Cichlid
Arowanas and monster fish
Arowanas, gars, peacock bass, wolf cichlids, big cats and other river monsters. Photo map to guides and hubs.
Arowanas, gars, peacock bass, wolf cichlids, big cats and other river monsters. Photo map to guides and hubs.
Monsters need sealed lids, adult-size planning, and filtration to match. See the oddball hub and full hobby map.
Arowanas
Surface predators for long, covered monster tanks.
Open guide
Alligator gar
Air-breathing giants for ponds and huge systems.
Open guide
Peacock bass
Cichla monsters. Full species profile.
Open guide
Wolf cichlid (Dovii)
Central American apex cichlid. Plan adult length.
Open guide
Freshwater stingrays
Motoro, leopoldi and morphs. Dedicated ray hub.
Open guide
Large catfish
Redtails and shovelnose outgrow most home tanks.
Open guideDatnoids
Siamese tiger fish for long display tanks.
Open guidePacu
Heavy, plant-eating characins for huge systems.
Open guideQuick keep notes
Adult size first
Buy for the adult, not the juvenile in the bag.
Lid and length
Jumpers and long-bodied fish need footprint and a sealed top.
Legal and ethics
Some species are restricted. Check local rules before you buy.
FAQ
What counts as a monster fish?
Hobby slang for fish that need six-foot tanks, ponds, or specialist setups as adults.
Good first monster?
There is no casual monster. Start with research, budget, and a written adult plan.