Unusual
Species in the catalogue: 66
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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…
Amazon Puffer
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)
Colomesus asellus
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
Toxotidae
Toxotes jaculatrix
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
Scats (Scatophagidae)
Scatophagus argus
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
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…
Banded Pipefish
Pipefishes (Syngnathidae)
Microphis lineatus
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
Apteronotidae
Apteronotus albifrons
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
Notopteridae
Xenomystus nigri
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
Sunfishes (Centrarchidae)
Enneacanthus chaetodon
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
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)
Carinotetraodon borneensis
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…
Brachygobius Goby
Gobiidae
Brachygobius xanthomelas
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
Gobiidae
Brachygobius doriae
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
Pantodontidae
Pantodon buchholzi
The African Butterflyfish, or Pantodon (scientific name Pantodon buchholzi), belongs to the family Pantodontidae and stands out for its very unusual appearance. Thanks to its friendly nature and unpretentiousness in…
Chameleon fish
Badidae
Badis badis
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
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…
Chinese Sucker
Catostomidae
Myxocyprinus asiaticus
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
Badidae
Dario kajal
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
Gobiidae
Gobioides broussonnetii
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
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.…
Elephantfish
Mormyridae
Gnathonemus petersii
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
Sleepers (Eleotridae)
Hypseleotris compressa
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
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)
Dichotomyctere ocellatus
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
Soleidae
Brachirus panoides
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
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…
Glass Angel
Asian Glassfish (Ambassidae)
Gymnochanda filamentosa
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
Sternopygidae
Eigenmannia virescens
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
Asian Glassfish (Ambassidae)
Parambassis ranga
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
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…
Green Pufferfish
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)
Dichotomyctere nigroviridis
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
Asian Glassfish (Ambassidae)
Parambassis pulcinella
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
Notopteridae
Chitala ornata
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
Indostomidae
Indostomus crocodilus
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
Gobiidae
Stigmatogobius sadanundio
The Knight Goby, also known as the Spotted Goby (scientific name Stigmatogobius sadanundio), belongs to the family Gobiidae. Keeping them may not be the easiest, as they require brackish water and careful selection of…
Lala Glassfish
Asian Glassfish (Ambassidae)
Parambassis lala
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
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…
Lepidosiren
Lepidosirenidae
Lepidosiren paradoxa
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
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)
Carinotetraodon lorteti
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
Oxudercidae
Periophthalmus barbarus
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
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.
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…
Peacock Gudgeon
Sleepers (Eleotridae)
Tateurndina ocellicauda
The scientific name Tateurndina ocellicauda belongs to the family Eleotridae. This fish is known as the Peacock Gudgeon or "Peacock goby." It is important to note that, despite the presence of the word "goby" in its…
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…
Protopterus
Protopteridae
Protopterus annectens
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
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 Melon Dario
Badidae
Dario hysginon
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
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-Eyed Pufferfish
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)
Carinotetraodon salivator
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
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…
Scarlet Badis
Badidae
Dario dario
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
Spiny Eels (Mastacembelidae)
Macrognathus siamensis
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
Monodactylidae
Monodactylus argenteus
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 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…
Sundasalanx
Ehiravidae
Sundasalanx microps
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…