Here are some of the most popular freshwater fish species that are commonly kept in aquariums, each with unique characteristics and care requirements.
A common rule of thumb for how many freshwater fish you can keep in an aquarium is to allow about 1 inch of fish per gallon of water; however, this can vary depending on the specific fish species, their adult size, activity level, and bioload, with heavily planted or densely stocked tanks often needing more filtration and swimming room.
Overview The African Jewelfish (Hemichromis bimaculatus), also sold as the jewel cichlid, is a colorful West African cichlid that turns brilliant red when breeding. Found in small streams and canals along Africa's west coast, from southern Guinea to central Liberia....
Overview The Black Angelfish is a solid black color form of the freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare). Wild angelfish come from the Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru and Colombia, and from the Guianas. Grows to about 6 in (15 cm) long and taller with the fins, so it...
Overview The Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) is a peaceful dwarf cichlid. It is also sold as the Bolivian butterfly cichlid. Native to the upper Rio Madeira basin in Bolivia and Brazil. Grows to about 3.1 in (8 cm) standard length. Usually a better choice...
Overview The Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) is a small, peaceful barb. Males turn deep cherry red. Endemic to the wet zone of southwestern Sri Lanka. Grows to about 2 in (5 cm) standard length. An excellent beginner fish. Almost all fish sold are farm-bred. Feeding...
Overview The Duboisi Cichlid (Tropheus duboisi), or white-spotted cichlid, is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. Juveniles are black with white spots and adults develop a pale band. Lives in rocky areas, in deeper water than other Tropheus. Grows to about 5 in (12 cm)...
Overview The Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is a hardy Central American cichlid with bold black bars. It is one of the most familiar cichlids in the hobby. Native to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Grows to about 6 in...
Overview The Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus and related Symphysodon species) is a disc-shaped Amazon cichlid prized for its color. Wild fish live in slow tributaries and forest pools along the Rio Solimões and Amazon. Grows to about 6 in (15 cm) long and nearly as...
Overview The Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides) is a hardy South American dwarf cichlid named for the male's tall, crest-like dorsal fin. Widespread in the upper Amazon basin, in slow tributaries, backwaters and creeks with leaf litter. Males reach...
Overview The Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) is a large, blue-and-white barred Lake Tanganyika cichlid with a prominent hump on the forehead. Native to the northern part of Lake Tanganyika. Grows to about 10 in (25.5 cm) standard length. Trade fish are often...
Overview The German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi), also called Ramirez's dwarf cichlid or butterfly cichlid, is a small, jewel-like dwarf cichlid. Native to the llanos savanna wetlands of the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia. Grows to about 1.6 in (4 cm)...
Overview The Fairy Cichlid (Neolamprologus brichardi), also known as the Princess of Burundi, is an elegant Lake Tanganyika cichlid with long, white-edged fins. Found along the rocky shores of Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mostly 16–82 ft...
Overview The Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) is a Central American cichlid known for its bright red-orange throat, which it flares to display. Native to lowland waters from southeastern Mexico, around the Yucatán Peninsula, to northern Belize and Guatemala....
Overview The Electric Yellow Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus) is a bright yellow mbuna from Lake Malawi. The yellow form comes from a short stretch of the northwestern shore, between Charo and Lion's Cove. Grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) standard length. One of the...
Overview "Dwarf Snakehead" usually refers to Channa gachua. The name is also used for other small snakeheads such as C. bleheri and C. andrao. C. gachua has a huge range from Iran to Taiwan and Bali. It is probably a complex of several similar species. Grows to about...
Overview The Pindani Cichlid (Pseudotropheus socolofi), also called Eduard's mbuna, is a powder-blue Lake Malawi mbuna. Native to the Mozambique coast of Lake Malawi, between Cobue and Tumbi Point. Grows to about 5 in (11.5 cm) standard length. An albino form is also...
Overview The Pearl Cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis), also called the pearlscale or mother-of-pearl cichlid, is a robust eartheater with iridescent spangled scales. Native to coastal rivers of eastern and southern Brazil and Uruguay. Grows to about 10 in (25 cm)...
Overview The Paraguay Eartheater (Gymnogeophagus balzanii) is a hump-headed South American cichlid that sifts sand for food. Native to the Paraná and Uruguay basins in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. Grows to about 8 in (20 cm) standard length. Best for...
Overview The Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a large, intelligent South American cichlid, also called the velvet or tiger oscar. Widespread in the Amazon region, usually in slow or still forest waters. Grows to about 14 in (35 cm) standard length. Typically lives...
Overview The Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher), or krib, is a colorful West African dwarf cichlid. Females show a cherry-red belly. Native to Nigeria and Cameroon, in still and slow, heavily vegetated waters. Grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) standard length. Most fish...
Overview The Kenyi Cichlid (Pseudotropheus lombardoi, also listed as Maylandia or Metriaclima lombardoi) is a Lake Malawi mbuna. Males are yellow and females are blue with dark bars, which is unusual among mbuna. Found naturally only at the Mbenji Islands and Nkhomo...
Overview The Red Shoulder Severum (Heros sp. "Rotkeil") is a severum from Brazil with a red patch behind the gills. Its exact identity is unclear. It is often linked to Heros efasciatus. Severums in general come from slow rivers and floodplain lakes of the Amazon....
Overview The Trimac Cichlid (Cichlasoma trimaculatum, also listed as Amphilophus trimaculatus) is a large, colorful Central American cichlid. Native to the Pacific slope of western Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. Seriously Fish gives a maximum of 16 in (40 cm)....
Overview The Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is a bold, orange-and-black striped barb and a classic aquarium fish. Probably native to central and southern Sumatra. Grows to about 2.4 in (6 cm) standard length. Green, albino and other strains are common. Wild fish are...
Overview The Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) is a large, shiny silver barb with red fins. Native to Southeast Asia. Found in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. Grows to about 14 in (35.5 cm) standard length. It is sold small but grows fast. Feeding An...
Overview The Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius) is a hardy barb. Males turn rose-red when in color. Widespread from Pakistan through India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) standard length. One of the hardiest small cyprinids. Long-finned and neon forms...