Fish Species Starting with B
Browse all aquarium fish species with scientific names beginning with "B". Each profile includes care requirements, water parameters, tank size recommendations, and compatibility information for freshwater, marine, and brackish species.
The letter 'B' showcases a diverse array of aquarium species that cater to various tastes among hobbyists. Notable entries include the striking Betta splendens, popular for its vibrant colors, and the unique Bumblebee goby (Brachygobius doriae), known for its small size and distinct patterns. Whether you're interested in community fish or more specialized species, this section presents a variety of options for all aquarists.
7 species found
White-Edged (Albimarginata) Betta
Betta albimarginata
This is one of those wild bettas that feels more like a tiny aquarium predator than a "fancy fin" betta-sleek, quick, and always watching what's going on. The males are awesome with that crisp white edging on the fins, and the coolest part is the dad carries the eggs in his mouth, so you'll sometimes see him just chilling and not eating for a bit while he incubates.
Spotfin betta
Betta macrostoma
This is the famous "Brunei beauty" wild betta - a chunky, orange-red fish with an awesome little eyespot on the dorsal fin and a big attitude-free personality (until you put two males together). The really cool part is breeding: the male is a paternal mouthbrooder, and the pair does that weird "kiss" egg transfer behavior people geek out over.
Betta
Betta splendens
Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are popular for their striking colors and flowing fins. They are known for their territorial nature, especially males, which can display aggressive behavior towards each other.
Four-eyed sleeper
Bostrychus sinensis
This is one of those chunky "sit-and-watch" gobies that looks like it's always plotting something-big head, tough little body, and a real ambush-predator vibe. It'll perch on the bottom like a log and then suddenly lunge when food comes by, which is honestly super fun to watch. Just don't expect it to play nice with tiny tankmates-anything that fits in its mouth is basically on the menu.
Bumblebee goby
Brachygobius doriae
Brachygobius doriae is one of the classic "bumblebee gobies" - tiny, bottom-hugging little characters that perch on rocks and sand and stare at you like they own the place. They're at their best in a calm setup with lots of caves and leaf litter, and they really shine once you get them eating frozen/live foods reliably (they're slow, picky eaters). Also: they're one of the species that gets mislabeled a lot in shops, so it's super common to see them sold under the wrong bumblebee-goby name.
Bumblebee goby (Bumblebee fish)
Brachygobius xanthozonus
This is that tiny little goby with the bold black-and-yellow bands that likes to perch on the bottom and stare back at you like it owns the place. It's happiest in lightly brackish water with lots of little caves and sight-breaks, and it's one of those fish that often refuses flakes-frozen/live meaty foods usually flip the "yes, I will eat" switch.
Bishop toothcarp
Brachyrhaphis episcopi
This is a tiny Panamanian livebearer that does best when you treat it more like a shy wild fish than a fancy guppy-lots of cover, calm vibes, and really clean water. The fun part is watching the males posture and spar while the females cruise around dropping fully-formed fry about once a month.