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 Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus), also called the tricolor shark minnow, is a silver, black-edged cyprinid, not a true shark. Native to rivers and lakes of Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Grows to about 14 in (35 cm) standard length, so...
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 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 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 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 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 White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a small coldwater cyprinid with a gold stripe and red fins. Named for White Cloud Mountain near Guangzhou, China. It is very rare in the wild. Grows to about 1.6 in (4 cm) standard length. Long-finned,...
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 Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus langei and close relatives, long sold as "C. siamensis") is a slim cyprinid with a black side stripe. Found in Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, southern and western Thailand, and possibly Myanmar. Grows to about 6 in (15 cm)...