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Search for fish species by common or scientific name, or use filters to browse by water type, size, temperament, and difficulty.
Found 159 species
Golden Julie
Julidochromis ornatus
Julidochromis ornatus is that sleek little Tanganyikan rock-dweller with the gold body and crisp black stripes that just pops against a pile of limestone. Give it a tight maze of caves and it will pick one like its home base, patrol it, and (once paired up) it is a really fun cave spawner to watch. It is small, but it has big "this is my rock" energy - especially around breeding time.
Golden otocinclus
Otocinclus affinis
Otocinclus affinis is a small South American suckermouth catfish prized for grazing soft algae and biofilm on plants, glass, and décor. It has a slender body with a dark lateral stripe and a pale underside, and it is best kept in groups where it feels secure. Although peaceful, it can be delicate when newly imported and does best in mature, well-oxygenated aquariums with plenty of natural growth to graze.
Golden pencilfish
Nannostomus beckfordi
Beckford's pencilfish is that sleek little "stick with fins" that likes to hang in the upper half of the tank at a slight angle and flash a crisp dark stripe. Keep a proper group and you'll see males do these tiny sparring/display moments (no real damage) and the whole school just looks super classy over dark substrate and plants.
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Goldfish are one of the most popular and recognizable freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. They are known for their golden-orange coloration, although they can also appear in red, white, yellow, and black. Goldfish are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of conditions, making them a favorite among beginners.
Gorgeous prawn-goby
Amblyeleotris wheeleri
Amblyeleotris wheeleri is that classic shrimp-goby that picks a sandy spot, makes a burrow, and basically turns your tank into a little nature documentary if you pair it with a pistol shrimp. It hangs at the burrow entrance, does the whole lookout routine, and flashes those red bands and blue speckling when it is settled in.
Green Spotted Puffer
Tetraodon nigroviridis
Green spotted puffers are little water puppies with fins-super curious, always watching you, and they'll beg like they've never been fed in their life. The bright green-and-black spotting stays eye-catching, and they've got that classic puffer "I'm plotting something" face. Just know they're not a true freshwater fish long-term, and they really do need crunchy foods to keep their teeth worn down.
Green Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtails are busy, always-on-the-move livebearers, and the males' "sword" tail extension is the whole show-lots of displaying and posturing in the open water. They're tough as nails in hard, slightly alkaline water, but in tight tanks the males will absolutely bicker and chase each other around.
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
The Guppy is one of the most popular freshwater fish among aquarium enthusiasts due to its colorful appearance and lively nature. These fish have a wide range of vibrant colors and tail shapes, making them a visual delight in any aquarium. Guppies are known for their peaceful temperament and ease of care, making them ideal for both beginner and experienced fishkeepers.
Hairy pipefish
Urocampus carinirostris
This is a tiny, stick-thin pipefish that lives in seagrass and algae beds and uses its prehensile tail to hang on like a little underwater chameleon. The coolest part is the "hairy" fringing (little filaments) all over the body that breaks up its outline, and like other syngnathids the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail.
Half-banded kuhli loach
Pangio semicincta
Pangio semicincta is one of those classic "striped kuhli" loaches that spends the day wedged in plants and caves, then comes out at lights-down to wiggle around like a tiny eel. They're super social once you keep a proper group, and they're famous for piling into the same hidey-hole together. Also: they're one of the species that gets mixed up/mislabeled in the trade a lot, so buying from a shop that IDs them carefully is a win.
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Harlequin rasboras are those little coppery-orange fish with the bold black "wedge" on their sides that somehow look even better once they're cruising in a group. Give them a nice school and some plants to weave through and they'll do this tight, synchronized swimming thing that's honestly kind of hypnotic.
Head-and-Tail Light Tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
This little tetra does a neat trick in the light-there's a shiny "headlight" spot near the gills and a glowing "taillight" at the base of the tail, so the whole school kind of sparkles as they turn. They're super chill in a group, and they look way better the bigger the shoal is and the more plants you give them to cruise through.