5 Most Exotic And Interesting Freshwater Fish at Absolutely Fish

By Marilyn Pulla 

Hearing the question, “What fish is THAT!?” is always such a fun moment as an aquarist. Educating people about the care and necessities of these living beings is never a hassle. Only an opportunity to ensure they live an optimal life. Every fish has something unique about them; this list contains some that genuinely stood out to me here at Absolutely Fish.

Blue Phantom Pleco (Hemiancistrus sp. L128)

5.  A creature that should have starred in the Avatar movie is, nonetheless, a spectacular fish we have in REAL-LIFE. Native to the Rio Orinoco basin, these omnivores need wood, rocks, and caves essential for their comfort. Why, you may ask? Their specialized sucker mouth enables them to graze on algae and biofilm, which takes some of the cleaning load off of us! Rasping on wood also encourages foraging behavior, which overall increases gut stimulation as they ingest tiny bits of wood fiber. However, as they mature, a varied diet including meaty foods is vital. Reaching lengths of up to 8 inches, these nocturnal bottom dwellers appear even more stunning as they emerge from hiding. 

Threadfin Rainbow (Iriatherina werneri)

4. On another episode of Dancing with the Fish, these threadfin rainbows take the trophy home! Although the one pictured is still a juvenile, as they mature, their fins elongate, and their colors will intensify. During courtship, they use their strikingly long, elegant fins to win the biggest trophy of them all… a partner! These short, yet intense bursts of fin extensions, rapid twists, and turns captivate not only females but also the human eye. Keeping them in groups of 6 or more maintains a low-stress environment, which enhances their synchronized displays and leads to happy, healthy fish!

Tiger Badis (Dario sp. Myanmar)

3.  Making its way to the ring from South Asia: the fierce, voracious, 1-inch Tiger Badis! These micropredators display impressive territorial behaviors during courtship and space disputes. Carnivorous, they prey on live food such as small invertebrates after dusk, so avoid tankmates smaller than their mouth. Otherwise, they can co-exist peacefully with other community fish. Curious by nature, they thrive in a heavily planted tank with tons of nooks and crannies. These little hunters take the belt as being the smallest fish with the biggest attitude on this list.

Rachovii killifish (Nothobranchius rachovii)

2. Take a good look at this bright, bold, and brilliant-looking fish, because it won’t be here for long! Also known as “annuals”, these carnivores have a unique way of continuing their generation. They live in warm, temporary, shallow pools of water in eastern Africa. Once the rainy season disappears, so do they. However, due to an evolutionary adaptation, once the eggs are laid in the mud, they enter a state of dormancy called “diapause.” In this state, the embryos will slow or stop developing until the rainy season returns… which can take up to a year!

Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons)

1. BOO! Originating from South America, this nocturnal beauty can grow up to twenty inches long. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are quite shy and prefer lots of hideouts to feel secure. The most intriguing part in my opinion is actually located in their tail! Having terrible eye vision, they rely on an electric organ to create weak electric fields (Electrolocation) used to sense the proximity of nearby objects. In addition to this, its long, hypnotic anal fin allows for forward and backward movement essential for navigating through dark, slightly acidic water and hunting prey. These majestic fish are definitely ones to admire and take the #1 spot for most exotic and interesting freshwater fish here at Absolutely Fish!

We have our resident 10 year old ghost knifefish here in our fully planted 150 gallon tank! Come on in to Absolutely Fish and check him out!