Freshwater aquariums
The most approachable corner of the hobby, and the biggest.
From beginner community tanks to specialty biotopes, freshwater covers the widest range of species and setups. Pick a category below, or browse by group.
Browse the big categories
Popular freshwater groups
Browse by vibe
Explore by region
The Americas
From the Amazon's blackwater basins to Caribbean reefs — the Americas hold the most popular freshwater biotopes and a wealth of Atlantic and Pacific saltwater life.
765 species
Africa
The Great Rift Lakes drive the African hobby — Malawi and Tanganyika host some of the most diverse cichlid radiations on Earth. West Africa and Madagascar add further biodiversity.
396 species
Asia
The rivers and rice paddies of Southeast and South Asia give us rasboras, barbs, gouramis, danios, loaches, and a whole world of community fish.
683 species
Oceania
Australia and New Guinea host rainbowfish, blue-eyes, gudgeons, and a distinct freshwater fauna separate from the Indo-Pacific reef zone.
66 species
Indo-Pacific
The heart of marine biodiversity — the Coral Triangle, Great Barrier Reef, and surrounding seas hold more reef species than anywhere else on Earth.
2 species
Atlantic & Europe
The cooler side of the reef world, plus European freshwater — temperate species, Mediterranean reefs, and the North Atlantic.
15 species
Community tank favorites
Burmese Chocolate Gourami
FishParasphaerichthys ocellatus
A tiny Burmese labyrinth fish that builds bubble nests and rewards patient keepers.
Cuming's Barb
FishPethia cumingii
A peaceful Sri Lankan gem with bold black blotches and sunshine-yellow fins.
African Red-eyed Tetra
FishArnoldichthys spilopterus
A bold West African schooler with vivid red eyes and iridescent scales worth showing off.
Virginia's Cory
FishCorydoras virginiae
A long-lived armored catfish from Peru with a surprisingly personal quirk: it blinks.