Aquarium fish: the most popular and little known, but no less charming. Their maintenance in the aquarium and their care.
Flowerhorn cichlids are unique ornamental fish developed through selective breeding in Malaysia and Thailand during the 1990s. These cichlids are hybrids of several American cichlid species, including Amphilophus citrinellus and Amphilophus labiatus. In my experience, Flowerhorn fish remain one of the most impressive and controversial species in modern 2026 aquaristics.
Aphyosemion filamentosum “Ikeja” is a distinctive color variation of the well-known species A. filamentosum, inhabiting the Lagos area of Nigeria within a radius of approximately 30 kilometers. This killifish attracts aquarists with its unusual coloration and compact size, making it an excellent choice for species-specific nano setups.
Aphyosemion wachtersi is one of the most colorful representatives of the Aphyosemion genus, deserving attention from aquarists due to its relatively straightforward breeding process. This small killifish is notable for spawning without the egg diapause characteristic of most other aphyosemions.
Aphyosemion caudofasciatum was first described by Huber & Radda in 1979. In nature, this species inhabits exclusively the streams of the Zanaga region in the upper Ogoué River basin in southern Congo. These fish populate forest-covered streams, preferring shaded areas with slow current.
Aphyosemion lamberti (Lambert’s killifish) is another fascinating member of the Aphyosemion genus that attracts aquarists with its unusual coloration and compact size. The species was described by Radda and Huber in 1977. This fish is small and doesn’t require a large aquarium. Its reproduction doesn’t need egg diapause, yet this species is far from easy to maintain. Let me explain everything in detail.
Aphyosemion boehmi, commonly known as Boehm’s Aphyosemion or Gabon Killifish, was described by Radda and Huber in 1977. The species was discovered in Gabon in 1976 and is found exclusively in the Ngounie River basin in western Gabon. These fish inhabit slow-moving or standing waters, including streams, seasonal pools, and swampy areas.
Aphyosemion batesii, commonly known as Bates’ killifish, belongs to the family Nothobranchiidae and was first described by Boulenger in 1911 as Fundulus batesii. The type locality includes the Bitye River (Dja River basin) and Bumba River in the Congo River basin, southern Cameroon. The species is also found in the Kole River near Malassa, east of Mekambo, in Gabon.
Goldfish are perhaps the most recognizable inhabitants of home aquariums and ponds worldwide. Over centuries of selective breeding, dozens of distinct varieties have emerged, each with numerous color variations. This diversity allows aquarists to choose goldfish that perfectly match their aesthetic preferences.
The swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a popular aquarium fish belonging to the Poeciliidae family. In natural habitats, these fish are found in both fast-flowing mountain rivers and calm lakes, ponds, and marshes along the Atlantic coast of Central America. In my experience, swordtails are particularly interesting because European aquariums house far more of these fish than their native waters, where they’ve become relatively rare in the wild.