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Coolest Fish You’ve Never Heard Of (But Will Definitely Want)

Coolest Fish You’ve Never Heard Of (But Will Definitely Want)

Meet the Coolest Fish You Didn’t Know Existed!

William Shannon
March 06, 2025

Hey ,
Let’s face it—your aquarium is starting to look a little… predictable.
Neon tetras, guppies, maybe a pleco 🥱

You crave something…

Bold
Weird
Conversation-worthy

But where do you even start⁉️

Imagine guests glancing at your tank and saying,
“Cute… but haven’t I seen this at PetCo?” Ouch.

Your masterpiece deserves more wow 🥳

Buckle up. We’re introducing 3 jaw-dropping fish you’ve (probably) never heard of—easy to care for, wildly unique, and guaranteed to make your aquarium the envy of TikTok.

🐠 The “Why Is That Thing Even Real?!” Fish Hall of Fame

1. Peacock Gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda)

Looks like: A living watercolor painting. Electric blue stripes, sunset-orange fins, and a dramatic flair for posing.
Personality: “Look at me, but don’t touch my cave.” These mini divas love tiny hideouts and flirting with their reflections.

Setup:

^{Tank Size}^{: 15+ gallons}
^{Water Parameters}^:
- ^Temperature:^{72-79°F (22-26°C)}
- ^pH:^6.5-7.5
- ^{Soft to moderately hard water}

^{Low-flow water}
^{Plenty of caves & smooth rocks}^{for hiding}
^{Plants like}^{Java Moss, Anubias, or Crypts}
^{Tank mates: Peaceful community fish (small tetras, rasboras)}

Pro Tip: Pair with smooth rocks and low-flow water.

2. African Butterfly Fish (Pantodon buchholzi)

Looks like: A dragonfly fused with a ninja. Wing-like fins, bug-eyes that see EVERYTHING, and a habit of lurking at the surface like a tiny aquatic Batman.
Personality: “I’ll just hover here… menacingly.” Thrives in planted tanks with floating vegetation.

Setup:

^{Tank Size}^{: 30+ gallons (long tank preferred)}
^{Water Parameters}^:
- ^Temperature:^{75-86°F (24-30°C)}
- ^pH:^6.0-7.5
- ^{Soft, slightly acidic water}

^{Floating plants}
^{Minimal water movement}^{(hates strong currents)}
^{Dim lighting}^{to mimic natural habitat}
^{Tank mates: Bottom dwellers (corydoras, kuhli loaches), peaceful mid-level swimmers}

3. Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)

Looks like: A disco ball with gills. Iridescent scales shimmer under LED lights, and they “croak” to communicate. Yes, croak.
Personality: Tiny but mighty. Peaceful, social, and obsessed with darting through dense plants.

Setup: