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.

Lionfish

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

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.

Hawkfish

Hawkfish are species of saltwater fish closely related to the lionfish. They are characterized by their large heads and somewhat elongated, thick bodies.

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.

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.

Triggerfish

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

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.

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.

Glass Fish

The glass fish is a fascinating species of aquarium fish. Its most astounding feature is its transparent body which reveals its bones and internal organs.

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.

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.

Lake Victoria Cichlids

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rasbora

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

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.

Catfish

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

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.

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.

Mandarinfish

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

Guppy

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trunkfish

A unique fact about Trunkfish: they secrete a poisonous material from their skin which acts as a chemical defense mechanism against predators.

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.

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

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.

Piranha

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

Rainbowfish

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

Gar

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

Scat

Also known as argus fish and spotted scats, scats are one of the most popular species of brackish water aquarium fish. They have square shaped bodies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mbuna Cichlids

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

Betta Splenden

Betta Splenden fish are one of the hardiest species of freshwater aquarium fish and are an incredibly popular mainstay among hobbyists.

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.

Corydoras Catfish

Also known as cories or cory catfish, Corydoras catfish are bottom feeders and generally docile fish that do well in a community setting.

Clownfish

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rabbitfish

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hatchetfish

Freshwater hatchetfish are a type of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Gasteropelecidae. There are three genera, with nine different species.

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.

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.

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.