18 Best Catfish Species For Aquarium

Otocinclus Catfish commonly known as "Otos" are small, peaceful catfish that like freshwater. They are highly favored for their algae-eating abilities and gentle nature. They are about 1-2 inches and are favorable for nano tanks and smaller aquariums.

These fish are usually gray or brownish with a lighter belly. They are slightly flattened underside. They have small fins which are relatively transparent. Most of the time they are found grazing on the algae attached to the aquarium glass, plants, and decorations.

They are peaceful, non-aggressive, social fish that like to stay in groups of around 5-6 individuals. They feel more secure and active while staying in the group. These catfish are more active during the evening and at night.

Clown Pleco, scientifically known as Panaqolus maccus, is an attractive small species of catfish. They are known for their unique color combination and size. They are around 3.5 to 4 inches and are suitable for smaller to medium-sized tanks.

They have a flattened body with a broad, sucker-like mouth and have well-developed fins. These fish are peaceful and can be left with different types of other fish. They are often more active at night but can still be seen grazing during the day as well.

These catfish are wood eaters and need driftwood in their diet. Although they are peaceful, they can still have a territorial instinct, mainly towards other plecos. So, it is always better to provide them with many hiding places if there is more than one of them.

Striped Eel Catfish or Plotosus Lineatus is a different type of catfish that is known for their eel-like appearance. They have vertical stripes from head to tail, which are black and white or gray. 

They have sharp fins and forked shapes that help them have a swift movement and they can grow up to 8 to 12 inches. They are normally peaceful but can also be territorial or aggressive, and may also harm some small fish if kept together.

These fish are mostly active at night and hide during the day so it is important to give them plenty of hiding spots. They can survive in salty water to freshwater environments. They are recommended to be kept in larger aquariums.

These fish are generally dark brown or black in body with irregular spots. These spots help them to blend in the underside of leaves and logs. They are about 3 to 4 inches long and are suited for medium-sized aquariums.

They are active and curious catfish and can be found often exploring their surroundings. They prefer to stay in a group of 4 or more fish. They are a great choice if you are planning to add them to a multi-fished community tank.

These catfish feel more secure in groups and like to stay in a group of 5 to 6 individuals, and when they are kept alone, they can become stressed. They are not aggressive normally avoid conflict and like to live peacefully.

They are relatively active during the day and like to swim in open areas of the tank. They can live in slightly acidic to neutral water. It is always to decorate their tanks with lots of plants and other items as it helps the fish's appearance to shine more.

Walking Catfish or Clarias Batrachus are catfish species that can survive in almost every situation. They are known for their ability to move over land using their fins. They are native to Southeast Asia but can now be found in different places.

They have a long, cylindrical body and can be found in gray or brown colors. They are 12 to 20 inches long and have strong fins that help them walk on land. They can survive outside the water for a significant amount of time by breathing air.

These fish are highly adaptable and can survive in a wide variety of water conditions. However, they may see the small fishes as their food. Also because they can survive outside as well, they may climb out from the tank, so you need to secure the tank lid properly.

Hypancistrus Zebra is a highly demanded type of catfish because of its beautiful black-and-white stripes. They are native to the Xingu River of Brazil and were named so because of their unique zebra-like pattern.

They are relatively small and grow up to 3 to 4 inches. They have flat undersides and broad heads which generally have a peaceful and shy temperament. Most of the time, they hide in their caves and have territorial instincts.

These fish prefer warm, well-oxygenated water which can be slightly acidic. Because they come from fast-flowing rivers, they prefer a moderate to strong water current. They are sensitive to water quality so they should be kept clean.

Farlowella Spp known as Twig Catfish is a unique type of catfish that is famous for its long, stick-like appearance. They are like a twig, hence giving them this name. Their body helps them blend into their environment.

They can be found in brown or olive-green colors with darker bands or spots. They are relatively 6 to 8 inches and are extremely peaceful and quite shy. They are slow-moving and spend a lot of time eating algae. 

The fish can be kept alone but they still prefer to stay in small groups of around 2 to 3 of them. They prefer a gentle to moderate water flow. Their water needs to be changed regularly.

Bumblebee Catfish scientifically called Pseudopimelodus Nigrita is a small species of catfish that is known for their lively coloration and appearance. They have a bright yellow or golden body with bold black lines. The coloring is like that of a bumblebee, hence giving them this name.

Their fins are well-developed and help to make their appearance more beautiful. They can be 4 to 5 inches long and some can grow even taller depending on their environment and care. 

They can be a good choice for community tanks but they still need more hiding spots and places to explore. You can keep them single or in a small group of other fish, but they should not be kept with aggressive fish as they can eat or harm them.

Striped Raphael Catfish or Striped Doradid is also simply called Striped Catfish. Its scientific name is Platydoras Armatulus and is a recognized fish species for their armored body.

They have a pale, almost white-to-light brown body with black or dark brown lines running vertically in their body. They have a broad head and an armored body that is covered with bony plates and spines, which makes them look rugged.

This species can grow up to 8 to 10 inches and generally have a gentle temperature. During the day they often hide in their caves or under the decors and they are more active during the night. 

Dwarf Petricola Catfish or Petricola sp. are also called Dwarf Synodontis or Petricola Catfish and are small and attractive catfish species. They are popular among fish owners because of their appearance and manageable size. 

They are a part of the Synodontis family and are famous for their unique patterns. They are light-beige to crean=m colors with dark spots or stripes as a part of their pattern. They have a slender body with slightly flattened underside. They have well-developed fins and have a soft appearance.

The species are of dwarf size and are only 2.5 to 4 inches long with a peaceful and non-aggressive nature. These fishes feel more secure while staying in the group and show social behavior.

Bronze Corydoras are a popular species of catfish that can survive in almost every condition. Their scientific name is Corydoras Aeneus and are known for their active nature and being favourable for easy care.

They can be found in bronze or olive-green bodies with a metallic sheen. Their color may vary from golden bronze to lighter shades. They have solid and round bodies and small barbels around their mouth that help them to search for food.

They can be 2 to 3 inches long and are social. Because of their peaceful attitude, they can be kept together with different types of fishes together. Unlike other catfish, these species are more active during the day and enjoy exploring and interacting with their environment.

Panda Corydoras are a type of corydoras catfish that is known for their panda-like appearance. They are liked mainly because of their unique spot in their eyes which makes them resemble the panda.

They have a mixture of black and white color and have a white body with black markings. They have a strong body with a slightly flattened underside. It grows up to 2.5 inches normally and is quite active.

These fish should be kept in a group of 6 to 8 individuals as it helps them to reduce stress and allows them to show their social nature. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral water but can adapt to any water conditions. 

Kuchli Loach is a small, eel-like fish that often likes the freshwater. They are native to Southeast Asia, especially from Indonesia and Malaysia, and are popular among those who like fish. They have a long, slim body with a series of black or brown vertical bands across their bodies.

They can grow 3 to 4 inches and are often shy so they like to hide during the day and only come out at night. You should provide them with a lot of hiding spots because they need places to retreat.

Since they are peaceful fish, they must be avoided from being kept in a single tank with more aggressive fish as they can harm them and sometimes can even eat the fish. Their water must be regularly cleaned and changed so that they can have a healthy and happy life.

Green-gold Catfish are a group of catfish that have greenish or golden color bodies and look beautiful, especially under certain light conditions. They have a green or golden-colored armored body with a metallic sheen and a white or pale underside.

The fins of these fish are generally clear and they grow 2.5 to 3 inches long. They love peace and are bottom-dwelling species, ie; they like to stay at the bottom. They are also known for their active behavior and searching different places for their food.

They like to stay in a group of atleast 5 individuals as they are social fishes. They like to hide among plants, rocks, and driftwoods and are most active during the day. These species are sensitive to poor water conditions.

Hara Jerdoni or The Dwarf Anchor Catfish are commonly known as Asian Stone Catfish and are native to India and Bangladesh. They are small, peace-loving, cute little pets that are known for their unique appearance.

These species like fresh water and cannot survive when the water is dirty. They are flat-bodied fish and have a coloration of mottled brown or gray, which helps them to blend with their environment.  Their fins resemble wings and slender tails.

The fish can grow only up to 1.5 inches in length and are small compared to other catfish. They are very why and often spend much of their time hiding among the plants, rocks, or other things. They can still be very active if they are comfortable with their environment.

Whiptail Catfish belong to the family of Loricariidae and are commonly known as "whiptail" because of their long and whip-like tail. They are brown or reddish-brown with spotty patterns that help them to blend with their environment. 

The size of these fish depends on their care, but they can grow between 4 to 6 inches. They are bottom-dwelling fish and love to stay most of the time alone, hiding among the stones or driftwood. 

These fishes need moderate lighting as they like shaded areas in the tank and hide there. They can still be kept in a group of other fishes but regular cleaning of the water is a must for their health.

Pictus Catfish or Pimelodus Pictus is a kind of catfish that is known for their unique look and their active nature. These fish are native to South American rivers, especially the Amazon basin. They like to stay in fresh water and don't prefer if it's unclean.

These fishes have slim body with a mixture of silver and gray colors and have a black spot scattered throughout their bodies. They also have thread-like fins that make them look more beautiful. They can grow up to 5 to 6 inches normally.

They are active and social in nature and can stay in a group of other fish. They are also known for their playful behavior and active nature during the day. They are active swimmers and like having different hiding spots with rocks, driftwood, and plats that can provide them a sense of security.