Swordtail
A relatively hardy and easy to care for livebearer, the swordtail is one of the most popular aquarium fish species among beginner aquarists.
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.
Hap Cichlids
Hap cichlids exhibit a wide variety of colorations and patterns ranging from solid blue to multicolored combinations of red, orange, and purple.
Anglerfish
Anglerfish are a family of predatory fish consisting of over 200 separate species. They are characterized by their rod-like growths called illicium.
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.
Grouper
Grouper are a large family of saltwater fish characterized by their stout bodies and over-sized mouths. They are hardy, colorful and fascinating species.
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.
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.
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 Tanganyika Cichlids
There are more than 250 species of Lake Tanganyika cichlids that have been identified, in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Rasbora
Rasboras are a family of minnow-type freshwater fish characterized by their small bodies and vibrant colorations. They are an extremely peaceful fish.
Surgeonfish
The species known as surgeonfish belong to the Acanthuridae family. Surgeonfish vary greatly in size from one species to another.
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.
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.
Goatfish
Saltwater Goatfish are members of the family Mullidae. These fish have the ability to change color quickly to blend in with their surroundings.
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.
Plecostomus
The Plecostomus is a type of armored catfish that is found throughout the tropical regions of northeastern South America.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Chromis
Chromis are an extremely popular family of saltwater fish. They are characterized by their slim, oval shaped bodies and bright colorations.
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.
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.
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.
Clownfish
Clownfish are the most popular species of fish amongst saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. They are characterized by their beautiful colorations..
Hawkfish
Hawkfish are species of saltwater fish closely related to the lionfish. They are characterized by their large heads and somewhat elongated, thick bodies.
Betta Splenden
Betta Splenden fish are one of the hardiest species of freshwater aquarium fish and are an incredibly popular mainstay among hobbyists.
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.
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.
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.
Molly
The Molly is one of the most popular species of livebearers in aquarium culture. It is a hardy and adaptable species and are great for beginner aquarists.
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.
Mandarinfish
Sometimes referred to as dragonets or mandarinfish, mandarins are small, brightly colored saltwater fish belonging to the Synchiropus genus.
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.
Lake Victoria Cichlids
Lake Victoria cichlids are fairly aggressive fish. These cichlids are some of the most vibrantly colored freshwater fishes in the world.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Butterflyfish
Butterflyfish are a family of saltwater fish made up of over 100 distinct species. They resemble angelfish and have compressed, disk shaped bodies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Moorish Idol
The Moorish idol is closely related to surgeonfish. These fish are characterized by their vertically compressed, disk-like bodies and bold 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.
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.
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.
Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish are a family of small freshwater fish that get their name from their iridescent colorations that change shades in different light settings.
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.