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.
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.
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.
Clownfish
Clownfish are the most popular species of fish amongst saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. They are characterized by their beautiful colorations..
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.
Lake Victoria Cichlids
Lake Victoria cichlids are fairly aggressive fish. These cichlids are some of the most vibrantly colored freshwater fishes in the world.
Pipefish
Pipefish are a species of saltwater fish related to seahorses. However, the pipefish's body, unlike the seahorse's, is long, straight and snake-like.
Mandarinfish
Sometimes referred to as dragonets or mandarinfish, mandarins are small, brightly colored saltwater fish belonging to the Synchiropus genus.
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.
Chromis
Chromis are an extremely popular family of saltwater fish. They are characterized by their slim, oval shaped bodies and bright colorations.
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.
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.
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.
Foxface Rabbitfish
The foxface rabbitfish is a popular species of saltwater fish belonging to the rabbitfish family. When stressed, they can change to a mottled brown color.
Piranha
Piranha are a family of extremely aggressive freshwater fish. They are characterized by two rows of extremely sharp, triangular shaped teeth.
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.
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.
Tangs
Tangs are a highly popular species of saltwater aquarium fish. They are characterized by their laterally compressed bodies and scalpel-like spines.
Discus
Often regarded as the king of the freshwater aquarium, discus fish are one of the most beautiful species of aquarium fish; and one of the hardest to keep.
Damselfish
Damselfish are a colorful species of saltwater fish popular in the modern saltwater aquarium hobby. They come from tropical coral reefs around the world.
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.
Squirrelfish
Squirrelfish are a family of ray-finned saltwater fish. They are characterized by their large eyes and long, sharp dorsal spines.
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.
Ray Fish – Saltwater
The ray fish's skeleton is made up entirely of cartilage and it is characterized by its flattened body and large pectoral fins which are fused to its head.
Scorpionfish
Scorpionfish are a family of marine fish comprised of over a 100 different species. They are counted among some of the most poisonous animals in the world.
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.
Koi
Koi are one of the most popular types of pond fish. Their bodies, which are long and powerful, are very similar to that of the wild carp.
Porkfish
The name porkfish is usually used to describe a particular species of grunt that can be found in the tropical regions of the world.
Unicornfish
Species belonging to the genus Naso are typically referred to as unicornfish because they have a long pointed protuberance in the middle of their heads.
Rabbitfish
General description Rabbitfish are a fairly large family of colorful saltwater fish. They are characterized by their rectangular bodies and small, protruding…
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.
Trunkfish
A unique fact about Trunkfish: they secrete a poisonous material from their skin which acts as a chemical defense mechanism against predators.
Dartfish
Dartfish are a family of small, colorful saltwater fish. They are similar in appearance to gobies and are characterized by their long, eel-like bodies.
Eels
Eels are one of the more fascinating species of fish in the aquarium trade. They are characterized by their long bodies and snake-like heads.
Saltwater Sharks
Saltwater sharks are some of the most majestic and most dangerous species kept in the aquarium hobby. They are only recommended for advanced hobbyists.
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.
Arowana
Sometimes referred to as the dragon fish, arowana fish are one of the most beautiful and most fascinating species of fish in the aquarium trade.
Darters
Darters are a type of small freshwater fish similar to perch that can be found in freshwater streams throughout North America.
Sea Bream
Referred to as breams, sea bream are a group of saltwater fish belonging to the Sparidae family. Most are found in tropical to temperate marine waters.
Surgeonfish
The species known as surgeonfish belong to the Acanthuridae family. Surgeonfish vary greatly in size from one species to another.
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.
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.
Moorish Idol
The Moorish idol is closely related to surgeonfish. These fish are characterized by their vertically compressed, disk-like bodies and bold colorations.
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.
Peacock Cichlids
Compared to other Lake Malawi cichlids, Peacock cichlids are relatively peaceful. They come in a wide variety of bright colors, often in iridescent shades.
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.
African Tiger Fish
African Tiger Fish are a large and predatory species of fish. Their bodies are powerful and streamlined, enabling them to move with fast bursts of speed.
Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish are a family of small freshwater fish that get their name from their iridescent colorations that change shades in different light settings.
Butterflyfish
Butterflyfish are a family of saltwater fish made up of over 100 distinct species. They resemble angelfish and have compressed, disk shaped bodies.
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.
Plecostomus
The Plecostomus is a type of armored catfish that is found throughout the tropical regions of northeastern South America.
Gar
Characterized by their long bodies and similarly elongated jaws, gar are kept in large aquariums and require very specialized care by experienced aquarists.
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.
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.
Mbuna Cichlids
Mbuna cichlids are some of the most brightly colored freshwater fishes in the world, exhibiting a wide range of colors and patterns.
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.
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.
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.
Betta Splenden
Betta Splenden fish are one of the hardiest species of freshwater aquarium fish and are an incredibly popular mainstay among hobbyists.
Cardinalfish
Cardinalfish are a large family of saltwater fish made up of over 200 sub-species. Most species are extremely colorful and are a couple of inches in length.
Seahorses
Seahorses are characterized by their equine appearance. Its upper body is shaped like the head of a horse and its lower body ends in an elongated tail.