If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. That’s how we keep the site running. How we choose.
This is our database of freshwater aquarium fish, from tiny nano rasboras to large American cichlids. Every profile uses the same fields, so you can compare species side by side: adult size, honest minimum tank size, temperature in °F (and °C), pH and hardness ranges, temperament, swimming zone, diet and minimum group size.
Use the filters to narrow the list by group, difficulty or tank size. If you are setting up your first tank, start with hardy schooling fish and peaceful bottom dwellers, and always let the tank cycle for 4 to 6 weeks before adding livestock.
Our minimum tank sizes are deliberately conservative. Many fish can survive in less space, but they will not show natural behavior, and small volumes are less forgiving when something goes wrong. When a species needs a school, the minimum size assumes the full group, not a single fish.
Not sure who gets along with whom? The compatibility checker and stocking calculator use exactly the same data you see on each profile, so the results are consistent across the site.
By group
Tetras 16 species Barbs and danios 12 species Rasboras 7 species Livebearers 8 species Dwarf cichlids 8 species American cichlids 11 species African cichlids 11 species Corydoras catfish 7 species Plecos and suckermouth catfish 7 species Gouramis and bettas 8 species Loaches 6 species Rainbowfish 6 species Killifish 4 species Coldwater fish 7 species Other aquarium fish 10 species
Handy lists
- Beginner fish
- Nano tank fish
- 10 gallon tank
- 15 gallon tank
- 25 gallon tank
- 50 gallon tank
- Coldwater fish
- Shrimp-safe fish
- Bottom dwellers
- Community fish
- Betta tank mates
Freshwater fish
| Species | Min. liters | Size | Temp. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare | 53 gal (200 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Betta fish Betta splendens | 7 gal (25 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. | 26 gal (100 L) | 5.1 in (13 cm) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Easy |
 Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.6 in (6.5 cm) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Easy |
 Cardinal tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi | 21 gal (80 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 73–84 °F (23–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Celestial pearl danio Danio margaritatus | 11 gal (40 L) | 1 in (2.5 cm) | 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) | Moderate |
 Cherry barb Puntius titteya | 16 gal (60 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) | Easy |
 Clown loach Chromobotia macracanthus | 132 gal (500 L) | 9.8 in (25 cm) | 77–86 °F (25–30 °C) | Moderate |
 Common goldfish Carassius auratus | 79 gal (300 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) | Easy |
 Discus Symphysodon aequifasciatus | 79 gal (300 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 82–88 °F (28–31 °C) | Difficult |
 Dwarf gourami Trichogaster lalius | 16 gal (60 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Ember tetra Hyphessobrycon amandae | 11 gal (40 L) | 0.8 in (2 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Easy |
 Guppy Poecilia reticulata | 14 gal (54 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Easy |
 Molly Poecilia sphenops | 26 gal (100 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.4 in (3.5 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Oranda goldfish Carassius auratus | 40 gal (150 L) | 7.1 in (18 cm) | 59–75 °F (15–24 °C) | Moderate |
 Oscar Astronotus ocellatus | 106 gal (400 L) | 11.8 in (30 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Otocinclus catfish Otocinclus vestitus | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 70–79 °F (21–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Panda cory Corydoras panda | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) | Moderate |
 Platy Xiphophorus maculatus | 16 gal (60 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Ram cichlid Mikrogeophagus ramirezi | 16 gal (60 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 79–86 °F (26–30 °C) | Moderate |
 Rummy-nose tetra Hemigrammus rhodostomus | 26 gal (100 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii | 32 gal (120 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Easy |
 Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Easy |
 Yellow lab cichlid Labidochromis caeruleus | 53 gal (200 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Zebra danio Danio rerio | 16 gal (60 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) | Easy |
 African butterflyfish Pantodon buchholzi | 32 gal (120 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Agassiz's dwarf cichlid Apistogramma agassizii | 16 gal (60 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Auratus cichlid Melanochromis auratus | 79 gal (300 L) | 4.3 in (11 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Badis Badis badis | 16 gal (60 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Bala shark Balantiocheilos melanopterus | 264 gal (1000 L) | 11.8 in (30 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Difficult |
 Black ghost knifefish Apteronotus albifrons | 132 gal (500 L) | 17.7 in (45 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Difficult |
 Black skirt tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.2 in (5.5 cm) | 70–81 °F (21–27 °C) | Easy |
 Blood parrot cichlid Amphilophus hybrid | 53 gal (200 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher | 53 gal (200 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Blue gourami Trichopodus trichopterus | 32 gal (120 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Boeseman's rainbowfish Melanotaenia boesemani | 53 gal (200 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 77–84 °F (25–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Bolivian ram Mikrogeophagus altispinosus | 26 gal (100 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Easy |
 Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi) Copadichromis borleyi | 106 gal (400 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Buenos Aires tetra Hyphessobrycon anisitsi | 40 gal (150 L) | 2.8 in (7 cm) | 64–79 °F (18–26 °C) | Easy |
 Celebes rainbowfish Marosatherina ladigesi | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.8 in (7 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Chessboard cichlid Dicrossus filamentosus | 26 gal (100 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 77–84 °F (25–29 °C) | Difficult |
 Chili rasbora Boraras brigittae | 8 gal (30 L) | 0.8 in (2 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Clown pleco (L104) Panaqolus maccus | 21 gal (80 L) | 3.5 in (9 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Cockatoo dwarf cichlid Apistogramma cacatuoides | 16 gal (60 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Comet goldfish Carassius auratus | 79 gal (300 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) | Easy |
 Common pleco Pterygoplichthys pardalis | 132 gal (500 L) | 15.7 in (40 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Congo tetra Phenacogrammus interruptus | 53 gal (200 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Convict cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata | 40 gal (150 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Copper tetra Hasemania nana | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Demasoni cichlid Chindongo demasoni | 79 gal (300 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Difficult |
 Diamond tetra Moenkhausia pittieri | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Dojo loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus | 53 gal (200 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) | Easy |
 Dwarf chain loach Ambastaia sidthimunki | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.2 in (5.5 cm) | 77–82 °F (25–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Dwarf neon rainbowfish Melanotaenia praecox | 32 gal (120 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Dwarf rasbora Boraras maculatus | 11 gal (40 L) | 1 in (2.5 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Eastern rainbowfish (splendid rainbowfish) Melanotaenia splendida | 53 gal (200 L) | 4.3 in (11 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Electric blue hap Sciaenochromis fryeri | 106 gal (400 L) | 6.3 in (16 cm) | 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Emperor tetra Nematobrycon palmeri | 21 gal (80 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) | Easy |
 Endler's livebearer Poecilia wingei | 11 gal (40 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Firemouth cichlid Thorichthys meeki | 53 gal (200 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) | Easy |
 Flag acara Laetacara curviceps | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.8 in (7 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Forktail blue-eye Pseudomugil furcatus | 16 gal (60 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Frontosa cichlid Cyphotilapia frontosa | 159 gal (600 L) | 11.8 in (30 cm) | 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Gardneri killifish Fundulopanchax gardneri | 11 gal (40 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Geophagus altifrons Geophagus altifrons | 159 gal (600 L) | 9.8 in (25 cm) | 79–86 °F (26–30 °C) | Moderate |
 Giant danio Devario aequipinnatus | 63 gal (240 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Glass catfish Kryptopterus vitreolus | 32 gal (120 L) | 2.6 in (6.5 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Glowlight tetra Hemigrammus erythrozonus | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Gold barb Barbodes semifasciolatus | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.8 in (7 cm) | 64–75 °F (18–24 °C) | Easy |
 Golden dwarf cichlid Nannacara anomala | 16 gal (60 L) | 2.8 in (7 cm) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Easy |
 Golden wonder killifish (striped panchax) Aplocheilus lineatus | 26 gal (100 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Easy |
 Hengel's rasbora Trigonostigma hengeli | 14 gal (54 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Honey gourami Trichogaster chuna | 14 gal (54 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Jack Dempsey Rocio octofasciata | 79 gal (300 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 72–84 °F (22–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Jewel cichlid Hemichromis bimaculatus | 53 gal (200 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Kissing gourami Helostoma temminckii | 79 gal (300 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Kribensis Pelvicachromis pulcher | 21 gal (80 L) | 3.5 in (9 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Kuhli loach Pangio kuhlii | 16 gal (60 L) | 3.5 in (9 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Lambchop rasbora Trigonostigma espei | 14 gal (54 L) | 1.4 in (3.5 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Easy |
 Least killifish Heterandria formosa | 8 gal (30 L) | 1 in (2.5 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Lemon tetra Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis | 21 gal (80 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Lionhead goldfish (ranchu) Carassius auratus | 32 gal (120 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 59–75 °F (15–24 °C) | Moderate |
 Lyretail killifish Aphyosemion australe | 11 gal (40 L) | 2.2 in (5.5 cm) | 70–77 °F (21–25 °C) | Moderate |
 Marbled hatchetfish Carnegiella strigata | 21 gal (80 L) | 1.4 in (3.5 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Medaka (Japanese ricefish) Oryzias latipes | 11 gal (40 L) | 1.4 in (3.5 cm) | 50–79 °F (10–26 °C) | Easy |
 Multifasciatus (shell dweller) Neolamprologus multifasciatus | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Nothobranchius rachovii (Rachow's nothobranch) Nothobranchius rachovii | 11 gal (40 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Difficult |
 Odessa barb Pethia padamya | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Paradise fish Macropodus opercularis | 21 gal (80 L) | 3.5 in (9 cm) | 61–79 °F (16–26 °C) | Easy |
 Pea puffer (dwarf puffer) Carinotetraodon travancoricus | 8 gal (30 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Peacock cichlid (Aulonocara) Aulonocara jacobfreibergi | 79 gal (300 L) | 5.1 in (13 cm) | 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Peacock eel Macrognathus siamensis | 53 gal (200 L) | 9.8 in (25 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Pearl danio Danio albolineatus | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Pearl gourami Trichopodus leerii | 32 gal (120 L) | 4.3 in (11 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Penguin tetra Thayeria boehlkei | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Peppered cory Corydoras paleatus | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.6 in (6.5 cm) | 64–75 °F (18–24 °C) | Easy |
 Princess cichlid Neolamprologus brichardi | 40 gal (150 L) | 3.5 in (9 cm) | 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Pygmy cory Corydoras pygmaeus | 11 gal (40 L) | 1 in (2.5 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Rainbow shark Epalzeorhynchos frenatum | 53 gal (200 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Red eye tetra Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Red rainbowfish Glossolepis incisus | 66 gal (250 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Red tail shark Epalzeorhynchos bicolor | 53 gal (200 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Red-line rasbora Rasbora pauciperforata | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Reticulated hillstream loach Sewellia lineolata | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 68–75 °F (20–24 °C) | Moderate |
 Rosy barb Pethia conchonius | 40 gal (150 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) | Easy |
 Royal pleco Panaque nigrolineatus | 106 gal (400 L) | 13.8 in (35 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna | 40 gal (150 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Salt and pepper cory Corydoras habrosus | 11 gal (40 L) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Scarlet badis Dario dario | 11 gal (40 L) | 0.8 in (2 cm) | 64–79 °F (18–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Scissortail rasbora Rasbora trilineata | 40 gal (150 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Easy |
 Senegal bichir Polypterus senegalus | 79 gal (300 L) | 11.8 in (30 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Serpae tetra Hyphessobrycon eques | 21 gal (80 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Severum Heros severus | 79 gal (300 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Sparkling gourami Trichopsis pumila | 12 gal (45 L) | 1.4 in (3.5 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Sterbai cory Corydoras sterbai | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.6 in (6.5 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Synodontis petricola Synodontis petricola | 53 gal (200 L) | 4.3 in (11 cm) | 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Telescope goldfish Carassius auratus | 32 gal (120 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 59–75 °F (15–24 °C) | Moderate |
 Three-stripe cory Corydoras trilineatus | 18 gal (70 L) | 2.2 in (5.5 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Easy |
 Tropheus moorii Tropheus moorii | 106 gal (400 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) | Difficult |
 Twig catfish Farlowella vittata | 26 gal (100 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Variatus platy Xiphophorus variatus | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.6 in (6.5 cm) | 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) | Easy |
 White cloud mountain minnow Tanichthys albonubes | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 57–72 °F (14–22 °C) | Easy |
 X-ray tetra Pristella maxillaris | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Yoyo loach Botia almorhae | 53 gal (200 L) | 5.1 in (13 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Zebra mbuna (Maylandia zebra) Maylandia zebra | 79 gal (300 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Zebra pleco (L046) Hypancistrus zebra | 26 gal (100 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 79–88 °F (26–31 °C) | Difficult |
No species match those filters.