The betta fish (Betta splendens), also known as the Siamese fighting fish, is one of the most iconic and recognizable freshwater aquarium fish in the world. With its jewel-like colors and flowing finnage, this remarkable labyrinth fish captivates beginners and experienced hobbyists alike. In my years of keeping bettas, I can say without hesitation that no other fish matches its combination of beauty, personality, and relative ease of care.
The Siamese fighting fish, commonly known as the betta (Betta splendens, Regan, 1910), captivates hobbyists worldwide with its breathtaking color variety and flowing finnage. Native to Southeast Asia — Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam — bettas inhabit slow-moving or stagnant freshwater bodies such as rice paddies, drainage ditches, and shallow ponds. Despite their elegant appearance, males are notoriously aggressive toward one another and must always be housed separately.
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare, Lichtenstein, 1823) are among the most iconic and recognizable freshwater aquarium fish in the world. Belonging to the family Cichlidae, they are native to the slow-moving and still waters of South America — the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river systems and their tributaries. Alongside the common angelfish P. scalare, the genus includes the altum angelfish (Pterophyllum altum) and Leopold’s angelfish (Pterophyllum leopoldi), though it is P. scalare that forms the basis of virtually all cultivated aquarium varieties.
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.