Predators
Species in the catalogue: 64
Page 1 of 2
African Pike
Hepsetidae
Hepsetus odoe
Hepsetus odoe, known as the African Pike, belongs to the family Hepsetidae. This species is a true predator: it ambushes its prey, attacking instantly as soon as an unwary fish comes close enough, after which the victim…
African Snakehead
Snakeheads (Channidae)
Parachanna africana
The fish, known scientifically as Parachanna africana, the African snakehead, is a member of the family Channidae (snakeheads). Its native range is considered to be the subequatorial regions of Africa, particularly the…
Aguaruna
Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered Catfishes)
Aguarunichthys torosus
The Muscular Catfish, also known by its scientific name Aguarunichthys torosus, belongs to the family Pimelodidae, or Long-whiskered Catfishes. Its second name is given in honor of the indigenous tribe living in the…
Angler Catfish
Chacidae
Chaca bankanensis
The scientific name of this species, Chaca bankanensis, comes from the family Chacidae. Popular among enthusiasts of unusual aquarium inhabitants, the Angler Catfish, or Chaca bankanensis, with its original appearance,…
Aristochromis christyi
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Aristochromis christyi
Aristochromis christyi, scientifically named Aristochromis christyi, is a representative of the Cichlidae family. Despite its predatory lifestyle, this fish is known for its peaceful disposition, posing a threat only to…
Arowana
Arowanas (Osteoglossidae)
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
The Silver Arowana, also known simply as Arowana, bears the scientific name Osteoglossum bicirrhosum and belongs to the family Osteoglossidae. This species is a representative of one of the oldest fish families, tracing…
Asian Arowana
Arowanas (Osteoglossidae)
Scleropages formosus
The scientific name Scleropages formosus refers to the Asian arowana, a member of the family Osteoglossidae. Although the name is often used as a blanket term for all Asian arowanas, scientists in fact recognise at…
Bagarius Catfish
Sisoridae (Asian hillstream catfishes)
Bagarius yarrelli
The Bagarius Catfish, also known as the “Freshwater Sand Shark” or by its scientific name Bagarius yarrelli, belongs to the family Sisoridae (Bagridae, or mountain catfishes). This species is rarely encountered among…
Belonesox
Poeciliidae
Belonesox belizanus
The Belonesox, scientifically known as Belonesox belizanus, is a member of the Poeciliidae family. Despite its relatively small size, this species is considered a formidable predator, preferring to hunt from ambush. Its…
Biara
Cynodontidae
Rhaphiodon vulpinus
The fish known as the Biara, or Chaparrin, with the scientific name Rhaphiodon vulpinus, belongs to the family Cynodontidae. This large predator is not suitable for beginner aquarists. It requires a very spacious…
Black Piranha
Piranhas (Serrasalmidae)
Serrasalmus rhombeus
The Rhombic, or Black Piranha, also known as the Red-Eyed Piranha (scientific name Serrasalmus rhombeus), belongs to the subfamily Serrasalminae. This fish is one of the most recognizable. Although its reputation as a…
Blackspot Piranha
Piranhas (Serrasalmidae)
Pygocentrus cariba
The Blackspot Piranha, scientifically known as Pygocentrus cariba, belongs to the Serrasalmidae family and is considered one of the most famous predators of river depths. Despite its widespread notoriety, few aquarists…
Calvus Cichlid
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Altolamprologus calvus
The Calvus Cichlid, scientifically known as Altolamprologus calvus, belongs to the family Cichlidae. Despite its predatory nature, this fish exhibits a peaceful and calm temperament. It only preys on tankmates that can…
Champsochromis
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Champsochromis caeruleus
Champsochromis, also known as the Trout Cichlid, bears the scientific name Champsochromis caeruleus and belongs to the family Cichlidae. This species is endemic to Lake Malawi, also known by its older name, Lake Nyasa.…
Channa andrao
Snakeheads (Channidae)
Channa andrao
The scientific name Channa andrao belongs to the Channa andrao snakehead, a representative of the family Channidae (snakeheads). Although this fish was described by researcher Ralf Britz in 2013, it was known to…
Channa pulchra
Snakeheads (Channidae)
Channa pulchra
Channa pulchra, officially known by its scientific name Channa pulchra, belongs to the snakehead family (Channidae). This species was first described as new in 2007 by researcher R. Britz. Since the early 2010s, it has…
Crenicichla
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Wallaciia compressiceps
Crenicichla, scientifically known as Wallaciia compressiceps, belongs to the family Cichlidae. This species originates from South America, specifically found in the lower Tocantins River basin, located in eastern Brazil.
Crocodile Catfish
Sisoridae (Asian hillstream catfishes)
Bagarius suchus
Bagarius suchus, known as the Crocodile Catfish, belongs to the family Sisoridae, or Bagridae (mountain catfishes). This large predator is characterized by a complex temperament. Its keeping, if undertaken…
Dimidiochromis
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Dimidiochromis compressiceps
Dimidiochromis compressiceps is the scientific name for this species, which belongs to the Cichlidae family. This fish is one of the most striking predators, its body adorned with dominant blue and orange hues. It…
Dwarf Snakehead
Snakeheads (Channidae)
Channa gachua
The Dwarf Snakehead (Channa gachua), a member of the family Channidae, inhabits a vast natural range. It extends from Afghanistan and Pakistan, across Asia, all the way to the islands of Indonesia in Southeast Asia.…
Exodon
Characidae
Exodon paradoxus
The scientific name Exodon paradoxus is firmly established for this fish, which belongs to the Characidae family. Its name contains the element “paradoxical,” likely reflecting the astonishing behavioral characteristics…
Freshwater Barracuda
Ctenoluciidae
Ctenolucius hujeta
Ctenolucius hujeta, more commonly known as the Freshwater Barracuda or Pike Characin, is a member of the Ctenoluciidae family. This species is a fast and efficient predator. Despite its predatory lifestyle, it is…
Freshwater Moray Eel
Moray Eels (Muraenidae)
Gymnothorax tile
The scientific name Gymnothorax tile belongs to the Muraenidae family. This species is known as the freshwater or Indian mud moray eel. This exotic fish, although often considered an inhabitant of marine aquariums, is…
Gar
Gars (Lepisosteidae)
Lepisosteidae
The family Lepisosteidae unites several closely related species, collectively known as Gars. These fish are rightly considered among the most ancient inhabitants of freshwaters, having survived practically in their…
Giant Cichlid
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Boulengerochromis microlepis
Boulengerochromis microlepis, known as the Giant Cichlid, is a member of the Cichlidae family. This name is well-deserved, as the species can reach over half a meter in length, making it one of the largest cichlids…
Golden Cobra Snakehead
Snakeheads (Channidae)
Channa aurantimaculata
The Golden Cobra Snakehead, known scientifically as Channa aurantimaculata, is a member of the family Channidae, or snakeheads. This fish originates from Asia. It is considered endemic to the Brahmaputra River, and its…
Golden Leopard
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Nimbochromis venustus
Nimbochromis venustus, also known as the Golden Leopard, belongs to the Cichlidae family. This species is part of a group of ambush predators inhabiting Lake Malawi in Africa. It has developed a unique hunting strategy…
Goonch
Sisoridae (Asian hillstream catfishes)
Bagarius bagarius
The Goonch, scientifically known as Bagarius bagarius, belongs to the family Sisoridae, or Asian hillstream catfishes. This species, distinguished by its impressive size and high maintenance costs, does not coexist well…
Guyana Catfish
Driftwood Catfishes (Auchenipteridae)
Ageneiosus marmoratus
Ageneiosus marmoratus, also known as the Hammer Catfish, Guyana Catfish, or Marbled Ageneiosus, is a member of the Auchenipteridae family. This small but remarkable fish differs from most catfish in its active…
Hampala Barb
Cyprinids (Cyprinidae)
Hampala macrolepidota
The Hampala Barb, also known as the Jungle Perch (scientific name Hampala macrolepidota), is a member of the Cyprinidae family. This relatively large freshwater predator requires very spacious aquariums. In its natural…
Kigoma Red
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Altolamprologus compressiceps
Altolamprologus compressiceps, also known as the Compressed Humphead or Kigoma Red, is a member of the Cichlidae family. It is a peaceful predator that only shows aggression towards very small fish. It coexists well…
Leaf Fish
Polycentridae
Monocirrhus polyacanthus
The Leaf Fish, scientifically known as Monocirrhus polyacanthus, belongs to the family Polycentridae. This species possesses a remarkable ability to camouflage itself as fallen leaves, allowing it to discreetly ambush…
Leopard Ctenopoma
Anabantidae
Ctenopoma acutirostre
Ctenopoma acutirostre, known as the Leopard Ctenopoma, belongs to the family Anabantidae. This spotted inhabitant of African rivers, despite its predatory nature, behaves quite peacefully towards fish of comparable…
Livingston's Cichlid
Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Nimbochromis livingstonii
Nimbochromis livingstonii, the scientific name for Livingston's Cichlid, belongs to the family Cichlidae. Haplochromis livingstonii is considered an older name, as this fish is now classified under the genus…
Myanmar Arowana
Arowanas (Osteoglossidae)
Scleropages inscriptus
The Myanmar arawana, scientific name Scleropages inscriptus, belongs to the family Osteoglossidae. This species is known for its considerable value, with individual specimens fetching tens of thousands of dollars. It is…
Needlefish
Needlefish (Belonidae)
Xenentodon cancila
Xenentodon cancila, known as the Freshwater Gar, Freshwater Needlefish, or "Silver Needle," is a member of the Belonidae family. A very similar species, Xenentodon canciloides, is also found under the same name, and…
Net stingray
Potamotrygonidae (River stingrays)
Potamotrygon orbignyi
The reticulated stingray, scientific name, Potamotrygon orbignyi, belongs to the family Potamotrygonidae (river stingrays). Its earlier scientific name, Potamotrygon reticulatus, is now treated as a synonym.
Ogre Catfish
Driftwood Catfishes (Auchenipteridae)
Asterophysus batrachus
The Ogre Catfish, also known as the Frogmouth Catfish or Halper (scientific name Asterophysus batrachus), belongs to the family Auchenipteridae, or Driftwood Catfishes. This large carnivorous species is not recommended…
Ornate Snakehead
Snakeheads (Channidae)
Channa pleurophthalma
The Ornate Snakehead (Channa pleurophthalma) is a species belonging to the family Channidae, or Snakeheads. Its scientific name is Channa pleurophthalma. A distinctive feature of its appearance is the expressive black…
Paddle-nosed Catfish
Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered Catfishes)
Sorubim lima
Sorubim lima, known as the Paddle-nosed Catfish, is a member of the family Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered Catfishes). This catfish originates from South America, where it is considered one of the continent's most common…
Phalacronotus
Sheatfishes (Siluridae)
Phalacronotus apogon
The scientific name Phalacronotus apogon, or Phalacronotus, belongs to the family Siluridae. As a rule, this species is not classified as an aquarium fish due to its significant size. Its primary use is in large public…
Pike Characin
Ctenoluciidae
Boulengerella lateristriga
Boulengerella lateristriga, also known as the Striped Pike Characin or Pike Characin, belongs to the family Ctenoluciidae. This species is not difficult to keep, provided it is given a sufficiently spacious aquarium…
Polypterus
Polypteridae (Bichirs)
Polypterus senegalus
A representative of an ancient genus of fish that existed more than 200 million years ago, during the Triassic period, is the Polypterus, or Senegal Bichir (scientific name Polypterus senegalus). It belongs to the…
Pygocentrus piraya
Piranhas (Serrasalmidae)
Pygocentrus piraya
Scientifically named Pygocentrus piraya, belonging to the family Serrasalmidae, this is the common piranha, also known as the São Francisco piranha. It's important to note that the name does not refer to the city of the…
Rainbow Snakehead
Snakeheads (Channidae)
Channa bleheri
The Rainbow Snakehead, scientifically known as Channa bleheri, is a member of the family Channidae, or Snakeheads. This fish originally hails from Asia. It is believed that its natural distribution is limited to the…
Red Snakehead
Snakeheads (Channidae)
Channa micropeltes
Channa micropeltes, also known as the Red Snakehead or Giant Snakehead, belongs to the family Channidae. This fish species has several common names. Due to its significant size, it is often called the Giant Snakehead,…
Red-bellied Piranha
Piranhas (Serrasalmidae)
Pygocentrus nattereri
The Red-bellied Piranha, scientifically known as Pygocentrus nattereri, belongs to the family Serrasalmidae. This fish is frequently mentioned, and its notoriety has been significantly cemented by numerous Hollywood…
Red-tailed Hemibagrus
Bagridae (naked catfishes)
Hemibagrus wyckioides
The Asian Red-tailed Catfish, known scientifically as Hemibagrus wyckioides, is a member of the Bagridae family (Bagrid Catfishes). This is a very large and aggressive predatory fish, rarely suitable for beginner…
Redtail Barracuda
Acestrorhynchidae
Acestrorhynchus altus
The Redtail Barracuda, scientifically known as Acestrorhynchus altus, belongs to the family Acestrorhynchidae. Its appearance, combining a streamlined, dynamic physique with jaws full of teeth, clearly indicates its…
Redtail Catfish
Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered Catfishes)
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
The Redtail Catfish, also known as the Flat-headed Catfish, has the scientific name Phractocephalus hemioliopterus and belongs to the family Pimelodidae. This very large representative of the order Siluriformes is…
Reedfish
Polypteridae (Bichirs)
Erpetoichthys calabaricus
The scientific name Erpetoichthys calabaricus belongs to the family Polypteridae, known as the bichirs, and denotes the species known as the Reedfish or Ropefish. These amazing fish are the closest relatives of the…
River Stingray
Potamotrygonidae (River stingrays)
Potamotrygon motoro
The Ocellated River Stingray, also known as the South American Freshwater Stingray (scientific name Potamotrygon motoro), belongs to the family Potamotrygonidae. This predator poses a certain danger to aquarists due to…
Sickle Barracuda
Acestrorhynchidae
Acestrorhynchus falcatus
The Sickle Barracuda, scientifically known as Acestrorhynchus falcatus, belongs to the family Acestrorhynchidae. This fish earned the name "barracuda" due to its external resemblance to marine barracudas, although there…
Spiny Eel
Spiny Eels (Mastacembelidae)
Macrognathus aculeatus
The Spiny Eel, also known as the Spotted Spiny Eel (scientific name Macrognathus aculeatus), belongs to the family Mastacembelidae. This species has a reclusive nature, making it one of the least conspicuous inhabitants…
Spotted Ctenopoma
Anabantidae
Ctenopoma weeksii
Ctenopoma weeksii, or the Spotted Ctenopoma, belongs to the suborder Labyrinth fish and is a member of the family Anabantidae (Climbing Perches). This fish originates from Africa, where it inhabits the Congo River…
Tiger Fish
African Tetras (Alestidae)
Hydrocynus vittatus
A member of the Alestidae family, scientifically named Hydrocynus vittatus, this is an African tiger fish. At first glance, it's clear that this is a true predator with a rather aggressive disposition. Its impressive…
Tiger Perch
Datnioididae
Datnioides microlepis
The Tiger Siamese Perch, or Indonesian Tiger Perch, scientifically known as Datnioides microlepis, belongs to the family Datnioididae. This fish is characterized by its large size and bright, contrasting coloration,…
Toadfish
Batrachoididae
Batrachomoeus trispinosus
The Three-spined Toadfish (scientific name Batrachomoeus trispinosus), belonging to the family Batrachoididae, presents a rather unusual sight. Its appearance, characterized by a massive head and unconventional growths,…
Traira
Erythrinidae
Hoplias malabaricus
The wolf fish, also known as Traira or Terta-wolf (scientific name Hoplias malabaricus), belongs to the family Erythrinidae. This amazing predatory fish, which can reach impressive sizes, is a coveted trophy for many…