The Americas

Acestrorhynchus falcatus

A pike-like ambush predator that minds its manners with fish it can't swallow.

Xenotoca eiseni

A hardy livebearer with a nasty streak and genuinely fascinating reproductive biology.

Cichlasoma festae

A massive, fierce Ecuadorian cichlid that will eat anything it can fit in its mouth.

Erythrinus erythrinus

A bold, air-breathing predator that mimics killifish as a juvenile to lure prey

Potamotrygon orbignyi

A manageable freshwater ray for those ready to step up to serious specialist keeping.

Corydoras reynoldsi

A tiny Colombian cory with a surprisingly long life and some endearing quirks.

Crenicichla saxatilis

A torpedo-shaped predator from Suriname's creeks, built to ambush and dominate.

Corydoras napoensis

A tiny armored catfish from Ecuador that rewards patient keepers with decades of personality.

Megalodoras uranoscopus

A gentle giant catfish from the Amazon that travels in groups and growls.

Awaous banana

A sand-sifting river giant that grazes algae like an aquatic lawnmower.

Corydoras robustus

One of the largest corys around, rarely seen and worth the hunt.

Archocentrus spinosissimus

A spiny Central American cichlid from Guatemala's Lake Izabal basin, rarely seen in the hobby.

Hypostomus roseopunctatus

A hefty South American pleco with an unusual ability to breathe air.

Potamotrygon schroederi

A rare, patterned freshwater ray that demands respect and serious commitment.

Caquetaia spectabilis

A bold Amazonian cichlid that pairs for life and defends its brood fiercely.

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

A rosy, fin-flaring little characin that puts on its best show in a crowd.

Hyphessobrycon rosaceus

A softly blushing schooling tetra that rewards keepers who think in groups.

Apistogramma alacrina

A pint-sized Colombian dwarf cichlid with a uniquely spotted pectoral fin base.

Sturisoma panamense

An elegant whiptail catfish that grazes algae and breathes air when needed.

Panaque nigrolineatus

A wood-rasping giant with bold racing stripes and a reclusive personality.

Sturisoma festivum

A sleek, whiskered algae grazer from the Maracaibo basin with a surprising trick up its sleeve.

Axelrodi riesei

A tiny red gem from Colombia that rewards patient, species-focused keepers.

Hemigrammus bleheri

A tight-schooling tetra whose vivid red nose blazes brightest in a large group.

Hemigrammus rhodostomus

The original rummy-nose, built for tight shoals and soft Amazon water.

Aequidens tetramerus

A wide-ranging South American cichlid with vivid locality color forms worth hunting down.

Corydoras ephippifer

A rarely-seen Amazonian cory with clear fins and a surprisingly long lifespan.

Poecilia latipinna

The male's enormous sail-like dorsal fin makes this livebearer instantly recognizable.

Poecilia velifera

The towering dorsal fin of this livebearer is a true showpiece when conditions are right.

Leiarius marmoratus

A massive schooling catfish with dramatic fins and a nocturnal personality.

Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps

A decades-long commitment: this armored giant lives longer than most pets.

Crenuchus spilurus

A solitary little predator with theatrical fin displays and devoted fathering instincts.

Scleromystax salmacis

A tiny armored catfish from Brazilian ponds, with a venomous sting to respect.

Corydoras habrosus

A pint-sized armored catfish that breathes air and blinks at you.

Cichlasoma salvini

Colorful, compact, and surprisingly ferocious. A Central American cichlid with real attitude.

Thorichthys callolepis

A lesser-known Mexican cichlid from swift, rocky headwaters worth a closer look.

Corydoras davidsandsi

A rarely exported Rio Negro cory with a bold split dorsal bar and surprising longevity.