Types Of Small Aquarium Fish

There are several types of small aquarium fish that do better in the smaller environment. Here are a few that are great for starters. Tetras are great small aquarium fish due to their like of cold water. They are best in a small school. A guppy is a very small fish, and also does well in colder water A platy is a very colorful fish, and it also adapts well to various small aquarium environments. The Danio is a very hardy small aquarium fish....

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African Cichlids Fish

First off, cichlids is pronounced “Sick-Lids”. African Cichlids are fish found in Three lakes in Africa; Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria. The Victorian Species are less numerous and usually less colorful than the others. These fish usually grow to about six or seven inches long, with the exception of the Frontosoa Species, which grow to about twelve to fourteen inches in length. Fortunately, these fish are freshwater, and easy to raise in a home aquarium, the only requirement being that they have water with a higher pH level and plenty of hiding spots (they can be quite aggressive!). There are also species of Cichlids that live in ...

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Coral Beauty Fish

A small angelfish, usually available at your local pet store, they really are a fish one needs to see in person to have a full appreciation of their color. These fish are usually keepable in any marine aquarium and are very har...

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The Siamese Fighting-Betta splendens

For hundred of years, the Siamese Fighting Fish or Betta splendens, has been kept and cultivated by people in Thailand (Siam). Today, the Betta is popular throughout the world – though not for the purpose of fish fighting but as a peaceful aquarium resident. Through years of selective breeding, pet store Bettas look vastly different from their original, wild-caught ancestors. Instead of just a few colors, they can now be purchased in an array of hues including red, blue, turquoise, black, white, yellow, and brown.In addition, their fins have greatly increased in size and are much more elaborate; among the different types of hybrids...

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Twin Spot Wrasse (Coris aygula)

The Twin Spot Wrasse or Coris aygula is just one of the over 500 different species of Wrasse fish on the planet! This saltwater fish can be differentiated from other species by the two dark spots that adorn its dorsal fin when it is young. It will also have a silver coloration with dark spots on its head. As it grows older, it will turn a dark bluish green and develop a white or green band around its body. They will look like a totally different species to tell you the tru...

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Cave Transparent Goby (Coryphopterus glaucofrenum)

The Cave Transparent Goby or Coryphopterus glaucofrenum is a saltwater fish that makes a great addition to most aquariums. This fish is considered to be very easy to take care of, and is certainly interesting to watch. As you can imagine with a name like the Cave Transparent Goby, this fish has a body that is partially transparent along with a series of orange spots that cover its entire body, including its head, fins and tail.This species of Goby is native to Maldives where it is found around reefs. In an aquarium setting this fish only requires about a 10 gallon tank with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4,...

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Emperor Red Snapper (Lutjanus sebae)

The Emperor Red Snapper or Lutjanus sebae is yet another saltwater fish that changes its colors over its lifetime. When this species of Snapper is young it has a series of red and black stripes set against its white body. As it grows larger, these stripes tend to fade, and eventually disappear. By the time it is all over, the fish is a reddish pink and looks completely different then it did when it was younger.Also known as the Sebae Snapper, this fish grows quickly, reaching about 2-1/2' in maximum length over its lifetime. Even though they get this large, people still try to house them in an aquarium. One of 200 gallons or more...

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Bartlett's Anthias (Pseudanthias bartlettorum)

The Bartlett's Anthias or Pseudanthias bartlettorum is a very colorful fish that originates in the waters off of the Marshall Islands. Also known as the Bartletts Fairy Bass or Christmas Island Anthias, they can grow to about 3-1/2" in maximum length. These fish are made up of purples, oranges and tend to have a yellow on their backs and down into their tales. One crazy fact about this fish is that they can change sexes over their lifetime! If the dominate male dies, the largest female will actually morph into a male!Bartlett's Anthias fish are kept in an aquarium setting on occasion, although they are not the easiest to care for....

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Dalmatian Molly (Poecilia latipinna)

The Dalmatian Molly or Poecilia latipinna is also known as the Marbled Molly and has the ability to survive in freshwater or saltwater. This species of Molly is a hybrid version of the Sailfin Molly which has the same scientific name. As you can imagine, this hybrid version is black and white, much like a Dalmatian D...

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Shy Hamlet (Hypoplectrus guttavarius)

The Shy Hamlet or Hypoplectrus guttavarius is a saltwater fish that is found in the Atlantic Ocean around reefs in waters of up to 30 meters deep. This colorful fish has a yellow head that has iridescent blue lines in it. Its body is normally brown or black with its fins yellow to match its head.Also known as the Bad Lucks, Golden Hamlet and the Vaca Bicolor these fish are often found in pairs near the bottom. They are not very large, only growing to about 13cm in maximum length. Sky Hamlet fish are kept in an aquarium setting, but it is rare to find them in a pet stor...

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Squareback Anthias (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia)

The Squareback Anthias or Pseudanthias pleurotaenia is a saltwater fish that goes by a few different names including the Purple Blotch Basslet, Squareblock, Mirror Anthias, Square-Spot Fairy Basslet and Squarespot. Females of this species are yellow with a purple underside. Males are mostly pink with a purple underside and a lighter colored rectangle on their sides. They are not particularly large, only growing to about 4" in length....

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Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)

The Blue Sapphire Damselfish or Chrysiptera springeri is one cool looking saltwater fish. This species of Damselfish has a striking pattern of blue up against a dark body that really makes it stick out from the crowd. When the Blue Sapphire Damselfish is in trouble though, they can actually make their blue disappear to help blend in to their surroundings. These fish originate from the Solomon Islands and only grow to about 3-1/2" in maximum length.As you can imagine, the Blue Sapphire Damselfish is quite popular in the aquarium trade. They are considered very easy to care for and only require an aquarium of about 25 gallons. The...

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Jackknife Fish (Equetus lanceolatus)

The Jackknife Fish or Equetus lanceolatus is one of the oddest shaped fish in all of the world. These fish originate from the Caribbean and have very long dorsal and caudal fins. As you can see, these fins almost resemble a jackknife, hence the name, the Jackknife Fish.These saltwater fish are silver with thick black lines running through their bodies. As you can imagine their strange shape and striking colors make this a great fish to house in a saltwater aquarium. Unfortunately, they are not the easiest fish to care for. They require a tank of 80 gallons or more with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4,...

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Jardini Arowana (Scleropages jardini)

The Jardini Arowana or Scleropages jardini is one of the few different species of Arowana fish. These freshwater fish are often called Gulf Saratoga Barramundi, or Northern Spotted Barramundi. They have the classic elongated Arowana body with a bony tongue and markings on their tails and fins. Once very hard to find in the wild, these fish have been successfully bred in captivity, and have since become a popular aquarium fish. You can check out the Jardini Arowana in the video below... Reaching almost 2-1/2' these fish require a large aquarium of well over 100 gallons with the following water conditions, 75-86° F, KH 1-10 and pH 6.9-7.1....

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Goo Obo Gudgeon (Mogurnda nesolepis)

The Goo Obo Gudgeon or Mogurnda nesolepis is a beautiful freshwater fish that gets its name from the Goo Obo Falls in Papua New Guinea, where is was first discovered. These fish are often kept in an aquarium setting and come in a variety of colors. Females of this species will range from yellow to a dark orange with a red underbelly. They tend to be larger than their male counterparts who can be green or orange with red spots on their body.Goo Obo Gudgeon are very peaceful and considered to be easy to care for as well. The following water conditions in a freshwater aquarium are acceptable, 74-82° F, KH 2-5 and pH 5.5-7.0. The great...

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Freckled Hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri)

The Freckled Hawkfish or Paracirrhites forsteri is just one of the over 30 species of Hawkfish on the planet earth. As you can see in the pictures, this species gets its name from the freckles that cover their faces and heads. These saltwater fish go by a couple different names as well including the Forster's Hawkfish, and the Blackside Hawkfish.Freckled Hawkfish are often kept in an aquarium and should be purchased when they are young to fully appreciate them. When they are juveniles this fish will often be burgundy with a yellow tail. As they grow older, they can become brown, pink or olive in color. One thing that stays the same...

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African Butterfly Fish (Pantodon buchholzi)

The African Butterfly Fish or Pantodon buchholzi is an odd looking freshwater fish that is found in many lakes in Africa. As you can see, this fish has a series of strange fins that look like a birds wings, a lot like the Flying Fish of the ocean. African Butterflyfish are speckled with a dark black or brown body. They are not very large only growing to about 4" in maximum length. This fish's strange appearance makes it fairly popular in the world of aquatic pets. They only require an aquarium of about 40 gallons with the following water conditions, 75-86° F, KH 1-10 and pH 6.9-7.1. Be sure you provide them with plenty of plants to...

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Blue Star Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon bipartitus)

The Blue Star Leopard Wrasse or Macropharyngodon bipartitus is one of the over 500 different species of Wrasse Fish in the world. This particular species is from the Labridae family, and goes by a few different names including the Vermiculite Wrasse, and the Divided Wrasse. These fish originate from Africa, and are quite small, only growing to about 5" in maximum length. As you can see, they are brilliantly colored with yellows, oranges, browns and a series of light blue spots that cover its body. Their distinct coloration makes them a favorite pet for an aquarium. If you are considering buying a Blue Star Leopard Wrasse for your...

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Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides)

The Scissortail Dartfish or Ptereleotris evides is one of the easiest saltwater fish to care for in an aquarium setting. This fish only requires an aquarium of about 35 gallons with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 and sg 1.020-1.025. They are carnivores that require a meaty diet including brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and other meaty preparations. Pellet food and flake food is acceptable as well. Scissortail Dartfish are sometimes referred to as Scissortail Goby, Black Fin Dart Goby and the Black Fin Dartfish depending on the pet store. This fish can easily be identified by its elongated body and large dorsal...

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Redtail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus)

The Redtail Catfish or Phractocephalus hemioliopterus is a large species of Catfish that was first discovered in South America. This fish has since made its way into the aquarium trade, despite its very large size. Reaching 4' and almost 100lbs in the wild, these fish should only be kept in a VERY large aquarium. Due to the lack of space in most aquarium settings, these fish rarely reach over 2' in length in captivity....

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Convict Tang (Acanthurus triostegus)

The Convict Tang or Acanthurus triostegus, much like the Convict Cichlid, gets its name from the vertical stripes that this fish looks like it belongs in a prison. Convict Tangs have six of this vertical stripes that are black in color. Their white or silver bodies, with a bit of yellow really makes these stripes pop out and makes it a great addition to any aquarium.Convict Tangs are not very big, only growing to about 8" in maximum length. They can live to about 7 years old, and are native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the wild they are almost always found in schools, sometimes these groups can number into the thousands!...

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Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)

The Chevron Tang or Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis is a species of Tang that goes by a few different names including the Hawaiian Bristletooth, Hawaiian Surgeonfish and the Black Surgeonfish. This saltwater fish was first discovered in the Christmas Islands, which are located in the Indian Ocean. Chevron Tangs have the classic Tang oval shaped bodies with very large dorsal and anal fins. They have a series of odd markings that change as the fish gets older. When they are young this fish is orange with purple markings, but as it grows older the purple turns to an olive brown and more lines become pronounced. As you can imagine these fish are...

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Silver Dollar (Metynnis argenteus)

The Silver Dollar or Metynnis argenteus is a freshwater fish that gets its name from its round shape and silver coloration. Originating in South America, this fish is often kept in an aquarium and is considered to be very easy to care for. They are also inexpensive and can be kept in groups of three or more so they work well in community aquariums. They rarely reach more than 6" in length and can live up to 10 years old. The males of this species will normally have a bit of red on their anal fins....

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Decorated Rabbitfish (Siganus puellus)

The Decorated Rabbitfish or Siganus puellus is just one of the over 25 different species of Rabbitfish. This particular species is also sometimes known as the Masked Spinefoot, and was first discovered off the coast of Australia. Decorated Rabbitfish are usually found in pairs in relatively shallow waters around reefs.Decorated Rabbitfish are very popular in the aquarium trade, because of their beautiful markings and striking yellow coloration. These salt water fish have a black stripe that runs from the bottom of their mouth to the tops of their heads and adds to their unique look. This black stripe turns into black spots...

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Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)

The Court Jester Goby or Amblygobius rainfordi is a species of Goby from the Gobiidae family that is not only colorful, but easy to take care of as well. These saltwater fish go by a few different names in the aquarium trade including Old Glory, Red Lined Goby and the Rainford's Goby. Like other Gobies, they are not very large only growing to about 2-1/2" in maximum length. This makes them a perfect starter saltwater fish for an aquarium of 10 gallons or more with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 and sg 1.020-1.025. Court Jester Gobies are green and blue with orange/red stripes that run horizontally from...

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Gold Datnoid (Datnioides undecimradiatus)

The Gold Datnoid or Datnioides undecimradiatus is a freshwater fish with a rather large head for its body size with a mostly white and yellowed body with dark stripes. This fish is sometimes referred to as the Siamese Tigerfish, the Mekong Tiger Perch and the Thinbar Datnoid. It doesn't have anything on a the Goliath Tigerfish, but this fish is a predat...

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Weeksii Bichir (Polypterus weeksii)

The Weeksii Bichir or Polypterus weeksii is a rather odd looking creature that looks more like a snake than a freshwater fish. Originating in the Congo in Africa, This fish from the Polypteridae has since made its way into the aquarium trade. As you can see in the pictures, they have a large head and black banding on their bodies. ...

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Emerald Eye Rasbora (Rasbora dorsiocellata)

The Emerald Eye Rasbora or Rasbora dorsiocellata is a small freshwater fish that does well in community aquariums. This species of Rasbora only grows to about 2-1/2" (6cm), so this little guy only requires an aquarium of 10 gallons or more with the following water conditions, 73-79° F, KH 3-7 and pH 6.0-7.5.The Emerald Eye Rasbora goes by a few different names including the Ocellated Rasbora, Hi-spot Rasbora, and Eyespot Rasbora. This species originates from inside Asia and can be identified by its dorsal fin which is yellow with a black spot near the center.If you are thinking of buying a Emerald Eye Rasbora for your aquarium you might...

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