Central America

Atractosteus spatula

One of the world's largest freshwater fish, and a lifelong commitment.

Atya scabra

A gentle giant filter feeder that earns its keep cleaning the water column.

Amphilophus macracanthus

A hefty Central American cichlid built for life on the riverbed.

Poecilia maylandi

A little-known Mexican molly with big personality and a taste for algae.

Gymnotus carapo

A electric-field-wielding oddball that can breathe air and recognize its neighbors

Quintana atrizona

A tiny Cuban livebearer that disappears into dense plant thickets.

Cyprinodon pachycephalus

A rare Mexican pupfish with a notably broad head and a challenging side.

Limia melanogaster

A rarely seen Caribbean livebearer with bold dark coloring and lively personality.

Vieja maculicauda

A bold, brawny Central American cichlid with a namesake black band and real attitude.

Thorichthys pasionis

A lesser-known Central American cichlid with bold personality and a distinctive dark throat.

Phallichthys tico

A tiny, peaceful livebearer from Costa Rica's murky highland streams.

Ophisternon infernale

A cave-dwelling, eyeless eel from the underground rivers of the Yucatan.

Cryptoheros spilurus

A compact Central American cichlid with fierce pair bonds and big personality.

Amphilophus nourissati

A bold Central American cichlid from ancient Mayan river country, built for character.

Hypsophrys nicaraguensis

A Central American cichlid that bonds for life and redecorates constantly.

Ameca splendens

A rare Mexican livebearer with a placenta-like structure and feisty personality.

Hyphessobrycon axelrodi

A tiny Trinidad native surprisingly comfortable in brackish conditions.

Xiphophorus milleri

A rare Mexican platyfish from one lake, suited for species-focused setups.

Cyprinodon veronicae

A rare spring pupfish from a remote Mexican highland that challenges even dedicated keepers.

Cichlasoma bocourti

A hefty Central American cichlid that means business in any territory it claims.

Theraps bocourti

A rare Guatemalan cichlid with impressive parental care and a feisty personality.

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Fearless, easy to breed, and absolutely not a community fish.

Girardinus creolus

A rare Cuban livebearer that occupies the middle of the water column.

Nandopsis tetracanthus

Cuba's only native cichlid: territorial, long-lived, and surprisingly personable.

Atractosteus tristoechus

A living fossil from Cuba that outgrows almost any home aquarium.

Archocentrus septemfasciatus

A feisty Costa Rican cichlid that punches well above its weight at spawning time.

Xiphophorus cortezi

A gentle, lesser-known Mexican swordtail for the planted community tank.

Cyprinodon brontotheroides

A tiny Bahamian pupfish built to crack open hard-shelled prey no other pupfish can handle.

Hemianthus callitrichoides

The tiniest aquarium plant around, forming a lush carpet close to the substrate.

Thorichthys meeki

The cichlid that turns its fiery throat into a threat display.

Amphilophus flaveolus

A rare Nicaraguan crater-lake cichlid, living proof of evolution in action.

Riccia fluitans

A floating liverwort that pearls with oxygen bubbles when truly happy.

Petenia splendida

A big-mouthed Central American predator that's surprisingly manageable for dedicated beginners.

Ilyodon furcidens

A livebearer with a quasi-placenta and fork-shaped teeth. Genuinely unlike most aquarium fish.

Thorichthys aureus

A Central American cichlid with electric blue shimmer and real personality to match.

Herichthys carpintis

A pearl-flecked bruiser that rewards bold hobbyists willing to manage its attitude.