West & Central Africa
The Congo and the rivers of Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon — killifish, tetras, dwarf cichlids, and specialized catfish.
257 species
Other regions in Africa
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
FishMelanotaenia herbertaxelrodi
A highland Papua New Guinea gem that rewards patient keepers with vivid color.
Lake Wanam Rainbowfish
FishGlossolepis wanamensis
A critically endangered rainbowfish from a single remote Papua New Guinea lake.
Laprade's Bichir
FishPolypterus bichir lapradei
A prehistoric African giant that breathes air and hunts like a predator from another era.
Large Finned Lampeye
FishProcatopus nototaenia
A forest stream lampeye that rewards patient, experienced keepers.
Large-scale Characin
FishBrycinus macrolepidotus
A football-sized African predator that roams rivers from the Nile to the Congo.
Leopard Bushfish
FishCtenopoma acutirostre
A patient ambush predator that disguises itself as a drifting leaf.
Lifalili Cichlid
FishHemichromis lifalili
A jewel cichlid that transforms into something else entirely when spawning season hits.
Line-spotted Barb
FishBarbus lineomaculatus
A sleek African barb that migrates into flooded grasslands to spawn.
Long-finned Characin
FishBrycinus longipinnis
A lively West African schooler that needs space and confident tankmates.
Longsnout Distichodus
FishDistichodus lusosso
A boldly patterned Congo river fish that quietly outgrows its youthful looks.
Lonnberg's Aphyosemion
FishAphyosemion loennbergii
A rare Cameroonian killifish from shaded rainforest streams, worth the extra effort.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail
InvertMelanoides tuberculata
The tireless substrate burrower that aerates your gravel while you sleep.
Many Barred Distichodus
FishDistichodus fasciolatus
A boldly barred Congo giant that stays surprisingly peaceful for its size.
Marbled Climbing Perch
FishCtenopoma weeksii
A cryptic Congo predator that vanishes into leaf litter before your eyes.
Marbled Lungfish
FishProtopterus aethiopicus aethiopicus
An ancient African lungfish that breathes air and can outlast a drought.
Marbled Lyretail
FishFundulopanchax marmoratus
A rare Cameroonian killifish with detailed marbled patterning and a preference for cool water.
Marbled Synodontis
FishSynodontis schoutedeni
A beginner-friendly Congo catfish with bold marbled patterning that deepens with age.
Masked Julie
FishJulidochromis transcriptus
A bold little rock-dweller from Lake Tanganyika with sharp black-and-white contrast.
Mbu Puffer
FishTetraodon mbu
A Congo giant that demands respect, space, and a very sturdy tank.
Mokele-mbembe Bichir
FishPolypterus mokelembembe
An ancient, armored predator from the Congo's murky depths.
Mottled Bichir
FishPolypterus weeksii
A living fossil from the Congo with a swim bladder that doubles as a lung.
Mottled Catfish
FishAmarginops ornatus
A sleek Congo predator with ornate markings and serious attitude toward tankmates.
Mountain Barbel
FishAmphilius platychir
A sleek African stream catfish built for life in fast, rocky currents.
Mozambique tilapia
FishOreochromis mossambicus
One of the world's most invasive fish, sold as food and kept as a curiosity.
Mustard Squeaker
FishSynodontis albolineata
A small, community-friendly squeaker from Cameroon and Gabon that rarely reaches the trade.
Nerite Snail
InvertNeritina natalensis
The algae-scrubbing snail that won't overrun your tank.
Nile Bichir
FishPolypterus bichir
A living fossil that breathes air and moves like an eel.
Nile squeaker
FishSynodontis schall
The unpredictable bruiser of the Synodontis world, not for community tanks.
Nile Tilapia
FishOreochromis niloticus niloticus
One of the world's most adaptable fish, but a challenging aquarium resident.
Norman's Lampeye
FishPoropanchax normani
Tiny West African killifish with glowing blue eyes that shimmer in low light.
Northern Purplespotted Gudgeon
FishMogurnda mogurnda
A bold Australian bottom-dweller with real personality and surprising breeding behavior.
Northern Rainbowfish
FishMelanotaenia affinis
One of the first rainbowfish in the hobby, now available in several wild forms.
Ocellifer Catfish
FishSynodontis ocellifer
A hardy West African catfish with bold spots and a long, distinctive adipose fin.
Okavango Tilapia
FishTilapia ruweti
A compact African cichlid with big personality from wild swamp habitats.
Oneline Tetra
FishNannaethiops unitaeniatus
A peaceful little African schooler that deserves far more attention than it gets.
Onespot Squeaker
FishSynodontis notata
A daytime-active catfish with a bold personality to match its bold spot.