fish · surface / midwater
Betta fish
Betta splendens
- From
- 20 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- beginner
Long fins need gentle flow and tank mates that neither nip nor resemble a rival betta.
Open care profileInhabitant database · 75 profiles
Find fish that fit your aquarium—not just your moodboard.
Filter adult requirements, then open the full profile before making a stocking decision. Minimums are conservative starting points, not purchase guarantees.
75 inhabitants match
fish · midwater
Freshwater angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
- From
- 150 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
Tall adults establish territories and may regard very small tetras or fry as prey.
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fish · surface / midwater
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
- From
- 40 L
- Group
- 3+
- Care
- beginner
Hard-water livebearers breed readily; plan for fry or keep a single-sex group.
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fish · surface / midwater
Endler's livebearer
Poecilia wingei
- From
- 35 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- beginner
Small but constantly active; males show best colour in a planted hard-water aquarium.
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fish · midwater
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 3+
- Care
- beginner
A social livebearer that prefers mineral-rich water and produces frequent broods.
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fish · midwater
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 3+
- Care
- intermediate
Mollies need stable, mineral-rich water and more swimming room than their shop size suggests.
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fish · midwater
Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
- From
- 100 L
- Group
- 3+
- Care
- beginner
Powerful swimmers and persistent males make tank length and a female-biased group important.
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fish · midwater
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
A proper shoal and subdued planting reduce stress; avoid large predatory centrepiece fish.
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fish · midwater
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- intermediate
Warm, soft water and a large shoal suit this Amazonian tetra better than a sparse mixed tank.
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fish · midwater
Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
- From
- 45 L
- Group
- 10+
- Care
- beginner
Tiny and gentle; keep a generous group with similarly calm nano species.
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fish · midwater
Rummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus bleheri
- From
- 100 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- intermediate
Tight schooling behaviour needs long open water and excellent, stable water quality.
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fish · midwater
Glowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
Dark substrate and a group of eight or more bring out confident colour and movement.
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fish · midwater
Black skirt tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
A larger school disperses fin-nipping, but long-finned companions remain a poor choice.
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fish · midwater
Black neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
- From
- 72 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
A mature planted aquarium, open swimming room and a group of eight or more suit this distinct species—not a black form of the neon tetra.
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fish · midwater
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
- From
- 72 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
A broad group, subdued cover and clean stable water help the translucent yellow colour and red eye show clearly.
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fish · midwater
Serpae tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 10+
- Care
- intermediate
Keep a large group to spread chasing, and exclude slow or long-finned companions that invite persistent nipping.
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fish · midwater
Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
- From
- 150 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- intermediate
A long aquarium, a substantial shoal and calm companions protect the species' flowing fins and confident movement.
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fish · midwater
Harlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
A reliable community shoaler that benefits from shaded planting and a broad group.
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fish · surface / midwater
Chili rasbora
Boraras brigittae
- From
- 35 L
- Group
- 10+
- Care
- intermediate
Its minute size calls for mature nano tanks, gentle filtration and no predatory tank mates.
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fish · midwater
Celestial pearl danio
Danio margaritatus
- From
- 45 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- intermediate
Dense plants and more females than males reduce sparring and draw this shy fish into view.
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fish · surface / midwater
Zebra danio
Danio rerio
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
Fast, cool-water swimming and playful chasing can unsettle slow or long-finned fish.
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fish · surface / midwater
Pearl danio
Danio albolineatus
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
A long aquarium and a substantial school are more important than extra height.
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fish · surface / midwater
White cloud mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
- From
- 45 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
This subtropical shoaler is often kept too warm; avoid permanently tropical temperatures.
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fish · midwater
Cherry barb
Puntius titteya
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
A planted tank and a mixed-sex group bring calmer behaviour and richer male colour.
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fish · midwater
Tiger barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
- From
- 100 L
- Group
- 10+
- Care
- intermediate
Keep a large group to spread aggression and exclude slow, timid and long-finned tank mates.
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fish · midwater
Rosy barb
Pethia conchonius
- From
- 100 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
A robust subtropical barb needing a long tank and cooler water than many tropical communities.
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fish · midwater
Gold barb
Barbodes semifasciolatus
- From
- 90 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- beginner
Best in a well-planted, cooler community with open space for a lively school.
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fish · bottom
Bronze corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- beginner
A group on fine, clean substrate can forage naturally without damaging sensitive barbels.
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fish · bottom
Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- intermediate
Cooler water, good oxygenation and a group of six or more are central to long-term care.
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fish · bottom / midwater
Pygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
- From
- 45 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- intermediate
Unlike larger corys this tiny species also hovers midwater; small peaceful companions are essential.
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fish · bottom
Peppered corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- beginner
This cooler-water cory needs a group, clean soft substrate and well-oxygenated water rather than permanently high tropical temperatures.
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fish · bottom
Sterbai corydoras
Corydoras sterbai
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- intermediate
One of the warmer-water Corydoras, but it still needs a group of six or more, fine substrate and reliable oxygenation.
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fish · bottom
Kuhli loach
Pangio kuhlii
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- intermediate
A soft substrate, many tight hides and a social group help these nocturnal loaches emerge.
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fish · bottom
Yoyo loach
Botia almorhae
- From
- 180 L
- Group
- 5+
- Care
- intermediate
Social hierarchy, adult size and high activity make a group in a long tank mandatory.
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fish · bottom
Clown loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
- From
- 450 L
- Group
- 5+
- Care
- advanced
Often sold small, this long-lived giant needs a very large aquarium and a proper group.
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fish · bottom
Hillstream loach
Sewellia lineolata
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 3+
- Care
- intermediate
High dissolved oxygen, strong flow and mature biofilm matter more than a conventional tropical setup.
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fish · bottom
Bristlenose pleco
Ancistrus cirrhosus
- From
- 100 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- beginner
Provide real wood, caves and a varied diet; algae alone is neither enough food nor a clean-up plan.
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fish · bottom
Common pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus
- From
- 450 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
The common name covers very large loricariids that quickly outgrow ordinary home aquariums.
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fish · all surfaces
Otocinclus catfish
Otocinclus vittatus
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- intermediate
Add only to a mature aquarium with natural biofilm and supplement its specialised grazing diet.
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fish · bottom / midwater
Pictus catfish
Pimelodus pictus
- From
- 200 L
- Group
- 3+
- Care
- intermediate
A fast nocturnal predator able to swallow small companions; allow long unobstructed swimming space.
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fish · bottom / midwater
Siamese algae eater
Crossocheilus oblongus
- From
- 200 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- intermediate
Trade names are unreliable: confirm the unbroken black stripe and clear fins, then provide a long, oxygen-rich aquarium and a proper diet beyond algae.
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fish · bottom / midwater
Flying fox
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum
- From
- 250 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
Often confused with the Siamese algae eater, this territorial adult is best kept singly with ample floor space, current and visual barriers.
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fish · surface / midwater
Dwarf gourami
Trichogaster lalius
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
Choose healthy stock, provide surface cover and avoid combining multiple males in cramped quarters.
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fish · surface / midwater
Honey gourami
Trichogaster chuna
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- beginner
Gentle companions, floating cover and calm flow suit this shy labyrinth fish.
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fish · surface / midwater
Pearl gourami
Trichopodus leerii
- From
- 120 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
A calm, planted tank with open surface access suits adults better than a boisterous community.
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fish · midwater
Boesemani rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
- From
- 200 L
- Group
- 8+
- Care
- intermediate
This endangered-in-the-wild shoaler needs hard alkaline water, a long open swimming lane and responsibly sourced captive-bred stock.
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fish · bottom / midwater
German blue ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
Sustained warmth and exceptionally clean, stable water narrow the list of appropriate companions.
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fish · bottom / midwater
Bolivian ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
- From
- 90 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
A comparatively robust dwarf cichlid, though pairs still defend a spawning patch.
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group · bottom
Apistogramma group
Apistogramma spp.
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
This is a genus-level overview: exact water, social and harem needs differ substantially by species.
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fish · midwater
Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
- From
- 300 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- advanced
Large groups, high temperature and very clean water make discus a specialist commitment.
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fish · midwater
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
- From
- 300 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
Powerful, messy and predatory, an oscar needs robust filtration and carefully selected large companions.
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fish · midwater / bottom
Electric blue acara
Andinoacara pulcher
- From
- 150 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
Usually measured for a cichlid, but breeding pairs defend territory and can eat small fish.
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fish · midwater / bottom
Convict cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
- From
- 120 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
Easy breeding produces intense territorial defence; community plans frequently fail around a pair.
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fish · bottom / midwater
Firemouth cichlid
Thorichthys meeki
- From
- 150 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
Allow floor territory and visual barriers; threats intensify sharply during spawning.
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fish · bottom / midwater
Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher
- From
- 90 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
A bonded pair can defend a large cave territory, so peaceful behaviour outside spawning is not a guarantee of community safety.
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fish · midwater / bottom
Jack Dempsey cichlid
Rocio octofasciata
- From
- 250 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
A large territorial cichlid requiring sturdy decor, space and equally robust companions.
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fish · midwater / bottom
Green terror cichlid
Andinoacara rivulatus
- From
- 300 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
Adult males become large and forceful; generous footprint matters more than decorative tank volume.
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fish · bottom
Rainbow shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
- From
- 150 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
Keep one per normal aquarium and avoid similar-shaped bottom fish competing for the same space.
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fish · bottom
Red tail shark
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
- From
- 200 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
This endangered-in-the-wild cyprinid becomes highly territorial as it matures.
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fish · midwater
Bala shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
- From
- 600 L
- Group
- 5+
- Care
- advanced
A nervous, very large schooling fish unsuitable for all but exceptional home aquariums.
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fish · bottom
Senegal bichir
Polypterus senegalus
- From
- 300 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
A secure lid is essential; any tank mate that fits in its mouth should be considered prey.
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fish · all zones
Pea puffer
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
- From
- 60 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
Tiny size hides specialised feeding and territorial behaviour; species-focused setups are safest.
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fish · all zones
Common goldfish
Carassius auratus
- From
- 300 L
- Group
- 2+
- Care
- intermediate
A large, active cold-water fish with heavy waste production and a potential lifespan of decades.
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group · all zones
Fancy goldfish
Carassius auratus
- From
- 150 L
- Group
- 2+
- Care
- intermediate
Rounded fancy varieties are slower and should not compete with streamlined common goldfish.
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amphibian · bottom / surface
African dwarf frog
Hymenochirus boettgeri
- From
- 40 L
- Group
- 2+
- Care
- intermediate
A fully aquatic air-breather that feeds slowly; deep tanks and fast fish can prevent it reaching food.
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amphibian · bottom
Axolotl
Ambystoma mexicanum
- From
- 110 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
Cold water, low flow and species-only care prevent heat stress, gill damage and accidental ingestion.
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invertebrate · all surfaces
Cherry shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
- From
- 20 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- beginner
Mature biofilm and stable minerals support moulting; almost any fish may take shrimplets.
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invertebrate · all surfaces
Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata
- From
- 30 L
- Group
- 4+
- Care
- beginner
An effective grazer but not an algae solution; larvae require brackish development.
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invertebrate · bottom
Ghost shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
- From
- 25 L
- Group
- 6+
- Care
- intermediate
The trade name covers several transparent shrimp, so correct identification matters.
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invertebrate · all surfaces
Nerite snail
Vittina natalensis
- From
- 20 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- beginner
Excellent hard-surface grazers that need minerals; white eggs may be laid but do not hatch in freshwater.
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invertebrate · all surfaces
Mystery snail
Pomacea diffusa
- From
- 25 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- beginner
Leave a safe air gap for egg laying and avoid copper exposure or shell-eroding soft acidic water.
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invertebrate · substrate
Assassin snail
Anentome helena
- From
- 20 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- beginner
A snail-eating species, so it is incompatible with ornamental snails the keeper wants to retain.
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invertebrate · bottom
Rabbit snail
Tylomelania gemmifera
- From
- 45 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
Warm, alkaline water and a mature food supply support its slow growth and reproduction.
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invertebrate · bottom
Dwarf Mexican crayfish
Cambarellus patzcuarensis
- From
- 40 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- intermediate
Even dwarf crayfish can catch resting fish or shrimp; numerous hides reduce but do not remove risk.
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invertebrate · flow-facing perches
Bamboo shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
- From
- 75 L
- Group
- 1+
- Care
- advanced
Needs suspended microfoods delivered by clean, directed current and elevated feeding perches.
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