Predators

Species in the catalogue: 64

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  • African Pike

    African Pike

    Hepsetus odoe

    Hepsetidae

    Hepsetus odoe, the African Pike, belongs to the family Hepsetidae. This is a true predator: it lies in wait for prey and strikes instantly the moment an unwary fish comes within range, only to find itself in a mouth…

  • African Snakehead

    African Snakehead

    Parachanna africana

    Snakeheads (Channidae)

    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

    Aguaruna

    Aguarunichthys torosus

    Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered Catfishes)

    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

    Angler Catfish

    Chaca bankanensis

    Chacidae

    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

    Aristochromis christyi

    Aristochromis christyi

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Arowana

    Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

    Arowanas (Osteoglossidae)

    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

    Asian Arowana

    Scleropages formosus

    Arowanas (Osteoglossidae)

    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

    Bagarius Catfish

    Bagarius yarrelli

    Sisoridae (Asian hillstream catfishes)

    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

    Belonesox

    Belonesox belizanus

    Poeciliidae

    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

    Biara

    Rhaphiodon vulpinus

    Cynodontidae

    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

    Black Piranha

    Serrasalmus rhombeus

    Piranhas (Serrasalmidae)

    The Black Piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus) belongs to the subfamily Serrasalminae. It is one of the most recognizable piranhas. Although its reputation as a fierce predator is somewhat exaggerated, it is rarely seen in…

  • Blackspot Piranha

    Blackspot Piranha

    Pygocentrus cariba

    Piranhas (Serrasalmidae)

    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…

  • Bowfin

    Bowfin

    Amia calva

    Amiidae

    The mudfish, Amia or Bowfin, scientific name Amia calva, belongs to the family Amiidae. It is rarely chosen by hobbyists, partly because of its size and the need for large, often expensive aquariums. The species is a…

  • Calvus Cichlid

    Calvus Cichlid

    Altolamprologus calvus

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Champsochromis

    Champsochromis caeruleus

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Channa andrao

    Channa andrao

    Snakeheads (Channidae)

    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

    Channa pulchra

    Channa pulchra

    Snakeheads (Channidae)

    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

    Crenicichla

    Wallaciia compressiceps

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Crocodile Catfish

    Bagarius suchus

    Sisoridae (Asian hillstream catfishes)

    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

    Dimidiochromis

    Dimidiochromis compressiceps

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Dwarf Snakehead

    Channa gachua

    Snakeheads (Channidae)

    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

    Exodon

    Exodon paradoxus

    Characidae

    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

    Freshwater Barracuda

    Ctenolucius hujeta

    Ctenoluciidae

    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

    Freshwater Moray Eel

    Gymnothorax tile

    Moray Eels (Muraenidae)

    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

    Gar

    Lepisosteidae

    Gars (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

    Giant Cichlid

    Boulengerochromis microlepis

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Golden Cobra Snakehead

    Channa aurantimaculata

    Snakeheads (Channidae)

    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

    Golden Leopard

    Nimbochromis venustus

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Goonch

    Bagarius bagarius

    Sisoridae (Asian hillstream catfishes)

    The Goonch, scientifically known as Bagarius bagarius, belongs to the family Sisoridae, the mountain catfishes. This species is large and expensive to keep. It cannot be housed with other fish, which makes it attractive…

  • Guyana Catfish

    Guyana Catfish

    Ageneiosus marmoratus

    Driftwood Catfishes (Auchenipteridae)

    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

    Hampala Barb

    Hampala macrolepidota

    Cyprinids (Cyprinidae)

    The Hampala Barb, also known as jungle perch (Hampala macrolepidota), belongs to the family Cyprinidae. This relatively large freshwater predator requires very spacious tanks. In its natural habitat, it is well known as…

  • Kigoma Red

    Kigoma Red

    Altolamprologus compressiceps

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Leaf Fish

    Monocirrhus polyacanthus

    Polycentridae

    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

    Leopard Ctenopoma

    Ctenopoma acutirostre

    Anabantidae

    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

    Livingston's Cichlid

    Nimbochromis livingstonii

    Cichlids (Cichlidae)

    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

    Myanmar Arowana

    Scleropages inscriptus

    Arowanas (Osteoglossidae)

    Scleropages inscriptus, the Myanmar arowana, belongs to the family Osteoglossidae. This species is known for its considerable value; individual specimens can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. It is particularly…

  • Needlefish

    Needlefish

    Xenentodon cancila

    Needlefish (Belonidae)

    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

    Net stingray

    Potamotrygon orbignyi

    Potamotrygonidae (River stingrays)

    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

    Ogre Catfish

    Asterophysus batrachus

    Driftwood Catfishes (Auchenipteridae)

    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

    Ornate Snakehead

    Channa pleurophthalma

    Snakeheads (Channidae)

    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

    Paddle-nosed Catfish

    Sorubim lima

    Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered Catfishes)

    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

    Phalacronotus

    Phalacronotus apogon

    Sheatfishes (Siluridae)

    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

    Pike Characin

    Boulengerella lateristriga

    Ctenoluciidae

    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

    Polypterus

    Polypterus senegalus

    Polypteridae (Bichirs)

    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

    Pygocentrus piraya

    Pygocentrus piraya

    Piranhas (Serrasalmidae)

    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

    Rainbow Snakehead

    Channa bleheri

    Snakeheads (Channidae)

    The rainbow snakehead, Channa bleheri, is a member of the family Channidae. It originates from Asia, with its natural range believed to be limited to the Brahmaputra River basin in the Indian states of Assam and…

  • Red Snakehead

    Red Snakehead

    Channa micropeltes

    Snakeheads (Channidae)

    Channa micropeltes is a member of the family Channidae. This fish is also called the red snakehead or striped snakehead. Its large size has earned it the common names giant snakehead and Indonesian snakehead; the latter…

  • Red-bellied Piranha

    Red-bellied Piranha

    Pygocentrus nattereri

    Piranhas (Serrasalmidae)

    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

    Red-tailed Hemibagrus

    Hemibagrus wyckioides

    Bagridae (naked catfishes)

    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

    Redtail Barracuda

    Acestrorhynchus altus

    Acestrorhynchidae

    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

    Redtail Catfish

    Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

    Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered Catfishes)

    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

    Reedfish

    Erpetoichthys calabaricus

    Polypteridae (Bichirs)

    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

    River Stingray

    Potamotrygon motoro

    Potamotrygonidae (River stingrays)

    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

    Sickle Barracuda

    Acestrorhynchus falcatus

    Acestrorhynchidae

    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 Eel

    Macrognathus aculeatus

    Spiny Eels (Mastacembelidae)

    The spiny eel, also called the spotted spiny eel (Macrognathus aculeatus), belongs to the family Mastacembelidae. This fish is secretive and one of the least visible inhabitants of an aquarium. Despite being a predator,…

  • Spotted Ctenopoma

    Spotted Ctenopoma

    Ctenopoma weeksii

    Anabantidae

    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

    Tiger Fish

    Hydrocynus vittatus

    African Tetras (Alestidae)

    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

    Tiger Perch

    Datnioides microlepis

    Datnioididae

    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

    Toadfish

    Batrachomoeus trispinosus

    Batrachoididae

    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

    Traira

    Hoplias malabaricus

    Erythrinidae

    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…