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.
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.
Tangs
Tangs are a highly popular species of saltwater aquarium fish. They are characterized by their laterally compressed bodies and scalpel-like spines.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lionfish
Lionfish are a species of fish belonging to the scorpionfish family. They are known for their bright colorations, flowing fins and venomous tentacles.
Plecostomus
The Plecostomus is a type of armored catfish that is found throughout the tropical regions of northeastern South America.
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.
Hatchetfish
Freshwater hatchetfish are a type of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Gasteropelecidae. There are three genera, with nine different species.
Surgeonfish
The species known as surgeonfish belong to the Acanthuridae family. Surgeonfish vary greatly in size from one species to another.
Triggerfish
Triggerfish are a fish comprised of roughly 40 distinct species. They are characterized by their laterally compressed bodies and comparatively large heads.
Swordtail
A relatively hardy and easy to care for livebearer, the swordtail is one of the most popular aquarium fish species among beginner aquarists.
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.
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.
Rabbitfish
General description Rabbitfish are a fairly large family of colorful saltwater fish. They are characterized by their rectangular bodies and small, protruding…
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.
Saltwater Goby Fish
Saltwater Goby Fish are a large family of fish made up of over 2000 distinct species. Most species of saltwater goby fish are extremely small in size.
Frogfish
The species known as frogfish are all members of the family Antennariidae which is sometimes known as the anglerfish family, especially in Australia.
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.
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.
Blennies
Blennies are a species of marine fish made up of 6 distinct families. They are characteristically small in size and are similar to gobies in appearance.
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.
Guppy
One of the most commonly available species of freshwater aquarium fish, the guppy is a long favorite amongst aquarium enthusiasts worldwide.
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.
Lake Victoria Cichlids
Lake Victoria cichlids are fairly aggressive fish. These cichlids are some of the most vibrantly colored freshwater fishes in the world.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chromis
Chromis are an extremely popular family of saltwater fish. They are characterized by their slim, oval shaped bodies and bright colorations.
Dragonets
Dragonets are a family of small, vibrantly colored saltwater fish. There are over 130 species of dragonets identified and similar in appearance to gobies.
Hap Cichlids
Hap cichlids exhibit a wide variety of colorations and patterns ranging from solid blue to multicolored combinations of red, orange, and purple.
Ray Fish
Rays are a large group of fish closely related to sharks. Ray fish are characterized by their flat bodies and a tough, elastic skeleton made of cartilage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Acara Cichlids
Most acara cichlids are somewhat aggressive and territorial and they have a tendency to eat smaller fish. Acaras come in a wide range of colors.
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.
Lake Tanganyika Cichlids
There are more than 250 species of Lake Tanganyika cichlids that have been identified, in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
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
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.
Rasbora
Rasboras are a family of minnow-type freshwater fish characterized by their small bodies and vibrant colorations. They are an extremely peaceful fish.
Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish are a family of small freshwater fish that get their name from their iridescent colorations that change shades in different light settings.
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.
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.
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.
Hawkfish
Hawkfish are species of saltwater fish closely related to the lionfish. They are characterized by their large heads and somewhat elongated, thick bodies.
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.
Bichirs
Bichirs are a species of freshwater fish. They are characterized by their long, eel-like bodies and unique dorsal finlets. Capable of breathing surface air.
Neon Tetra
The Neon tetra is an incredibly beautiful species of tropical freshwater aquarium fish. Neon tetras usually grow up to around 1.2 inches in length.
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.
Moorish Idol
The Moorish idol is closely related to surgeonfish. These fish are characterized by their vertically compressed, disk-like bodies and bold colorations.
Silver Dollar
Silver dollars are an extremely popular species of freshwater fish. They get their name from their almost round shaped bodies and silver coloring.
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.
Gourami
Gourami are a relatively hardy species of freshwater aquarium fish and are thus suitable for most intermediate aquarists. Square shaped, compressed body.