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South America

Adolf's catfish

Corydoras adolfoi

Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size5.7 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyEasy

Adolf's catfish

Corydoras adolfoi

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii

Temp23–29°C
pH5–7
Size4.4 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
2
Compare
Asia

Almorha loach

Botia almorhae

Temp24–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size15.5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Almorha loach

Botia almorhae

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
3

Fin nipper — avoid with long-finned tankmates

Compare
Japan, Taiwan, Korea

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Temp15–27°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
SwimAll levels
DifficultyEasy

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Lifespan
3 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Arawana

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Temp24–30°C
pH6–7.5
Size90 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Arawana

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Lifespan
20 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
3
Compare
Asia

Asian bumblebee catfish

Leiocassis siamensis

Temp22–27°C
pH6–8
Size18 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Asian bumblebee catfish

Leiocassis siamensis

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
2
Compare
Asia

Asian Stone Catfish

Hara jerdoni

Temp18–24°C
pH6–7.5
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Asian Stone Catfish

Hara jerdoni

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Assamese snakehead

Channa stewartii

Temp18–25°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size29.7 cm
DietCarnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Assamese snakehead

Channa stewartii

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
3
Compare
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia)

Assassin Snail

Anentome helena

Temp20–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3 cm
DietCarnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyExpert

Assassin Snail

Anentome helena

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
2
Compare
Asia

Badis

Badis badis

Temp20–26°C
pH6–8
Size7.1 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Badis

Badis badis

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
3
Compare
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand)

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Temp22–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size10 cm
DietDetritivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Banded cichlid

Heros severus var.

Temp22–29°C
pH5–6.5
Size20 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Banded cichlid

Heros severus var.

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
3
Compare
Africa

Banded panchax

Pseudepiplatys annulatus

Temp23–26°C
pH6.5–7
Size4 cm
DietInsectivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Banded panchax

Pseudepiplatys annulatus

Lifespan
3 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Beaufortia

Beaufortia pingi

Temp18–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size7.4 cm
DietHerbivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Beaufortia

Beaufortia pingi

Lifespan
6 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
Central America

Biajaca

Nandopsis tetracanthus

Temp24–30°C
pH7–8
Size20 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Biajaca

Nandopsis tetracanthus

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
3
Compare
South America

Bigtooth river stingray

Potamotrygon henlei

Temp24–28°C
pH5.8–7.2
Size45 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyExpert

Bigtooth river stingray

Potamotrygon henlei

Lifespan
15 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
2
Compare
South America (Brazil, Colombia, Guyana)

Black Arowana

Osteoglossum ferreirae

Temp24–30°C
pH5–6.5
Size80 cm
DietCarnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyExpert

Black Arowana

Osteoglossum ferreirae

Lifespan
20 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
2
Compare
South America

Black ghost

Apteronotus albifrons

Temp23–28°C
pH6–8
Size50 cm
DietCarnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Black ghost

Apteronotus albifrons

Lifespan
15 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Black neon tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Temp22–28°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size3.2 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyEasy

Black neon tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Black phantom tetra

Hyphessobrycon megalopterus

Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.5
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Black phantom tetra

Hyphessobrycon megalopterus

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Black ruby barb

Pethia nigrofasciata

Temp22–26°C
pH6–6.5
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Black ruby barb

Pethia nigrofasciata

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Black tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Temp20–26°C
pH6–8
Size7.5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyEasy

Black tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1

Fin nipper — avoid with long-finned tankmates

Compare
South America

Blackline penguinfish

Thayeria boehlkei

Temp22–28°C
pH6–8
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Blackline penguinfish

Thayeria boehlkei

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
2
Compare
Asia

Blackline rasbora

Rasbora borapetensis

Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Blackline rasbora

Rasbora borapetensis

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Bleeding-heart tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Temp23–28°C
pH5.6–7.2
Size6.1 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Bleeding-heart tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Blue acara

Andinoacara pulcher var.

Temp22–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size16 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Blue acara

Andinoacara pulcher var.

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
3
Compare
Asia

Blue Belly Goby

Stiphodon percnopterygionus

Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size3.7 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Blue Belly Goby

Stiphodon percnopterygionus

Lifespan
3 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Blue danio

Danio kerri

Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyEasy

Blue danio

Danio kerri

Lifespan
4 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Africa

Blue gularis

Fundulopanchax sjoestedti

Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size13 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Blue gularis

Fundulopanchax sjoestedti

Lifespan
3 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
Africa

Blue lyretail

Fundulopanchax gardneri

Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.2
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimAll levels
DifficultyModerate

Blue lyretail

Fundulopanchax gardneri

Lifespan
3 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
Africa

Blue streak hap

Labidochromis caeruleus

Temp23.9–27.8°C
pH7.7–8.6
Size8.1 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Blue streak hap

Labidochromis caeruleus

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
3

Fin nipper — avoid with long-finned tankmates

Compare
Taiwan (selectively bred)

Blue Velvet Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi var. blue

Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Blue Velvet Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi var. blue

Lifespan
2 yr
Schooling
Strong
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Blue-eye panaque

Panaque suttonorum

Temp22–26°C
pH6.2–7.5
Size28 cm
DietHerbivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Blue-eye panaque

Panaque suttonorum

Lifespan
15 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
2
Compare
Asia

Bluefinned snakehead

Channa bleheri

Temp18–25°C
pH6–7.5
Size14.4 cm
DietCarnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Bluefinned snakehead

Channa bleheri

Lifespan
8 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
3
Compare
Africa

Bluegray mbuna

Melanochromis johannii

Temp24–28°C
pH8–8
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Bluegray mbuna

Melanochromis johannii

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
3

Fin nipper — avoid with long-finned tankmates

Compare
Asia

Boeseman's rainbowfish

Melanotaenia boesemani

Temp27.2–30°C
pH7–8
Size9 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Boeseman's rainbowfish

Melanotaenia boesemani

Lifespan
6 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
2
Compare
South America

Bolivian Ram

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.5
Size5.6 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Bolivian Ram

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
3
Compare
Borneo (Southeast Asia)

Borneo Loach

Pangio shelfordii

Temp24–29°C
pH6–7
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Borneo Loach

Pangio shelfordii

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Bronze corydoras

Corydoras aeneus

Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size7.5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyEasy

Bronze corydoras

Corydoras aeneus

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Buenos Aires tetra

Hyphessobrycon anisitsi

Temp18–28°C
pH6–8
Size13.2 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Buenos Aires tetra

Hyphessobrycon anisitsi

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1

Fin nipper — avoid with long-finned tankmates

Compare
North America

Butterfly splitfin

Ameca splendens

Temp20–26°C
pH6–8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Butterfly splitfin

Ameca splendens

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Sulawesi, Indonesia

Cardinal Shrimp

Caridina dennerli

Temp26–30°C
pH7.5–8.5
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Cardinal Shrimp

Caridina dennerli

Lifespan
2 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Cardinal tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Temp23.9–28.9°C
pH4–6
Size3 cm
DietPlanktivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyEasy

Cardinal tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Lifespan
4 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Celebes rainbowfish

Marosatherina ladigesi

Temp22.2–27.8°C
pH7–8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimAll levels
DifficultyModerate

Celebes rainbowfish

Marosatherina ladigesi

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Checkered barb

Oliotius oligolepis

Temp20–25°C
pH6–6.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Checkered barb

Oliotius oligolepis

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Chen Hillstream Loach

Pseudogastromyzon cheni

Temp15–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Chen Hillstream Loach

Pseudogastromyzon cheni

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Cherry barb

Puntius titteya

Temp23–27°C
pH6–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Cherry barb

Puntius titteya

Lifespan
4 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Taiwan (selectively bred from wild Neocaridina davidi)

Cherry Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyEasy

Cherry Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

Lifespan
2 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Chessboard cichlid

Dicrossus filamentosus

Temp24–28°C
pH5–7
Size3.8 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Chessboard cichlid

Dicrossus filamentosus

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
3
Compare
Asia

Chili Rasbora

Boraras brigittae

Temp24–28°C
pH6.5–7
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyEasy

Chili Rasbora

Boraras brigittae

Lifespan
3 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Chinese barb

Barbodes semifasciolatus

Temp18–24°C
pH6–8
Size7.6 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Chinese barb

Barbodes semifasciolatus

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Chinese Bitterling

Rhodeus sinensis

Temp5–26°C
pH7–8.5
Size10.8 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Chinese Bitterling

Rhodeus sinensis

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
2
Compare
Asia

Chocolate gourami

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

Temp25–30°C
pH4–6
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Chocolate gourami

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

Lifespan
4 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Clown loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Temp25–30°C
pH5–8
Size30.5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyModerate

Clown loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Lifespan
15 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Clown rasbora

Rasbora kalochroma

Temp23–27°C
pH5–6.5
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Clown rasbora

Rasbora kalochroma

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare
Asia

Cobalt Blue Goby

Stiphodon semoni

Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size4.6 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Cobalt Blue Goby

Stiphodon semoni

Lifespan
4 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
1
Compare
South America

Cockatoo cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides

Temp22–29°C
pH6–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimBottom
DifficultyEasy

Cockatoo cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Pairs
Aggression
2
Compare
South America

Colombian Tetra

Hyphessobrycon columbianus

Temp24–28°C
pH6–7.5
Size7 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Colombian Tetra

Hyphessobrycon columbianus

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1

Fin nipper — avoid with long-finned tankmates

Compare
Asia

Colored snakehead

Channa pulchra

Temp20–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size30 cm
DietCarnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Colored snakehead

Channa pulchra

Lifespan
10 yr
Schooling
Solo OK
Aggression
3
Compare
Africa

Congo tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Temp22.8–27.8°C
pH6–8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
SwimMiddle
DifficultyModerate

Congo tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Lifespan
5 yr
Schooling
Yes
Aggression
1
Compare