Welcome To The Fish Index! We Are Maintaining A Growing Encyclopedia Of Fish Species Listed From A-Z! Choose From Our Categories Or Browse The Fish Featured Along The Sides By Clicking Their Pictures. Each Fish Includes Detailed Information, Pictures, Video And User Comments! With Over 30,000 Different Species In The World, Our Team Of Fish Experts Are Constantly Being Challenged To Discover New Species. Sample "The Fish Of The Day" Or Browse Our Impressive Selection Of Aquarium Fish!
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The Bearded Catfish or Scleromystax barbatus is a freshwater subtropical catfish from the Callichthyidae family. This fish was first discovered in the coastal drainage in Brazil. It has since found its way into the aquarium trade, and like other catfish it is a very hardy addition to any community tank. Also known as the Banded Corydoras this fish can grow up to 4" (10cm) in length. The follow water condition are ideal for this species, 6.0–8.0 pH, a water hardness of 2–25 dGH, and a temperature of 83 °F (28 °C). A 20 gallon or more tank is well suited for these fish with plenty of hiding spaces. You can check out the Bearded Catfish in action in the video below...
If you have any additional information about the Bearded Catfish please leave us a comment below.
The Psychedelic Fish or Synchiropus picturatus is a rather trippy looking saltwater fish that was first discovered in the Western Pacific Ocean. Also known as the Psychedelic Mandarinfish, Spotted Mandarin, and Picture Dragonet these fish have a psychedelic coloration of blues, oranges, and black spots with a green base.
These fish can be kept as pets, but are considered to be difficult to take care of. They require a tank of 30 gallons or more with live substrate, and of course, many hiding places. Spotted Mandarin fish should be fed a variety of live brine shrimp and live black worms. They will also graze on live rock and live sand. These fish have been known to spawn in an aquarium without too much difficulty. The Psychedelic Fish can grow to about 4" in length and require the following water conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025. If can check out the Pscychedelic Fish in an aquarium in the video below....
If you have any additional information about the Psychedelic Fish please leave us a comment below.
The Penguin Fish or Thayeria boehlkei is just one of the many different species of Tetra fish. Tetras are from the Characidae family, and can be distinguished from other fish by the presence of a small adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins. They all originate in the tropical freshwaters of the Africa, Central America and South America.
Penguin Fish go by a few different names including Blackline Penguinfish, Blackline Thayeria, Hockey-Stick Tetra, and Penguin Tetra. These fish are small, only growing to about 3" in length. They are the perfect starter fish, able to survive in the following water conditions, 64-82° F, KH 4-8 and pH 5.8-8.5. Penguin Fish work well in a group of six or more, and are great for a community fish tank. They will accept a variety of foods, and are very eager feeders making them one of the easiest freshwater aquarium fish to care for. Providing them with live plants and plenty of hiding spaces will keep them happy, and stress free. You can see how the Penguin Fish would look swimming in your tank in the video below.
It is possible to breed Penguin Fish in an aquarium setting. Slightly acidic water is said to help encourage the breeding process. The female's belly will grow larger and she will eventually lay her eggs. It only takes about 15 hours for the eggs to hatch, and then the baby fry should be separated from their parents or risk being eaten.
If you have any additional information about the Penguin Fish please leave us a comment below.
The Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is just one of the many different species of Butterflyfish. This saltwater fish gets its name from the white pyramid shape on its midsection. This fish's head starts out yellow while it is young, but will turn brown as it matures. These fish can grow up to 7 inches (18cm) in length, and are found on the outer edge of reef systems where they feed on plankton. These fish are also called Yellow Zoster Butterfly or Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish.
Pyramid Butterflyfish are often seen in schools, and are found in the Western and Central Pacific Oceans, as well as the Eastern Indian Oceans. This fish can be kept in an aquarium, and is considered to be reef safe. They are easy to take care of, but require a large tank of at least 125 gallons. Like most other aquarium fish, providing them with plenty of hiding spaces is always a good idea to keep them happy. You can view the Pyramid Butterflyfish in it's natural environment in the underwater footage below.
If you have any additional information or care tips for the Pyramid Butterflyfish please leave us a comment below.
The Yellow Watchman Goby or Cryptocentrus cinctus is a very entertaining aquarium fish. Like it's close relative the Hi Fin Red Banded Goby, this species can have a symbiotic relationship with a Pistol Shrimp. The Pistol Shrimp will spend the day hard at work burrowing a hole in which the Yellow Watchman Goby and the shrimp live together in harmony. Pistol Shrimp have terrible eyesight, so the Watchman Goby's job is to stand watch at the end of the hole, keeping an eye out for any potential predators. If a predator happens to get too close the Watchmen will signal the pistol shrimp and they will both going into hiding. At night, the Goby will go into the burrow, and the shrimp will collapse the entrance to close it off, apparently three is a crowd in this relationship. The next day they start the whole process over again. These two creatures have even been known to share food with each other! You can see this amazing relationship in the video below.
Yellow Watchman Goby have several different names including Yellow Prawn Goby, Yellow Shrimp, Prawn Goby, Midas Goby, Iga Tubumata, Watchman Gold, and Yellow Spotted Blenny. These saltwater fish are native to the Western Pacific Ocean. In an aquarium the following water conditions are acceptable, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025. They are considered to be a peaceful fish, but can become territorial with other species of Gobies. Growing to only about 3" in length, an aquarium of 30 gallons or more is acceptable. They are carnivorous and should be fed a variety of mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, table shrimp, and other frozen meaty treats.
If you have any additional information about the Yellow Watchman Goby please leave us a comment below.
The Indo-Pacific Tarpon or Megalops cyprinoides is a fish capable of living in freshwater and saltwater. Also known as the Oxeye, Broussonet Tarpon,
Hairen or the Ten Pounder, this fish can grow to about 1 meter (3.3 feet). If you have had the pleasure of hooking one of these fish you probably have noticed that they fight much harder then most fish of the same size. They are also surface jumpers, and will certainly give you a run for your money on light tackle with long runs, and lots of stamina.
This species looks a lot like it close relative, the much bigger Atlantic Tarpon. It's body is covered with large scales with a blue-grey coloration and a silver belly. They have a forked tail and an elongated dorsal fin. These fish have a large mouth compared to their body size with a protruding jaw that is pointing upward, and no real teeth. If you are fishing for Indo-Pacific Tarpon you will generally find them in estuaries and coastal waters, rivers and mangrove forests. The best way to catch these Tarpon are with flies, spinners, sub-surface lures or shrimps.
These fish have made their way into the aquarium trade, but they require a MASSIVE tank so they are only recommended for the advanced aquarium enthusiasts. You can check out one in an aquarium in the video below.
POP QUIZ: Do you know the names of the other fish featured in the video above?
The Sunrise Dottyback or Pseudochromis flavivertex is a saltwater fish with a cobalt blue body that has a bright yellow band from the tip of its nose to its tail. Also known as the Sunrise Pseudochromis or Blue Flavivertex Dottyback, they can be kept in an aquarium setting, but are considered to be only for advanced aquarium enthusiasts. An aquarium of at least 30 gallons with the following water conditions are recommended, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025. Like most other fish, they like to have a few hiding spots. These fish are ideal for a reef aquarium.
Sunrise Dottybacks are considered to be a semi-aggressive fish and should only be kept with other Dottybacks if introduced at the same time. They can be fed brine shrimp and frozen foods and will not normally take to flake foods.
Sunrise Dottybacks can grow to about 3" in length and originate from the Red Sea. You can watch the Sunrise Dottyback in an aquarium in the video below.
If you have any additional information about the Sunrise Dottyback please leave us a comment below.
The Skunk Clownfish or Amphiprion akallopisos is a peaceful saltwater fish that is found in the Indo-Pacific. This species of Clownfish is also known as the Nosestripe Anemonefish and has a very special relationship with its best friend the anemone. The Skunk Clownfish has an immunity in their skin which allows them to make their home inside the stinging tentacles of an anemone. They will actually defend it from other would be dwellers. The female of this species will not only charge and try to intimidate potential invaders, but will also use sounds to defend the anemone. They produce a series of pops and chirps that scare off the other fish. In return for living space the anemone is given fish waste which it feeds on and is kept clean of parasites.
Skunk Clownfish can grow to about 3" (75mm) in length and are often kept in an aquarium setting. They are easily identified by a white stripe that runs on the top of their bodies, from their lips to their tail. Like other species of Clownfish, they are considered to be quite easy to take care of, but this kind does require an anemone to make its home. In the wild this fish is found in shallow inshore reefs as deep as 15 meters with a moderate to strong current. They will feed on small crustaceans, live foods, algae and vegetable based foods. You can learn a little more about the Skunk Clownfish and some other amazing underwater symbiotic relationships in the video below.
If you have any additional information about the Skunk Clownfish please leave us a comment below.
The Kwi Kwi or Hoplosternum littorale is a species of Armoured Catfish from the Callichthyidae family. This fish features an armor-plated body that protects itself from potential predators. These freshwater fish go by several different names throughout the world including, Tamuatá, Atipa, Hassar, Cascadu, Busco and Currito.
This species of catfish can grow to about 9-1/2" (24cm) in length, with the males tending to be a bit larger then the females. Originally found in South America, this fish has been spotted in Florida and is also becoming more and more popular in an aquarium setting. Believe it or not, this fish can breathe both with gills and through its intestines and is a very lively, entertaining fish! They can grow to about 4 years old and are nocturnal feeders, munching on crustaceans, larvae and aquatic insects.
Kwi Kwi reproduce after the first year, with spawning normally being triggered by the first rains and occurs in the warm and rainy season. Like other callichthyine, this fish builds a bubble nest. This species is said to have one of the most complex nest structure. This bubble nest is designs to be rich with oxygen which helps the eggs develop even in poor water conditions. It also provides protection from potential predators. You can check out a Kwi Kwi building a bubble nest in the video below.
If you have any additional information about the Kwi Kwi please leave us a comment below.
Like something out a fishy nightmare the Vampire Tetra or Hydrolycus scomberoides has extra long sharp teeth that protrude out of its mouth like that of a vampire. They use the two largest fangs to impale their unsuspecting prey with amazing speed! Also know as the Sabertooth Tetra or Payara, this freshwater fish can be kept in an aquarium and can grow to be VERY large. Under the right conditions, these fish can grow to several feet in length and weigh in at over 30lbs! They are not the easiest to care for and require lots of filtration and regular water changes, as well as lots of live foods. Vampire Tetra are of the tropical variety and require a temperature of 75 to 80 degrees in an aquarium of 100 gallons or more. These fish originate from South America where they are caught in the waters of the amazon basin.
Like the Piranha and Snakehead, one of the best parts of owning this type of aggressive carnivorous fish is feeding time! Here is some footage of the Vampire Tetra being fed goldfish.
If you have any additional information about the Vampire Tetra please leave us a comment below.
The Spotted Drum or Equetus punctatus is a saltwater fish that has quite the transformation as it grows older. When this fish is a juvenile they have a long dorsal fin and tail that changes as the fish thickens up, and developes spots on their tail and 2nd dorsal fin. Pictured below is a juvenile Spotted Drum, you can really appreciate the amazing transformation this fish undergoes by comparing the two pictures.
Spotted Drum fish occasionally make their way into the aquarium trade and are said to be a great addition to a reef tank. They are healthy eaters and will also hold their own against other potentially aggressive tankmates. These fish can grow to about 10" in length and are found in the Western Atlantic Oceans tropical waters, in and around reefs. They are nocturnal feeders who hide most of the day and come out to feast during the night hours. You can watch a Spotted Drum swimming in the video below.
If you have any additional information about the Spotted Drum including tips for keeping them in an aquarium please share in the comments below.
The Striped Eel Catfish or Plotosus lineatus is a saltwater fish found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These fish have two parallel white lines running down the sides of their bodies. They have long second dorsal and anal fins that merge with their caudal fin to give them the eel like appearance. You can experience what it is like to swim with the Striped Eel Catfish in the video below.
This species is also known as the Saltwater Catfish or Coral Catfish and is from the Plotosidae family of Catfishes. They can be kept in an aquarium, but be warned these fish have venomous spines so please handle with extreme care. These fish can grow to 12" (300mm), so a fairly large aquarium is recommended.
In the wild when the Striped Eel Catfish is young they will form dense schools of fish in a ball shape to make themselves seem larger to potential predators and to feed. As they grow older they lose this community attitude and separate themselves from the pack. Like other catfish, they feed on the bottom with their barbels searching for a meal by sifting through the sand for crustaceans, worms and very small fish.
If you have any additional information about the Striped Eel Catfish please leave us a comment below.
The Purple Chromis or Chromis scotti is a popular saltwater aquarium fish found at most local pet shops. This species of Chromis is from the Pomacentridae family, which also includes Damsels and Clownfish. They are found in the Western Atlantic Ocean and can grow to about 4" in length. These fish are suitable for an aquarium of 30 gallons or more with the following water conditions, Specific Gravity Range 1.020-1.024, pH Range 8.0-8.4 and Temperature Range 75-82F.
Purple Chromis are omivores that should be fed a variety of foods including flakes, pellets, fresh or frozen algae and meaty foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, planktons, krill, shrimp and scallops. They are generally a peaceful fish, but once they become accustomed to an aquarium they can turn out to be quite territorial. You can check out the Purple Chromis as well as some other saltwater aquarium fish in the video below.
If you have any additional information about the Purple Chromis please leave us a comment below.
The Sailfin Blenny or Emblemaria pandionis is a saltwater fish that is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf Of Mexico. This is just one of the over 700 different species of Blenny in the world. They are very small, only growing to about 2-1/2" (7cm). This fish gets its name from its impressive dorsal fin which it displays perhaps to make it seem larger, and harder to fit in a potential predators mouth. You can see the Sailfin Blenny with your own eyes underwater in the video below.
The Sailfin Blenny is found in relatively shallow waters of up to 39 feet (12 meters). They make their homes in holes in the coral or empty worm holes. They spend most of their lives in these holes and only come out for brief periods of time.
If you have any additional information about the Sailfin Blenny including tips for keeping them in an aquarium please leave us a comment below.
The Cuckoo Catfish or Synodontis multipunctatus at first glance seems like your average freshwater catfish, but they have a very devious side. In the wild this species will attack cichlid's nesting places devouring their eggs. As if that wasn't bad enough, they will also drop some of their own eggs into the nesting place where the unsuspecting mother will take care of them in her mouth along with her remaining eggs. The Cuckoo Catfishes eggs will hatch before the cichlids and then the real terror begins. The much bigger Cuckoo Catfish babies will feast on the other eggs and baby cichlid fish as they hatch inside the mother's mouth! Once they are done feasting they come out of their "mothers" mouth and the unsuspecting cichlid fish actually believe them to be their own! They will take care of the baby Cuckoo Catfish until they are big enough to fend for themselves. Don't believe me? See it for yourself in the amazing video below from National Geographic!
When the Cuckoo Catfish is not in the wild it is far less sinister. Also known as Cuckoo Synodontis or the Multi-spotted Catfish, they are often kept in a freshwater aquarium and are said to be quite easy to take care of provided they have plenty of places to hide. This species of Catfish can grow to about 10" (25cm), and will accept flakes, pellets and a variety of fresh and frozen foods.
If you have any additional information about the Cuckoo Catfish please leave us a comment below.
