Save the Little Fish

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.

River 14 fish

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.

Photo: Kaden Slone, CC BY 4.0

Balzanii

Balzanii ≈

Cichlids · GymnogeophagusLC

Paraná-Paraguay and lower Uruguay basins (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay)

Balzanii

Gymnogeophagus balzanii

Paraná-Paraguay and lower Uruguay basins (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay) · river

Temperature
21–25°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
8 in · 20 cm
Flow
Calm
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Territorial
Diet
Omnivore
Group
3+
Status in the wild
Least concern

Photo: CHUCAO, CC BY-SA 3.0

Firemouth cichlid

Firemouth cichlid ≈

Cichlids · ThorichthysLC

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Atlantic slope of S Mexico, Yucatán, Belize, Guatemala (Usumacinta)

Firemouth cichlid

Thorichthys meeki

Atlantic slope of S Mexico, Yucatán, Belize, Guatemala (Usumacinta) · river

Temperature
20–32°C
pH
6.5–8.5
Adult size
5 in · 12 cm
Flow
Calm
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Territorial
Diet
Omnivore
Group
2+
Status in the wild
Least concern

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Photo: Konstantin Gerasimov, CC BY 4.0

Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey ≈

Cichlids · RocioLC

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Atlantic slope, S Mexico (Papaloapan) to Honduras (Ulúa)

Jack Dempsey

Rocio octofasciata

Atlantic slope, S Mexico (Papaloapan) to Honduras (Ulúa) · river

Temperature
20–30°C
pH
6.5–8
Adult size
8 in · 20 cm
Flow
Calm
Swims
Mid-water
Temperament
Aggressive
Diet
Omnivore
Group
2+
Status in the wild
Least concern

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Photo: Bernard DUPONT, CC BY 4.0

Serpae tetra

Serpae tetra ≈

Tetras · HyphessobryconStaple

Fin nipper. Keep it away from long-finned fish.

Amazon and Paraguay basins

Serpae tetra

Hyphessobrycon eques

Amazon and Paraguay basins · river

Temperature
22–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
1.8 in · 4.5 cm
Flow
Calm
Swims
Mid-water
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Diet
Omnivore
Group
6+
Typical price
$3–5
Rarity
Pet-store staple

Fin nipper. Keep it away from long-finned fish.

Photo: Douglas Lopes, CC BY 4.0

Severum

Severum ≈

Cichlids · HerosLC

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Amazon main channel/Solimões, Ucayali (Peru), Xingu

Severum

Heros efasciatus

Amazon main channel/Solimões, Ucayali (Peru), Xingu · river

Temperature
22–29°C
pH
5.5–7
Adult size
8 in · 20 cm
Flow
Calm
Swims
Mid-water
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Diet
Omnivore
Group
2+
Status in the wild
Least concern

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Photo: Rufus46, CC BY-SA 3.0

Showing 14 of 14