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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Iridescent Shark (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a large, schooling catfish, not a shark. It was formerly called Pangasius sutchi. Native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers of Southeast Asia. Can reach about 51 in (130 cm) standard length. Sold as...
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 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...