lobochilotes labiatus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. Its natural habitats are freshwater lakes and inland deltas.-References:...		40 cm (15.7 in)
Lyretail cichlid, fairy cichlid	Neolamprologus brichardi Neolamprologus brichardi Neolamprologus brichardi is a species of cichlid fish, endemic to the alkaline waters of Lake Tanganyika in east Africa. It is a popular aquarium fish kept in the fishkeeping hobby, where it is known under a variety of common names including Princess cichlid, Princess of Burundi, Lyretail cichlid,...		10 cm (3.9 in)		Easy
Lemon cichlid	Neolamprologus leleupi Neolamprologus leleupi Neolamprologus leleupi, also known as Lemon Ciclid, is one of the cichlids of genus Neolamprologus endemic to Lake Tanganyika. The color of this fish ranges from bright yellow to deep brown depending on which area of the lake it is from. Adult length is about 10 centimeters. This relatively small...		11.5 cm (4.5 in)
Featherfin	Opthalmotilapia ventralis		15 cm (5.9 in)
	Petrochromis trewavasae		20 cm (7.9 in)			Aggressive
	Petrochromis sp. "Zaire Texas"		18 cm (7.1 in)
	Simochromis pleurospilus Simochromis pleurospilus Simochromis pleurospilus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Bigirimana, C. 2005. . Downloaded on 5 August 2007....		10 cm (3.9 in)
	Tropheus duboisi Tropheus duboisi Tropheus duboisi is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Bigirimana, C. 2005. . Downloaded on 5 August 2007....		13 cm (5.1 in)		Advanced	Males very aggressive; juveniles distinctively colored
	Tropheus moorii Tropheus moorii The blunthead cichlid, Tropheus moorii, is a species of African Cichlids found in Lake Tanganyika. There are over 40 different morphs of this species disbursed throughout the lake. The fish comes in many colors and patterns ranging from dark green to flame red and yellow. They are found in many...		14 cm (5.5 in)		Easy
	Tropheus polli Tropheus polli Tropheus polli is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Bigirimana, C. 2005. . Downloaded on 5 August 2007....		14 cm (5.5 in)

Lake Victoria Lake Victoria Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....  cichlids

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
| Astatotilapia aenocolor		13 cm (5.1 in)
| Astatotilapia elegans		10 cm (3.9 in)
Zebra obliquidens	Astatotilapia latifasciata		11.5 cm (4.5 in)
| Astatotilapia nubila		11.5 cm (4.5 in)
| Astatotilapia piceatus		10 cm (3.9 in)
| Astatotilapia schubotziellus		10 cm (3.9 in)
| Astatotilapia sp. "Red Tail"		11.5 cm (4.5 in)
| Astatotilapia sp. "Spot Bar"		13 cm (5.1 in)
Hippo Point Salmon	Ptyochromis sp. "Hippo Point Salmon"		14 cm (5.5 in)
Flameback	Pundamilia nyererei		10 cm (3.9 in)
| Xystichromis phytophagus		10 cm (3.9 in)

Miscellaneous African cichlids (non-Rift Lake Rift lake A rift lake is a lake formed as a result of subsidence related to movement on faults within a rift zone, an area of extensional tectonics in the continental crust. They are often found within rift valleys and may be very deep... )

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
African butterfly cichlid	Anomalochromis thomasi Anomalochromis thomasi Anomalochromis thomasi is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae, the only species in the genus Anomalochromis. It is a small cichlid growing to a length of . The natural habitat of A. thomasi is Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, mainly in smaller streams...
Jewel cichlid Jewel cichlid Hemichromis is a genus of fishes from the cichlid family, known in the aquarium trade as jewel cichlids. Jewel cichlids are native to Africa... , two-spotted jewel cichlid	Hemichromis bimaculatus				Easy	other hemichromis species are sometimes sold under the same name
	Steatocranus spp. Steatocranus Steatocranus is a small genus of rheophilic cichlid fish. Most are endemic to the Congo River Basin in DR Congo/Congo Brazzaville, although one species, S. irvinei, is restricted to the Volta River in Ghana....
Lifalili jewel cichlid, blood-red jewel cichlid	Hemichromis lifalili
Kribensis Kribensis Pelvicachromis pulcher is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family, endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon. The species is popular amongst aquarium hobbyists, and is most commonly sold under the name kribensis, although the species has other common names, including various derivatives of kribensis: krib,... , krib	Pelvicachromis pulcher				Easy	Readily breed in small aquaria
Zebra tilapia	Tilapia buttikoferi Tilapia buttikoferi Tilapia buttikoferi are a large African tilapiine cichlid fish that can be found mainly in West Africa, specifically Liberia. They are freshwater fish that tend to live in rivers and streams...
Guenther's Mouthbrooder	Chromidotilapia guentheri Chromidotilapia guentheri Chromidotilapia guentheri, sometimes referred to as Guenther's Mouthbrooder, is a cichlid fish from west Africa. It is noted for being a biparental mouthbrooder. Eggs are laid on a flat open surface and taken in the parents' mouth. Unlike many mouthbrooding cichlid species, both parents...
Allauad's haplo	Astatoreochromis alluaudi
Pale usisya aulonocara	Aulonocara steveni
|Benthochromis tricoti Benthochromis tricoti Benthochromis tricoti is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. Its natural habitat is rocky shores. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...

Dwarf cichlids (apistogramma Apistogramma Apistogramma is a genus of approximately a hundred species of fish from the family Cichlidae found in tropical areas of the Amazon basin and Venezuela. Apistogramma literally means "irregular lateral line" referring to a common trait of the species under this taxon... s, rams Mikrogeophagus Microgeophagus is a genus of small cichlids that only includes two species: M. ramirezi and M. altispinosa. Both species are popular with aquarists, especially M. ramirezi...  and others)

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid	Apistogramma agassizii Apistogramma agassizii Apistogramma agassizii is the scientific name for the Agassiz's dwarf cichlid, a fish that occurres in many Southern tributaries of the Amazon river.- In the aquarium :...				Advanced	Beautiful
Zebra acara	Nannacara adoketa Nannacara adoketa Zebra acara is a species of tropical freshwater fish. It is a dwarf cichlid from Rio Uaupes and Rio Preto, two side rivers of Rio Negro in Brazil.The male reaches 12 cm in length, the female is somewhat smaller....
Yellow dwarf cichlid	Apistogramma borellii
Cockatoo dwarf cichlid	Apistogramma cacatuoides Apistogramma cacatuoides Apistogramma cacatuoides is a species of South American cichlid usually known under the common name cockatoo dwarf cichlid. Unlike many other Apistogramma species, A. cacatuoides is not threatened by extinction, as it is widely bred in captivity for the aquarium trade.-Characteristics:The male...
Panda dwarf cichlid	Apistogramma nijsseni Apistogramma nijsseni Apistogramma nijsseni is a species of cichlid fish, endemic to the black water habitats in the Carahuayte river drainage, Peru. The species is popular aquarium fish amongst dwarf cichlid hobbyists....
Three-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid	Apistogramma trifasciata
	Apistogramma eremnopyge Apistogramma eremnopyge Apistogramma eremnopyge is a species of cichlid. It is presently only known from the Rio Pintuyacu, a tributary of the Rio Itaya near Iquitos, Peru....
Two-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid	Apistogramma bitaeniata		7.5 cm (3 in)	40 litre (10 gallon) tank for one pair	Intermediate
Checkerboard Cichlid	Dicrossus filamentosus Dicrossus filamentosus Dicrossus filamentosus is a species of cichlid fish. It occurs in the Rio Negro and Orinoco basins of Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil....
Blue ram, German ram	Mikrogeophagus ramirezi				Easy	Fairly common
Bolivian ram	Mikrogeophagus altispinosa
Dwarf flag cichlid	Laetacara curviceps Laetacara curviceps Laetacara curviceps, or the flag acara, is a dwarf cichlid that lives in slow-moving rivers and streams as well as ponds and lakes in the vicinity of the Amazon Basin...

American cichlids (cichlasoma Cichlasoma Cichlasoma is a genus of fish in the cichlid family.The genus was previously very large, including cichlids from Texas, North America, through all of Central America to parts of South America.... s, acaras Aequidens Aequidens is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae. The genus itself is poorly defined and polyphyletic. Many species have been reallocated to other genera such as Bujurquina, Laetacara, Tahuantinsuyoa , Krobia and Cleithracara .Two fishes commonly sold in the aquarium hobby are Aequidens rivulatus... , angelfish Pterophyllum Pterophyllum is a small genus of freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae known to most aquarists as "Angelfish". All Pterophyllum species originate from the Amazon River, Orinoco River and Essequibo River basins in tropical South America... , discuses and others)

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Midas cichild, red devil cichlid	Amphilophus citrinellus Amphilophus citrinellus Amphilophus citrinellus is a large cichlid fish endemic to the San Juan River and adjacent watersheds in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. In the aquarium trade A. citrinellus is often sold under the trade name of Midas cichlid. A. citrinellus are omnivorous and their diet consists of plant material,...					Note that Amphilophus labiatus is also called red devil cichild
Poor man's tropheus	Hypsophrys nematopus
Red devil cichlid	Amphilophus labiatus Amphilophus labiatus Amphilophus labiatus is a large cichlid fish endemic to Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua in Central America. In the aquarium trade A. labiatus is often sold under the trade name of red devil, a common name which they share with Amphilophus citrinellus.-Appearance:Colouration in wild specimens is...
Firemouth cichlid	Cichlasoma meeki				Easy	Typically medium aggression; easily bred
Jack Dempsey cichlid	Cichlasoma octofasciatum
Jaguar cichlid, managuense cichlid	Parachromis managuensis				Easy	Exceptionally beautiful adult coloration; large adult size
Mayan cichlid	Cichlasoma urophthalmus
Convict cichlid	Archocentrus nigrofasciatus				Easy	Common
T-bar cichlid	Cryptoheros sajica Cryptoheros sajica The T-bar cichlid , also known as Sajica cichlid is a Central American species of cichlid found in freshwater streams and lakes on the Pacific slope of Costa Rica. It was formerly known as Archocentrus sajica, but the taxonomy was revised as a result of a study by Juan Schmitter-Soto. The fish is...
Severum	Heros severus				Easy	the gold variety is more common than the natural green one
Green terror	Andinoacara rivulatus					Fairly common
Blue acara	Andinoacara pulcher
Thread-finned acara	Acarichthys heckelii Acarichthys heckelii Acarichthys heckelii is a South American species of cichlid fish. It is the only member of the genus Acarichthys. It is found in rivers in the Amazon and Essequibo basins....
Eartheater cichlid	Geophagus altifrons Geophagus altifrons The Geophagus altifrons is a freshwater eartheater cichlid fish native to South America, particularly in the Amazon Forest. Introduced to Singapore, it thrives in slow-moving streams as well as reservoirs. Its ecological impact on its adopted habitat is still unknown.A member of the Cichlidae...
Greenstreaked Eartheater,cupid cichlid	Biotodoma cupido Biotodoma cupido Biotodoma cupido, commonly known as the greenstreaked eartheater or cupid cichlid, is a South American species of cichlid. It is native to rivers in the Amazon and Essequibo basins. It is sometimes seen in the aquarium trade....
Keyhole cichlid	Cleithracara maronii
Angelfish	Pterophyllum scalare		15 cm (5.9 in)		Intermediate	several color varieties; this species is the common angelfish in the aquarium trade. Angelfish can grow up to fifteen centimetres (six inches), and therefore should be housed in a large aquarium. Angelfish should be kept alone, or kept with three or more. This is because that if two are kept together, the larger fish will pick on the smaller fish. Angelfish are not as hardy as other cichlids and should not be kept with small fish such as neon tetras. However, just the opposite is true: Angelfish should not be kept with fish that may nip and annoy it such as some large tetras.
Altum angelfish	Pterophyllum altum
Spotted angelfish	Pterophyllum leopoldi
Common discus, red discus	Symphysodon discus		20 cm (7.9 in)		Difficult	various color varieties, the discus requires high water quality and a varied diet. Do not keep with fast fish as the discus is a slow eater and will not fight for food. Despite their beauty, the discus is one of the least hardy aquarium fishes available. This fish should only be kept by the experienced aquarium keeper.
Blue discus, green discus	Symphysodon aequifasciatus		20 cm (7.9 in)		Difficult	fancy hybrids of this species and Symphysodon discus can also be found in trade
Chocolate cichlid	Hypselecara temporalis
Oscar	Astronotus ocellatus Astronotus ocellatus Astronotus ocellatus is a species of fish from the cichlid family known under a variety of common names, including oscar, tiger oscar, velvet cichlid, or marble cichlid. In South America, where the species naturally resides, A. ocellatus specimens are often found for sale as a food fish in the...		45 cm (17.7 in)			has different varieties including long-fin, albino, golden, etc. The oscar cichlid is fast growing and can grow to a very large size when mature, and therefore should be housed in a large aquarium. The oscar can be messy to look after as they love to dig up plants and scoop up rocks. The oscar should be put with fish of similar size as they will eat any fish that can fit in their mouth. The oscar prefers to be with members of its own species, but this is not a necessity for its well being. The oscar is one of the more hardy cichlids, and can be put with other large cichlids, pacu Pacú Pacu or pacú is the common name of several South American fishes.PACU, Pacu or pacú may also refer to:*Piaractus mesopotamicus , a South American ray-finned fish that is endemic to the Paraguay-Paraná River basin*Tambaqui , known as black pacu, black-finned pacu, giant pacu*Philippine Association... s, large plecos, large sharks, and other large fish.
Uaru, waroo	Uaru amphiacanthoides Uaru amphiacanthoides Uaru amphiacanthoides is a species of fish from the family Cichlidae native to South America also known as the Triangle cichlid U.amphiacanthoides is a popular aquarium fish among cichlid hobbyists....					Also known as the Triangle Ciclid.
Peacock bass, butterfly peacock bass	Cichla orinocensis Cichla orinocensis Cichla orinocensis, sometimes known as the Orinoco peacock bass , is a very large species of cichlid. It is native to the Rio Negro and Orinoco river basins in northern South America, and reaches about in length....
Texas cichlid, Rio Grande cichlid	Herichthys cyanoguttatus				Easy	Large adult size

Other cichlids

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Orange chromide	Etroplus maculatus
Blood parrot cichlid	- Hybrid -					In the scientific community it is not considered a cichlid (or any species of fish) because it does not occur naturally in the wild (created by man), for this reason it will not be given a scientific name.
Flowerhorn cichlid	- Hybrid -					In the scientific community it is not considered a cichlid (or any species of fish) because it does not occur naturally in the wild (created by man), for this reason it will not be given a scientific name. This is also an aggressive fish and does best in a species-only setup.
Wolf cichlid	Parachromis dovii Parachromis dovii The Parachromis dovii or wolf cichlid is one of the largest growing of the cichlidae family. The Dovii is somewhat similar in appearance to the jaguar cichlid , however the dovii is larger and stockier, and a dark, solid, unbroken band runs horizontally thought the flank of the fish...

Cyprinids

Barbs Barbus Barbus is a ray-finned fish genus in the family Cyprinidae. The type species of Barbus is the Common Barbel, first described as Cyprinus barbus and now named Barbus barbus...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Arulius barb	Puntius arulius		12 cm (4.7 in)
Bigspot barb, Duncker's barb	Puntius dunckeri		13 cm (5.1 in)			Peaceful when small but should not be kept with other species at adulthood.
Black ruby barb	Puntius nigrofasciatus		6.5 cm (2.6 in)
Checker barb	Puntius oligolepis		5 cm (2 in)
Cherry barb	Puntius titteya		4.8 cm (1.9 in)	Community	Easy	very peaceful, and works well with white clouds and neon tetras
Clipper barb	Barbus callipterus		7.5 cm (3 in)
Clown barb	Puntius everetti		15 cm (5.9 in)
Gold barb	Puntius semifasciolatus		8 cm (3.1 in)	Community	Easy
Golden barb	Puntius gelius		5 cm (2 in)
Greenstripe barb	Puntius vittatus		5 cm (2 in)
Melon barb	Puntius fasciatus		15 cm (5.9 in)
Odessa barb	Puntius padamya Puntius padamya Puntius padamya, also known as the Odessa barb, is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Puntius. Its only known natural habitat has been located in Central Myanmar, near Mandalay. It has been known to the aquarium hobby for many years, but was only described scientifically in 2008.- Physical...		8 cm (3.1 in)	Community	Easy
Onespot barb	Puntius terio		15 cm (5.9 in)
Pentazona barb, fiveband barb	Puntius pentazona		5 cm (2 in)			this species may be confused with tiger barb due to similarities
Pool barb	Puntius sophore		18 cm (7.1 in)
Partipentazona barb	Puntius partipentazona Puntius partipentazona Puntius partipentazona is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Cyprininae sub-family of the Cyprinidae family. It originates in inland waters in Asia, and is found in the Mekong, Mae Khlong, and Chao Phraya basins of Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, and coastal streams of southeast Thailand...		3.8 cm (1.5 in)
Red line torpedo barb, Denison's barb	Puntius denisonii		15 cm (5.9 in)
Rosy barb	Puntius conchonius		13 cm (5.1 in)	Community	Easy
Shortfin barb	Barbus brevipinnis		4.6 cm (1.8 in)
Spanner barb, t-barb	Puntius lateristriga		20 cm (7.9 in)
Spotted barb, common barb	Puntius binotatus		19.5 cm (7.7 in)
Spottedsail barb, dwarf barb Dwarf barb Dwarf barb is a common name of several different tropical freshwater fish species, including:* Dwarf Barb * Golden Barb * Spottedsail barb...	Puntius phutunio		7.8 cm (3.1 in)
Swamp barb	Puntius chola		15 cm (5.9 in)
Ticto barb	Barbus ticto		10 cm (3.9 in)
Tic-tac-toe barb	Puntius stoliczkanus Puntius stoliczkanus Stoliczkae's Barb is a freshwater tropical fish belonging to the minnow family . It is a native of the upper Mekong, Salwen, Irrawaddy, Meklong and upper Charo Phraya basins in the countries of Nepal, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.Puntius stoliczkanus is ...		| 5 cm (2 in)
Tiger barb, sumatra barb	Puntius tetrazona		7.5 cm (3 in)	Community	Easy	There are many varieties as well as hybrids with other barbs. Good community schooling fish. They are fin nippers.
Tinfoil barb	Barbonymus schwanenfeldii		36 cm (14.2 in)			This species is much larger than most other barbs

Cold-water cyprinids

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Goldfish	Carassius auratus		15+ cm (6+ in)	Community	Easy	variations: Black Moor Black Moor The black moor is a telescope-eyed variety of fancy goldfish that has a characteristic pair of protruding eyes. It is also referred to as popeye, telescope, kuro demekin in Japan and dragon-eye in China.-Description:... , Bubble Eye Bubble Eye The Bubble Eye is a small variety of fancy goldfish with upward pointing eyes that are accompanied by two large fluid-filled sacs. It is a dorsal-less fish, and good specimens will have a clean back and eye bubbles well matched for colour and size... , Butterfly Tail Butterfly tail (goldfish) The Butterfly tail or Butterfly telescope is a variety of goldfish that is distinguished by the butterfly-shaped caudal fins when viewed from above. It is a variety that only until recent has been deemed a major lineage by a few published works... , Calico Calico (fish) Calico or nacreous goldfish are goldfish of any breed that sport a mixture of metallic and transparent scales that produces a pearly appearance. The name "calico goldfish" is often associated, and sometimes confused, with the shubunkin goldfish.... , Celestial Eye Celestial Eye Celestial eye goldfish or Choten gan is a double-tailed breed of fancy goldfish that has a breed-defining pair of telescope eyes which are turned upwards, pupils gazing skyward... , Comet Comet (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:... , Common Common goldfish Common 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... , Fantail Fantail (goldfish) The Fantail goldfish is the western form of the Ryukin that possesses an egg-shaped body, a high dorsal fin, a long quadruple caudal fin, and no shoulder hump.-Description:... , Lionchu Lionchu The Lionchu or lionhead-ranchu is a fancy goldfish that has resulted from crossbreeding lionheads and ranchus.-Description:The Western criteria for lionchus combine the traditional characteristic side-view profiles of the ranchu and the lionhead... , Lionhead Lionhead (goldfish) The lionhead is a hooded variety of fancy goldfish. This fish is the precursor to the ranchu.-Description:The tremendous hood or headgrowth and fat cheeks of lionheads give them a facial appearance similar to canine puppies. The "wen" fully covers the head, cheeks and gill plates of the fish... , Oranda Oranda An oranda is a type of goldfish characterized by a prominent raspberry-like hood encasing its head. The hood or headgrowth encases the whole head except for the eyes and mouth.-Description:... , Panda Moor Panda Moor The panda moor is a fancy goldfish with a characteristic black-and-white color pattern and protruding eyes.-Description:Panda moors have delicate projecting eyes, deep bodies, and long flowing fins. Like any other moor goldfish, pandas can grow very fat. They are metallic-scaled.Young moors... , Pearlscale Pearlscale The pearlscale or chinshurin in Japanese, is a spherical-bodied fancy goldfish with finnage similar to the fantail.-Description:The characteristic feature of the pearlscale is its thick, domed scales with pearl-like appearance. Its body is round and similar to a golf ball. The finnage may be long... , Pompom Pompom (goldfish) Pompoms or pompon or hana fusa are a type of fancy goldfish that have bundles of loose fleshy outgrowths between the nostrils, on each side of the head.-Description:... , Ranchu Ranchu The ranchu is a hooded variety of fancy goldfish developed in Japan. It is referred to as the "king of goldfish" by the Japanese.-Origins and evolution:The modern-day ranchu is a Japanese development of the lionhead... , Ryukin Ryukin The ryukin is a short deep-bodied fancy goldfish with a characteristic hump in the shoulder region.-Description:The ryukin is a hardy and attractive variety of goldfish with a pointed head and has a pronounced hump on the back behind the head. It may be long-finned or short-finned with either a... , Shubunkin Shubunkin are a hardy, single-tailed fancy goldfish with nacreous scales, and a pattern known as calico. The shubunkins are of Japanese origin.... , Telescope eye Telescope Eye The telescope eye or demekin is a fancy goldfish characterized by its protruding eyes. It is also known as globe eye or dragon eye goldfish.-Description:... , Veiltail Veiltail The veiltail is a type of goldfish known for its extra-long, flowing double tail.-Description:The veiltail has a modified deep-and-round ryukin-shaped body, though without the dorsal 'hump' characteristic of ryukins...
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.... , common carp	Cyprinus carpio		30+ cm (12+ in)	Pond	Easy	the fancy variations of common carp Common carp The 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...  are known as 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.... .
White Cloud Mountain minnow	Tanichthys albonubes		3.8 cm (1.5 in)	Pond	Easy	lutino variety can also be found in the aquarium trade
Common dace	Leuciscus leuciscus		40 cm (15.7 in)				39 to 72 °F (4 to 22 °C)	6.0 to 8.0
Rosy red minnow, fathead minnow	Pimephales promelas		5-7.5 cm (2–3 in)	Pond/Minnow Tank	Easy	sold as feeder fish; the gold variety known as "rosy red" is very common (the image is of the "rosy red" strain)
Southern redbelly dace	Phoxinus erythrogaster		7.5–10 cm (3–4 in)	Pond/Minnow Tank	Easy

Danio Danio The Danio genus comprises many of the species of danionins familiar to aquarists. The common name "danio" is used for members of the genera Danio and Devario.-Taxonomy:... s and other danionin Danionin The danionins are a group of small minnow-type fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae. Members of this group are mostly in the genera Danio and Devario. They are native to the fresh waters of southeast Asia. Many species are brightly coloured and are available as aquarium fish worldwide... s

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Bengal danio, Sind danio	Danio devario
Giant danio	Devario aequipinnatus
Malabar danio	Devario malabaricus		11.5–14 cm (4.5-5.5 in)	Community	Easy
Pearl danio	Danio albolineatus		6.5 cm (2.6 in)		Easy	subspecies:blue-redstripe danio Blue-Redstripe Danio The Blue-Redstripe Danio is a fish that may be color morph of the widely known Pearl Danio. It is a tropical fish belonging to the Danio family . Originating from South-east Asia in southern Thailand, Chantaburi province, this fish is rarely found in the fish keeping hobby... , Kedah danio Kedah Danio The Kedah Danio is a color morph of the fish species pearl danio. It is a tropical fish belonging to the Danio family . Originating from South-east Asia in south Thailand, Kedah and Sumatra, this fish is rarely found in the fish keeping hobby, usually accidentally mixed with the pearl danio.The...
Queen danio	Devario regina
Spotted danio	Danio nigrofasciatus
Turquoise danio	Brachydanio kerri
Zebra danio	Brachydanio rerio		5 cm (2 in)		Easy	there are many variations of this fish: leopard danio,the spotted colour morph, and GloFish GloFish The GloFish is a patented and trademarked brand of genetically modified fluorescent zebrafish with bright red, green, orange-yellow, blue, and purple fluorescent colors... , the genetically modified fluorescent fish.

Rasbora Rasbora A rasbora is a member of a group of small minnow-type fish in the family Cyprinidae . Fish from genera such as Boraras, Microrasbora, Rasbora and Trigonostigma are commonly referred to as rasboras... s

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Harlequin rasbora	Trigonostigma heteromorpha		5 cm (2 in)			Also known as Harlequin tetra
Blackline rasbora, red-tailed rasbora	Rasbora borapetensis
Red-striped rasbora	Rasbora pauciperforata		7.5 cm (3 in)	Community		Range: Sumatra Sumatra Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...	22 - 29 °C (72 - 85 °F)
Volcano rasbora	Rasbora vulcanus Rasbora vulcanus Rasbora vulcanus is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Rasbora....

Other cyprinids

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Bala shark	Balantiocheilus melanopterus		40 cm (15.7 in)		Community
Flying fox (fish)	Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus					this species may be sold as Siamese algae eater
Red-tailed black shark	Epalzeorhynchos bicolor		4 in	community	easy	albino variation available
Red-finned shark	Epalzeorhynchos frenatum					albino variation available
Cambodian log sucker, false Siamese algae eater	Garra cambodgiensis					this species may be sold as Siamese algae eater
Chinese algae eater	Gyrinocheilus aymonieri Gyrinocheilus aymonieri Gyrinocheilus aymonieri is a freshwater fish that is native to large parts of southeast Asia. It is of interest as a local food source and for the aquarium trade, being first imported into Germany in 1956.G...					This species may be sold as Siamese algae eater. A gold colored form also exists.
Siamese algae eater	Crossocheilus siamensis					many other cyprinids are sometimes mistakenly sold under this name

Killifish

Killifish

A killifish is any of various oviparous cyprinodontiform fish . Altogether, there are some 1270 different species of killifish, the biggest family being Rivulidae, containing more than 320 species...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Blue Lyretail	Fundulopanchax gardneri		2 in	Species	Easy/Intermediate
Bluefin Notho, Rachow's Notho, Rainbow Notho	Nothobranchius rachovii Nothobranchius rachovii - Introduction :Nothobranchius rachovii is a species of freshwater annual killifish from Mozambique. It can grow up to 6 cm...		6 cm (2.4 in)	Species	Easy/Intermediate	Considered most beautiful freshwater fish by some killifish enthusiasts.
Striped panchax, Golden Wonder	Aplocheilus lineatus Striped panchax The striped panchax, Aplocheilus lineatus, is a species of killifish, of the genus Aplocheilus. An aquarium variant of this species with a more yellowish coloration is known as golden wonder killifish. The striped panchax inhibits fresh and brackish waters of India and Sri Lanka. It is found in...			Species	Easy	Golden Wonder is the more yellowish variant.

Labyrinth fish

Anabantoidei

The Anabantoidei is a suborder of perciform ray-finned freshwater fish distinguished by their possession of a lung-like labyrinth organ, which enables them to breathe air. The fish in the Anabantoidei suborder are known as anabantoids or labyrinth fish...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Chocolate gourami	Sphaerichthys osphromenoides		7 cm (2.8 in)
Croaking gourami	Trichopsis vittata		6.5 cm (2.6 in)			Often confused with the pygmy gourami
Dwarf gourami	Colisa lalia		5 cm (2 in)	Community	Intermediate	the dwarf gourami is perfect for small to mid sized aquariums as it will not grow as large as its larger relatives. A beautiful, peaceful gourami. Prone to bacterial infections .
Giant gourami	Osphronemus goramy		60 cm (23.6 in)			Occasionally, some other gouramis are also referred to as "giant gouramis"
Paradise fish	Macropodus opercularis		7.5 cm (3 in)			One of the few freshwater aquarium fish that survive in cold water. Most common variety is the Blue Paradise.
Pearl gourami	Trichopodus leerii		11.5 cm (4.5 in)
Pygmy gourami, Sparkling gourami	Trichopsis pumila		3.8 cm (1.5 in)			Often confused with the croaking gourami
Kissing gourami	Helostoma temminckii		15 cm (5.9 in)			The pink variety is more popular than the natural green one. They are called Kissing Gouramis because the seem to pucker their lips outwards. they require aquarium salt in the water or hard water
Moonlight gourami	Trichopodus microlepis		15 cm (5.9 in)
Snakeskin gourami	Trichopodus pectoralis		20 cm (7.9 in)
Three spot gourami	Trichopodus trichopterus		10 cm (3.9 in)			Various color varieties each given a different name (blue gourami, gold gourami, and opaline gourami)
Siamese fighting fish	Betta splendens		7.5 cm (3 in)	Single fish only for males, community for females.	Easy	Numerous color and fin pattern varieties. In the U.S., the fish is often called "betta Betta Betta is a large genus of small, often colorful, freshwater ray-finned fishes in the gourami family . The type species is B. picta, the spotted betta.By far the best known Betta species, however, is B... ", although this word is actually the name of the genus Genus In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...  that includes more than 60 species Species In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...  other than the Siamese fighting fish Siamese fighting fish The Siamese fighting fish , also known as the betta , is a popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. The name of the genus is derived from ikan bettah, taken from a local dialect of Malay... . Multiple males in a tank will result in conflicts and possibly death. Females can be housed together in groups of 4+ in a tank, though they may become territorial and attack each other. Males have long flowing fins with vibrant colors, and females have shorter fins. This fish is best put with fish that do not nip fins, as the fins of the betta are easy to attack. They should also not be housed with other fish with long, flowing fins as the Betta may confuse it with another, and attack.

Live-bearers

Live-bearing aquarium fish

Live-bearing aquarium fish, often simply called livebearers, are fish that retain the eggs inside the body and give birth to live, free-swimming young.-Common aquarium livebearers:...

Guppies and mollies Poecilia Poecilia is a genus of euryhaline brackish water fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. The type species is P. vivipara. Live-bearers, the Poecilia species are collectively known as mollies, with the exception of Endler's livebearer and the famous guppy...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Guppy	Poecilia reticulata		5 cm (2 in)	Community/Species	Easy	Many color and tail pattern varieties exist
Endler's livebearer	Poecilia wingei Poecilia wingei Poecilia wingei, known to aquarists as Endler's guppy or Endler's livebearer, is a species of fish in the genus Poecilia, native to the Paria Peninsula, Venezuela.-History:...		3.8 cm (1.5 in)	Community/Species
Black molly	Poecilia sphenops Poecilia sphenops Poecilia sphenops is a species of fish, of the genus Poecilia, known under the common name molly; to distinguish it from its congeners, it is sometimes called short-finned molly or common molly. They inhabit fresh water streams and coastal brackish and marine waters of Mexico...		5 cm (2 in)	Community/Species	Easy
Sailfin molly	Poecilia latipinna		5 cm (2 in)	Community/Species	Easy	Gold and silver varieties commonly found; also thrive in brackish water
Dalmatian molly	hybrid		5 cm (2 in)	Community/Species	Easy	The dalmatian molly is a hybrid color variation that can be generated by crossing some species of Poecilia Poecilia Poecilia is a genus of euryhaline brackish water fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. The type species is P. vivipara. Live-bearers, the Poecilia species are collectively known as mollies, with the exception of Endler's livebearer and the famous guppy... , like P. sphenops Poecilia sphenops Poecilia sphenops is a species of fish, of the genus Poecilia, known under the common name molly; to distinguish it from its congeners, it is sometimes called short-finned molly or common molly. They inhabit fresh water streams and coastal brackish and marine waters of Mexico... and P. latipinna. The variety "Dalmatian" is spotted alike to a Dalmatian dog.

Platies and swordtails Xiphophorus Xiphophorus 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...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Southern platy	Xiphophorus maculatus			Community/Species	Easy	Many color varieties exist
Variable platy	Xiphophorus variatus			Community	Easy	Many color varieties exist
Green swordtail	Xiphophorus hellerii			Community	Easy	Many color varieties exist

Loaches and related cypriniformes

Cypriniformes

The Cypriniformes are an order of ray-finned fish, including the carps, minnows, loaches and relatives. This order contains 5-6 families, over 320 genera, and more than 3,250 species, with new species being described every few months or so, and new genera being recognized regularly...

Loaches

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Bengal loach	Botia dario Botia dario The Bengal Loach, or Queen Loach is a species of loach fish found in the hill streams of Bangladesh.These fish are threatened by pesticide used in the cultivation of rice...					Also known as the Queen loach. They hide during the day. They like river sand in the tank because they like to cover themselves in it.
Blue botia	Yasuhikotakia modesta Yasuhikotakia modesta The blue botia, Yasuhikotakia modesta, is a tropical freshwater fish of the Cobitidae family of loaches. In the wild, it comes from large rivers in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam...
Burmese border loach	Botia kubotai Botia kubotai The Burmese Border loach, angelicus loach or polka dot loach, Botia kubotai, is a recently described species that has quickly become a popular tropical fish for freshwater aquariums...
Clown loach	Botia macracantha		4 in	community	easy	Clown loach has a sociable personality and should be kept in at least groups of 2. They may eat pond snails kept in aquariums.
Dwarf loach	Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki The dwarf loach, ladderback loach, pygmy loach, chain loach or chain botia, Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki , is a popular freshwater tropical fish in aquariums belonging to the Cobitidae family....					formerly named Botia sidthimunki
Dojo loach, weather loach	Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Horseface loach	Acantopsis choirorhynchus
Kuhli loach, coolie loach	Pangio kuhlii					a number of similar Pangio species are sold under the same name
Longnose loach	Acantopsis octoactinotos Acantopsis octoactinotos Acantopsis octoactinotos or the Long-nosed loach is a freshwater fish from Indonesia, commonly found in aquariums.Acantopsis octoactinotos has a long straight snout, unlike the similar Horseface loach , in which the snout has a down-turned shape...
Skunk loach	Yasuhikotakia morleti Yasuhikotakia morleti The skunk loach, skunk botia or Hora's loach, Yasuhikotakia morleti , is a freshwater tropical fish found in the Mekong River and various rivers in Thailand. The maximum size is 10 cm and it occurs in water with parameters 26 - 30 ° C temperature, pH 6.0 to 8.0, hardness 5.0 to 12.0...					formerly named Botia morleti
Yoyo loach	Botia almorhae
Zebra loach	Botia striata Botia striata The zebra loach, Botia striata, is a small freshwater fish native to Southern India. The maximum size is about 3 in . It lives in tropical climate with temperature range of 23-26°C , and prefers water with 6.0 to 8.0 pH, 5.0 to 12 dGH....

Other related cypriniformes Cypriniformes The Cypriniformes are an order of ray-finned fish, including the carps, minnows, loaches and relatives. This order contains 5-6 families, over 320 genera, and more than 3,250 species, with new species being described every few months or so, and new genera being recognized regularly...

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Chinese high fin banded shark	Myxocyprinus asiaticus Myxocyprinus asiaticus The 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]...		90+ cm (36+ in)	Goldfish/Large Pond	Difficult	the highfin shark is a truly unique fish. At youth, the shark has a high dorsal fin, a plump body, and radiant colors. However, as the fish matures, the characteristics of the fish changes drastically. The dorsal fin becomes shorter, the fish achieves a more cylindrical shape, and the color fades to a dark brown. The fish is not suitable for fish tanks because of the size it can grow to. The highfin cannot be housed with tropical fish due to their lower temperature preferences. The highfin prefers to be in a school, so more than one should be housed together. The "shark" is a peaceful fish, and will not openly attack others. Highfins are bottom dwellers and omnivorous. They will eat invertebrates and scrape algae off rocks.
Chinese hillstream loach	Beaufortia kweichowensis Beaufortia kweichowensis Beaufortia kweichowensis is a species of hillstream loach belonging to the genus Beaufortia, of the family Balitoridae, and is native to the riverine fauna of China in Asia. The species was named Beaufortia kweichowensis by Fang in 1931...		3 in	community	easy	eat a lot of algae. high oxygen level required

Neotropical electric fish

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Black ghost knifefish	Apteronotus albifrons		20 in	species	Intermediate	Not to be confused with the featherback Notopteridae The family Notopteridae contains eight species of osteoglossiform fishes, commonly known as featherbacks and knifefishes. They are small fishes living in freshwater or brackish environments in Africa and South-east Asia....  "knifefish" of the Bonytongue Osteoglossiformes Osteoglossiformes is a relatively primitive order of ray-finned fish that contains two sub-orders, the Osteoglossoidei and the Notopteroidei. All of the living species inhabit freshwater...  group (see above)
Brown ghost knifefish	Apteronotus leptorhynchus				Intermediate	Very hard to feed it anything but live food
Clown knifefish	Chitala chitala Chitala chitala Chitala chitala or clown knifefish is a fish of the genus Chitala found in India and other countries in Southeast Asia. Main foods are smaller fishes and fish pellets . They have been introduced to some areas of the United States. As an aquarium fish, they are popular in the United States and...				Intermediate
Electric eel	Electrophorus electricus				Advanced	Despite the name, this is not an "eel" but rather a huge knifefish; illegal to possess in some areas; dangerous; very large adult size

Pufferfish

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Figure 8 pufferfish	Tetraodon biocellatus		6 cm (2.4 in)		Intermediate	often sold as freshwater fish, but this species prefers brackish water
Green spotted puffer	Tetraodon nigroviridis Tetraodon nigroviridis Tetraodon nigroviridis is one of the pufferfish known as the green spotted puffer. It is found across South and Southeast Asia in coastal freshwater and brackish water habitats. Tetraodon nigroviridis reaches a maximum length of about 15 cm...		15 cm (5.9 in)		Difficult	often sold as freshwater fish, but this species actually thrives in brackish water and may even require saltwater when reaches adulthood
Giant freshwater pufferfish	Tetraodon mbu		75 cm (29.5 in)		Difficult	This fish also occurs in estuaries.
Dwarf pufferfish	Carinotetraodon travancoricus		2.9 cm (1.1 in)		easy	community
Congo pufferfish	Tetraodon miurus		15 cm (5.9 in)		Difficult

Rainbowfish

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Salmon-red rainbowfish	Glossolepis incisus Glossolepis Incisus The red rainbowfish or salmon-red rainbowfish is endemic to dense vegetation waters of Lake Sentani in Jayapura, Papua. The males are bright red and with age grow a high back...		13–15 cm (5–6 in)			aka Red rainbowfish. These are very hardy fish and get along with almost any fish. They aren't aggressive and love to follow fingers! When these fish get stressed out they tend to turn a more gray color. It will regain its color when it becomes more relaxed
Tami River rainbowfish	Glossolepis pseudoincisus		7.5 cm (3 in)			aka Millennium rainbowfish
Lake Wanam rainbowfish	Glossolepis wanamensis		13–15 cm (5–6 in)			aka Emerald rainbowfish
Threadfin rainbowfish	Iriatherina werneri				Easy	Threadfins have very tiny mouths and cannot compete well with other fish for food. Keep in species only tanks or with small pseudomugil (i.e.: gertrudae)
New Guinea rainbowfish	Melanotaenia affinis Melanotaenia affinis The Melanotaenia affinis or New guinea rainbow fish comes from north Papua New Guinea. There are 3 known varieties. The so called standard variety has the widest range...		13 cm (5.1 in)
Boeseman's rainbowfish	Melanotaenia boesemani		10–13 cm (4–5 in)
Duboulayi's rainbowfish	Melanotaenia duboulayi Melanotaenia duboulayi The Crimsonspotted Rainbowfish , known less commonly as the Duboulay's rainbowfish, is a species of freshwater rainbowfish endemic to eastern Australia. M...		13–15 cm (5–6 in)			aka Crimson-Spotted rainbowfish
Australian rainbowfish	Melanotaenia fluviatilis		13–15 cm (5–6 in)
Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish	Melanotaenia parva		7.5–8 cm (3-3.25 in)			aka Flame rainbowfish
Neon rainbowfish	Melanotaenia praecox		6-7.5 cm (2.5–3 in)
Eastern rainbowfish	Melanotaenia splendida splendida		13–15 cm (5–6 in)

Spiny eels

Mastacembelidae

The Mastacembelidae are a family of fishes, known as the spiny eels. The Mastacembelids are part of the Order Synbranchiformes, the swamp eels, which are part of the Actinopterygii ....

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Fire eel	Mastacembelus erythrotaenia		100 cm (39.3 in)
Spotfinned spiny eel	Macrognathus siamensis Macrognathus siamensis Macrognathus siamensis is a tropical fish belonging to the Mastacembelidae family.As an aquarium fish it is known with the common name Peacock Eel or Peacock Spiny Eel.-Description and ecology:...		30 cm (11.8 in)
Tire track eel	Mastacembelus armatus		90 cm (35.4 in)
Lesser spiny eel	Macrognathus aculeatus

Gar

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Spotted Gar	Lepisosteus oculatus		70cm - 300cm (27.5 - 118 in)	Large	Easy/Intermediate	One species of the gars, the Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) can attain an astounding length of 3m in the wild. On average, gars can attain a length of not less than 70 cm in captivity. They are aggressive fish by nature, however, they are also frightened easily. These fish are generally piscivorous in the wild, but will take a variety of meaty foods in captivity. Therefore, a strong filtration system must be ensured for a healthy gar tank. Housing a 6-inch gar may require at least a 50 gallons (189.3 l) tank with width of 12 inches. As the gar grows, it must be moved to a larger tank. The tank length to house a sub-adult gar should be at least 72 inches, but longer is even better. The width of the tank should not be less than 36 inches. (otherwise, the gar may feel uncomfortable making turns while it swims) A minimum of 24 inches of water depth will suit the gar well. Gars are strong jumpers, hence the tank lid should be weighted down. Gars are hardy fish. They have the ability to breathe atmosphere air by means of vascularised gas bladder that act as lung. They are generally peaceful, usually keeping to themselves and not disturbing others. Hence, if space allows, they can be kept in a group. Large gars are capable of inflicting a painful wound. If possible, try not to handle them with bare hands. Always use a net.

See also

• List of aquarium fish by scientific name
• List of brackish aquarium fish species
• List of fish common names
• List of freshwater aquarium amphibian species
• List of freshwater aquarium invertebrate species
• List of freshwater aquarium plant species
• List of marine aquarium fish species
• List of marine aquarium invertebrate species
• The Aquarium Wiki Encyclopaedia List of Freshwater aquarium fish

Sources

• Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish (2005) (David Alderton
  David Alderton
  David Alderton is an English writer specialising in pets and natural history topics. Growing up in a home surrounded by pets, he originally trained to become a veterinary surgeon. An allergic dermatitis acquired in his final year of study forced a change of career however, and so led him into the...
  
  )