That said, are there any other cool fish that we didnt mention?

Their muscular bodies feature unique drawbridge shaped mouths and tiny tailfins. Diet: Live fish, including piranhas and other characins. Learn how your comment data is processed. They are interactive, curious fish that have been known to interact with their owners- some even like to be pet! Like all rainbowfish, Boesemanis have very large mouths, but their throats are narrow. So you might be surprised to learn that the slow moving waters of the Amazon river basin and other shallow tributaries are actually home to some of the most exotic freshwater fish- many of which you can introduce to your own hobby aquarium. Like several other exotic freshwater fish, zebra Plecostomus are native to the tributaries of the Amazon river. These cichlids are muscular and streamlined, designed for their predatory nature. If you did, please remember to share this article with your friends!

Some fish to consider might be angelfish, catfish, Plecostomus, Oscars, and cichlids, but there is no guarantee of keeping a peaceful tank with arowanas if the individual fish do not get along. The Bloodfin Tetra eats most small foods, including daphnia, brine shrimp, freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex, micro pellet food, and tropical flakes. The Silver Arowana (sometimes spelled arawana) is unique because of its large scales, slender shape, large size and short fins. This South American river species has earned another distinction as well: A slight mutation caused one particular arowana to have a glowing white appearance. The price tag for this fish was said to run into the tens of thousands. The cleanliness of the water must also be maintained more regularly than some other fish, as ghostfish produce more waste. These are labyrinth fish that enjoy life in a heavily planted tank that includes floating plants. You can read more about 20 gallon tanks here.

Youll need a setup with a decent flow to replicate the fast-moving streams in which the Roseline Torpedo Shark is found in nature, and dissolved oxygen levels in the water should be high. Freshwater lionfish (slao called stonefish) are predatory fish that resemble their saltwater cousins in habit as well as appearance. They use their unique physical traits as camouflage, sitting motionless, like a rock, until feeder fish (or misplaced tank-mates) swim close enough to eat. As long as this is maintained, dwarf puffers make an excellent choice for any freshwater fish enthusiast! These are big fish, and they can be destructive in a planted tank, so any live plants must be secured in pots to protect their roots from the digging activities of the Flowerhorn. They can be kept with a few other dwarf puffers, but generally should not have any other tankmates.

For the fish to remain healthy, the water must be warm, acidic, and soft, and youll need a very efficient filtration system. Check out our infographic and dont forget to share! Feed these challenging fish tropical flakes, pellets, and frozen meaty foods too. The Bolivian Ram is also known as the Red Ram or Butterfly Ram.

These nocturnal fishes are peaceful, getting along well with other benign community species.

We hope you enjoyed the list of our favorite cool fish species.

These are carnivorous fish in nature, and must be fed a meaty diet that includes live foods, as well as frozen items. Feed these omnivores a diet of cichlid pellets, flake foods, and frozen bloodworms, ocean plankton, and tubifex. in their lower jaws designed to impale their prey. If you want to enjoy keeping a striking feature fish that has the personality to match his good looks, you need a Crowntail betta! Loaches are scaleless fish, and that can leave them susceptible to attack by parasites and some bacterial diseases too. Water temperature: From 64 to 75 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 68 to 78 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 72 to 75 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 79 to 86 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 66 to 72 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 72 to 80 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 72 to 77 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 74 to 79 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 72 to 79 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 72 to 82 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 60 to 77 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 75 to 86 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 75 to 82 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 73 to 79 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 77 to 82 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 64 to 77 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 75 to 80 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 73 to 82 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 68 to 82 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 73 to 77 Fahrenheit, Water temperature: From 64 to 82 Fahrenheit. Rainbowfish are peaceful creatures that can also do well in a community tank. A majority of the freshwater fish tanks currently sitting in living rooms and bedrooms around the world probably hold traditional aquarium staples: guppies, goldfish and tetras. And why not? Popular aquarium species became so because they are cheap, readily available and (relatively) easy to care for. But there are also plenty of unique and unusual aquarium residents. Some of these fall into the realm of strange animals, while others are simply extraordinarily colorful or seemingly out of place in a freshwater aquarium.

During that time, open the top of the. The Boesemani Rainbowfish is a beautiful fish that looks absolutely gorgeous when displayed in a school in a heavily planted aquarium with a dark substrate and plenty of rockwork. These gorgeous little fish are a riot of color, as well as being very easy to look after. Angelfish are quite large, and they do need lots of swimming space, as well as rocks, driftwood, and plants in their setup. These pretty little fishes are omnivorous, thriving on a diet of flake food, vegetable matter, and frozen foods, including bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex. These fish are best for more experienced hobbyists, and are very exotic fish to keep in a home aquarium! Neons are omnivorous, thriving on a diet of tropical flake food and micro-pellets, supplemented with frozen food, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. These carnivorous fishes are brightly colored with blue to yellow body coloration augmented by brilliant orange stripes and spots. These fish appreciate muddy, stagnant waters with dense foliage, and are most active at night. The Black Molly is an all-black variant of the Molly fish. Keep these fishes in small schools in a tank that has a tightly fitting lid, as they do jump. The real issue with snakeheads is their size requirements- these fish can grow very large and require tanks of at least 450+ gallons, making them impractical for many hobbyists. They possess an interesting yellow and black coloration and somewhat resemble plecos and other bottom feeders. Once a month, clean the filter system and replace cartridges as necessary. Even if the vampire tetras are adapted to living in a captive aquarium, many do not live for very long as they require a great deal of space, rapid turnover in their water flow, and will sometimes be hesitant to feed in captivity. When considering the shallow freshwater rivers of Africa, South America, and Asia, the word exotic may not necessarily come to mind. If you have a very large tank and youre looking for a cool fish that has a distinctive appearance, look no further than the Flowerhorn Cichlid, so named for the brightly colored hump that grows on the fishs head. These fish are known to sometimes suffer from health problems as they are a hybrid fish and are not naturally occurring- they have been bred into existence intentionally. Keep these peaceful fishes in small schools in species-only tanks or with other non-aggressive companions. The flow through the tank should be moderate, and youll need to keep the water pristine for these guys to thrive. When fed a good quality diet and kept in the right conditions, these fish will spawn readily. BuildYourAquarium.com is supported by our readers. Your aquarium filter contains mechanical and biological elements, and some have a chemical element too. If you live somewhere that you are able to keep this fish, then prepare yourself for the challenge that is the Vampire Tetra. They are so named for their trunk-like mouth extensions that they use to feed, communicate, and provide self-defense. However, they share the flattened head and scaly pattern as well unusual tentacles that emerge from its face and serve as nostrils.

Feed your betta high-quality flake food, as well as freeze-dried and frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. They are probably known best for their tendency to hunt by jumping out of the water for short periods of time and preying upon animals on low lying tree branches. They have no scales, and instead have a deep black skin and a flat, knife-like body that narrows towards the tail, ending in a narrow blade. In nature, the Cyrtocara Moorii is a semi-aggressive, carnivorous predator, and as such isnt suitable for life in a community tank, unless kept with other cichlid species of a similar disposition and size. Gars do not have lungs, but have an incredibly thin, long body shape. They are more difficult to keep than lungfish, but their quick movements and unique predatory behaviors make them attractive to more experience hobbyists. They are nocturnal, and their natural habitat (African river tributaries) features many low lying branches, plants, and natural hiding spots, which they appreciate in aquariums. These fish are primarily carnivorous, although mine did enjoy grazing on algae too. Goldfish have been bred to create uniquely shaped fish for years. You may find bug-eyed, bubble-cheeked, long finned varieties out there, there are some, like the Ranchu, that are even more unusual. This partiular breed is prized, though it seems to be lackinga face (its eyes and mouth are obscured by the tissue that surrounds its head). It is best to keep these fish in shallow tanks with other butterflyfish in order to keep them healthy and happy. Even though youre super-excited about buying your new fish, dont just tip them straight into your tank! When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Wolf cichlids are as aggressive as they are striking. Flowerhorns are categorized as aggressive fish due to their attitude towards any other fish species.

Youll need a fairly large tank thats at least 12 inches deep, planted with lots of lush growth and floating plants that provide plenty of hiding places for these labyrinth fish. However, if they are provided with the water and tank requirements they need, they can live happily and healthily as long as 12 years! Arowanas are used to having a large range with low light, to mimic their natural environment of the Amazon river. These little loaches can be very entertaining to watch, and are an excellent addition to a community freshwater tank! These fish are native to the Niger River in Africa, and are even more special due to the electrical field it has developed to sense its surroundings and communicate in the murky waters that it calls home.

To encourage spawning, feed the fish live foods and place the breeding tank where it will receive a small amount of sunlight. These unusual, almost transparent fishes are reasonably easy to care for, although they do need to live in a school in a well-oxygenated tank with excellent filtration and plenty of open water swimming space. These lively, sociable fish can be kept in large schools in a bigger tank to create a spectacular, colorful display. How to Feed Freshwater Shrimp (The Right Way), 22 Easy Betta Fish Plants for Beginners (The Complete Guide), Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus): The Complete Care Guide, Java Moss (Vesicularia Dubyana): The Ultimate Care & Info Guide, 15 Best Aquarium Carpet Plants Ranked by Difficulty (Species Guide), Diet: Live or frozen insects, small fish, krill, worms, shrimp, and carnivorous fish pellets, Diet: Algae flakes, shrimp pellets, tropical fish flakes, Water requirements: 82-86 F, 6.5-7.5 pH, oxygen-rich water, Diet: Frozen or live lobster eggs, blood worms, prawn, mussel, algae wafers, crushed peas, and pellets, Diet: Live bloodworms, mosquito larvae, black flies, brine shrimp; some may eat flakes or frozen food as well, Diet: Live small fish, brine shrimp, insects, and some frozen foods, Tank requirements: 75+ gallons for one cichlid, 200+ with tankmates, Diet: Crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms, anchovies, frozen shrimp, Tank requirements: 10+ gallons per puffer fish, Diet: Bloodworms, shrimp, snails, blackworms, Diet: Fish, crustaceans, birds, small mammals and reptiles. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. However, these fish are popular for more than just their appearances- they also have incredible personality! The levels of ammonia and nitrite should be zero, and nitrate levels should be no more than 20 ppm (parts per million). If you do decide to breed from your Checkerboard Discus, you should use a separate breeding tank, as this species can become territorial during breeding. If you dont have a lot of algae growing in your tank, youll need to supplement the American Flagfishs diet with algae wafers. Once your tank is set up, you need to keep it clean and well-maintained. That said, you do need an efficient filtration system and you must keep the tank clean, as Powder Blue Dwarf Gouramis will become stressed if conditions deteriorate. The Platy is a popular favorite thats ideal for beginners, being easy to care for and extremely quick to reproduce in the home tank. The American Flagfish is an easy-to-care-for killifish that is well-known for both its algae-eating services and its stunning colors. This formidable creature is native to the Amazon river, where its main prey is the man-eating piranha! Even the most unusual small freshwater fish specimens are typically much less expensive to buy than marines, theyre often less prone to serious disease, and they are easier to care for too. You cant keep two male betta fish together, but most individuals will be fine when kept in a peaceful community of fish of a similar size. If that difference is .4 to 0.8, continue to do that for two hours. Loaches are shy fish that need an environment with plenty of hiding places and thick planting. These captive-bred danios are available in super-bright red, green, orange, blue, and purple. The beautiful Pearl Gourami is a cool fish that gives you plenty of bang for your buck in terms of looks while also being super-easy to keep. More advanced hobbyists may want to keep discus within a community tank, but beginners should house discus only with other discus in a 75+ gallon tank. The GloFish Danio is omnivorous, thriving on a staple diet of tropical flake and frozen, meaty foods. You will be able to find some species of cichlids in a pet store. Some, like tilapia, can be found at a grocery store. Many of these fish have impressive colors and sleek shapes, traits that are usually reserved for saltwater fish. Most species are only found in Africas Great Lakes (Victoria, Malawi, and Tanganyika). This freshwater shrimp is often used as fodder for large aquarium fish. They have recently become more popular as a pet because they are easy to care for and breed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I have these in one of my tanks, and they are my personal favorites. They are nocturnal and tend to be more active at night. To get the best from these pretty little fishes you do need a reasonable sized aquarium with a tightly fitting lid to keep these confirmed jumpers from leaping out.

These shy fish tend to hide amongst the algae as they feed, and you might not see them very much throughout the day. Keep an eye on the water temperature to make sure that your heater is working correctly, and check the water chemistry every few days.

This cichlid species likes lots of hiding places among rocky terrain, and the substrate of the tank should be sandy to allow the fish to dig without sustaining an injury. The Honey Gourami is an omnivore, eating vegetable and algae-based foods, as well as meaty proteins, including frozen and freeze-dried tubifex, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. When you set up a new aquarium, its essential that you cycle the tank before you put fish in it.

If you want to encourage spawning, youll need to include caves in your tank decorations. Bloodfin Tetras create a spectacular display when kept in schools in a nicely aquascaped tank containing plenty of plants, rocks, and driftwood. Also, youll need to use a very efficient filtration system and carry out weekly water changes to keep the tank in pristine condition. Neon tetras are peaceful little fishes that can be kept in a community setup with other small, non-aggressive tankmates. Thats a tank that has plants extending above the water surface, as well as underwater life. These stunning little fishes make the ideal starter fish for a kids tank or an eye-catching specialty aquarium. The flattened shape and unique scales of the fishes head resembles a snake, giving it the name. Plants and decorations should be rinsed in tank water containing antibacterial treatment to kill off any nasties, and then added to your main aquarium. You can breed Bristlenose Plecos in the home tank, and watching the male fish guarding his eggs and fry is fascinating, especially for kids. Discus are native to the Amazon river delta, but they generally seek out calmer waters near the river banks, among fallen branches and trees. These exotic fish resemble butterflies when viewed from above, and they have long dorsal, ventral, and caudal fins that help enhance this illusion. These peaceful, labyrinth fish make an excellent addition to a community tank, preferring lots of planting and floating plants too, and they are extremely easy to look after.

These fish prefer a shady habitat with lots of dense covers and subdued lighting. Golden Wonder Killifish are native to the brackish and freshwater streams, marshes, and ponds of Africa, and their name, Killy, is taken from the Dutch for channel or ditch. Additionally, being that they are nocturnal, their feeding schedule may not be ideal for all hobbyists. These weird creatures are totally transparent, enabling you to see the fishs internal organs and skeleton. With their glittering, iridescent blue coloring and brilliant red tail, these gorgeous little fishes look absolutely stunning when kept in schools of six or more individuals.

These are a peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with other species of a similar size and temperament. Dwarf puffers are native to southwestern India (specifically the Pamba River), which contains only freshwater, making this species of puffers unique and perfectly suited to the freshwater hobby aquarium. Black knife ghostfish are peaceful, and appreciate many hiding places in their tank. It is also not a good idea to add plants to a wolf cichlid tank, as they will uproot the plants with their voracious digging activity! The Nitrogen Cycle, as its called, can take up to six weeks to kick in properly, and is absolutely crucial for a safe, healthy tank. If fed a good quality diet of tropical flake food, freeze-dried and frozen proteins such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex, these pretty rasboras will spawn in your tank. These omnivorous fishes do well on a varied diet of flakes, freeze-dried bloodworms, and frozen tubifex and brine shrimp. These peaceful omnivores should be kept in schools of eight to ten individuals and make a nice addition to a community setup of similar-sized, small fishes. The Spawning Process Explained, How Many Fish Per Gallon? Remove the fish from the bag using a net, and carefully put them into the tank, discarding the water in the bag. Agassizii Dwarf Cichlids eat flake foods, micro pellets, frozen bloodworms, Mysis shrimp, and similar.

This one is for the books. Powder Blue Dwarf Gouramis are a color variant of the regular Dwarf Gourami. Honey Gouramis are peaceful fishes that make good community residents, although they can become territorial when spawning. If the water temperature is kept at the upper end of the gouramis preferred range, they will spawn readily, building bubble nests and establishing territories in the tank. They can range from silver to gold with blue, black, green, and/or purple speckled scales. Busting The Common Aquarium Myth, How to Set up a Freshwater Shrimp Tank: The Definitive Guide, Harlequin Shrimp Care, Information, & Pictures, What Do Shrimp Eat? These peaceful carnivores can be kept in a community of other large fish, but they do best in a same-species setup where they can pair naturally. Diet: Insects, bloodworms, small crustaceans, beef heart, etc. The Peacock Gudgeon is omnivorous, enjoying a diet of flake food, frozen and freeze-dried meaty protein foods, including brine shrimp and bloodworms. In the other, she has a happy community of tiger barbs, green tiger barbs, corydoras catfish, platys, and mollies. Flowerhorn cichlids are among the most unique freshwater fish due to their appearance- the large horn-like growth on the front of their heads that is also their namesake. One of the characteristics that set this fish apart is the fact that it actually requires air to stay alive, and will often surface or even jump to the surface to breathe before submerging again. However, if you have the space they can be a very unique pet to keep, and definitely a conversation starter! These fish are happiest when kept in small schools, and they will pair off as they mature. Like other gourami species, the Pearl Gourami is a bubble nester that will spawn in captivity, provided that conditions are good. These teeth could seriously injure any tank mates, which is why they are best kept alone. The African Butterflyfish is a lake and slow-moving river fish native to Africa with an impressive history- it is one of the oldest surviving fish species whose morphology has remained unchanged for over 100 million years! These bottom-dwelling omnivorous fishes eat fish flake, freeze-dried bloodworms, sinking herbivore pellets, algae, and leftover food that drifts down from above. Bettas are sensitive to sudden fluctuations in temperature, and you need an efficient filtration system to keep the water clean. Levels that are too high could indicate a problem with your filter system or potential overstocking of the tank. Plecos need a well-oxygenated tank with highly efficient filtration and good water movement. The Archer Fish is a tropical, schooling species that can live in brackish or freshwater. The first tank has two huge fancy goldfish who are almost ten years old and still looking as good as ever. You can read more about the Nitrogen Cycle in our detailed guide. They need an abundance of space, and even with a large enough tank will tend to jump and be skittish around changing conditions. Platys are omnivores that will thrive on flaked foods, algae, and a range of freeze-dried, frozen, and live meaty foods, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex. When youre happy that the fish are healthy, you can put them into your display tank. The semi-aggressive Arowana fish are powerful swimmers built for their native South American Amazon river. These eye-catching fish are omnivorous, eating a variety of staple aquarium fish foods, including tropical flake, pellets, fresh, or frozen foods. These eel-like fish do not grow as large as snakeheads, and require smaller tanks. Ghost Glass Catfish are such cool fish! Feed tropical flakes, live, and frozen meaty foods. I kept a small sorority of female bettas with my male Crowntail, and they spawned readily in my tank, which is good news if you fancy breeding bettas. Despite these challenges, arowanas are rewarding and unique fish to keep and are considered by some to be the crowning jewel of an exotic freshwater hobbyists collection.