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 The Bronze Cory (Corydoras aeneus) is one of the best-known catfish in the hobby. Wild fish range across much of South America, from Trinidad to Argentina. Grows to about 3 in (7.5 cm) standard length. Albino and long-finned forms are bred. The origin of...
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 The Peppered Cory (Corydoras paleatus) is a hardy, mottled gray-green catfish and one of the first cories kept in aquariums. Native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. Grows to about 2.8 in (7 cm) standard length. Feeding An opportunistic...
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 Panda Cory (Corydoras panda, also placed in Hoplisoma) is a small white catfish with black eye and tail patches. Native to the upper Amazon in Peru, in clear and blackwater streams over sand. Grows to about 2 in (5 cm) standard length. Almost all fish...
Overview The Julii Cory (Corydoras julii, now sometimes placed in Hoplisoma) is a small catfish with a fine leopard-spot pattern. Native to coastal rivers south of the Amazon delta in northeastern Brazil. Grows to about 2.2 in (5.5 cm) standard length. Many fish sold...
Overview The Sterbai Cory (Corydoras sterbai, also placed in Hoplisoma) is a spotted catfish with orange pectoral fins. Native to the Rio Guaporé area of Bolivia and Brazil. Grows to about 2.6 in (6.5 cm) standard length. Almost all fish sold are commercially bred....
Overview The Three Stripe Cory (Corydoras trilineatus, also placed in Hoplisoma) is a patterned cory often sold as the julii cory. Found in the Amazon basin in Colombia, Peru and Brazil, and coastal rivers of Suriname. Grows to about 2.2 in (5.5 cm) standard length....
Overview The Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) is one of the smallest percoid fish. Males are bright red with blue bars. Found in tributaries of the Brahmaputra in West Bengal and Assam, India. Grows to about 0.8 in (2 cm) standard length. A popular nano fish. Feeding A...
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...