Freshwater fish are those that spend their entire lives in waters with salinity less than 1.05%, that is, in rivers, lakes or ponds More than 40% of the fish species that currently exist in the world live in this type of habitat and, for this, have developed different physiological characteristics throughout evolution, which allows them to be so successful. Such is the diversity that we can find a great variety of sizes and colors within the freshwater fish species. In fact, many of them are used in aquariums due to their spectacular shapes and designs.
Do you want to know which are the freshwater fish for aquarium? If you are thinking of setting up your own aquarium, don't miss this article on our site where we will tell you everything about these fish.
Aquarium for freshwater fish
Before incorporating freshwater fish into our aquarium, we must bear in mind that they have very different ecological requirements from those of s altwater. Next, we will see some of the characteristics to take into account when setting up our aquarium for freshwater fish:
- Compatibility between species: we must take into account which species we are going to have and confirm their compatibility with other species, since they exist some that cannot coexist with each other.
- Ecological requirements: inform us about the ecological requirements of each species, since it will not be the same for an angelfish than for a Blowfish. We must take into account the ideal temperature for each species, if it needs aquatic vegetation, the type of substrate, the oxygenation of the water, among other factors.
- Food: inform us about the food that each species needs, since there is a great variety and formats of food for freshwater fish, such as live, frozen, balanced or flaked food, among others.
- Necessary space: know the space that each species needs to, in this way, make sure that the aquarium will have enough space for our fish are in the best conditions.
These are some of the issues that we must take into account when having an aquarium for freshwater fish. However, to complete your aquarium, we recommend reading this other article on our site about Plants for freshwater aquariums.
Next, we will learn about the most striking species of fish for freshwater aquariums and their characteristics.
Freshwater fish names for aquarium
Neon tetra fish (Paracheirodon innesi)
The tetra belongs to the Characidae family and is one of the most common fish found in freshwater aquariums. Native to South America, where inhabits the Amazon River, the neon tetra needs warm water temperatures, between 20 and 26 ºCIn addition, they have physiological characteristics that allow them to adapt to waters with high levels of iron and other metals, which for other species could be fatal. This, added to its very striking color, its calm character and that it can live in schools, make it a highly appreciated fish for aquarium fans.
It measures about 4 cm and has transparent pectoral fins, a phosphorescent blue stripethat crosses its entire body on the sides, as well as a short red stripe from the middle of its body to the caudal fin. Its feed is omnivorous and it accepts balanced feed for fish, both of animal and vegetable origin, very well. On the other hand, since it does not eat the food that falls on the bottom, it is a good companion for bottom fish, such as those of the genus Corydoras spp.
Carp, goldfish or goldfish (Carassius auratus)
The goldfish is, without a doubt, the most famous aquarium fish, as it was one of the first species that humans domesticated and began to use for aquariums and private ponds. This species is found in the Cyprinidae family and is native to East Asia The gold carp is small compared to other species of carp, measuring approximately25 cm and adapts very well to different environmental conditions. However, its ideal water temperature is around 20 ºC In addition, it is a very long-lived species, since it can live close to30 years old
It is a very appreciated species within the aquarium hobby due to the great diversity of colors and shapes that they can have, since there are fish orange, red, yellow, black or white Some varieties have a more elongated body and others rounded, as well as their caudal fins, which can be forked, veil-shaped or pointed, among other shapes.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Native to Southeast Asia, the zebrafish belongs to the Cyprinidae family and is typical of rivers, lakes and lagoons. Its size is very small, it does not exceed 5 cm, the females being somewhat larger than the males and less elongated. It has a design with blue stripes longitudinally on the sides of its body, hence its name, and it seems to be silver in color, but it is practically transparent They are very docile, live in small groups and can coexist very well with other calm species.
The ideal temperature of the aquarium should not exceed 26 ºC and a detail to keep in mind is that these fish venture, from time to time, to jump on the surface, so it is vital to keep the aquarium covered with a mesh that prevents it from being thrown out.
If you are thinking of adopting a zebrafish, we encourage you to read this other article on Zebrafish Care.
Angelfish or scalar (Pterophyllum scalare)
The angelfish belongs to the Cichlidae family and is endemic to South AmericaIt is a medium-sized species, reaching 15 cm in length. It has a very stylized body shape. For this reason, added to its colors, it is highly sought after by aquarium lovers. From the side, their shape is similar to a triangle, with very long dorsal and anal fins, and they have a wide variety of colors, there may be gray or orange varieties and with dark spots.
It is a very sociable species, so it generally gets along well with other fish of a similar size, but being a omnivorous fish, could consume other small fish, such as neon fish, for example, so avoid mixing them with this type of species. The ideal temperature for the angelfish aquarium should be warm, between 24 to 28 ºC
To provide the best care for your pet, we recommend you read this other article on Angelfish Care.
Guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata)
Also known as guppies, guppy fish belong to the Poeciliidae family and are native to South America They are small fish, measuring about 5 cm females and males approximately 3 cm They have great sexual dimorphism, that is, they males and females are differentiated, presenting the first very colorful designs on the caudal fin, being larger and with blue, red, orange colors and often with brindle spots. The females, for their part, are greenish in color and only have orange or red coloration on the dorsal and caudal fins.
You should bear in mind that they are very restless fish, so they need a lot of space to swim and with a optimum temperature of 25 ºC , although it can withstand up to 28 ºC. It feeds both on live food (such as mosquito larvae or water fleas) and balanced food for fish, since it is an omnivorous species.
In this other article we show you which fish are compatible with guppies.
Dotted coridora (Corydoras paleatus)
Species of the Callichthyidae family and native to South America, it is one of the most commonly seen fish in freshwater tanks, since that in addition to being very beautiful, they play a very important role in the aquarium, added to the fact that they coexist perfectly with other species. This species is small in size, measuring about 5 cm, although the female can become somewhat larger.
They are responsible for keeping the bottom of the aquarium clean due to their eating habits, since, thanks to the shape of their body, ventrally flattened, are continuously stirring the bottom substrate in search of food, which otherwise decomposes and could cause he alth problems to the rest of the aquarium inhabitants. They also do this thanks to the tactile sensory appendages that they have under their jaw as a beard, and with which they can explore the bottom. The ideal temperature for the water in the coridora aquarium is between 22 and 28 ºC
Black Molly (Poecilia sphenops)
The molly belongs to the Poeciliidae family and is native to Central America and parts of South America. It has sexual dimorphism, since the female, in addition to being larger, since it measures around 10 cm, is orange, unlike the male who measures close to of 6 cm, it is more stylized and is black in color, hence its name.
This is a peaceful species that coexists very well with others of a similar size, such as guppies, coridora or angelfish. However, needs a lot of space in the aquarium, as it is a very restless fish. Its diet is omnivorous and it accepts both dry and live food, be it mosquito larvae or water fleas, among others, in addition to feeding on food of plant origin, especially algae, which it looks for in the aquarium, avoiding its excess. increase. Being a species of tropical waters, it needs an optimum temperature that varies between 24 and 28 ºC
Betta fish (Betta splendens)
Also known as the Siamese fighter, the betta fish is a species of the Osphronemidae family and is native to Southeast Asia Without a doubt, is one of the most striking and beautiful freshwater fish species that aquarium lovers choose for their aquariums. Medium in size, its length is about 6 cm and it has a wide variety of colors and shapes of its fins
There is sexual dimorphism in this species, and the male is the one with the most striking colors that vary between red, green, orange, blue, purple, among another range of colors that appear iridescent. Their tail fins also vary, as they can be highly developed and veil-shaped, while others are shorter. The males are quite aggressive and territorial with each other, since they can see them as competition for the females and attack them. In this way, it is advisable to have only one male with several females However, with males of other species, such as tetras, platies or catfish, they can get along well.
On the other hand, they prefer dry food and you have to take into account that there is specific food for betta fish. As for the ideal aquarium for bettas, they need warm water, between 24 and 30 ºCBefore you have a betta fish, find out very well, since this species is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Platy fish (Xiphophorus maculatus)
The platy is a freshwater fish of the Poeciliidae family, native to Central America Like other members of its family, such as This is the case of mollies and guppies, this species is very easy to care for, so it is also an excellent companion for other fish in your aquarium.
This is a small fish, about 5 cm approximately, the female being somewhat larger. Its coloration varies quite a bit, with individuals bicolor, orange or red, blue or black and with stripes It is a very prolific species and the males can be territorial, but without being dangerous to their peers. They feed on both algae and animal food. It is ideal that the aquarium has floating aquatic plants and some mosses, and the ideal temperature is around 22-28 ºC
Discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)
From the Cichlidae family, the discus fish is native to South America Flattened laterally and in disk-shaped, it can reach about 17 cm Its color can vary between brown, orange or yellow to blue or greenish tones.
Prefers to share territory with quiet fish such as mollys, tetras or platies, while more restless species such as guppies Angelfish or betta fish may not get along with discus fish as they can stress them out and lead to illness. In addition, they are sensitive to changes in the water, so it is advisable to keep it very clean and at temperatures between 26-30 ºC It feeds mainly on insects, but accepts balanced food and frozen insect larvae. Keep in mind that there is specific food for this species, so you need to be very well informed before adding a discus to your aquarium.
Pez gourami or pearl gourami (Trichogaster leeri)
The gourami belongs to the Osphronemidae family and is native to Asia Its elongated, laterally flattened body measures about12 cm It has a very striking coloration: its body is silver with brown tones and is covered by small moles similar to pearls, which has given its name to the species, in addition to having a dark zigzag-shaped line that crosses its body laterally from the snout to the caudal fin.
The male is distinguished by a more conspicuous coloration and a reddish belly, and the anal fin ends in thin filaments. It is a very peaceful species that gets along well with other fish. Regarding its diet, it prefers live food, such as mosquito larvae, although it accepts balanced food in flakes and occasionally algae very well. Its optimum temperature varies from 23 to 28 ºC, especially during the breeding season.
Ramirezi fish (Microgeophagus ramirezi)
From the Cichlidae family, the ramirezi is native to South America, more specifically from Colombia and Venezuela It is small, measuring 5 to 7 cm and is generally peaceful, but it is recommended that, if he lives with a female, they be alone, since he can be veryterritorial and aggressive during the breeding season. However, if they are not with a female, they can live peacefully with other similar species. In any case, it is recommended that live as a couple , since they do so in nature.
They have a very different coloration depending on the type of ramirezi fish, since there are orange, gold, blue and some with striped designs on the head or on the sides of the body. It feeds on both live and balanced food, and being a tropical climate species, it needs warm waters between 24 and 28 ºC
Other freshwater aquarium fish
Other popular freshwater aquarium fish are:
- Cherry barbel (Puntius titteya).
- Rainbow (Melanotaenia boesemani).
- Killi (Nothobranchius rachovii).
- Spotted Balloon (Tetraodon Nigroviridis).
- Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata).
- Golden Cleaner (Otocinclus affinis).
- Amber tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae).
- Danio galaxy (Danio margaritatus).
- Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus oblongus).
- Green neon (Paracheirodon simulans).