Knifefish
Knifefish are a fascinating species of freshwater fish belonging to the eel family. They are characterized by their long, tapered bodies and anal fins.
Fish Breeds
There are plenty of fish in the sea, but how do you know which type to choose for your aquarium? Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced aquarist, you need to know all about the new inhabitants you’re welcoming in your tank. Do you have a freshwater, brackish or saltwater tank? Choosing the right breed will largely depend on the type of water in your aquarium. Of course, when it comes to fish breeds, you’ll also need to know what do they eat, what types of fish will they get along with, how big will they grow – and we cover all of these important points in our Fish Breed section.
Instead of endlessly scrolling through pages and pages of breed characteristics, use Petguide.com’s Fish Breeds research tool for quick results. Choose the desired size and friendliness level of the species, as well as the type of aquarium you have, and instantly get a list of breeds that match your preferences. Need a saltwater species, that is large and non-aggressive? Or a small, feisty one that loves freshwater aquariums? Tick all the boxes and pick the breed you like best of the ones that are offered. Simple as that!
When you get the results, you can easily access all the main information about the species with just one click. Check if the breed you like is easy to care for, what to feed them, how to breed them, and which fishy friends they like spending time with. Petguide.com ensures that everything you need to know about the species is right at your fingertips!
Petguide.com’s Fish Breeds tool will help you create a thriving, beautiful ecosystem by choosing the right fauna for your tank. In case you need more information about fish care and aquarium maintenance, take a look at our Fish blog.
Minnow
The name Minnow is given to freshwater fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae. These fish are fairly small and they are generally very peaceful.
Sweetlips
Sweetlips are a species of fish belonging to the grunt family. They are characterized by their big, luscious lips and come in a variety of colorations.
Hogfish
Hogfish are a reef-dwelling species of wrasse popular in the modern aquarium trade. They possess a long, pig-like snout they use to search for food.
African Cichlids
African cichlids are considered to be one of the most diverse, intelligent, active and colorful families of freshwater fish in the modern aquarium hobby.
Pencilfish
Pencilfish are named for their slender, pencil-like shape and they generally grow no more than 2 inches long. They are peaceful by nature.
Glass Fish
The glass fish is a fascinating species of aquarium fish. Its most astounding feature is its transparent body which reveals its bones and internal organs.
Mandarinfish
Sometimes referred to as dragonets or mandarinfish, mandarins are small, brightly colored saltwater fish belonging to the Synchiropus genus.
Mollies – Freshwater
Mollies are a freshwater fish commonly known as the Molly. They are a hardy species of fish that adapts well to a variety of different water conditions.
Piranha
Piranha are a family of extremely aggressive freshwater fish. They are characterized by two rows of extremely sharp, triangular shaped teeth.
Oscars
Oscars are one of the most popular species of freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby today. They are also a highly intelligent species of fish.
Swordtail
A relatively hardy and easy to care for livebearer, the swordtail is one of the most popular aquarium fish species among beginner aquarists.
Mbuna Cichlids
Mbuna cichlids are some of the most brightly colored freshwater fishes in the world, exhibiting a wide range of colors and patterns.
Surgeonfish
The species known as surgeonfish belong to the Acanthuridae family. Surgeonfish vary greatly in size from one species to another.
Mono
Also known as the Malayan Angel and fingerfish, the mono is a beautiful species of brackish water fish. Monos are known by their diamond shaped bodies.
Platies
Platies are fairly small fish, growing no more than 3 inches long, and they are very peaceful and non-aggressive. These fish are usually drab in color.
Snappers
Snappers are generally non-aggressive fish that do well in very large saltwater community tanks. Most live in rocky or coral reefs, and come in many colors.
Archerfish
Archerfish are one of the most fascinating species of brackish water aquarium fish. They get their names from shooting insects with powerful jets of water.
Corydoras Catfish
Also known as cories or cory catfish, Corydoras catfish are bottom feeders and generally docile fish that do well in a community setting.
Squirrelfish
Squirrelfish are a family of ray-finned saltwater fish. They are characterized by their large eyes and long, sharp dorsal spines.
Jawfish
Jawfish are species of saltwater fish very similar in appearance to blennies. They are characterized by their comparatively larger mouths and heads.
Hawkfish
Hawkfish are species of saltwater fish closely related to the lionfish. They are characterized by their large heads and somewhat elongated, thick bodies.
Batfish
Batfish are a family of marine fish, similar in appearance but unrelated to the angelfish. Juveniles are characterized by their bat-like side profile.
Paradise Fish
Paradise fish are a colorful species of freshwater fish belonging to the gourami family. They were the first tropical fish to be imported 150 years ago.
Rabbitfish
General description Rabbitfish are a fairly large family of colorful saltwater fish. They are characterized by their rectangular bodies and small, protruding…
Pufferfish – Saltwater
Pufferfish are a large family of saltwater fish. It can fill its elastic stomach with water until it expands to a large, almost globe-like shape.
Gobies
Gobies are one of the largest families of fish comprised of over 2000 separate species. Most species rarely grow more than a couple of inches in length.
Wrasse
Wrasse are large family of saltwater fish made up of over 600 different species. They are also one of the most popular species of marine aquarium fish.
Filefish
Filefish are a curious species of saltwater fish. They are characterized by their rhomboid shaped bodies, thick, sandpaper-like skin and small, fleshy fins.
Catfish
Catfish are a large family of freshwater fish extremely popular in the aquarium trade. Extremely hardy and make for fascinating aquarium specimens.
Anthias
Also referred to as wreckfish, reef fish, swallowtails and jewelfish, anthias are a large family of saltwater fish of over 200 different sub-species.
Lake Victoria Cichlids
Lake Victoria cichlids are fairly aggressive fish. These cichlids are some of the most vibrantly colored freshwater fishes in the world.
Basslet
Basslets are a small family of marine fish. Most species of basslet rarely exceed 4 inches in length and are known for their vibrant colorations.
Parrotfish
Parrotfish are a marine fish with over 90 distinct species. They are characterized by their parrot-like beaks that are made of tightly compressed teeth.
Plecostomus
The Plecostomus is a type of armored catfish that is found throughout the tropical regions of northeastern South America.
Barbs
Barbs are a large family of freshwater fish that are a popular choice in the aquarium hobby. Different species of barbs come in a dazzling array of colors.
Halfbeak
Halfbeak fish are a type of marine and brackish water fish belonging to the family Hemiramphidae. They are a little less colorful than some marine species.
Drum Fish
There are several species of fish that carry the "drum" name. With more than 250 species, drum fish exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns.
Triggerfish
Triggerfish are a fish comprised of roughly 40 distinct species. They are characterized by their laterally compressed bodies and comparatively large heads.
Grunts
Grunts are a family of saltwater fish made up of 150 different sub-species, some of which have been successfully introduced to the aquarium hobby.
Flagfish
Flagfish are a small fish that are semi-aggressive in nature. These fish may not do well if multiple males of the same species are kept together.
Hap Cichlids
Hap cichlids exhibit a wide variety of colorations and patterns ranging from solid blue to multicolored combinations of red, orange, and purple.
Tetra
Tetra are a species of tropical fish extremely popular in the aquarium trade. There are over 150 different species of tetras, most have small bodies.
New World Cichlids
New World Cichlids are some of the most diverse freshwater fish species in the world. The colors and patterns of New World Cichlids are highly varied.
Flounder
The flounder is also known as a flatfish; a fitting name because its body is laterally compressed and it lays on its side, burrowing into the substrate.
Puffer Fish
Puffer fish are a curious species of brackish water fish. They are characterized by their almost box shaped bodies and somewhat comical swimming movements.
Freshwater Sharks
Freshwater sharks are a group of freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family. Freshwater sharks have long, powerful bodies and large dorsal fins,
Snakeheads
Snakeheads are a species of tropical fish popular among experienced aquarists. They get their name from their flattened shape and the scales on their head.
Goldfish
Goldfish are one of the first species of fish to be domesticated and are also one of the most commonly kept aquarium pets. Peaceful and hardy fish breed.
Tigerfish
The Tigerfish is a type of freshwater fish belonging to the genus Datnioides (Datnoids). It's named for the vertical stripes that run all along its body.
Boxfish
Known as trunkfish, cowfish and cofferfish; boxfish are a family of bony marine fish. They are known for their square shaped body and heavy armored scales.
Saltwater Eels
Saltwater eels are one of the most fascinating and demanding species of fish kept by aquarists. They are characterized by their long, snake like bodies.
Danios
Danios are a popular species of freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. They are characterized by two pairs of long barbells that hang from their mouth.
Scat
Also known as argus fish and spotted scats, scats are one of the most popular species of brackish water aquarium fish. They have square shaped bodies.
Reedfish
Also referred to as Rope Fish, Dragon Fish and Snake Fish, reedfish are a curious species of fish characterized by their long, snake-like bodies.
Asian Cichlids
There are nine species of Asian cichlids which can be found in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Iran, India, and Sri Lanka. These cichlids are mouth brooders.
Dottyback
Dottyback are a family of small saltwater fish made up of over 100 distinct species. They are hardy, intelligent and vibrantly colored, making them popular
Ram Cichlids
Ram Cichlids (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) are a species of freshwater cichlid that can be found in slow-moving waters throughout the Orinoco River basin.
Loaches
Loaches are a large family of highly intelligent freshwater fish. There are over 200 different species and they are characterized by their eel-like bodies.
Hatchetfish
Freshwater hatchetfish are a type of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Gasteropelecidae. There are three genera, with nine different species.