Most aquarists think about saltwater fish when it comes to attractive and exotic fish species. However, you can also find several exotic freshwater fish that can be kept in tanks. If you are someone who plans to keep exotic freshwater fish in your aquarium, then you have landed at the right place. We have listed down the 5 exotic freshwater fish available that are not only very attractive but also fun to keep. African Cichlids are some of the most beautiful fishes found in the Lake of Malawi!
1. Discus Cichlid
The discus fish are classified as cichlids that originate from the Amazon river basin in South America. These cichlids are very attractive due to their eye-catching bright colors and patterns. These can be found in several exotic colors, body designs and markings. For the past few years these cichlids have become quite popular among experienced aquarists. Out of all the discus cichlids, the most commonly found are of the turquoise, red and blur discus. The discus cichlids can easily grow up to 9 to 10 inches.
2. Flowerhorn (hybrid)
The flowerhorn cichlids have a very unique look and can be found in the waters of Malaysia. The flowerhorn cichlids feature a variety of beautiful patterns and colors. They are usually found in orange, ink, yellow and blue colors with attractive patterns spread all over their body. However, these cichlids are not easy to keep due to their aggressive nature. These are best kept alone in large tanks. These tend to live for seven toeight years if properly taken care of.
3. Malawi Cichlid
The Malawi cichlid comes from the waters of Lake Malawi in East Africa. In order to keep them healthy and colorful, there are a few requirements that have to be met if one is planning to keep Malawi cichlid in tanks. Malawi cichlids are best known for their vibrant colors and patterns. They tend to grow up to 11 inches and develop very bright color. The best practice is to keep plants and hiding places in their tanks. The water temperature should be kept normal and the tank should be properly filtered.
Since some of the Malawi cichlids can be aggressive in nature, it is best that there are kept in a big group of their own species.
4. Green Spotted Puffer Fish
The Green Spotted Puffer Fish originates in South-east Asia. Their interesting look and nature have made them very popular in freshwater aquariums. The green spotted puffer fish tend to live for more than 10 years. There are certain requirements that need to be followed in order to keep the fish happy and heathy. It is important that the tank owner is aware of these. These fish are aggressive in nature and tend to kill and attack their tankmates. Hence, it is better that they are kept alone. They can grow up to six inches and should be kept in a 55-gallon tank.
Although this fish has a long lifespan, you need to be a well-educated aquarium owner to keep them because these fish have specific needs and care instructions.
5. Vampire Tetra
As the name suggests, the vampire tetra is a rather crazy looking freshwater fish. They have been given their name due to their sharp front teeth. You can tell just by looking at them that this exotic freshwater fish is very aggressive and should not be kept by beginners. Usually the vampire tetra does not last long in aquariums. These can grow up to 12 inches and usually only eat live fish.