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Freshwater fishes

The fish list

542 species, each with the water it needs, who it gets along with, and where it comes from. Find one, or browse by family, genus or river.

EndangeredRarePopularPeacefulSmall (6 cm or less)Calm waterStrong flowSchooling✓ L-numbers✓ With photo ✓ Basic profiles too

The fishes 79 fish · new every day

Red lizard whiptail

L010a
Red lizard whiptail ≈

Plecos · RineloricariaStaple

Lays eggs in the open, and the male guards them where you can watch.

Aquarium-bred colour strain

Red lizard whiptail

L010a

Aquarium-bred colour strain · river

Temperature
22–27°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
5 in · 12 cm
Flow
Calm
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Omnivore
Breeding
Easy
Typical price
$10–25
In Canada
Common
Rarity
Pet-store staple

Lays eggs in the open, and the male guards them where you can watch. Prefers cooler water.

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Photo: Kaden Slone, CC BY 4.0

Green phantom

L200
Green phantom ≈

Plecos · HemiancistrusUncommon

Olive-green with yellow dots, a colour nothing else in the tank has.

Upper Orinoco and Ventuari, Venezuela

Green phantom

L200

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Upper Orinoco and Ventuari, Venezuela · rapids

Temperature
26–30°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
7 in · 18 cm
Flow
Strong
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Territorial
Diet
Omnivore
Breeding
Moderate
Typical price
$60–150
In Canada
Occasional
Rarity
Uncommon

Olive-green with yellow dots, a colour nothing else in the tank has. Grazes algae and likes strong flow.

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Photo: Anne Blindheim, CC BY SA

Leopard cactus

L114
Leopard cactus ≈

Plecos · PseudacanthicusRare

Cream with bold black spots and a spiny body.

Pará, Brazil. Sources differ on the exact river.

Leopard cactus

L114

Pará, Brazil. Sources differ on the exact river. · rapids

Temperature
26–30°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
14 in · 35 cm
Flow
Strong
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Aggressive
Diet
Carnivore
Breeding
Rarely
Typical price
$250–800
In Canada
Rare
Rarity
Rare or hard to breed

Cream with bold black spots and a spiny body. Grows to about 35 cm and is aggressive.

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Photo: Whaldener Endo, CC0

Flash pleco

L204
Flash pleco ≈

Plecos · PanaqolusUncommon

White vermiculation with orange-red fin edges.

Peruvian Amazon

Flash pleco

L204

Panaqolus albivermis

Peruvian Amazon · river

Temperature
24–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
4 in · 11 cm
Flow
Gentle
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Wood
Breeding
Moderate
Typical price
$50–100
In Canada
Occasional
Rarity
Uncommon

White vermiculation with orange-red fin edges. A wood-eater, so add driftwood and vegetables.

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Photo: Hantanplan, CC0

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