Fish Species Starting with Z
Browse all aquarium fish species with scientific names beginning with "Z". Each profile includes care requirements, water parameters, tank size recommendations, and compatibility information for freshwater, marine, and brackish species.
Welcome to the 'Z' species index on Piscora, where you'll find a unique array of aquatic life. While we currently have no species listed under this letter, notable fish that come to mind include the Zebra Danio (Danio rerio), a popular community fish, and the Zapata Cichlid (Parachromis managuensis), which is admired by cichlid enthusiasts. We encourage you to explore the diversity in our other indexes, covering both well-known favorites and rare encounters.
5 species found
Yellow tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
If you want a fish that actually puts in work, the Yellow tang is a nonstop algae grazer that cruises the rockwork all day. Its bright solid-yellow color is the whole reason people fall in love with it, but the real trick is keeping it well-fed on greens so it stays chunky and less cranky. Give it strong flow, high oxygen, and enough swimming length and it will act like the little yellow boss of the reef.
Scopas tang
Zebrasoma scopas
Scopas tangs are those earthy brown-to-olive Zebrasoma tangs with fine little blue-green lines that shimmer when theyre happy and settled in. They cruise the rockwork all day picking at turf algae, then can get a bit spicy with other tangs if the tank is tight. In the wild theyll hang in small groups and even bigger grazing mobs, which is pretty cool to watch them mirror that patrol behavior in a big reef tank.
Purple tang
Zebrasoma xanthurum
This is the deep-purple tang with the bright yellow tail - it cruises the rockwork all day picking at algae like a little lawnmower. It has that classic Zebrasoma "sailfin" shape and a real attitude if you crowd it with other tangs, so give it room and let it be the boss (or at least think it is).
Feathered river-garfish
Zenarchopterus dispar
Zenarchopterus dispar is a surface-hanging halfbeak from mangroves and sheltered bays, with that classic long lower jaw for snapping up insects and other floaty foods. Males get those funky elongated fin rays (the "feathered" look), and they are livebearers, so once they settle in you can occasionally get surprise babies. Biggest thing with this fish is giving it calm water up top, room to cruise, and a tight lid because halfbeaks can rocket-jump.
Tequila splitfin
Zoogoneticus tequila
This is a little Mexican goodeid livebearer where the males get that awesome orange crescent in the tail and will spar and posture like tiny cichlids. They do best in a planted tank where they can duck into roots and stems, and once they're settled they'll breed steadily and you'll see lots of interesting social behavior.