6 Unusual Fish to Add to Your Tank

Even people who aren’t into fish keeping are often familiar with popular aquarium species such as neon tetras, mollies, and goldfish. These tropical freshwater fish are very resilient and highly adaptable, thus making them ideal for beginners, but there’s a wide range of other species you can keep in a tank. When saltwater aquarists get started with their reef tanks, they often gravitate toward clownfish and tangs for similar reasons, but they’re ignoring dozens of more exotic species. Not all aquatic creatures can be raised outside of their natural habitats. However, the friendly and knowledgeable staff at Aquatic Warehouse have listed six unusual species that can make a nice addition to your aquarium.

1. Zebra Plecostomus

This Brazilian catfish isn’t the easiest freshwater species to care for, but its striking looks and gregarious behavior are captivating. You’ll need to provide a substrate with larger rocks and a water column that simulates a current to keep zebra plecos happy. It’s always up to you to do the extra research to learn the requirements for different exotic fish.

2. Emperor Angelfish

This species often graces the cover of scuba diving magazines. There are various angelfish, but only Pacific emperors display three distinct color patterns throughout their development. Emperors aren’t difficult to care for if you have a large saltwater reef tank with live rock, but they need to be introduced as juveniles to curb their territorial instinct.

3. Garra Spilota

Aquarists in Asia and the Middle East like to stock their freshwater tanks with these extremely hardy and active algae eaters, which feel more comfortable swimming in at least 20 gallons of water. Garras are Burmese fish that were likely imported from the Middle East by rice farmers. They’re small and voracious carps that enjoy digging in sand and gravel while looking to feed on algae and detritus.

4. Moray Eel

There are more than a hundred variations of moray eel, and a few of them are ideal for keeping in a reef tank. Dwarf moray eels from Hawaii only grow to a length of about 12 inches. Similar to other reef tank species, these smaller eels should be introduced when they’re juveniles so they can get used to eating frozen aquarium food. Snowflake eels are docile, attractive, resilient, and affordable, but they can surpass 30 inches easily, so they should only be kept in 50-gallon tanks. All eels need to burrow, which means they’ll need a nice sandy substrate that’s at least three inches deep.

5. Red Bulu Point Petrochromis

This cichlid isn’t only extremely attractive but also peaceful, thus making it stand out from other African aquarium fish that are typically territorial and aggressive. Petrochromis are expensive because not all of them grow to display the fiery orange coloring all fish keepers want, but they’re not picky eaters and are fairly easy to raise.

6. Lipoproma Carmabi

Commonly known as candy basslets, these extremely colorful Caribbean fish can be kept in a reef tank, but they’re actually deep water species. Compared to popular saltwater aquarium species, basslets are small and don’t breed easily in captivity, which is why they regularly sell for $1,000. Their amazing purple and orange scales appear to glow in the dark, and they often entice aquarists to get more than one for their reef tanks.

Whether you have a saltwater or freshwater aquarium, you’ll find plenty of interesting fish to stock your tank with at Aquatic Warehouse, as well as all of the important supplies you’ll need to care for your fish properly. Check out the supplies we offer on our website, stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or call us at 858-467-9297 if you have any questions.