East Asia

Oryzias latipes

The first vertebrate to mate in space, now a rewarding nano fish for patient keepers.

Labeo calbasu

A large, algae-grazing river fish best appreciated outside the home aquarium.

Acheilognathus signifer

A Korean bitterling with one of the most bizarre spawning strategies in freshwater fish

Hemibarbus mylodon

A hefty Korean river barb that rewards simple, spacious setups.

Rhinogobius leavelli

A compact, bold goby from Southeast Asian streams, surprisingly easy to keep.

Rhinogobius flumineus

A compact Japanese stream goby with devoted fathering instincts and beginner-friendly needs.

Acanthocobitis botia

A peaceful, quirky bottom-dweller with a false eye that fools predators.

Rhinogobius nantaiensis

A feisty Taiwanese stream goby that rewards patient, experienced keepers.

Channa argus

A true apex predator that can survive days out of water. And is banned in many countries.

Rhinogobius lanyuensis

A tiny island goby from one of Taiwan's most remote corners.

Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus

A dinosaur-sized algae grazer built for decades of service in large tanks.

Yaoshania pachychilus

Bold panda stripes as a juvenile, but adults fade to something far subtler.

Macropodus opercularis

One of the first tropical fish ever kept in Europe, and still worth knowing.

Iksookimia pumila

A compact Korean loach rarely seen outside its home country's hobby.

Sinogastromyzon puliensis

A flat, current-loving Taiwanese hillstream loach that clings to rocks like a living suction cup.

Rhinogobius rubromaculatus

A tiny, fast-moving stream goby from Taiwan and China's upland rivers.

Sewellia lineolata

A bold hillstream loach with bold patterning and surprisingly easy breeding.

Monopterus albus

A land-crossing, air-breathing swamp predator that isn't actually an eel at all.

Yunnanilus sp. "Rosy"

A rosy little loach that punches above its weight in personality.

Macropodus ocellatus

A cold-hardy labyrinth fish that stays active even under ice.

Leptobotia pellegrini

China's boldly patterned loach needs a group and robust tankmates to thrive.

Crossocheilus burmanicus

A lesser-known algae eater from Himalayan foothills with a subtle but useful ID feature.

Puntius snyderi

Taiwan's little-known barb that rivals the golden barb in looks but rarely in fame.

Hemibarbus maculatus

A bold, active coolwater fish with a row of dramatic flank spots.

Channa punctata

A compact, hardy snakehead that breathes air and takes no nonsense from tankmates.

Hemimyzon formosanus

A rare Taiwanese hillstream fish that needs company to truly settle in.

Acrossocheilus paradoxus

A boldly barred Taiwanese cyprinid that's surprisingly easy to keep.

Trichopodus trichopterus

A tough, adaptable gourami with a personality that can catch you off guard.

Trichogaster trichopterus

A bold, labyrinth-breathing gourami that demands respect from its tankmates.

Diademichthys lineatus

Tiny reef clingfish that makes its home among sea urchin spines.

Paramisgurnus dabryanus

The tough, peaceful bottom-dweller hiding in plain sight as a different species.

Tanichthys albonubes

A cold-tolerant schooling fish that practically takes care of itself.