Unusual

Species in the catalogue: 66

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  • 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…

  • Amazon Puffer

    Amazon Puffer

    Colomesus asellus

    Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)

    Colomesus asellus, known in the aquarium hobby as the Amazon puffer, Amazonian puffer, or donkey puffer, belongs to the family Tetraodontidae. A distinctive feature of this fish is its unique defense mechanism: when…

  • Archerfish

    Archerfish

    Toxotes jaculatrix

    Toxotidae

    Toxotes jaculatrix, known as the Banded Archerfish, Largescale Archerfish, or simply Archerfish, is a member of the Toxotidae family. This fish is famous for its unique hunting method: it knocks insects off foliage…

  • Argus Fish

    Argus Fish

    Scatophagus argus

    Scats (Scatophagidae)

    The Argus fish, also known as the Spotted Scat or Argus Scat (scientific name Scatophagus argus), belongs to the Scatophagidae family. This is a large and attractive fish that can live in both marine and freshwater…

  • 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…

  • Banded Pipefish

    Banded Pipefish

    Microphis lineatus

    Pipefishes (Syngnathidae)

    Microphis lineatus, known as the Banded Pipefish, belongs to the family Syngnathidae. This species inhabits the coastal tropical waters of the American continent. It can be found in fresh, brackish, and marine waters…

  • Black Ghost Knifefish

    Black Ghost Knifefish

    Apteronotus albifrons

    Apteronotidae

    The scientific name Apteronotus albifrons refers to the "Black Ghost Knifefish," also known as the "Black Knifefish" or "Black Ghost." It is a member of the family Apteronotidae. There is a curious, though unconfirmed,…

  • Black Knife Fish

    Black Knife Fish

    Xenomystus nigri

    Notopteridae

    The African knife fish, scientifically known as Xenomystus nigri, belongs to the Notopteridae family. This species is notably hardy and can coexist well with many aquarium inhabitants of appropriate size. For novice…

  • Blackbanded sunfish

    Blackbanded sunfish

    Enneacanthus chaetodon

    Sunfishes (Centrarchidae)

    Enneacanthus chaetodon, or the blackbanded sunfish, belongs to the family Centrarchidae, widely known as sunfishes. In English-speaking countries, it is called the Blackbanded sunfish.

  • Bornean Pufferfish

    Bornean Pufferfish

    Carinotetraodon borneensis

    Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)

    The Bornean Pufferfish, known to specialists as Carinotetraodon borneensis, belongs to the family Tetraodontidae, or Pufferfish. It is less common in the aquarium fish market than, for example, its more widespread…

  • 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…

  • Brachygobius Goby

    Brachygobius Goby

    Brachygobius xanthomelas

    Gobiidae

    The fish Brachygobius xanthomelas, known as the Brachygobius goby, belongs to the family Gobiidae (Gobies). Its native habitat is Southeast Asia, specifically the marshy waters in southern Thailand and Malaysia, located…

  • Bumblebee Goby

    Bumblebee Goby

    Brachygobius doriae

    Gobiidae

    The fish known as the Bumblebee Goby, Gold-banded Goby, or Bumblebee Goby, has the scientific name Brachygobius doriae and belongs to the family Gobiidae. For a long time, this species was confused with Brachygobius…

  • Butterflyfish

    Butterflyfish

    Pantodon buchholzi

    Pantodontidae

    The butterflyfish, or Pantodon buchholzi, belongs to the family Pantodontidae and has a distinctly unusual appearance. Its peaceful nature and ease of care make it an excellent choice for aquarists looking to add…

  • Chameleon fish

    Chameleon fish

    Badis badis

    Badidae

    The Chameleon fish, or Badis, also known as the Chameleon Badis, and scientifically as Badis badis, belongs to the family Badidae. This species earned its name for a good reason: its coloration has the ability to…

  • 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…

  • Chinese Sucker

    Chinese Sucker

    Myxocyprinus asiaticus

    Catostomidae

    The Chinese Sucker, also known as the Chinese Sailfin or by its scientific name Myxocyprinus asiaticus, belongs to the family Catostomidae. It is often called the Chinese Sucker Fish due to its unique mouth structure,…

  • Dario kajal

    Dario kajal

    Dario kajal

    Badidae

    Dario kajal is the scientific name for this species, which belongs to the Badidae family, or Badis. This fish was first recognized as a distinct species in 2013, and before that, it was known as Dario "Bangladesh."

  • Dragon Goby

    Dragon Goby

    Gobioides broussonnetii

    Gobiidae

    This fish, known by several names such as "Purple Goby," Peruvian Goby, or Dragon Goby, has the scientific name Gobioides broussonnetii and belongs to the family Gobiidae. Its appearance is quite bizarre, resembling the…

  • 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.…

  • Elephantfish

    Elephantfish

    Gnathonemus petersii

    Mormyridae

    Peters's Elephantnose Fish, often referred to as the Elephantfish or Nile Elephantfish (scientific name Gnathonemus petersii), belongs to the family Mormyridae. Its exotic appearance, resembling an elephant's trunk due…

  • Empire Gudgeon

    Empire Gudgeon

    Hypseleotris compressa

    Sleepers (Eleotridae)

    The Empire Gudgeon, also known as Hypseleotris compressa, is a member of the Eleotridae family. This vibrant, undemanding fish coexists well with other aquarium inhabitants. The main challenge in its keeping arises from…

  • Figure Eight Puffer

    Figure Eight Puffer

    Dichotomyctere ocellatus

    Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)

    The Figure Eight Puffer, scientifically known as Dichotomyctere ocellatus, belongs to the family Tetraodontidae. These fish have earned a reputation as charming creatures due to their large, expressive eyes and…

  • Freshwater Flounder

    Freshwater Flounder

    Brachirus panoides

    Soleidae

    Brachirus panoides, or the freshwater flounder, belongs to the family Soleidae. This species stands out with its unique appearance, which is hard to confuse with others. Although caring for this fish is considered…

  • 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…

  • Glass Angel

    Glass Angel

    Gymnochanda filamentosa

    Asian Glassfish (Ambassidae)

    The fish known as the "Glass Angel" or Filamentous Glass Perch (scientific name Gymnochanda filamentosa) belongs to the family Ambassidae, or Asian Glassfish. Its name accurately conveys the key feature of this fish –…

  • Glass Knifefish

    Glass Knifefish

    Eigenmannia virescens

    Sternopygidae

    Eigenmannia virescens, known as the Glass Knifefish or Green Knifefish, belongs to the family Sternopygidae. Its name reflects its unusual body shape, resembling a knife blade or scalpel. With proper aquarium setup,…

  • Glassfish

    Glassfish

    Parambassis ranga

    Asian Glassfish (Ambassidae)

    The Indian Glassfish, scientifically known as Parambassis ranga, belongs to the family Ambassidae. It is quite well-known among aquarists, though not widely distributed. Its popularity is partly due to the fact that in…

  • 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…

  • Green Pufferfish

    Green Pufferfish

    Dichotomyctere nigroviridis

    Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)

    Dichotomyctere nigroviridis, known as the spotted green pufferfish, belongs to the family Tetraodontidae. These fish are called "puffers" due to their unique ability to inflate themselves with water when feeling…

  • Humphead Glassfish

    Humphead Glassfish

    Parambassis pulcinella

    Asian Glassfish (Ambassidae)

    Parambassis pulcinella, also known as the Humphead Glassfish, belongs to the family Ambassidae, or Asian Glassfish. This fish is native to Southeast Asia and is found in the river systems of Thailand and Myanmar. Its…

  • Indian Featherback

    Indian Featherback

    Chitala ornata

    Notopteridae

    The Indian Featherback, or Chitala ornata by its scientific name, belongs to the family Notopteridae. It is a large fish distinguished by its unusual body shape. Keeping it requires significant financial investment and…

  • Indostomus

    Indostomus

    Indostomus crocodilus

    Indostomidae

    Indostomus crocodilus, or Indostomus, belongs to the Indostomidae family. Its unusual appearance is due to the practical necessity of camouflaging itself from potential predators. In a home aquarium it needs careful…

  • Knight Goby

    Knight Goby

    Stigmatogobius sadanundio

    Gobiidae

    The Knight Goby, scientifically known as Stigmatogobius sadanundio, belongs to the family Gobiidae. Keeping this fish is not the simplest task, as it requires brackish water and careful selection of tank mates. Yet…

  • Lala Glassfish

    Lala Glassfish

    Parambassis lala

    Asian Glassfish (Ambassidae)

    The Lala Glassfish, known scientifically as Parambassis lala, belongs to the Ambassidae family, or Glassfish. This species originates from Asia; it can be found in the territories of modern India, Bangladesh, and…

  • 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…

  • Lepidosiren

    Lepidosiren

    Lepidosiren paradoxa

    Lepidosirenidae

    Lepidosiren, also known as the American lungfish or Amazonian lungfish, bears the scientific name Lepidosiren paradoxa and belongs to the family Lepidosirenidae. A key feature of this species is its ability to breathe…

  • Lortet's Puffer

    Lortet's Puffer

    Carinotetraodon lorteti

    Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)

    Lortet's Puffer, scientifically known as Carinotetraodon lorteti, belongs to the family Tetraodontidae. It is believed to be named after the French zoologist Louis Charles Émile Lortet, who lived from 1836 to 1909.

  • Mudskipper

    Mudskipper

    Periophthalmus barbarus

    Oxudercidae

    Periophthalmus barbarus, more commonly known as the mudskipper, belongs to the family Oxudercidae. It is an extraordinary fish that spends most of its life on land. Here it feeds, seeks out mates for reproduction, and…

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • Peacock Gudgeon

    Peacock Gudgeon

    Tateurndina ocellicauda

    Sleepers (Eleotridae)

    Tateurndina ocellicauda belongs to the family Eleotridae. This fish is known as the peacock gudgeon. Despite the common name gudgeon, it is not related to the freshwater gobies found across Eurasia. It is an attractive…

  • 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…

  • Protopterus

    Protopterus

    Protopterus annectens

    Protopteridae

    Protopterus, also known as the African lungfish (scientific name Protopterus annectens), belongs to the family Protopteridae. This amazing species has repeatedly been the central topic of popular science programs on BBC…

  • 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 Melon Dario

    Red Melon Dario

    Dario hysginon

    Badidae

    The Scarlet Badis, scientifically known as Dario hysginon, belongs to the family Badidae. These fish share a common ancestor with groups familiar to aquarists, such as Gouramis and Bettas. In terms of appearance,…

  • 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-Eyed Pufferfish

    Red-Eyed Pufferfish

    Carinotetraodon salivator

    Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)

    The Red-Eyed Pufferfish, scientifically known as Carinotetraodon salivator, belongs to the family Tetraodontidae, or pufferfish. In moments of potential threat, this fish, like other members of its family, can inflate…

  • 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…

  • Scarlet Badis

    Scarlet Badis

    Dario dario

    Badidae

    The Scarlet Badis, also known as Dario dario (its scientific name), belongs to the Badidae family. On this website, the species is classified into the Labyrinth Fish group (which includes the Gourami and Betta families)…

  • Siamese Spiny Eel

    Siamese Spiny Eel

    Macrognathus siamensis

    Spiny Eels (Mastacembelidae)

    The Siamese spiny eel, scientifically known as Macrognathus siamensis, belongs to the family Mastacembelidae, or spiny eels, and is classified as an eel. It can be found in the wild in Southeast Asia, particularly in…

  • Silver Moony

    Silver Moony

    Monodactylus argenteus

    Monodactylidae

    The Silver Moony, also known as the Silver Mono, bears the scientific name Monodactylus argenteus and belongs to the family Monodactylidae. These active and beautiful fish, when kept in a school, always look very…

  • 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,…

  • Sundasalanx

    Sundasalanx

    Sundasalanx microps

    Ehiravidae

    The Sundasalanx fish, known scientifically as Sundasalanx microps, belongs to the family Ehiravidae. This fish is exotic for several reasons: it is rarely found in aquariums, and its appearance is unusual. Keeping these…