Fish Species for Aquariums

Angelfish

• The angelfish, available in a wide range of colors and sizes, is known for its distinct appearance with a diamond-shaped body and dramatic coloring and fin shape. Regardless of variety, angelfish are semi-aggressive and need plenty of space to swim. Freshwater angelfish need water temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s range while saltwater angels need slightly cooler water in the 72 to 78 Fahrenheit degree range.

Platys

• The platy, a small, easily-managed freshwater fish, is as peaceful as it is colorful. These small live-bearing fish can begin producing offspring at 3 to 4 months old and will eat any flaked commercial foods and freeze-dried brine shrimp and bloodworms. They can tolerate water of about 64 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit between 7.0 and 8.2 on the pH scale in an aquarium of at least 10 gallons.

Neon Swordtails

• The neon swordtail is a vibrant live-bearing freshwater fish that grows to about 4 inches long at adulthood and would be quite compatible with the platy as it needs the same temperature and pH level in its water. The neon swordtail also mixes well with the equally peaceful mollies and guppies and need plenty of swimming space in a 20-gallon well-planted aquarium.

Leopard Ctenopoma

• The leopard ctenopoma is true to its name, having the spots and coloring of a leopard. This freshwater fish grows to about 6 inches long and needs a tank of at least 50 gallons to call home. The leopard ctenopoma is an aggressive carnivore, so it needs to be in an aquarium with fish comparable in size and aggression level. The ctenopoma needs water in the 73 to 82 Fahrenheit degree range with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

Cichlids

• The cichlid species come in a variety of colors, from brilliant blue, orange and yellow, to more subdued black, silver and brown. All have some variety of stripes with spots on or near their fins and make a colorful addition to a freshwater 50-gallon or larger aquarium. Cichlids' water should be kept at 76 to 82 Fahrenheit degrees with a pH level of 7.8 to 8.6. The cichlid grows to roughly 5 or 6 inches long and is semi-aggressive. For your cichlids to reproduce, you'll need to have one male to a minimum of three females. Provide them with plenty of hiding spots in rocks, caves and dense vegetation.

Barracuda

• The barracuda is intimidating in appearance and presence and can be more difficult to maintain than other fish. This freshwater aquarium fish thrives in a 70-gallon or larger tank with plenty of open swimming space and driftwood to help the water maintain a slightly acidic pH level. The barracuda will grow to a maximum length of 11 inches and is a fierce predator, so it needs to have plenty of small fish to eat while sharing its home with fish of equal aggression level and size.

Gobies

• The goby species of salt-water fish are available in a wide variety of colors and comical features. From the chubbier clown goby in orange or green to the long and thin court jester and diamond watchman goby, these animated fish are carnivores but are small and docile, spending their days feeding on tiny shrimp and resting on branched corals. The goby needs at least a 10-gallon tank of 72 to 78 degree Fahrenheit water that has a pH level of 8.1 to 8.4.

Puffers and Lionfish

• Puffer fish add a comic relief and dash of color to a salt-water aquarium while lionfish add the dramatic flair. Both fish can poison tank companions that get too close; the puffer doubles its size when on the defensive, exposing more of the poisonous parts of its flesh, while the tips of the lionfish's spines emit poison as a defense mechanism. Both species need 72 to 78 degree Fahrenheit water and both do best in a fish-only environment. The 30-gallon or larger tank should contain vegetation in which to hide and plenty open space to swim.