Wikipedia:

List of freshwater aquarium fish species

A vast number of species of fish have been successfully kept in the home aquarium. This list gives only some of the most commonly-kept species.

Bichirs and reedfish

Common name Taxonomy Picture Size Tank Type Care Level Remarks
Gray bichir Polypterus senegalus Polypterus_senegalus_senegalus_headstand.jpg 14" Species
Reedfish Erpetoichthys calabaricus Akwa19_reedfish.jpg 15.7" Species
Common name Taxonomy Picture Size Tank Type Care Level Remarks
Arowanas
Arapaima Arapaima gigas Arapaima049.JPG 118"
Asian arowana Scleropages formosus Gold_Arowana035.JPG 35"
Black arowana Osteoglossum ferreirai 47"
Silver arowana Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Osteoglossum_bicirrhosum.JPG 47"
Australian Arowana Scleropages jardini 35"
Featherback knifefish
African knifefish Xenomystus nigri 12"
Clown knifefish Chitala ornata 39"
Elephantfish
Blunt-jawed elephantnose Gnathonemus tamandu Peters_elephantnose_fish.png 9"+ Difficult Also called worm-jawed mormyrid, the elephantnose is nocturnal, but may learn to come out during the day. The elephantnose fish is a carnivore and will accept all types of meaty foods. Only one elephantnose or more than five should be kept per tank because aggression can build up if two to four are together. The probe in front of the fish is a sensitive electrical organ that it uses to find food. An elephantnose does best with a home which can be a cave or cave like structure.
Peters' elephantnose Gnathonemus petersii 9"+
Butterflyfish
Freshwater butterflyfish Pantodon buchholzi Pantodon_buchholzi.jpg not related to saltwater butterflyfish

Catfish

Common name Taxonomy Picture Size Tank Type Care Level Remarks
Armored catfish including Aspidoras, Brochis, Callichthys, and Corydoras
Aspidoras fuscoguttatus
Aspidoras lakoi
Aspidoras rochai
Sixray corydoras, false corydoras Aspidoras pauciradiatus
Britski's catfish Corydoras britskii 3.5"
Emerald catfish Corydoras splendens 4"
Hognosed brochis Corydoras multiradiatus
Cascarudo Callichthys callichthys
Adolfo's catfish Corydoras adolfoi
Banded corydoras Scleromystax barbatus 4"
Masked corydoras Corydoras metae
Barredtail corydoras Corydoras cochui
Blackstripe corydoras Corydoras bondi
Blacktop corydoras Corydoras acutus
Blue corydoras Corydoras nattereri
Bluespotted corydoras Corydoras melanistius
Bronze corydoras Corydoras aeneus Corydoras_aeneus.jpg The albino strain is common
Corydoras atropersonatus
Corydoras ehrhardti
Corydoras evelynae
Corydoras geoffroy
Corydoras latus
Corydoras loxozonus
Corydoras nanus
Corydoras narcissus
Corydoras ornatus
Corydoras osteocarus
Corydoras polystictus
Corydoras prionotos
Corydoras semiaquilus Corydoras_semiaquilus_1.jpg
Corydoras septentrionalis
Corydoras simulatus
Corydoras undulatus
Dwarf corydoras Corydoras hastatus
Elegant corydoras Corydoras elegans
False network catfish Corydoras sodalis
False spotted catfish Corydoras leucomelas
Green gold catfish Corydoras melanotaenia
Guapore corydoras Corydoras guapore
Masked corydoras, bandit corydoras Corydoras metae 2"
Mosaic corydoras, reticulated corydoras Corydoras haraldschultzi Corydoras_haraldschultzi.jpg
Mosaic corydoras, reticulated corydoras Corydoras reticulatus
Panda corydoras Corydoras panda Corydoras_panda_1.jpg
Pastaza corydoras Corydoras pastazensis
Peppered corydoras Corydoras paleatus Corydoras_paleatus_by_NiKo.jpg
Pink corydoras Corydoras axelrodi
Pygmy corydoras Corydoras pygmaeus
Sailfin corydoras Corydoras macropterus
Salt and pepper catfish Corydoras habrosus
Schwartz's catfish Corydoras schwartzi Corydoras_schwartzi.jpg
Spotted corydoras, longnose corydoras Corydoras ambiacus
Sterba's corydoras Corydoras Sterbai Corydoras_sterbai.jpg
Sychr's catfish Corydoras sychri
Tailspot corydoras Corydoras caudimaculatus
Threestripe corydoras, leopard catfish Corydoras trilineatus
Xingu corydoras Corydoras xinguensis
Armored suckermouth catfish (plecos)
Bristlenose pleco, bushynose placo Ancistrus spp. Bristlenose_Catfish_700.jpg the bristlenose genus has at least 59 identified species and many others yet to be named
Gold nugget pleco Baryancistrus spp. Baryancistrus-L018.jpg many species exist but not yet officially identified; the three common aquarium species are known as L-018, L-081, and L-177
Whiptail catfish Rineloricaria spp. there are about 20 species of whiptail catfish
Twig catfish Farlowella spp. there are at least 20 species in the twig catfish genus
Panaque Panaque spp. Panaque.JPG Several species of panaque are popular aquarium fish
Pineapple pleco, orange cheek pleco Pseudorinelepis spp. Pineapplepleco.JPG there are 4 species in this genus
Common pleco, suckermouth catfish, Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis Liposarcus_pardalis.jpg one of the several fish sold under this name; there is also an albino variation
Common pleco, suckermouth catfish Hypostomus punctatus one of the several fish sold under this name
Common pleco, suckermouth catfish Hypostomus plecostomus Plecostomus_700.jpg one of the several fish sold under this name
Leopard sailfin pleco, clown sailfin pleco Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps Sailfin-pleco.jpg other related fish also share this common name
Zebra pleco, L-046 Hypancistrus zebra
Sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus Liposarcus_multiradiatus_01_ssj_20050321.jpg
Golden dwarf sucker, golden oto Otocinclus affinis Otocinclus_affinis.JPG
Zebra dwarf sucker, zebra oto Otocinclus cocama Otocinclus_cocama.jpg
Airbreathing catfish
Walking catfish Clarias batrachus Clarias_batrachus.jpg albino form is common in the aquarium trade
Banjo catfish
Banjo catfish Bunocephalus coracoideus
Talking catfish
Striped Raphael Platydoras costatus Platydoras_costatus_2_(Piotr_Kuczynski).jpg
Spotted Raphael Agamyxis pectinifrons
Squeakers and upside-down catfish
Cuckoo squeaker Synodontis multipunctatus
Decorated squeaker Synodontis decorus
Even-Spotted squeaker Synodontis petricola Synodontis_petricola.jpg
Featherfin squeaker Synodontis eupterus
Lake Malawi syno Synodontis njassae Synodontis_njassae_01_ssj_20050321.jpg
Polka dot syno Synodontis angelicus
Common syno, false upside down catfish Synodontis nigrita
Upside-down catfish Synodontis nigriventris Synodontis.jpg 4" (9.6 cm) Community Prefers bottom feeding of Tubifex but main diet is algae.
Shark catfish
Iridescent shark Pangasius hypophthalmus Iridescent_Shark_by_Melanochromis.jpg Community albino form is common in the aquarium trade
Chao Phraya giant shark, Giant pangasius Pangasius sanitwongsei dwarf "balloon" form is available in the aquarium trade
Sea catfish
Colombian shark catfish Arius seemanni
Australian shark catfish Arius berneyi
Berney's shark catfish Arius graeffei
Sheatfish
Glass catfish Kryptopterus bicirrhis Kryptopterus_bicirrhis.jpg
Two spot glass catfish Ompok bimaculatus 18" (45 cm) Looks very similar to Kryptopterus bicirrhis execpt the difference lies in the triangular dorsal fin of the Ompok in contrast to what looks like a small spine than a fin of the K. bicirrhis.
Bagrid catfishes
Crystal eyed catfish Hemibagrus wyckii 28" (71 cm) This fish is highly aggressive and must be kept alone.
Asian redtail catfish Hemibagrus wyckioides 50" (130 cm) This fish is highly aggressive and must be kept alone.
Horabagrus brachysoma 18" (45 cm)
Long-whiskered catfish
Leiarius marmoratus 39" (100 cm)
Leiarius pictus 24" (60 cm)
Redtail catfish Phractocephalus hemioliopterus Phractocephalus_hemioliopterus-Dixi.jpg 4' (1.3 m)
Spotted pimelodus, pictus, Pictus catfish Pimelodus pictus
Tiger shovelnose catfish Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum 3.4' (104 cm) This fish is easy to confuse with P. tigrinum.
Tiger shovelnose catfish Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum Pseudoplatystoma_tigrinum.jpg 4.3' (130 cm) This fish is easy to confuse with P. fasciatum.

Characins and other characiformes

Harlequin tetra

Common name Taxonomy Picture Size Tank Type Care Level Remarks
Tetras
Black phantom tetra Hyphessobrycon megalopterus Hyphessobrycon_megalopterus.jpg 1.75" (4.5cm) Community Easy the black phantom tetra enjoy being in groups of 6 or more and a slightly shaded tank. Males may claim small territories and occasionally minor battles may occur. The Phantom tetra goes well with other tetras of similar size. They also prefer floating plants.
Black neon tetra Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi Black_neon_tetra.jpg 1.6" (4cm) Community Intermediate this fish is similar to the neon tetra other than coloration.
Black tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi Peixe009eue.jpg 2" (5cm) Community Easy a highly spirted fish that may occasionally chase its own species as well as harass slow moving fish with long fins. This fish is very hardy and can stand a variety of water qualities. Disease is not a big problem with the black tetra. The black tetra is also known as the black skirt tetra. The female black tetra is more robust and larger than the male.
Bleeding heart tetra Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma Kirschflecksalmler-W.jpg 2.5" (6.5 cm) Community Intermediate the bleeding heart tetra is distinguished by the small red spot on both sides of the fish. This fish is very prone to diseases, and can grow larger than most tetra species. It is not recommended for beginners.
Bloodfin tetra Aphyocharax anisitsi Bloodfin_dec20_2006.jpg 2" (5cm) Community
Bucktooth tetra Exodon paradoxus 2" (5cm) will eat smaller fish and harass larger fish
Buenos Aires tetra Hyphessobrycon anisitsi 3" (7.5cm) Easy
Cardinal tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi Paracheirodon_cardinalis.JPG 2" (5cm) Community
Cave tetra, blind tetra Astyanax mexicanus 4.7" (12cm) Easy cave tetra is the blind cave form of the Mexican tetra. The blind cave tetra is easy to care for and is hardy. The fish is born with eyes, but they quickly deteriorate leaving behind two scars where the eyes once were. The blind tetra needs to be in a shoal in order to show peaceful behavior, and to prevent fin nipping. Despite their lack of eyes, the blind cave tetra can easily avoid other fish and obstacles in the tank. This tetra prefers low to moderate lighting.
Congo tetra, Lufundi (native name) Phenacogrammus interruptus Phenacogrammus_interruptus_(aka).jpg 3" (7.5cm) Community Intermediate Sufficiently peaceful for home aquariums, though it may bite fishes smaller than its size. It is more comfortable in indirect light. Over-head lighting is preferred and under no circumstances should light be directed at the front or rear glass.
Emperor tetra Nematobrycon palmeri Kaisertetra.jpg 2" (5cm) Easy
Garnet tetra, pretty tetra Hemigrammus pulcher Hemigrammus_pulcher.jpg 2.5" (6.5cm) Community
Glowlight tetra Hemigrammus erythrozonus Redglow.jpg 1.5" (3.75cm) Community Intermediate
Green neon tetra Paracheirodon simulans Paracheirodon_simulans.jpg 1" (2.5cm) Community Intermediate
Lemon tetra Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis Hyphessobrycon_pulchripinnis.jpg 2" (5cm)
Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi Neonka_obecna_paracheirodon_innesi.jpg 1.6" (3.75cm) Community Intermediate the neon tetra is sensitive towards water quality and is susceptible to many freshwater diseases. However, the fish is very peaceful and will not attack another member of the tank. Females are larger than the males and appear as little whales. Due to their small size, the neon tetra should not be kept with large fish. Neon tetras are also very delicate and any harassment they may receive can result in death. This can be prevented by putting them with other small community fish or fish known to ignore their tankmates. The neon tetra feels the most comfortable when in groups.
Penguin tetra, blackline penguinfish Thayeria boehlkei 2.5" (6.5cm)
Rummy-nose tetra Hemigrammus rhodostomus Brilliant_rummy_nose.jpg 2" (5cm) Community Intermediate
Serpae tetra Hyphessobrycon serpae Serpae_tetra.JPG 1.75" (4.5cm) Community Easy this fish may nip the fins of slow moving fish or fish smaller than it. It is best put with other large tetras or with fish of similar size or larger.
Hatchetfish
Common hatchetfish Gasteropelecus sternicla
Silver hatchetfish Gasteropelecus levis
Marbled hatchetfish Carnegiella strigata Carnegiella_strigata.jpg 2" (5cm) Community Intermediate Peaceful and dwells at the top of the tank in schools. Rarely breeds in captivity. This powerful leaper can easily jump out of an aquarium, so keep only in a fully-covered tank.
Black-winged hatchetfish Carnegiella marthae Carnegiella_marthae.jpg 1.5" (4cm) Community Intermediate Peaceful and dwells at the top of the tank in schools. The most hardy of all the hatchetfish, but not the most plentiful. Does not breed in captivity. This powerful leaper can easily jump out of an aquarium, so keep only in a fully-covered tank.
Pencil fishes
Headstanders
Serrasalminae (pacus, piranhas, and silver dollars)
Silver dollar Metynnis argenteus Silver_Dollar_640.jpg 6" (15cm) The name "silver dollar" may also refer to Metynnis hypsauchen, Metynnis maculatus, or other related fishes.
Red bellied pacu Colossoma bidens 48" Difficult the red bellied pacu is a close relative of the piranhas, but without the sharp teeth and the aggression. However, care should be taken if interacting physically with the pacu as their powerful jaws can crush human bone. The Pacu is a peaceful fish that requires at least a 200 gallon tank when fully mature. It is omnivorous and can be put with large cichlids, but avoid smaller fish. Despite their similar appearance to piranhas, the pacu is not suited to eat meat very well, as their natural diet of nuts suggests. Be aware that this fish can grow to four feet and the owner must be prepared to house them in a very large tank if they wish to keep the fish (200 gal minimum). Also be aware that this fish grows very fast, and can grow as much as one foot in the first year.

Cichlids

Common name Taxonomy Picture Size Tank Type Care Level Remarks
Lake Malawi cichlids
Sunshine peacock cichlid Aulonocara baenschi 6"
Eureka red peacock Aulonocara jacobfreigi Aulonocara_jacobfreigi.jpg 6"
Spilo Champsochromis spilorhyncus 16"
Blue dolphin cichlid, lumphead cichlid Cyrtocara moorii Cyrtocara_moorii.jpg 10"
Afra cichlid, dogtooth cichild Cynotilapia afra C_afra.jpg 3.9"
Rusty cichlid, lavender cichild Iodotropheus sprengerae Iodotropheus_sprengerae.jpg 4"
Flowerhorn 12"
Fuelleborn's cichlid Labeotropheus fuelleborni 7"
Electric yellow cichlid Labidochromis caeruleus IMG_1166_filtered.jpg 8"
Hongi, Red-top kimpumpa Labidochromis sp. "Hongi" Labidochromis_sp_hongi.jpg 5"
Labidochromis sp. "Mbamba Bay" Labidochromis sp. "Mbamba Bay" 5"
Auratus cichlid, Malawi golden cichlid Melanochromis auratus Melanochromis_auratus_(female).jpg 3.9"
Chipokee cichlid Melanochromis chipokae 4.7"
Blue johanni cichlid, Maingano Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos Melanochromis_cyaneorhabdos.jpg
Melanochromis joanjohnsonae Melanochromis joanjohnsonae Melanochromis_joanjohnsonae.jpg 3.9"
Johanni cichlid Melanochromis johannii 4.7"
Aurora Melanochromis aurora 4"
Red zebra cichlid Metriaclima estherae Pseudotropheus_estherae_in_aquarium.jpg 4.7"
Cobalt blue cichlid, cobalt zebra cichlid Maylandia callainos 4.7"
Kenyi cichlid Maylandia lombardoi Maylandia_lombardoi.jpg 5"
Fusco Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus 10"
Livingston's cichlid Nimbochromis livingstonii Adult_male_livingstonii.gif 9.8"
Kaligono Nimbochromis polystigma Polystigma.jpg 12"
Venustus cichlid, giraffe cichild Nimbochromis venustus Nimbochromis_venustus.JPG 10"
Red empress cichlid Protomelas taeniolatus Protomelas_taeniolatus_by_Derek_Ramsey.jpg 5.9"
Bumblebee cichlid, hornet cichlid Pseudotropheus crabro Pseudotropheus_Crabo_Male_.JPG 5.9"
Pseudotropheus acei Pseudotropheus acei 4"
Saulosi Pseudotropheus saulosi Pseudotrpheus_saulosi.jpg 3"
Malawi barracuda Rhampsochromis cf. macrophthalmus 9"
Tyrannochromis macrostoma 15"
Lake Tanganyika cichlids
Boulengerochromis microlepsis Boulengerochromis microlepsis 36" The largest cichlid
Frontosa cichild Cyphotilapia frontosa Cyphotilapia_frontosa_by_Ark.jpg 16"
Frontosa cichild Cyphotilapia gibberosa 16" The frontosa have recently been broken up into three separate species. The gibberosa come from the southern part of the Lake
Frontosa cichild Cyphotilapia sp. "North" 16" This yet to be officially named species is intermediate in scale count between gibberosa and frontosa.
Julie cichlid Julidochromis dickfeldi Julidochromis_dickfeldi.jpg
Masked Julie Julidochromis marlieri Julidochromis_marlieri_katoma.jpg 6"f/4"m
Julie cichlid Julidochromis ornatus
Julie cichlid Julidochromis regani Julidochromis_regani_adult.jpg 6"f/4"m
Julie cichlid Julidochromis transcriptus J_gombe1.jpg 4"
Neolamprologus multifasciatus Neolamprologus multifasciatus Neolamprologus_multifasciatus_2.jpg 1½" A small shell-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Distinguished from the similar L. similis by the lack of striping on the face]]
Lamprologus ocellatus Lamprologus ocellatus Lamprologus_ocellatus.jpg 2"
Neolamprologus similis Neolamprologus similis 1½" A small shell-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Very similar to N. multifsciatus but similis has striping from the body continue to the head
Lobochilotes labiatus Lobochilotes labiatus 16"
Lyretail cichlid, fairy cichlid Neolamprologus brichardi Neolamprologus_brichardi.jpg 4"
Lemon cichlid Neolamprologus leleupi Neolamprologus_leleupi.jpg 4½"
Featherfin Opthalmotilapia ventralis 6"
Petrochromis trewavasae Petrochromis trewavasae 8"
Petrochromis sp. "Zaire Texas" Petrochromis sp. "Zaire Texas" 7"
Simochromis pleurospilus Simochromis pleurospilus 4"
Tropheus duboisi Tropheus duboisi Tropheus_duboisi.jpg 5"
Tropheus moorii Tropheus moorii Trophs1.jpg 5½"
Tropheus polli Tropheus polli 5½"
Lake Victoria cichlids
Astatotilapia aenocolor 5"
Astatotilapia elegans 4"
Zebra obliquidens Astatotilapia latifasciata 4½"
Astatotilapia nubila Astatotilapia nubila 4½"
Astatotilapia piceatus 4"
Astatotilapia schubotziellus 4"
Haplochromis obliquedens Astatotilapia sp "Red Tail" 4½"
Astatotilapia sp. "Spot Bar" 5"
Hippo Point Salmon Ptyochromis sp. "Hippo Point Salmon" 5½"
Flameback Pundamilia nyererei 4"
Xystichromis phytophagus Xystichromis phytophagus 4"
Miscellaneous African cichlids (non-Rift Lake)
African butterfly cichlid Anomalochromis thomasi Anomalochromis_thomasi_2.jpg
Jewel cichlid, two-spotted jewel cichlid Hemichromis bimaculatus Hemichromis_bimaculatus.jpg other hemichromis species are sometimes sold under the same name
Lifalili jewel cichlid, blood-red jewel cichlid Hemichromis lifalili
Kribensis, krib Pelvicachromis pulcher Pelvicachromis_pulcher_(male).jpg
Zebra tilapia Tilapia buttikoferi Buttikoferi.png
Dwarf cichlids (apistogrammas, rams and others)
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid Apistogramma agassizii Apistogramma_Agassizii.jpg
Yellow dwarf cichlid Apistogramma borellii
Cockatoo dwarf cichlid Apistogramma cacatuoides Kakadua_male.jpg
Panda dwarf cichlid Apistogramma nijsseni Apistogramma_nijsseni_(f).jpg
Three-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma trifasciata
Two-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma bitaeniata 3" 10 gallon tank for one pair Intermediate
Checkerboard Cichlid Dicrossus filamentosus
Blue ram, German ram Mikrogeophagus ramirezi Mikrogeophagus.jpg
Bolivian ram Mikrogeophagus altispinosa BolivianRams1.jpg
Dwarf flag cichlid Laetacara curviceps
American cichlids (cichlasomas, acaras, angelfish, discuses, and others)
Midas cichild, red devil cichlid Amphilophus citrinellus Dählhölzli_-_Zitronen_Buntbarsch_3.jpg Note that Amphilophus labiatus is also called red devil cichild
Red devil cichlid Amphilophus labiatus
Firemouth cichlid Cichlasoma meeki Feuermaulbuntbarsch.jpg
Jack Dempsey cichlid Cichlasoma octofasciatum Cichlasoma_octofasciata.jpg
Jaguar cichlid, managuense cichlid Cichlasoma managuense Managuense_with_eggs.jpg
Mayan cichlid Cichlasoma urophthalmus Mayan10a.jpg
Convict cichlid Archocentrus nigrofasciatus Archocentrus_nigrofasciatus_female.jpg
T-bar cichlid Archocentrus sajica Archocentrus_sajica_3_(Piotr_Kuczynski).jpg
Severum Heros severus GoldSeverum.jpg the gold variety is more common than the natural green one
Green terror Aequidens rivulatus
Blue acara Aequidens pulcher
Thread-finned acara