14 best freshwater aquarium fish

Product features

500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish: A Visual Reference to the Most Popular Species

THERE ARE WELL OVER 24,000 SPECIES OF FISH known to science, and that number appears to be increasing daily. With so many thousands of species in existence—from whale sharks to minnows—we should all know what a fish is. However, things are not that simple, since there is no categorical definition of the term “fish.”

Identifying combined characteristics associated with fishes, such as an aquatic lifestyle and the possession of gills and fins, might seem to bring a definition a little closer— but other animals such as cuttlefishes (Sepia, etc.) and squids exhibit the same characteristics.

In broad terms there are two groups of fishes:

Cartilaginous fishes (Class Chondrichthyes): Sharks, rays, and chimaeras (about 700 species).

Bony fishes (Class Osteichthyes): A large class of species ranging from guppies to seahorses (over 23,000 species).

Of these two categories, the one that is encountered almost (but not quite) exclusively in aquaria and in ponds is the Class Osteichthyes, the bony fishes. It is possible, with difficulty and numerous exceptions and qualifications, to list the characteristics that, in combination, allow us to recognize a bony fish as such.

Bony fish:

• Possess a braincase and limb (fin) skeleton consisting, at least in part, of bone.

• Possess fins, usually with spines and/or rays.

• Breathe through outwardly directed gills covered by an operculum (gill cover) that appears externally as a slit-like aperture.

• Have bodies totally or partially covered in scales (with some important exceptions).

• Possess an air/gas swim-bladder used in buoyancy control (with a few exceptions).

• Possess a sensory mechanism called the lateral line system, which runs in a head–tail direction.

• Are poikilothermic (cold-blooded): their body temperature is determined by that of the environment.

Bandit Corydoras (Corydoras metae)

This pink and black corydoras has a black “mask” that extends from the top of the head, through the eye, to the bottom edge of the gill covers— hence the “Bandit” part of the name. The front of the dorsal fin is also black, this pigmentation running in a single central band along the back to the top front edge of the caudal fin and then down to the bottom front edge of the fin. From the side it can easily be confused with C. melini (Diagonal Stripe, or False Bandit, Corydoras) from the state of Amazonas in Brazil. However, from above the single black dorsal band of the Bandit Corydoras splits into two separate narrower bands in C. melini; they extend diagonally toward the caudal peduncle (the base of the tail fin).

Black-belt Cichlid (Vieja maculicauda)

The Black-belt Cichlid is an old favorite. It is easily distinguished by its prominent vertical central-body band, from which the common name derives. This band runs from the center of the dorsal fin right down to the belly, although its breadth and sharpness vary from specimen to specimen and according to the individual’s mood.

Fenestratus (Protomelas fenestratus)

Also known in the trade as Haplochromis steveni “Thick Bars,” this is one of several Protomelas species available, some of which are still awaiting scientific description. Male Fenestratus are the more brightly colored of the sexes, with the females having a more inconspicuous gray to silver coloration.

African Buffalohead (Steatocranus casuarius)

All the common names of this species—which is the only Steatocranus frequently seen in the hobby—accurately describe the head shape of fully mature males. Females also possess the nuchal (head) hump, but it is much less pronounced than in males. Steatocranus is a bottom dweller with limited swimming ability.

Green Terror (Andinoacara rivulatus)

This relatively large fish has distinctive cheek markings that are similar to those found in the Blue Acara. However, the head, particularly in males, is considerably larger, with a noticeable “forehead.” The Gold Saum and Silver Saum have golden/reddish and whitish/silvery edges to the dorsal and caudal fins respectively.

Orange-finned Loach (Yasuhikotakia modesta)

This is an unusually, but most attractively, colored species. It is sometimes confused with B. lecontei (Leconte’s Loach). However, in Orange-finned Loach all the fins are orange to yellow, while in B. lecontei the dorsal fin is grayish blue.

• 🐠 KEEP YOUR AQUARIUM OR POND HEALTHY - Monitoring your aquarium’s water quality is the most important thing for keeping tropical fish healthy and vibrant, and your tank looking beautiful.
• 🐠 QUICK & EASY TO USE - Designed by experts, this 6 in 1 freshwater aquarium test kit is fast and easier to use than liquid test kits. Aqua Care Pro strips are wider and have non-bleeding colors, making them easier to hold, dip, and read.
• 🐠 DESIGNED FOR AQUARIUMS AND PONDS - Aqua Care Pro strips test for General Hardness (GH), Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Carbonate Hardness (KH), and Chlorine. The test results are in the proper range for aquarium and pond keeping.
• 🐠 ECONOMICAL PACKAGING - Why buy more strips than you need? This kit includes 104 + 12 strips for testing twice a week (one year’s supply + 12 extra strips). Half of the strips are packaged separately to maintain freshness.
• 🐠 24/7 CUSTOMER SUPPORT - The test kit includes detailed instructions for testing, understanding your results, and an e-book with helpful tips written by 30+ year industry experts. You’ll also have 24/7 access to our expert US-based aquatic biologists.

User questions & answers

Question:	Why is my nitrite level always zero
Answer:	I imagine you could brew it the same as you would with any loose leaf tea without a French press. I haven't tried it though.
Question:	How high does the ph read
Answer:	Yes
Question:	How do these compare to liquid test kits
Answer:	I tried brewing 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of hot water and I did not like the taste of that. So now how I integrate this into my coffee experience, is that I buy the ground version of a Rasa - I brew 2 tablespoons of ground herbal coffee that I order from Orenda & Sage and then I add 1 tablespoon of the ground Rasa. I brew this all in a small coffee maker with about 2 1/2 cups of water and it yields about 2 cups of herbal coffee for me.
Question:	Is there an expiration date on the bottle
Answer:	Rasa is made of mostly dried roots so it has a shelf life of 2 years. They say 1 year but most herbalists would say 2 years if it’s in a cool dark place.

Product description

Aquarium descripiton Aqua Luna Product Introduction



Aqua Luna Aquarium Test Strips 6 in 1 is the optimum test kit, one strip performs six important tests. In just one minute you’ll know your water’s NO2, NO3, GH, KH, PH, Cl2 levels. The whole set contains one barrel and a refill pack, 100 strips in total.



Test Range of 6 parameters:



Total Hardness: 0~300mg/l

Nitrate: 0~250mg/L

Nitrite: 0~10mg/L

Cl2: 0~3.0mg/L

Carbonate: 0~300mg/L

pH: 6.4~8.4



Warnings

1.Keep wet fingers out of the bottle.

2.Avoid touching or polluting the test area of strip.

3.Close cap tightly after removing strips.

4.For best results read in natural daylight.

5.Store in a cool dry place.

• 💧 THE CARETAKER OF YOUR TANK – Aqualuna’s 6-in-1 kit provides quick and reliable results to verify water quality and prevent fish loss.
• 💧 TEST FOR 6 PARAMETERS - Monitor pH levels, general water hardness, nitrate, nitrite, carbonate and chlorine.
• 💧 QUICK & ACCURATE RESULTS - Dip the test strip into the water for 2 seconds before removing. Wait 60 seconds for the strip to change color. Match the color of the strip with the color chart for your results.
• 💧 REGULARLY TEST - When purchasing a new fish aquarium, it is highly recommended to have your water tested 4 times per week until it is ready to progress to the next nitrate cycle. Once it has been set up, establish a weekly routine to check your water quality for at least once per week.
• 💧 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR TOP PRIORITY - We value your opinion, and our team strives to provide the highest quality of service to our customers. Customer service is available 24/7.

Product description

Most water problems are invisible to the eye. Quickly measure and modify the six aquarium levels that are most important to the health of your freshwater fish with the API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT. To stay healthy and thrive, fish need properly balanced levels of ammonia, pH, high range pH, nitrite and nitrate. These levels can change rapidly and create harmful conditions when fish waste, uneaten food or other organic matter accumulate, or when untreated water is added. If left uncorrected, all of these can be harmful or even fatal to fish, with consequences such as reduction of oxygen, increase in stress and higher risk of disease. The API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT measures these six parameters with scientific accuracy and provides professional results. It comes with four glass test tubes, a holding tray, test tube rack and computer calibrated, laminated color card. Just fill the test tubes, add the test drops and compare results to the color card. Then follow the recommendations on the card if action is required. With API Aquarium products, it’s easy to keep a beautiful saltwater, freshwater or reef aquarium. For over 50 years, API has been creating innovative, research-driven solutions that make it easier to care for your fish and aquarium. API Aquarium Treatment Supplies are designed to work in conjunction with each other to provide best results to control algae, promote healthy bacterial growth and help control and cure fish diseases and conditions such as ich and fin rot. They work to provide a safe, hospitable environment for fish such as tropical community fish, cichlids, goldfish and more. With API, you can spend more time admiring your fish, and less time scrubbing your tank. Make sure to use all products as directed in order to ensure the best results.

• Contains one API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit, including 7 bottles of testing solutions, 1 color card and 4 glass tubes with cap
• Helps monitor water quality and prevent invisible water problems that can be harmful to fish and cause fish loss
• Accurately monitors 5 most vital water parameters levels in freshwater aquariums: pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
• Designed for use in freshwater aquariums only
• Use for weekly monitoring and when water or fish problems appear

User questions & answers

Question:	Can any of these tests be used for both saltwater and freshwater? I noticed a lot of the individually packaged tests say they can be used for both
Answer:	Api ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits can be used for both salt and fresh water aquariums, the liquid solutions are the same for salt and fresh. BUT the color cards that you use to compare your test to are slightly different. I have both fresh water and marine. The first time I bought these kits, I bought for saltwater and freshwater and never threw away the color cards. Now it doesn't matter if I get freshwater or saltwater test kits because I have both freshwater and saltwater cards.
Question:	Would this kit be a good one for my planted aquarium
Answer:	Yes, this is a good general water testing kit, unless you have plants that are very sensitive to water hardness. This kit does NOT include a water-hardness tester.
Question:	I'm a newbie. I have a betta in 10G tank and I'm told that I need to test the water always.Not sure if I should get this or get cheaper ones instead
Answer:	Frankly, with a 10G tank you should just be doing weekly water changes of at least 25-30%. You can't really "let things go" with a tank that size and it's unlikely that you would have ammonia spikes with such frequent water changes. I have a little 5.5 gallon with a couple of albino cory cats and I use a test strip every once in a blue moon, but the water is always fine because I do weekly changes. Am looking at this kit for my 125 gallon tank, but would bother for a tiny tank.
Question:	How many tests can be run with this kit
Answer:	About 120. Problem is that if you use the full set of products daily you will quickly run out of the ammonia test and the Nitrates tests (each with 2 bottles) because they take 8-10 drops each, compared to the Ph test which only takes 3 drops. I mainly test ammonia and nitrites so I've had to buy separate ammonia kits twice now because I ran out of fluid, while my high range ph bottle is nearly full. Also - Prime, AmGuard and other products convert Ammonia into harmless Ammonium however, it will still read as ammonia on your API kit - so it's basically lying to you. There are kits that will show you active ammonia and harmless ammonium and my API kit reads 8.0 ammonia but the other kit reads it as all harmless ammonium and zero active ammonia. You have do dose your tank with Prime every 48 hours or less to keep the ammonium from converting back to killer ammonia. This will keep happening until your tank finally converts the ammonium to nitrites. My 2 of my 4 well-cycled tanks somehow lost their cycling so that's not happening for those tanks yet.

Product features

Testing the Waters

In order for fish to thrive, water must be similar to that which could be found in their natural environment. Poor water quality can cause fish stress, illness and even loss. Most common water quality parameters are Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, and pH. All may vary over time and all are invisible to the eye which is why it is important to test weekly. Testing aquarium water weekly will aid in keeping your most important water parameters within the proper range for your aquarium. Choose from a wide range of API testing options, such as our popular FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT or 5-IN-1 TEST STRIPS, for accurate water evaluation. Regular testing will help you easily determine your aquarium conditions.

Your API Test Options

Choose the test method that works best for you. Whether you’re a bit pressed for time, or you prefer to measure your parameters on a more in-depth scale, or you only need to test one or two specific parameters, API has what you need!

Dip and Read

Just dip a 5-in-1 TEST STRIP in your aquarium, swirl twice, and compare to our color chart for fast and accurate results.

The Scientific Approach

For more detailed analysis, use the FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT, POND MASTER TEST KIT, SALTWATER MASTER TEST KIT, or REEF MASTER TEST KIT for precise readings of parameters.

Pick One (or Two)

Need to check your phosphate levels? What about ammonia? API offers specific test kits to test many different parameters, from general hardness and copper to pH and nitrate. Grab the one you need for a streamlined approach to testing.

Making a Better Underwater World

At API, we understand the rewards and relaxation of fish keeping because we have a passion for fish too. For over 50 years API has developed premium solutions with proven and effective results for your family and nutritionally superior food, because we're dedicated to making a better underwater world.

Product description

- 🧡 Hold up a protective umbrella for your fish 🧡 -



Is your fish pond clean？

You can monitor the water quality of the fish pond at any time if you have the Aquarium Test kit. Convenient and practical; Easy and Fast!



Friendly Notes:

1. Keep wet fingers out of the bottle

2. Avoid touching or polluting the test area of strip

3. Close cap tightly after removing strips

4. Store in a cool dry place

5. Do not insert the test paper directly into the fish tank for testing



📑Product Detail

🔽Package Size: 5 x 5 x 12cm

🔽Package included: 50 PCS Test Strips

🔽Weight: 37g

🔽Shelf life: 2 years



✔Service:

Any question about our products, please feel free to contact us ! We will try our best to solve it!

• 🐟Premium Material - each water ammonia tester is made of high quality fiber paper and NO COLOR BLEEDING pad that provides instant and reliable result, the strips color wouldn’t bleed.
• 🐟Ammonia Testing Strip - the essential water quality parameter of testing strips is ammonia (NH3 /NH4+); Need to be tested at least twice a week for your fish tank.
• 🐟FAST and EASY to USE and READ - put the pond test strips into the water for 30 seconds and remove it, then hold the strip horizontally and compare with color chart on bottle to get accurate value of the fish tank.
• 🐟FUNCTION - the aquarium tester kit is good helper for testing your aquarium, fish tank or pond as testing strips that can offer the accurate values of water quickly, safely and easily.
• 🐟EASY to CARRY - 50 test strips in 1 bottle, enough for aquarium Initiator, easy to carry, and measure anywhere.

• ✔ RELIABLE SHIPPING DIRECTLY TO YOUR DOOR – Fish ship within 48 hours of your order for arrival Tuesday through Friday. Please see shipping information below for more details.
• ✔ HEALTHY FISH WITH LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE - Step by step acclimation instructions will be included with your order. We stand behind all our products and will ship replacements or refund your purchase.
• ✔ BORN AND RAISED IN THE USA – All Toledo Goldfish live fish are born and raised on a family farm in the USA.
• ✔ HIGH QUALITY FEEDER GOLDFISH – Common Goldfish are a healthy food source for your pet and are a heady fish also recommended for beginning new aquariums, tanks, or ponds.
• ✔ Please note the pictures shown are a good representation of our fish, but not the exact fish you will receive. Common goldfish are most commonly orange in color, but can be any combination of orange and black, orange and white, or solid brown or white in color.

User questions & answers

Question:	Can I order white and orange no solid orange
Answer:	If you're looking for compatibility, check the current-usa website. This light is not listed as one of the compatible LED lights in their ramp timer section: https://current-usa.com/aquarium-ramp-timers/ So no, it's not officially compatible. The ClassicLED Plus light doesn't give direct control to the LEDs so direct color control is not possible without some bridging and soldering. Color control isn't possible either. Dimming would also take a good amount of electronics work. On/Off and night time modes are the only ones possible out of the box. Compared to the $190 USD for the Current-USA model, this one is worth the price so far. Nicrew does offer a Single Channel Timer that would allow for a ramp up and ramp down so you can simulate sunrise and sunset. It doesn't allow for color control or automatic night mode like the Current-USA models. https://www.amazon.com/NICREW-Aquarium-ClassicLED-BrightLED-Connectors/dp/B07KYLX2P6
Question:	Are they friendly to mosquito fish? can both species be together in a pond
Answer:	Nitrite is removed by biological filtration. Nitrite should always be 0-ppm. Zero is a sign the bio filter is working.
Question:	I live in Minnesota, what temp does the water need to be at when releasing the fish
Answer:	The upper range of the pH test is 8.4.
Question:	Is there any way u can request white and orange
Answer:	Dip strips are faster and easier than liquid test kits. No counting drops or shaking vials.

Product features

About Common Goldfish

The comet goldfish also commonly known as a common or pond comet. While most common goldfish are orange or red in color, they can also be solid black or white, or have black and white patterns on an orange body. Comet goldfish can be mixed with other straight tailed goldfish. Please note these are a good representation of our fish but not the exact fish you will receive.

LIVE FISH DIRECTLY TO YOUR DOOR

Quality goldfish and koi directly from our family fish farm to your doorstep.

Common Goldfish

Common Goldfish are orange or red goldfish.

Sarasa Goldfish

Sarasa Goldfish are red and white goldfish.

Shubunkin Goldfish

Shubunkin Goldfish are blue calico goldfish.