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 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 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 Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) is a classic schooling fish with a copper body and a black triangle on the rear half. Native to southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo. Grows to about 1.8 in (4.5 cm) standard...
Overview The Glowlight Rasbora (Trigonopoma pauciperforatum), also sold as the redline rasbora, is a slim rasbora with a glowing orange-to-gold stripe. Native to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo. Grows to about 2.4 in (6 cm) standard length. Lives in...
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 Espe's Rasbora (Trigonostigma espei), also called the false harlequin or lambchop rasbora, is a small copper-orange rasbora with a black wedge mark. Native to forest streams in southwestern and southeastern Thailand and nearby Cambodia. Grows to about 1.2...
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 "Pencilfish" covers several slim Nannostomus species. This profile follows the most common one, the golden pencilfish (Nannostomus beckfordi). N. beckfordi is found in Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and parts of the Amazon basin. Grows to about 2.6 in (6.5...
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...