Zebra Plecos (L127), often confused with the rarer L046, are Peckoltia species known for their beautiful black and cream zebra-like stripes. They are peaceful, nocturnal, and prefer warm, well-oxygenated aquariums with hiding spots and gentle flow.

• Temperature: 78–86°F

• pH: 6.5–7.5 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 4–12 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful; shy and territorial with similar plecos

• Recommended Group Size: Singly or in groups with multiple caves

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Max Size: 4–5 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Bottom Feeder Formula, Hikari sinking wafers, Hikari frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp

Leopard Cactus Plecos (L114), also known as Pseudacanthicus leopardus, are stunning South American plecos known for their bold leopard-like spots and reddish fins. They are territorial, carnivorous, and best kept in large aquariums with strong filtration and plenty of hiding places.

• Temperature: 77–84°F

• pH: 6.5–7.5 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 6–20 dGH

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; territorial with other bottom dwellers

• Recommended Group Size: Singly or in large tanks with adequate space

• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

• Max Size: 10–12 inches

• Diet: Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets, Fluval Bug Bites Bottom Feeder Formula, Hikari frozen bloodworms and shrimp, occasional fresh seafood

African Pink Peacock Cichlids are stunning Lake Malawi cichlids prized for their vivid pink to rose hues and peaceful temperament compared to other African cichlids. They thrive in rocky aquascapes with stable water parameters and do well with other similarly tempered Malawi species.

• Temperature: 76–82°F

• pH: 7.6–8.4 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; generally peaceful for an African cichlid

• Recommended Group Size: One male with 2–3 females or kept singly

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

• Max Size: 4–6 inches

• Diet: Hikari Cichlid Pellets, Fluval Bug Bites Cichlid Formula, spirulina flakes, and occasional frozen foods like brine shrimp

Clown Loaches are colorful and social bottom-dwellers from Southeast Asia, famous for their orange and black stripes and playful behavior. As juveniles, they are active and best kept in groups. Though small when sold, they grow large over time and require a long-term plan for a spacious tank.

• Temperature: 77–86°F

• pH: 6.5–7.5 (Adapted to Tallahassee tap water)

• Hardness: 5–15 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and social; best with other community or semi-aggressive fish

• Recommended Group Size: 3 or more (preferably 5+)

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (larger as they grow)

• Max Size: Up to 12 inches (slow growers)

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Bottom Feeder Formula, Hikari sinking wafers, Hikari frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp

Super VC10 Haps are stunning Lake Malawi cichlids known for their sleek body shape and brilliant metallic blue coloration in males. They are relatively peaceful for a Hap, but still require space and careful tankmate selection to avoid aggression. Best kept with other Haps or Peacocks of similar size and temperament.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

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

• Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive

• Recommended Group Size: Singly or in harem groups (1 male to 3+ females)

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

• Max Size: 8 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Cichlid Formula, Hikari Cichlid Pellets, spirulina-based flakes, and occasional frozen or live foods like brine shrimp or krill

Strawberry Peacock Cichlids are vibrant hybrid peacocks known for their soft pink to reddish coloration, often with pearly white or light blue highlights. Bred for their unique appearance, they are typically peaceful for African cichlids but may show territorial behavior during breeding or in crowded setups. They do well in spacious aquariums with stable water conditions and a balanced diet.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

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

• Hardness: 8–18 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful to mildly aggressive

• Recommended Group Size: One male with 3 or more females or in an all-male tank

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

• Max Size: 5–6 inches

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

Red Spotted Gold Severums are striking, semi-aggressive cichlids known for their vibrant golden coloration with red speckles. They are intelligent and can recognize their caretakers, often displaying interactive behavior. These fish do best in spacious aquariums with driftwood, hiding spots, and subdued lighting. While generally peaceful with similar-sized tank mates, they may become territorial, especially during breeding.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: 4–15 dGH

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive, territorial when mature

• Recommended Group Size: Alone or in a bonded pair

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

• Diet: Hikari Cichlid Gold, Fluval Bug Bites Cichlid Formula, supplemented with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, or spirulina-based foods

Red Devil Cichlids are large, intelligent, and extremely aggressive Central American cichlids known for their powerful jaws, bold personalities, and vibrant red-orange coloration. They are best kept in a species-only tank or with other large, equally aggressive fish in a very spacious setup.

• Temperature: 74–80°F

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

• Hardness: 8–20 dGH

• Temperament: Highly aggressive and territorial

• Recommended Group Size: Best kept singly or as a bonded pair

• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons for one adult

• Max Size: 12–14 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Cichlid Formula, Hikari Cichlid Gold, frozen krill, bloodworms, and occasional fresh veggies for variety

Pearl Gouramis are one of the most beautiful and peaceful gourami species, known for their shimmering pearl-like spots and graceful fins. Males develop a vibrant orange-red throat during breeding. They thrive in calm, well-planted aquariums with gentle tankmates and floating cover.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 6.8–7.8 — Adapted to Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 5–15 dGH

• Temperament: Very peaceful and gentle

• Recommended Group Size: Singly, in pairs, or small groups (1 male to multiple females)

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

• Max Size: 4–5 inches

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

Paradise Gouramis are hardy, visually stunning labyrinth fish known for their vivid blue, red, and orange striping and flowing fins. One of the first tropical fish kept in the hobby, they’re admired for their personality and cold tolerance. Males can be territorial, so they’re best kept with care in community setups or species-only tanks.

• Temperature: 68–78°F (can tolerate cooler temps)

• pH: 6.5–8.0 — Adapted to Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 5–18 dGH

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive, especially males toward each other

• Recommended Group Size: Singly or male-female pairs; avoid multiple males unless heavily planted

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Max Size: 3.5–4 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, Hikari Micro Pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and live foods for best color and health

Panda Angelfish are a striking variety of freshwater angelfish characterized by their high-contrast black and white coloration, resembling the markings of a panda. Like other angelfish, they are graceful swimmers that do well in tall, well-planted aquariums. Their calm but semi-territorial nature makes them best suited for peaceful community setups with compatible tank mates.

• Temperature: 76–82°F

• pH: 6.5–7.5 — Adapted to Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 3–12 dGH

• Temperament: Generally peaceful, semi-territorial when breeding

• Recommended Group Size: Groups of 4–6 or a bonded pair

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (tall tank preferred)

• Max Size: 6 inches (body), up to 8-inch fin span

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula, Hikari Vibra Bites, supplemented with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, or high-quality flake and pellet foods

Maingano Cichlids are striking rock-dwelling Mbuna from Lake Malawi, known for their intense electric blue and black horizontal striping. Active and territorial, they thrive in hard, alkaline water with plenty of rockwork to establish territories. These cichlids do best in species-specific or Mbuna-only setups with adequate space to reduce aggression.

• Temperature: 75–80°F

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

• Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Temperament: Aggressive, especially toward similar-looking fish

• Recommended Group Size: One male with 4 or more females

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons (55+ recommended for groups)

• Max Size: 4–5 inches

• Diet: Spirulina-based flakes or pellets, Hikari Cichlid Excel, NorthFin Veggie Formula, supplemented with blanched vegetables (avoid high-protein foods to prevent bloat)

Electric Blue Ahli Cichlids are stunning haplochromine cichlids from Lake Malawi, known for their intense, metallic blue coloration and streamlined, predatory build. Males display brilliant color throughout adulthood, especially when kept with females or other males in a properly sized tank. These fish are moderately aggressive and thrive with other haps and peacocks in open, rocky aquascapes.

• Temperature: 75–82°F

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

• Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive to aggressive, especially toward similar species

• Recommended Group Size: One male with 3 or more females or singly in all-male tanks

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

• Max Size: 6–7 inches

• Diet: Hikari Cichlid Gold, Fluval Bug Bites Cichlid Formula, supplemented with frozen krill, brine shrimp, or mysis

Doctor Fish (Garra rufa) are peaceful bottom-dwellers known for their algae-eating habits and for their use in spa therapy, where they gently nibble on dead skin. In aquariums, they are active and social, thriving in well-oxygenated tanks with moderate current, smooth rocks, and clean water. They’re great for planted or river-style community setups.

• Temperature: 72–82°F

• pH: 6.5–7.8 — Adapted to Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 6–15 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and social; may become territorial if kept alone

• Recommended Group Size: 3 or more (prefer groups)

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

• Max Size: 4–5 inches

• Diet: Fluval Bug Bites Bottom Feeder Formula, Hikari Algae Wafers, biofilm, algae, and occasional blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach