Freshwater versions of saltwater/brackish fish

[L3CTR0N]

Thought it would be interesting to compile a list of freshwater alternatives to saltwater or brackish fish. They can be either be from the same family as their saltwater counterparts or lookalikes.

Potamorrhaphis sp. or Xenentodon sp. (instead of marine/brackish needlefish)
Gymnothorax polyuranodon (instead of marine/brackish morays)
Scatophagus tetracanthus (instead of other Scat species)
Toxotes blythii, T. microlepis, T. mekongensis, T. sundaicus, T. siamensis (instead of other archers which are brackish)
Glossamia aprion (instead of marine cardinalfish)
Freshwater pipefish e.g Microphis aculeatus, Enneacampus kaupi, E. ansorgii (instead of marine/brackish pipefish)

Feel free to chime in with more. These are all off the top of my head right now.

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Nile puffer/dwarf puffer/giant freshwater puffer -> porcupine puffer/guineafowl puffer.

 

[latapy10]

oontamblyopus rubicundus instead of dragon goby- gobioides peruanus/or gobioides brousonetti...

 

[Deadeye]

Just about any puffer will work for this!
Lots of freshwater gudgeons/gobies.
And also top hat or Indian zebra blenny.
Some damsels out there too!
A good number of these are better in brackish though…

On the topic of damsels, (including clownfish), look no further than most dwarf cichlids or African cichlids. They both have vibrant colors, are nasty (when they feel like it), and have similar behaviors. And are somewhat related.
For a lionfish, look into noevespicula depressifrons, a brackish fish, but is one of the few “freshwater” scorpionfish and looks very much like a lion.

 

[latapy10]

Just about any puffer will work for this!
Lots of freshwater gudgeons/gobies.
And also top hat or Indian zebra blenny.
Some damsels out there too!
A good number of these are better in brackish though…

On the topic of damsels, (including clownfish), look no further than most dwarf cichlids or African cichlids. They both have vibrant colors, are nasty (when they feel like it), and have similar behaviors. And are somewhat related.
For a lionfish, look into noevespicula depressifrons, a brackish fish, but is one of the few “freshwater” scorpionfish and looks very much like a lion.

non of your "freshwater" scorpionfishes live in freshwater aquarium for long term ....all of them are brackish fishes like neovespicula,batrachomoeus,allenbatrachus and many other...

 

[PYRU]

About the only ones that compare are discus, African cichlids, & rainbow fish. Behaviour is so different though. A fahaka puffer is a good alternative looks wise for a narrowline....again behaviour is so different. The freshwater moray is so beautiful & a great alternative to the pebble toothed salt eels.

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Surprised no one brought this one up, but stingrays definitely fit.

IE: Xingu River stingray -> blue spotted stingray.

 

[tlindsey]

Please read the last post of this thread because it may be a Freshwater specie according to the post.https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/fresh-water-frog-angler-fish-info.712170/

 

[latapy10]

Please read the last post of this thread because it may be a Freshwater specie according to the post.https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/fresh-water-frog-angler-fish-info.712170/

Antennarius biocellatus should be in brackish for long term...

 

[L3CTR0N]

Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) / Green chromide (Etroplus suratensis) = surgeonfish (look kinda similar, and both species can be kept in freshwater)