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.

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.

Pacu

Pacu fish are a large family of freshwater fish related to the piranha. While some species look like piranhas, they are herbivores and are peaceful fish.

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.

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.

Mbuna Cichlids

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

Anglerfish

Anglerfish are a family of predatory fish consisting of over 200 separate species. They are characterized by their rod-like growths called illicium.

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.

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.

Rainbowfish

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

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.

Butterflyfish

Butterflyfish are a family of saltwater fish made up of over 100 distinct species. They resemble angelfish and have compressed, disk shaped bodies.

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.

Flounder

The flounder is also known as a flatfish; a fitting name because its body is laterally compressed and it lays on its side, burrowing into the substrate.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trunkfish

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

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.

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.

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.

Clownfish

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

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.

Harlequin Tuskfish

Harlequin tuskfish are a colorful species of wrasse. They are characterized by their sharp blue, tusk-like teeth and distinctive body colorations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gourami

Gourami are a relatively hardy species of freshwater aquarium fish and are thus suitable for most intermediate aquarists. Square shaped, compressed body.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ray Fish – Saltwater

The ray fish's skeleton is made up entirely of cartilage and it is characterized by its flattened body and large pectoral fins which are fused to its head.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Swordtail

A relatively hardy and easy to care for livebearer, the swordtail is one of the most popular aquarium fish species among beginner aquarists.

Surgeonfish

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

Jawfish

Jawfish are species of saltwater fish very similar in appearance to blennies. They are characterized by their comparatively larger mouths and heads.

Gar

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

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

Frogfish

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

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.

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.

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.

Piranha

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

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.

Hawkfish

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