Early settlers in South America believed these fish to be the embodiment of people that had passed away violently, and that’s where the ghost part of the name originated. Ghost Knife FishĪbout as unique a freshwater fish as you’re ever going to lay eyes on, these little beauties are the perfect addition to your aquarium if you’re looking for something outside the norm.įound in tropical waters all over South America, these fish have a body that resembles an oversized machete.

Maybe the most popular of all the aquarium fish options, these fish are actually members of the Karp family and were selectively bred for color and size throughout Imperial China more than 1000 years ago.Ībout as easy to care for as an aquarium fish can get, these fish can be kept in tiny bowls so long as the water is frequently changed and they get plenty of food on a regular basis. Perhaps the most iconic fish of them all, most everyone on the planet has heard of a goldfish – and a fair share of people worldwide have kept them as a pet, too. These fish are almost foolishly territorial, super aggressive, especially in the lead up to breeding season. While these fish can be kept in aquariums it’s a good idea to make sure that they are kept alone. It’s believed that the sponges they consume are a huge contributor to their bright, almost fluorescent color. These fish consume a pretty steady diet of algae and sponges, but they also aren’t afraid of eating tubeworms and other small animals in the water, either. While these fish can be found as far north in California as the Monterey Bay area, they are a whole lot more common in the warmer waters of the Channel Islands as well as Southern California in general. The state fish of California is small, foolishly colorful, but also pretty aggressive and territorial – and it’s also named after Giuseppe Garibaldi (a legendary Italian that fought for the reunification of Italy and was known for his incredibly bright red shirts).

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