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.

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.

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.

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.

Hawkfish

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

Moorish Idol

The Moorish idol is closely related to surgeonfish. These fish are characterized by their vertically compressed, disk-like bodies and bold colorations.

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.

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.

Clownfish

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

Hap Cichlids

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

Unicornfish

Species belonging to the genus Naso are typically referred to as unicornfish because they have a long pointed protuberance in the middle of their heads.

Pipefish

Pipefish are a species of saltwater fish related to seahorses. However, the pipefish's body, unlike the seahorse's, is long, straight and snake-like.

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.

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.

Surgeonfish

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

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.

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.

Darters

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chromis

Chromis are an extremely popular family of saltwater fish. They are characterized by their slim, oval shaped bodies and bright colorations.

Frogfish

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

Gar

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

Rabbitfish

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

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.

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.

Angelfish

Angelfish are one of the most popular species of freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. They are characterized by their vertically compressed bodies.

Betta Splenden

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Triggerfish

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Oscars

Oscars are one of the most popular species of freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby today. They are also a highly intelligent species of fish.

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish are a family of ray-finned saltwater fish. They are characterized by their large eyes and long, sharp dorsal spines.

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.

Tetra

Tetra are a species of tropical fish extremely popular in the aquarium trade. There are over 150 different species of tetras, most have small bodies.

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.

Rasbora

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

Guppy

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

Lionfish

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

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.

Trunkfish

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

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,

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.