Are you looking to take your aquarium hobby to the next level? If so, you've come to the right place! Discover which exotic freshwater fish will take your aquarium to the next level! This blog post will explore 10 of the most exotic freshwater fish for advanced aquarists.
1) Bala Shark
The Bala Shark (Balantiocheilus melanopterus) is a freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. The Bala Shark has a silver-gray body with black and yellow stripes running along the body and fins. It has a long, laterally compressed body, giving it a torpedo-like shape. It is an active and peaceful fish that prefers to live in schools.
Bala Sharks are relatively hardy fish, making them a good choice for an advanced aquarist experienced with freshwater fish keeping. They are omnivores, so they should be fed worms, brine shrimp, and high-quality flake food. The minimum tank size recommended for this fish is 55 gallons (208 liters), but larger tanks are preferred as they get pretty large and need plenty of room to swim.
The Bala Shark is an exciting and peaceful fish that can bring life and color to any freshwater aquarium. Proper care and maintenance can be a rewarding addition to your tank.
2) Rainbow Shark
The Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a freshwater fish that makes an excellent addition to any home aquarium. This eye-catching fish has a bright coloration and an energetic personality, making it a perfect choice for aquarists looking to add color and energy to their tank.
The Rainbow Shark is native to Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia, where it lives in the slow-moving rivers and lakes of the region. This species prefers a well-filtered tank with plenty of hiding places and a swimming room in captivity. They will reach up to 7 inches (18 cm) long and should be kept in groups of at least 3 individuals.
Rainbow Sharks are carnivorous, so they should be fed various frozen and live foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and feeder fish. They are also known to be quite territorial, so it is essential to provide plenty of space in the tank to avoid aggressive behavior among the fish.
Overall, the Rainbow Shark is an attractive and hardy fish that makes an excellent addition to any home aquarium. This species will bring tropical beauty to any tank with its vibrant colors and playful personality.
3) Red Tail Shark
The Red Tail Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) is an attractive but aggressive freshwater fish. It originates from rivers in Thailand and grows to about 8 inches (20 cm) long. As its name implies, the Red Tail Shark has a vivid red tail fin, and its black coloration also distinguishes it with a white underside and white stripes along its sides.
The Red Tail Shark is a semi-aggressive fish but should not be kept in an aquarium with other aggressive species. It is best to keep the Red Tail Shark alone or with other non-aggressive species of similar size. A 75-gallon (284 liters) or larger tank is needed for the Red Tail Shark to thrive and to provide plenty of hiding places like rocks and driftwood.
The Red Tail Shark prefers water with a pH level of 6.5-7.5 and a temperature between 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit (22-28°C). A good filter and weekly partial water changes are recommended to keep the water quality in optimal condition. The Red Tail Shark is an omnivore and should be fed a varied diet of high-quality flake, frozen, live foods, and vegetable matter such as lettuce and cucumber.
The Red Tail Shark can be an exciting addition to an advanced aquarist's tank, but caution should be taken when selecting tankmates. With proper care, the Red Tail Shark can provide years of enjoyment and make a beautiful centerpiece for any tank.
4) Clown Loach
The Clown Loach is a popular freshwater fish for advanced aquarists looking for an exotic addition to their tank. This species can be identified by its slender, elongated body shape, which can grow up to 13 inches (33 cm) in length, and its bright orange coloration with three distinct black bands running down its body. A member of the Cobitidae family, it is found in Southeast Asia, from India to Borneo and Sumatra.
Clown Loaches are peaceful fish, but they can be territorial with other members of their species. They do best when kept in groups of five or more and should be kept with similarly sized fish that are manageable. These fish prefer cooler temperatures, so they should be kept between 72-82°F (22-28°C).
In terms of diet, these fish are omnivores and will accept a variety of foods, including worms, insects, pellets, and flakes. Live or frozen foods should also be included in their diets, as they often scavenge around the bottom of the tank looking for snacks.
These fish are relatively easy to care for if their water conditions are appropriately maintained and they are fed a varied diet. They are an excellent choice for aquarists who want to add a touch of color and personality to their tanks!
5) Angelfish
Angelfish are iconic freshwater aquarium fish known for their vibrant colors and distinct body shapes. They are a type of cichlid, a family of fish native to Central and South America. Angelfish come in various colors, from black to white, yellow, blue, and green! Some species can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) in size.
Regarding care, angelfish require a large tank with plenty of covers. They prefer a temperature of 72-82°F (22-28°C) and a pH of 6.5-7.5. They should be fed a varied diet of live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and high-quality pellets or flakes. They should be kept in pairs or small groups, as they can become territorial when kept alone.
Angelfish are an excellent choice for the more experienced aquarist looking for a unique and beautiful fish to add to their aquarium. With the proper care and diet, angelfish can live up to 8 years in captivity.
6) Oscars
The Oscar is a beautiful and unique fish species that makes a great addition to any advanced aquarium. This fish originates from South America and is known for its striking black and orange coloration. Its diet consists of various meats, vegetables, and other prepared foods, so feeding your Oscar the right foods is essential for optimal health.
Oscars are large fish, growing up to 12 inches (31 cm) in length and requiring an aquarium to accommodate their size. They are a peaceful species but will become territorial with other fish, so providing plenty of space between different tankmates is essential. Oscars can be very active and entertaining when kept in an environment with plenty of room and food.
When setting up an Oscar tank, you should use a substrate that is not too abrasive, as the fish may end up eating it. A sandy or fine gravel substrate is best. Regarding decorations, Oscars enjoy swimming in and around logs, rocks, and plants. These decorations also provide hiding places where they can feel safe and secure.
Oscars need to have their water parameters checked regularly and monitored closely. They prefer clean water with a pH of 6-7.5, a temperature of 75-82°F (24-28°C), and a hardness of 10-25°dH. Oscars can live up to 10 years or more with proper care and maintenance.
Overall, Oscars are a great addition to an advanced aquarium. They can make a beautiful and entertaining addition to your tank with the proper setup and food!
7) Pufferfish
Pufferfish are exciting and rewarding fish to keep in the aquarium. These fascinating creatures come in various shapes and sizes; some species can grow large. As the name implies, pufferfish can puff up when threatened or stressed. In addition, they have sharp spines along their bodies that will cause serious injury if mishandled.
Despite their intimidating exterior, pufferfish are peaceful fish best kept in a group of their kind. They are incredibly active fish and enjoy swimming around and exploring their environment. Pufferfish can be fed various foods, including frozen or freeze-dried crustaceans, such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and krill, as well as sinking wafers and pellets made explicitly for pufferfish.
Pufferfish are also sensitive to water quality and require regular partial water changes to maintain healthy living conditions. These fish need highly oxygenated water and plenty of swimming space, so tanks should be at least 30 gallons (114 liters) for a single specimen. It is best to provide a larger tank for multiple specimens, between 50-75 gallons (189-284 liters).
Overall, pufferfish can make great additions to the home aquarium for those aquarists looking for something more exciting than the standard community fish. With proper care, these excellent fish can live for many years and bring hours of entertainment.
8) Plecostomus
Plecostomus, also known as Plecos or algae eaters, are an excellent choice for experienced aquarists looking for an exciting and eye-catching fish. These fish can be a great addition to any tank, as they help to keep it clean by eating any algae that may be present.
Plecos are incredibly hardy and adaptable to different water conditions but should not be kept with aggressive fish. They have a unique appearance and come in various colors, ranging from bright green to dark brown. The most popular pleco species are the Common Plecostomus and the Bristlenose Plecostomus, which make great additions to the aquarium.
Plecos can grow quite large, so ensure they have ample swimming space! Feed them a varied diet of blanched vegetables and high-quality sinking pellets. When keeping plecos, provide plenty of hiding spots and caves, as they like to hide away during the day.
9) Tetras
Tetras are small, colorful, active freshwater fish that add to aquariums. Tetras come in various colors, shapes, and sizes so that you can find the perfect match for your tank. They're social animals, so it's best to keep them in groups of at least six, but a larger group is even better.
A few popular types of tetra include the Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, and Glowlight Tetra. Tetras prefer warm waters, so keep your tank at around 76-82 degrees Fahrenheit (25-28°C). They like to eat a combination of flake food, frozen food, and live food, such as worms or brine shrimp.
10) Guppies
Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater fish species among aquarists of all skill levels. They are colorful and active, making them a great addition to any aquarium. Guppies come in various colors and patterns, from bright reds and blues to subtle hues of green and yellow. The males of the species tend to have longer, more vibrantly colored tails than the females.
Guppies can be kept in various water conditions, ranging from slightly acidic to neutral or alkaline. They can tolerate temperatures between 72-82 °F (22-28°C) and prefer waters with some movement.
These fish can be kept in pairs or small groups; however, larger schools will bring out the best in their coloration and dynamic behavior. They are generally peaceful fish and do well in community aquariums with other temperate species, such as tetras and danios.
Guppies are omnivorous and eat most prepared fish foods such as flakes, pellets, and freeze-dried foods. They should also be offered a variety of fresh vegetables, such as blanched spinach or zucchini, as well as live or frozen foods, such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.
Guppies are ideal for beginner aquarists but can also provide some challenges for more advanced aquarists. These lively little fish can thrive in any home aquarium with proper care.