Freshwater Fish Species

Below are all the fish I've personally kept and some I one day plan to keep. All photos are taken and copyright by me unless otherwise specified.

Livebearers

Livebearers carry their eggs in their own bodies and give "birth" to the fry after the eggs hatch. Livebearers include guppies, platies, mollies, swordtails, and several others. The bulk of these species can tolerate salt and mollies even need and thrive in a brackish tank.

The Guppy

Characins

Characins are generally the "school" or "shoaling" freshwater fish. All tetras are included in this group, but so are piranhas. While most of the well-known 10 gallon friendly fish stay under 2.5 inches, some species, like the red belly pacu, grow incredibly large and are known as "tank-busters."

The Neon Tetra
The Cardinal Tetra
The Black Neon Tetra
The Glowlight Tetra
The Blackskirt Tetra

Cyprinids

This class of fish make up barbs, goldfish, and the freshwater "sharks." The bulk of these fish grow relatively large, with a few exceptions, like the minnows (white clouds and danios).

The Bala Shark

Labyrinth fish (mouth breathers)

Probably the most well-known labyrinth fish is the betta. These fish have specialized gills which allow them to absorb oxygen through their bodies, enabling them to live in under-aerated environments. Other labyrinth fish are gouramis, perch, and paradise fish.

The Betta

Cichlids

Unfortunately, cichlids have a reputation of all being aggressive and requiring a species-only tank. While this is true for the most part, there are several big exceptions, like angelfish and discus. Cichlids hail from South America, Africa, and central America. Many of the Lake Malawi African species require hard water with a high pH. Their South American cousins like the discus are the opposite and thrive in soft conditions with acidic water.

The Discus
The Angelfish

Catfish and Loaches

I've lumped these two classes together because both are regarded as "bottom feeders." This group covers all the loaches, the cory cats, plecos, smaller algae eaters, and anything and everything else in-between.

The Clown Loach
The Royal Pleco

Invertebrates

Shrimp, snails, and crabs all fall into the "missing the backbone" category. These animals are fun additions to peaceful tanks. Many fish eat the shrimp, and a species of shrimp called the ghost or glass shrimp is actually sold as feeder food. Shrimp and crabs are also good bottom feeders.

The Fiddler Crab
The Ghost Shrimp

Other

This category encompasses the aquatic animals that don't fit into any of the classes or families listed above. Marine animals, Frogs, pufferfish, knife fish, "eels," arowanas, and freshwater stingrays are some examples.

The Brittle Star
The African Clawed Frog