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.

Frogfish

The species known as frogfish are all members of the family Antennariidae which is sometimes known as the anglerfish family, especially in Australia.

Rainbowfish

Rainbowfish are a family of small freshwater fish that get their name from their iridescent colorations that change shades in different light settings.

Mbuna Cichlids

Mbuna cichlids are some of the most brightly colored freshwater fishes in the world, exhibiting a wide range of colors and patterns.

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.

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.

Pacu

Pacu fish are a large family of freshwater fish related to the piranha. While some species look like piranhas, they are herbivores and are peaceful fish.

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.

Guppy

One of the most commonly available species of freshwater aquarium fish, the guppy is a long favorite amongst aquarium enthusiasts worldwide.

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.

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.

Gar

Characterized by their long bodies and similarly elongated jaws, gar are kept in large aquariums and require very specialized care by experienced aquarists.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Triggerfish

Triggerfish are a fish comprised of roughly 40 distinct species. They are characterized by their laterally compressed bodies and comparatively large heads.

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.

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.

Lake Victoria Cichlids

Lake Victoria cichlids are fairly aggressive fish. These cichlids are some of the most vibrantly colored freshwater fishes in the world.

Gourami

Gourami are a relatively hardy species of freshwater aquarium fish and are thus suitable for most intermediate aquarists. Square shaped, compressed body.

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.

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,

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.

Killifish

Killifish are a large family of freshwater fish comprising over a thousand different species. Most species are no more than an inch or two in size.

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

Surgeonfish

The species known as surgeonfish belong to the Acanthuridae family. Surgeonfish vary greatly in size from one species to another.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catfish

Catfish are a large family of freshwater fish extremely popular in the aquarium trade. Extremely hardy and make for fascinating aquarium specimens.

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.

Clownfish

Clownfish are the most popular species of fish amongst saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. They are characterized by their beautiful colorations..

Darters

Darters are a type of small freshwater fish similar to perch that can be found in freshwater streams throughout North America.

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.

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.

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.

Goatfish

Saltwater Goatfish are members of the family Mullidae. These fish have the ability to change color quickly to blend in with their surroundings.

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.

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.

Rabbitfish

General description Rabbitfish are a fairly large family of colorful saltwater fish. They are characterized by their rectangular bodies and small, protruding…

Piranha

Piranha are a family of extremely aggressive freshwater fish. They are characterized by two rows of extremely sharp, triangular shaped teeth.

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.

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.

Hap Cichlids

Hap cichlids exhibit a wide variety of colorations and patterns ranging from solid blue to multicolored combinations of red, orange, and purple.

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.

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.

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.

Freshwater Gobies

Freshwater gobies are generally peaceful community fish that can be kept with other community species. They belong to the family Gobiidae group of Goby.

Rasbora

Rasboras are a family of minnow-type freshwater fish characterized by their small bodies and vibrant colorations. They are an extremely peaceful fish.

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.

Mandarinfish

Sometimes referred to as dragonets or mandarinfish, mandarins are small, brightly colored saltwater fish belonging to the Synchiropus genus.

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.

Lionfish

Lionfish are a species of fish belonging to the scorpionfish family. They are known for their bright colorations, flowing fins and venomous tentacles.

Butterflyfish

Butterflyfish are a family of saltwater fish made up of over 100 distinct species. They resemble angelfish and have compressed, disk shaped bodies.

Plecostomus

The Plecostomus is a type of armored catfish that is found throughout the tropical regions of northeastern South America.