Save the Little Fish

Saving the world’s tropical fish, one tank at a time.

Freshwater fishes

The fish list

499 species, each with the water it needs, who it gets along with, and where it comes from. Find one, or browse by family, genus or river.

Tocantins 3 fish

Gold spot pleco

L001
Gold spot pleco ≈

Plecos · PterygoplichthysRare

  • 24–28°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Gentle
  • 12 in!
  • Bottom
  • Mixed
  • Peaceful

A sailfin that grows to about 30 cm and makes a lot of waste.

Tocantins–Araguaia basin, Brazil

Gold spot pleco

L001

Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

Tocantins–Araguaia basin, Brazil · river

Temperature
24–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
12 in · 30 cm
Flow
Gentle
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Omnivore
Breeding
Rarely
Typical price
$15–80
In Canada
Occasional
Rarity
Rare or hard to breed

A sailfin that grows to about 30 cm and makes a lot of waste. Big tanks only.

Photo: 5snake5, CC BY-SA 4.0

Red-fin cactus

L024
Red-fin cactus ≈

Plecos · PseudacanthicusRare

  • 26–30°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Strong!
  • 16 in!
  • Bottom
  • Meat
  • Aggressive!

Dark body with red fin edges.

Rio Tocantins, Brazil

Red-fin cactus

L024

Pseudacanthicus pitanga

Rio Tocantins, Brazil · rapids

Temperature
26–30°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
16 in · 40 cm
Flow
Strong
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Aggressive
Diet
Carnivore
Breeding
Rarely
Typical price
$130–400
In Canada
Rare
Rarity
Rare or hard to breed

Dark body with red fin edges. Large and aggressive.

Photo: B. Phalan, CC BY 4.0

Galaxy vampire

L029

Plecos · LeporacanthicusRare

  • 26–30°C
  • pH 5.5–7.5
  • Strong!
  • 10 in!
  • Bottom
  • Meat
  • Aggressive!

The vampire pleco.

Rio Tocantins and nearby Pará rivers, Brazil

Galaxy vampire

L029

Leporacanthicus galaxias

Rio Tocantins and nearby Pará rivers, Brazil · rapids

Temperature
26–30°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
10 in · 25 cm
Flow
Strong
Swims
Bottom
Temperament
Aggressive
Diet
Carnivore
Breeding
Hard
Typical price
$60–200
In Canada
Occasional
Rarity
Rare or hard to breed

The vampire pleco. Beautiful, but it gets large and bullies smaller plecos.

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