5 Colorful Freshwater Fish Species

5 Colorful Freshwater Fish Species

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on January 19, 2013

When people think of colorful fish, tropical saltwater fish are usually the species that come to mind. However, several freshwater fish species are just as exciting as other marine species. Let’s check out five outstanding colorful freshwater species here.

Yellow-Tail Acei

The Yellow-tail Acei, whose scientific name is Psuedotropheus Acei, is a colorful member of the cichlid family. Cichlids are eye-catching, often bright, freshwater fish that are found in large lakes in South America and Africa. The yellow-tail acei is found in Lake Malawi in Africa. It is one of the most colorful cichlids, displaying a bright blue body and electric yellow fins.

Pygmy Gourami

Another colorful freshwater fish is the Trichopsis pumila, more commonly known as the pygmy gourami. Pygmy gouramis can be found in a wide range of colors, from blue to red to green, and are some of the most amazingly colored fish in the gourami family. Both males and females of the species also display bright spots or stripes, and the eyes of the fish are electric blue. Pygmy gouramis are native to shallow, calm bodies of water, such as ponds, in Southeast Asia.

Cardinal Tetra

The Paracheirodon axelrodi, or cardinal tetra, is a freshwater fish with a striking color pattern. Many tetra species display prominent colors, but cardinal tetras are flashier than most. These fish have a wide, horizontal, brilliant blue stripe across the top of their bodies and a wide horizontal stripe of vivid red across the bottoms of their bodies. Cardinal tetras are native to the Negro and Orinoco rivers in South America.

Blue Notho Killifish

Killifish are some of the most dazzling freshwater fish, and no species is more remarkable than Nothobranchius rachovii, also known as the blue notho killifish. These little fish, which only grow to about two and a half inches long, have bright orange bodies striped with intense blues. Along the fins of the fish, the orange turns to a deep red. In the wild, blue, not killifish, are found in South Africa and Mozambique.

Asian Arowana

The Asian Arowana is one of the most vibrant and beautifully colored freshwater species in the world. These large, angular fish display several naturally occurring color strains. Asian Arowana can be found in gold, silver, forest green, orange, purple, aqua, white, or bright red. Most experts agree that Asian arowanas, which are native to swamps and rivers in Southeast Asia, are one species called Scleropages formosus. However, some scientists argue that the color strains indicate multiple species.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro