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.

The fishes 20 fish · new every day

Black skirt tetra

Black skirt tetra ≈

Tetras · GymnocorymbusStaple

  • 21–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • Gentle
  • 2.4 in
  • Mid
  • Mixed
  • Semi-agg.!
  • 6+ group!

Fin nipper. Keep it away from long-finned fish.

Paraguay and Guaporé basins

Black skirt tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Paraguay and Guaporé basins · river

Temperature
21–27°C
pH
6–7.5
Adult size
2.4 in · 6 cm
Flow
Gentle
Swims
Mid-water
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Diet
Omnivore
Group
6+
Typical price
$3–5
Rarity
Pet-store staple

Fin nipper. Keep it away from long-finned fish.

Photo: emptyvi, CC BY-SA 3.0

Cardinal tetra

Cardinal tetra ≈

Tetras · ParacheirodonStaple

  • 23–29°C
  • pH 4.5–7
  • Calm
  • 1.6 in
  • Mid
  • Mixed
  • Peaceful
  • 6+ group!
Rio Negro and upper Orinoco, Brazil and Venezuela

Cardinal tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Rio Negro and upper Orinoco, Brazil and Venezuela · blackwater stream

Temperature
23–29°C
pH
4.5–7
Adult size
1.6 in · 4 cm
Flow
Calm
Swims
Mid-water
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Omnivore
Group
6+
Typical price
$3–7
Rarity
Pet-store staple

Photo: Paolo Neo, Public domain

Chili rasbora

Chili rasbora ≈

Rasboras & danios · BorarasStaple

  • 20–28°C
  • pH 4–7
  • Calm
  • 0.8 in
  • Mid
  • Mixed
  • Peaceful
  • 8+ group!
Peat swamps of southwest Borneo

Chili rasbora

Boraras brigittae

Peat swamps of southwest Borneo · swamp or paddy

Temperature
20–28°C
pH
4–7
Adult size
0.8 in · 2 cm
Flow
Calm
Swims
Mid-water
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Omnivore
Group
8+
Typical price
$3–5
Rarity
Pet-store staple

Photo: Daiju Azuma, CC BY-SA 4.0

Otocinclus

Otocinclus ≈

Catfish · OtocinclusStaple

  • 21–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • Gentle
  • 1.6 in
  • Bottom/mid
  • Veg
  • Peaceful
  • 6+ group!
Streams across South America

Otocinclus

Otocinclus vittatus

Streams across South America · stream

Temperature
21–27°C
pH
6–7.5
Adult size
1.6 in · 4 cm
Flow
Gentle
Swims
Bottom and mid-water
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Grazer
Group
6+
Typical price
$4–7
Rarity
Pet-store staple

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Chle assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0

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