Freshwater Fish Guide

A small, peaceful schooling tetra from the Amazon basin, known for its blue iridescent stripe and red lower body. Keep a group of at least 6, with 8-10 or more often providing more natural schooling behavior.

A colorful, active livebearer that is adaptable and beginner-friendly. Guppies reproduce readily, so mixed-sex groups can quickly increase the aquarium's population.

A tropical freshwater labyrinth fish known for its flowing fins and territorial behavior. Individual temperament varies, and male Bettas should not be housed together.

Peaceful, bottom-oriented catfish that use their barbels to search the substrate for food. Corydoras are social and generally do best in groups of their own species, with 6 or more being a useful target for many commonly kept species.

A tall-bodied South American cichlid that can be peaceful when young but may become territorial as it matures, especially when pairing and spawning. Adult size and body shape make tank height and footprint important.

A large, intelligent South American cichlid that can become territorial and predatory. Oscars grow quickly, produce substantial waste, and may eat fish small enough to fit in their mouths.

A warm-water South American cichlid with a laterally compressed body and demanding water-quality requirements. Discus are social and generally do best in groups, with high temperature and consistent water quality being especially important.

A hardy, fast-swimming schooling fish that is comfortable in relatively cool freshwater. Zebra Danios are active and need horizontal swimming space and a secure lid.

A peaceful Southeast Asian barb whose males develop a rich red coloration. Cherry Barbs are generally much less prone to fin-nipping than many other barbs, although individual behavior can vary.

A beautiful, peaceful schooling fish displaying a metallic copper-red body and a distinctive black lambchop-shaped wedge on their posterior. They form tight schools and bring high energy and color to planted community tanks.

A beautiful dwarf cichlid from West Africa. They show off colorful bellies (pink/purple in females) and are generally peaceful community fish, but can become fiercely territorial when breeding and protecting a cave.

An active, schooling rainbowfish known for their brilliant iridescent blue coloration and reddish fins. They are energetic swimmers that bring constant movement and color to the middle-to-upper levels of the aquarium.

A hardy livebearing freshwater fish available in many color and body-form varieties. Mollies prefer mineral-rich, generally alkaline freshwater and can reproduce rapidly in mixed-sex groups.

A very large surface-feeding predatory fish that can exceed 3 feet in length. Silver Arowanas require an enormous aquarium footprint, excellent filtration, and a secure lid because they are powerful jumpers.

The Common Pleco is a large suckermouth catfish that can reach roughly 15 inches and produce substantial waste. It is often sold simply as a 'pleco,' but many different species are traded under that name, so species identification matters before choosing a tank.