Pygmy Pumilus Sparkling Gourami are tiny, beautifully iridescent gouramis known for their shimmering scales, peaceful nature, and occasional croaking sounds. These labyrinth fish thrive in planted nano tanks with gentle flow and dim lighting. They enjoy exploring densely planted areas and are best kept in quiet, peaceful setups.

• Temperature: 76–82°F

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: 4–10 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and shy

• Recommended Group Size: 3 or more, or as a pair in small tanks

• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons

• Diet: Hikari Micro Pellets, Fluval Bug Bites Betta or Tropical Formula, and frozen or live foods like daphnia or baby brine shrimp

Parkinsoni Rainbowfish are striking, large-bodied rainbowfish known for their silvery base color and vibrant orange or yellow brush-like fins—especially in mature males. Native to Papua New Guinea, they are peaceful and active, thriving in large, well-aerated aquariums.

• Temperature: 74–80°F

• pH: 7.0–8.0 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 8–20 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and social

• Recommended Group Size: 5 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

• Max Size: 4.5–5 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, Hikari Micro Pellets, high-quality flakes, and frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, or daphnia

Orange Boesemani Rainbowfish are colorful, active schooling fish prized for their vibrant gradient—typically orange in the rear fading to bluish hues in front. These peaceful rainbows thrive in planted tanks with good swimming space and do best in groups.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 7.0–8.0 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 8–20 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and social

• Recommended Group Size: 5 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

• Max Size: 4–4.5 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, Hikari Micro Pellets, high-quality flakes, and frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia

Sailfin Mollies are large, graceful livebearers known for their signature tall dorsal fins and peaceful temperament. Available in a variety of colors, they add elegance and movement to community aquariums. They thrive in freshwater but can also tolerate slightly brackish water.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 7.2–8.5 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 10–25 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and social

• Recommended Group Size: 3 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Max Size: 4–5 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, Hikari Fancy Guppy, spirulina flakes, algae wafers, and occasional frozen foods like brine shrimp

Glass Catfish are unique, transparent-bodied fish known for their peaceful nature and schooling behavior. Their see-through appearance reveals their internal organs and spine, making them a fascinating addition to calm, planted aquariums. They prefer gentle water flow and subdued lighting, and they thrive in stable, well-maintained tanks.

• Temperature: 75–80°F

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: 5–12 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and timid

• Recommended Group Size: 6 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Diet: Hikari Micro Pellets, Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, and frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia

African Dwarf Frogs are fully aquatic amphibians known for their gentle nature and quirky swimming. They do best in peaceful community tanks with soft substrates and low-flow filtration. These frogs are social and enjoy the company of their own kind.

• Temperature: 72–78°F

• pH: 6.8–7.8 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 5–15 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and shy

• Recommended Group Size: 2 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

• Max Size: 2–2.5 inches

• Diet: Hikari Micro Pellets, Fluval Bug Bites, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and sinking frog or carnivore pellets

Yellow Blaze Lithobates are stunning haplochromine cichlids from Lake Malawi, admired for their metallic blue bodies and vivid yellow blaze running along the dorsal ridge. Males are especially vibrant and display bold coloration in mature setups. These fish are generally less aggressive than Mbuna and do well with other haps and peacocks in a properly sized aquarium.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 7.8–8.6 — Adapted to Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Temperament: Mildly aggressive; dominant males can be territorial

• Recommended Group Size: One male with 3 or more females

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

• Max Size: 5–6 inches

• Diet: NorthFin Cichlid Formula, Hikari Cichlid Excel, Fluval Bug Bites Cichlid Formula, supplemented with frozen mysis shrimp or spirulina-based foods

Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis), also known as Gabon Shrimp or Giant African Filter Shrimp, are large, peaceful filter feeders with a unique fan-like appendage used to catch microscopic food from the water column. With a ghostly blue-gray to brown coloration, they add a fascinating and gentle presence to larger freshwater aquariums. Unlike most shrimp, they do not graze on algae and require fine suspended foods.

• Temperature: 72–82°F
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Hardness: 3–10 dGH
• Temperament: Peaceful and shy
• Recommended Group Size: Can be kept singly or in groups
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Diet: Powdered or liquid foods like Hikari First Bites, microcrustaceans, and finely crushed flakes suspended in the water column

Pleco L144a Blue Eye Lemon is a beautiful and peaceful bristlenose pleco variety, known for its bright yellow body and striking blue eyes. This smaller pleco species is perfect for planted community tanks, as it helps control algae without disrupting plants or décor. Provide driftwood and caves for hiding and grazing.

• Temperature: 72–80°F

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: 6–12 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Recommended Group Size: Can be kept singly or in groups with adequate space

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Diet: Hikari Algae Wafers, Fluval Bug Bites Bottom Feeder Formula, blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber), and occasional protein-rich treats like bloodworms

Penguin Tetras are peaceful and active schooling fish known for their unique black stripe that runs from mid-body to the lower tail at a distinctive upward angle. Their silver bodies and calm nature make them a great choice for community aquariums. They thrive in planted tanks with gentle flow and stable water conditions.

• Temperature: 73–80°F

• pH: 6.0–7.5 — Adapted to Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 3–12 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and social

• Recommended Group Size: 6 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Max Size: 2 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, Hikari Micro Pellets, supplemented with frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, and high-quality flakes

New Guinea Red Rainbowfish are stunning, large-bodied schooling fish known for the intense red coloration of mature males. Native to Lake Sentani in Papua, they are peaceful, active swimmers that thrive in spacious aquariums with plenty of plants and open water.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 7.0–8.0 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 8–20 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and energetic

• Recommended Group Size: 5 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

• Max Size: 4.5–5 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, Hikari Micro Pellets, high-quality flakes, and frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms

Dority’s Rainbowfish are rare, vividly colored rainbowfish known for their deep bodies and shimmering blue and red hues. Native to the Timika region of Papua, they are active, peaceful swimmers that do best in well-maintained aquariums with open space and live plants.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 7.0–8.0 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 8–20 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and energetic

• Recommended Group Size: 5 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

• Max Size: 4.5–5 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, Hikari Micro Pellets, high-quality flakes, and frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia

Blind Cave Tetras are unique, eyeless fish that navigate using vibrations and their lateral line. Their adaptability, peaceful temperament, and smooth silvery-pink appearance make them a fascinating and standout addition to community aquariums. They are active swimmers that do best in groups.

• Temperature: 70–77°F

• pH: 6.5–8.0

• Hardness: 9–19 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful, active, and non-aggressive

• Recommended Group Size: 6 or more

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Diet: Hikari Micro Pellets, Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, with occasional frozen bloodworms or daphnia

Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis), also known as Wood Shrimp or Flower Shrimp, are peaceful filter feeders with fan-like appendages used to catch microscopic food from the water. They range in color from reddish-brown to tan with a lighter stripe down the back. Ideal for mature, well-filtered aquariums with good water flow, they thrive when provided with suspended food particles in the current.

• Temperature: 72–82°F
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Hardness: 3–10 dGH
• Temperament: Peaceful and shy
• Recommended Group Size: Can be kept singly or in peaceful groups
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Diet: Fine suspended foods like Hikari First Bites, crushed flakes, microcrustaceans, and other powdered or liquid invertebrate foods

Yellow Labs are one of the most peaceful and popular African cichlids, known for their vibrant yellow coloration and adaptability. They’re ideal for beginners to Malawi setups and bring a striking contrast to rock-based aquascapes.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 7.8–8.6 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; more peaceful than most mbuna

• Recommended Group Size: 1 male to 3+ females, or groups with ample space

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

• Max Size: 4–5 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Spirulina Formula, Hikari Cichlid Excel, spirulina flakes, and occasional blanched vegetables (avoid high-protein foods)