Japan, Taiwan, Korea
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
SwimAll levels
DifficultyEasy
Adult tank40 L
Recommended group3
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
fish
Herbivore and grazing fish
Species with herbivore or algae-grazing diet labels — plan plant-safe décor and supplemental greens where needed.
18 species
- Asia
Blue Belly Goby
Stiphodon percnopterygionus
Temp22–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size3.5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank54 LRecommended group3Blue Belly Goby
Stiphodon percnopterygionus
- South America
Blue-eye panaque
Panaque suttonorum
Temp20–24°CpH6.2–7.5Size28 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardAdult tank500 LRecommended group1Provide wood alongside varied food, sheltered retreats and effective filtration.
Blue-eye panaque
Panaque suttonorum
SchoolingSolo OKAggression2Provide wood alongside varied food, sheltered retreats and effective filtration.
- Africa
Bluegray mbuna
Melanochromis johannii
Temp24–28°CpH7.5–8.6Size10 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank120 LRecommended group4Bluegray mbuna
Melanochromis johannii
- Asia
Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Temp22–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank54 LRecommended group3Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
- South America
Common otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
Temp20–25°CpH6–7.5Size3.3 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank60 LRecommended group6Use a mature tank with established biofilm; confirm actual feeding and supplement food.
Common otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
Lifespan estimate5 yrSchoolingYesAggression1Use a mature tank with established biofilm; confirm actual feeding and supplement food.
- Colombia (Magdalena basin)
Giant Whiptail
Sturisomatichthys aureus
Temp20–26°CpH6.6–7.6Size15 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank200 LRecommended group1Provide clean water, sheltered resting places and water circulation.
Giant Whiptail
Sturisomatichthys aureus
SchoolingSolo OKAggression1Provide clean water, sheltered resting places and water circulation.
- Palau, Micronesia; possibly the Mariana Islands and Pohnpei
Pelew Stiphodon
Stiphodon pelewensis
Temp22–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size4.1 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardAdult tank54 LRecommended group3Pelew Stiphodon
Stiphodon pelewensis
- Asia
Red Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
Temp22–26°CpH6.5–7.5Size5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateAdult tank54 LRecommended group4Red Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
- Asia
Reticulated Sae
Crossocheilus reticulatus
Temp16–24°CpH6–7.5Size17 cmDietHerbivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateAdult tank365 LRecommended group6Reticulated Sae
Crossocheilus reticulatus
- Colombia and Venezuela (Lake Maracaibo basin)
Royal Farlowella
Sturisomatichthys festivus
Temp24–28°CpH6–7.5Size16.9 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank200 LRecommended group1Royal Farlowella
Sturisomatichthys festivus
- South America
Royal panaque
Panaque nigrolineatus
Temp22–30°CpH6.5–7.5Size43 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardAdult tank450 LRecommended group1Royal panaque
Panaque nigrolineatus
- North America
Sailfin molly
Poecilia latipinna
Temp21–26°CpH7–8.5Size12.5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimMiddleDifficultyModerateAdult tank87 LRecommended group4Sailfin molly
Poecilia latipinna
- Leyte, Philippines; also Okinawa and Yakushima, Japan
Surrufus Stiphodon
Stiphodon surrufus
Temp22–28°CpH6.5–7.5Size2.1 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardAdult tank54 LRecommended group3Surrufus Stiphodon
Stiphodon surrufus
- South America
Twig Catfish
Farlowella vittata
Temp24–27°CpH6–7Size15 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyHardAdult tank81 LRecommended group1Twig Catfish
Farlowella vittata
- South America
Whiptail catfish
Farlowella acus
Temp24–27°CpH6–7Size15 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank81 LRecommended group5Whiptail catfish
Farlowella acus
- East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique)
Zebra Nerite
Vittina natalensis
Temp22–28°CpH7–8.5Size2.5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank20 LRecommended group1Provide algae-covered surfaces and stable water; protect snails from predatory tankmates.
Zebra Nerite
Vittina natalensis
SchoolingSolo OKAggression1Provide algae-covered surfaces and stable water; protect snails from predatory tankmates.
- South America
Zebra Oto
Otocinclus cocama
Temp21–25°CpH6–7.5Size4.5 cmDietHerbivoreSwimBottomDifficultyModerateAdult tank40 LRecommended group6Zebra Oto
Otocinclus cocama
