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 Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus) is the familiar bristlenose catfish sold in most stores. Males grow fleshy bristles on the snout. Grows to about 5 in (12.5 cm) standard length, much smaller than the common pleco. Mass-bred commercially. Its...
Overview "Common Pleco" is a trade name for several large suckermouth catfish, most often the Amazon sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis). Store fish may be a related species or Hypostomus plecostomus. P. pardalis is native to the Amazon basin in Brazil and...
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 "Otocinclus" or "oto" covers several small algae-eating catfish. The one sold most often is probably Otocinclus macrospilus. Shipments are often mixed species. O. macrospilus comes from the upper Amazon in Peru, and possibly Colombia and Ecuador. Grows to...
Overview The Zebra Danio (Danio rerio) is a hardy, blue-and-gold striped cyprinid, also known as the zebrafish. Native to the Ganges basin and nearby areas of northern India and surrounding countries. Grows to about 2 in (5 cm) standard length. Long-finned and other...
Overview The Sailfin Pleco (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps) is a large suckermouth catfish with a tall dorsal fin and a leopard-like pattern. Native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Can reach around 18–20 in (45–50 cm). Feeding An...