Indonesia - List of fishes

A small surface-dwelling cyprinodontiform, Aplocheilus panchax inhabits calm, vegetated waters of South and Southeast Asia. A predator of insects, particularly mosquito larvae, it plays an important role in regulating insect populations in stagnant areas.

It owes its name of "freshwater shark" only to the shape of its dorsal fin. It behavior and it food have nothing comparable. It acclimates easily to the aquarium.

Originating from the Malay Peninsula and the large islands of Sundaland, the spanner barb frequents well-oxygenated forest streams. Omnivorous and benthopelagic, it reaches up to 19 cm and remains locally common despite threats related to habitats and invasive species.

Betta albimarginata is a small betta endemic to East Kalimantan, in Borneo. The reddish-orange male is characterized by fins edged in white, while the female remains brownish. It is a paternal mouthbrooder living in acidic forest waters.

Of dark and slender appearance, the slender Betta hunts small invertebrates, notably dragonfly nymphs. The labyrinth organ allows it to tolerate warm and poorly oxygenated waters.

Endemic to the peat swamps of Sarawak and West Kalimantan, this fish is a tiny brick-red Betta that lives at very shallow depths in acidic black waters. Calm and discreet, it builds a bubble nest and the male guards the spawn.

Betta coccina is distinguished by its bright red coloration and an iridescent spot in males. It inhabits the acidic black waters of the swampy forests of Malaysia and Sumatra (Indonesia).

The Simor fighter is a small betta found in blackwater peat bogs, distributed between Sumatra (Jambi, Riau) and western Kalimantan. It is discreet, living at shallow depths among leaves and roots, preying on small invertebrates and breeding in bubble nests.

Endemic to the peat swamps of Borneo, Betta strohi lives in acidic and shaded blackwaters between Jelai, Mentaya, Sebangau, and Kahayan. Quiet and opportunistic, it alternates between hunting benthos and surface prey. As a paternal mouthbrooder, it is classified as Endangered due to habitat destruction.

Endemic to the headwaters of eastern Borneo, the Howong Betta inhabits clear and well-oxygenated forest streams. It is discreet and opportunistic, hunting close to the substrate and under the surface film. Males mouthbrood the eggs until they hatch.

A camouflaged species found in flooded forest areas and acidic marshes, Channa lucius is a discreet predator that blends into the vegetation. Although locally threatened, it remains common in much of its range.

Native to Sumatra, Borneo, and the Malay Peninsula, Channa marulioides is recognizable by its orange caudal ocellus and scales bordered in white, known as "flowers". This large predator can reach over 60 cm.

Ocellated snakehead is a predatory fish from Borneo and Sumatra recognizable by its yellow ocelli surrounded by black. It lives in marshes and rivers of acidic peat swamp forests.

It lives in fresh water but also in brackish water. Like most puffer fish species, its flesh and organs are toxic. In captivity, adults can be aggressive towards other fish species.

Much of it body is transparent. In the rainy season, it takes advantage of the floods to exit the riverbed where it lives to breed. It easily accommodates to life in the aquarium. Its flesh is used for the production of a "fish sauce".

It is not an eel, it owes its name to the shape of it body. It is a nocturnal species and during the day it hides in the sand. It is threatened because of overfishing. In captivity, it must be introduced in a large aquarium where there are no small fish.

Named bronze featherback for its shape, this nocturnal carnivorous fish with aerial respiration frequents flooded plains and lakes in South Asia.