25 Aggressive Freshwater Fish for Killer Storage Tanks (Variety Overview)

Hostile fish offer a distinct container dynamic, something that the communications between tranquil fish can not reproduce.

How they act with each other is appealing to several fish caretakers, and also their actions are among the main factors to maintain them.

They additionally tend to be extremely smart, as well as a lot of cans create bonds with their proprietors, while a lot of serene fish can not.

In this overview, we will certainly cover 20 usual (as well as not so regular) kinds of hostile fish that you can maintain house!

25 Aggressive Freshwater Fish

Below are a few of our preferred varieties of hostile freshwater fish.

1. Wolf Cichlid

Taxonomic Name: Parachromis dovii.
Usual Name: Wolf Cichlid, Rainbow Bass, Dovii.
Treatment Level: Advanced.
Character: Aggressive.
Storage Tank Size: Juvenile: 130 gallons, Adult: Large personalized fish tank, at the very least 4-6x the size of the fish.

Simply because of its extremely antagonistic attitude, the Wolf Cichlid is a well-known fish. Even though they are intelligent and attractive, the dovii are unique to the point where the word “dovii” has come to mean aggression.

It can be difficult to find container partners; most people miss out. If it is successful, it typically does not persist long because Wolf Cichlids eventually grow to be over 2 feet in length. Many owners either move their Dovii to large fish ponds or have custom storage tanks created for them.

Their storage tank requires a big open swimming area, a deep sand bed, boulders, and caverns. In addition, Wolf Cichlids exhibit strong interest in work outside the storage tank’s walls and may see some of the surrounding area as a part of their home.

2. Red Devil Cichlid

Taxonomic Name: Amphilophus labiatus.
Usual Name: Red Devil, Red Devil Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Personality: Aggressive.
Storage tank Size: 75 gallons.

The name “Red Devils” is fitting given their antagonistic temperament and resemblance to the Dovii. While they are still young, it is only advisable to keep them with tankmates. Some people have found success by creating a number of enormous “caverns” in the fish tank. As long as other fish stay away from it, the adult Red Devil is able to create a territory where they are typically, though not always, doused.

Regardless of their moniker, the color of the Red Devil differs from fish to fish. Although most do have some red coloring, they might appear entirely yellow, light white, or even orange. They don’t have picky eating habits, and if you provide them access to rocks, tunnels, large containers, the right amount of water, and food, they will definitely live as long as pets.

3. Jaguar Cichlid

Taxonomic Name: Parachromis amanuensis.
Typical Name: Jaguar Cichlid, Managuense Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Personality: Aggressive.
Container Size: 125 gallons for adolescents. Grownup demands 240+ gallons.

An incredibly underappreciated fish is the magnificently shaped jaguar cichlid. They resemble a jaguar in that they have a light lotion-like yellow body with an amazing black pattern. Additionally, unlike other cichlids, their behavior will surely vary and alter as they grow, only strengthening after they are fully developed. This makes their evolution much more interesting.

Jaguar Cichlids need also have access to substrate they may dig in, such as boulders, caverns, and rock formations. They can live with other fish, primarily cichlids, of a similar size and level of aggression because they will still try to eat fish that are smaller than themselves.

It can be difficult to sell many Jaguar Cichlids together because they will undoubtedly kill other fish of the same sex as well as the opposite sex. You would probably fail to keep more than one unless they were increased with each other.

4. Umbee Cichild

Taxonomic Name: Caquetaia Umbriferus.
Usual Name: Umber, Umber Cichlid, Blue-freckled Cichlid, Turquoise Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Character: Aggressive.
Container Size: 100+ for adolescent, 240+ gallons for grownup.

The Umber Cichlid is a similarly hostile and interactive cichlid to the Dovii Cichlid in terms of personality, coloring, and aggression. Both of these fish have a strong interest in events that are happening outside of their aquariums, which demonstrates their high levels of knowledge and is a huge advantage in owning either variety.

Although it is not advised, some people have managed to keep them in aquariums with large sailfin plecos and common catfish. However, your Umbee will surely be a treat if the catfish grow more quickly than the Umber. Umber cichlids are not picky eaters, and they are easy to care for if you can handle their aggression and other needs.

They grow slightly smaller than Dovii, thus a sizable personal aquarium or fish pond would unquestionably be required in the long run. However, their high degrees of interactivity and individuality deserve the financial investment. Although they have a longer lifespan than the average dog, they are just as unique, if not more so.

5. Gem Cichlid

Taxonomic Name: Hemichromis.
Typical Name: Jewel Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Beginner-Intermediate.
Personality: Aggressive.
Container Size: 40-100 gallons, relying on types.

The Jewel Cichlid, so named for its stunning coloration, is frequently the focal point of the aquarium in which it resides. This fish can be successfully kept with a variety of different fish since its antagonism is based on its surroundings. If given enough space and a specific challenge arises in a particular area.

You should keep in mind that this fish will unquestionably eat any fish that are smaller than it. To have this fish as a stunning focal point among neon tetras, bright red minnows, and other similar species is challenging, though. The best tankmates for them are other gigantic cichlids, yet it is recommended to raise them while they are young because Jewel Cichlids may attack unidentified species.

6. Mini Dovii

Taxonomic Name: Cichlasoma gram mode.
Typical Name: Mini Dovii, Grammodes.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Character: Aggressive.
Container Size: 125+ gallons.

The Mini Dovii is not a particularly closely related variation and only reaches a size that is roughly half that of a true Dovii. Although some have successfully kept sets, they are hostile and will surely try to eliminate anything else in the container.

Compared to Wolf Cichlids, they are far less interested in the outdoor location of their storage tank. They are still rather beautiful and distinctive, though. They possess the aggressive, abrasive attitude that some keepers desire, as well as the capacity to effectively coexist with other members of their own species, which is considerably more uncommon for the Wolf Cichlid. Mini Doviis are slow growers, so if you want to keep a fish, you can gradually move up to larger containers. This kind is a wonderful option.

7. Flowerhorn

Taxonomic Name: Unknown/Not Yet Established.
Usual Name: Flowerhorn.
Treatment Level: Beginner.
Personality: Aggressive.
Storage tank Size: 40-75+ gallons, depending upon kind.

Another unidentified hybrid of several cichlids is the Flowerhorn Cichlid. Despite having generally different bodies, sizes, and coloring types, they are all regarded as aggressive. Because they are among the only fish that intentionally appear snuggled and are very interactive, some keepers prefer housing them alone.

Others large cichlids get along with other cichlids, some get along with catfish, and some don’t get along with any other fish for very long. Given that they were entirely recreated for color and interactive characters, they are among the most delicate fish that can be owned.

8. Oscar Fish

Taxonomic Name: Astronotus ocellatus.
Typical Name: Oscar, Oscar Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Beginner.
Personality: Aggressive.
Container Size: 75-125 gallons.

The Oscar fish is a common but fiercely possessive fish that can be found in almost every family pet store. Despite having mean-looking features and a bad attitude toward many other fish, they can grow to reach over a foot in length and come in a variety of appealing colors. They are their owners’ absolute favorites.

They thrive when kept with different cichlids, bichirs, enormous catfish, and massive education fish like the Silver Dollar. Oscars are only marginally antagonistic, thus they make better tankmates than some of the other fish on this list.

9. Black Wolffish

Taxonomic Name: Hoplias Curupira.
Typical Name: Black Wolf, Wolffish, Black Wolf Fish, Curupira.
Treatment Level: Advanced.
Character: Aggressive.
Storage Tank Size: Large customized container, at least 5ft long, 3ft broad, ideally over 200 gallons.

An aggressive killer that emerged from the Amazon container is the Black Wolffish. They are impossible to mistake for anyone other than a killer due to their exceptional tooth selection and physique. Despite their persistent appearance, they can only grow to a maximum height of a little over a foot. They’ve actually been kept in storage bins.

This fish has been successfully kept by some keepers with bichirs, silver bucks, peacock bass cichlids, and numerous other swiftly swimming enormous fish. Wolffish are not inexpensive or common, which, while it may be a letdown for some, practically guarantees that this fish will be given to someone who knows how to take care of it.

10. Hoplias Aimara

Taxonomic Name: Hoplias Aimara.
Typical Name: Wolffish, Black Wolffish, Aimara.
Treatment Level: Advanced.
Personality: Aggressive.
Storage Tank Size: Large personalized container, comparable to Curupira.

Don’t worry. We didn’t serve the exact same fish twice. This fish is a close relative of the previous black wolf fish, although there are some key differences. The Amara is less frequently found, frequently a little more expensive (averaging $800, though several thousand dollars is not rare), and specifically maintained by individuals looking for large, aggressive fish.

Aimara frequently exhibits much greater hostility than Curupir. Aimara should not be kept with any tankmates, despite the fact that some people have successfully kept Curupir with storage tank buddies. This may be the case since only aggressive tankmates would likely stand a chance, and no one wants to take the chance that a fish they paid $800 to $3,000 for will have an additional fish in the storage tank.

Amara tends to be a passionate eater in addition to being a nasty killer. They have a reputation for acting bravely, not just in the direction of other fish but also in the direction of their owners. Aimara and many wolffish are kept for the purpose of getting a close-up look at this killer rather than being kept as “pet dog” fish.

11. Environment-friendly Texas Cichlid

Taxonomic Name: Herichthys cyanoguttatus.
Usual Name: Green Texas Cichlid, Texas Cichlid, Pearlscale Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Beginner.
Personality: Aggressive.
Container Size: 55 gallons.

The Green Texas Cichlid is a gorgeous fish with a rainbow-like pattern that is excellent at winning over its owner’s heart. They are creative and very interactive, and their one flaw is that they are hostile. If you try to house your Texas Cichlid with anything that doesn’t have an equal or higher level of aggression, they will surely get rid of it.

These fish prize dimly lit containers, caves, origins (or designs that resemble origins), and drifting vegetation. Additionally, this setup is great for other species that you can keep with your Texas cichlids, like cichlids of the same size from Central and South America.

Although it is more common to keep them with other cichlids, you can keep one on its own as well. If you keep them alone, they will surely interact with you more and want greater excitement from the container environment. When you start holding a Green Texas Cichlid alone, it will surely be quite challenging to restore other fish in the tank.

12. Pauper’s Tropheus

Taxonomic Name: Hypsophrys nematopus.
Usual Name: Poor Man’s Tropheus, Green-eyed Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Character: Aggressive.
Container Size: 30 gallons.

Despite being smaller than many of the other fish on this list, this fish is quite aggressive and will surely kill any fish that is larger than it. They are not particularly brilliant, but if you end up with a male/female set, their overall color variation more than makes up for it. They aren’t ugly; they’re just not as colorful as some of the other unfriendly options.

While many choose to keep them separately, with a solo sampling, a set, or a small team, some keepers have had success with a variety of other species. By giving them somewhere to guard, you might lessen their overall antagonism since they will get territorial about various other patterns and certain caverns.

13. Afer Knife

Taxonomic Name: Papyrocranus after.
Usual Name: Afer Knife, Pom Knife, Reticulated Knifefish.
Treatment Level: Advanced.
Personality: Aggressive.
Container Size: Large customized container or fish pond, a minimum of 200 gallons, depending upon measurements.

The angry Afer Knife destroys that mold and mildew, whereas most Knifefish are known for being quite timid and spending a lot of time hiding. They continue to require numerous masking spots in the container and are well known for hitting other tankmates.

When they are young, many keepers can successfully house them with different fish, but as they get older, they become more aggressive and possessive. Once they reach this stage, they either need to be kept alone or are born with a variety of other giants and dangerous fish, yet there is still a chance that they will attack several other fish.

The types of fish they dislike seem to vary from private to private. While some fish well with arowanas and big cichlids, others will surely catch those species easily. All Afer Knives appear to be quite antagonistic toward various other knifefish and cannot be kept alongside other species like them.

14. Gourami

Taxonomic Name: Osphronemidae.
Usual Name: Gourami, consists of dwarf gourami, huge gourami, bettas.
Treatment Level: Beginner to Advanced.
Personality: Semi Aggressive.
Storage tank Size: 5-220 gallons, relying on varieties.

These fish are thoughtful and also personalized, and also can generally compare Gourami and various other fish, and can be quietly maintained with ideal container companions.

Gourami is exceptionally not likely to strike buffoon rasboras, neon tetras, or comparable fish, yet some, especially bettas, might assault extremely vivid fish like guppies.

15. Peacock Bass Cichlid

Taxonomic Name: Cichla ocellaris.
Usual Name: Peacock Bass, Peacock Cichlid, Peacock Bass Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Character: Aggressive.
Storage tank Size: 220+ gallons.

This remarkably tinted and also hostile cichlid is not for the pale of heart. They get to over 2 feet in size, need specialized fish ponds or storage tanks, and do not play well with much less hostile varieties.

These are essential for anyone who looks after beast fish. They carefully resemble largemouth bass, despite the fact that they are not at all bass, and they look amazing both in their mature and adolescent states. You can tell this fish was designed to be a killer just by looking at it.

Two cichlids of the same size can be housed when they are young. As they get bigger, nevertheless, you’ll have to divide them before the peacock bass cichlid outgrows its “friends.” As they get older, some have actually had luck keeping them with other individuals of their own type, other big and also aggressive cichlids, arowanas, and also huge catfish.

16. Pea Puffer

Taxonomic Name: Carinotetraodon travancoricus.
Usual Name: Pea Puffer, BB Puffer, Malabar Puffer, Pygmy Puffer.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Character: Aggressive.
Container Size: 5 gallons for one, 15 for approximately 3.

The pea flatterer should not be disregarded even if they are the smallest fish on our list and among the smallest fish overall. They grow to an inch in length, but they can catch much larger fish and should be kept with others of their kind.

People will occasionally make an effort to keep them for a while in nearby storage tanks. It will undoubtedly work. The deaths of certain smaller tetras and other fish will start to happen at random. Their larger fish will certainly have flesh that is clearly lacking, and also all of the fish’s fins will be rough and also missing parts.

Pea flatterers dislike a variety of different fish and are territorial. If they can’t completely get rid of them, they will surely start eating small amounts of the fish until it leaves the region. However, this is not practical in fish tanks. Despite their diminutive size, they have a definite antagonistic character.

17. Jack Dempsey

Taxonomic Name: Rocio octofasciata.
Typical Name: Jack Dempsey Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Beginner.
Character: Aggressive.
Storage tank Size: 55 gallons.

Jack Dempseys are well-known for both their appearance and their personalities. Their bodies are deeply striated with tens of thousands of strikingly rainbow-like ranges that almost resemble galaxies. The Jack Dempsey is intelligent, like many cichlids, and will likely interact with its owner, but it is also rather hostile.

Fortunately, a number of fish keepers have had success with many other sorts of real estate. Aside from their obvious antagonism, they are not particularly difficult to care for, making them a good choice for anyone seeking for their first hostile fish.

18. Arowana

Taxonomic Name: Osteoglossidae.
Typical Name: Arowana, Dragon Fish, Dragonfish.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Character: Aggressive.
Container Size: 200-300+ gallons, depending upon varieties.

Arowanas are well-known in the fish keeping world as one of the fish tank monarchs. They have streamlined, structured bodies and highly reflective ranges. If you live outside of the United States, you can find them in a wide range of colors, some of which cost more than $100,000.

There are too many of these fish in the wild to eradicate them because they are associated with luck and good fortune in various Asian communities. According to legend, if the owner of this fish becomes ill, the fish will fight the illness to save its owner. The fish will undoubtedly die in the owner’s space, giving the owner another chance at life.

Arowanas are distinctive to observe because they are notorious house murderers and are also quite active. They may be kept with a variety of fish and can move around elegantly, unlike any other fish. Most keepers do not risk their prized fish and instead house them alone in substantial storage tanks since these many other varieties must be rather hostile to protect against the Arowana.

19. Severums

Taxonomic Name: Heros Severus.
Typical Name: Banded Cichlid, Green Severum, Tiger Severum.
Treatment Level: Beginner.
Personality: Aggressive.
Storage tank Size: 55 gallons.

Severums are odd-looking fish with large round eyes and a completely circular body, similar to the discus, however these are a good bit more aggressive. Although they have little lips and adorable eyes, if you don’t watch out they will undoubtedly eat their tankmates.

You’ll have a perfectly functional storage tank if you pair them with cichlids of similar size and temperament. The fish you try to put into your Severum’s container that is smaller in size than it will not survive for very long.

20. Ornate bichir

Taxonomic Name: Polypterus ornatipinnis.
Usual Name: Ornate bichir, Dragon eel.
Treatment Level: Intermediate.
Character: Aggressive.
Storage tank Size: 180 gallons.

The luxuriant bichir is possibly one of the most antagonistic bichirs, but many bichirs are placid with the occasional mean touch. They can typically coexist with both mid-level and high-ranking huge tankmates. They will surely strike them if they are living with small, bottom-dwelling, or similar-looking sorts.

If you start to notice fish with rough tails, you should keep a close eye on your bichir. Some keepers have also observed their opulent bichirs chase the tails of various other fish. They frequently have a tendency to ignore other fish in nearby storage tanks, suggesting that they do not appreciate varieties or neighboring storage tanks. You must use caution when selecting tankmates, but how you house them is entirely up to you.

21.) Convict Cichlid

Taxonomic Name: Amatitlania nigrofasciata.
Usual Name: Convict Cichlid.
Treatment Level: Beginner.
Personality: Aggressive.
Storage tank Size: 20+ Gallons.

Convict Cichlids are prepared to compete in lip-securing contests for prominence with tank buddies twice their size. If the container isn’t big enough for them to claim a territory of their very own, prisoners will frequently bully or kill smaller container companions.

They also become favorably savage when reproducing. Additionally, they will surely chase after and attack every other fish in the storage tank, pushing them to the upper edges. If keeping one at a place, you’ll need at least a 20-gallon storage tank.

Like the bulk of Central American cichlids, they prefer extreme temperatures of 74 °F or higher as well as severe, alkaline water chemistry (pH 7.0+). They are also ardent miners, continually digging trenches and mounds in the substratum. You can say goodbye to all rooted plants if your prisoners do choose to produce!

22.) Black Piranha

Taxonomic Name: Serrasalmus rhombus.
Typical Name: Black Piranha, White Piranha.
Treatment Level: Expert.
Character: Aggressive; Dangerous.
Storage tank Size: 180+ gallons.

The Red-Bellied Piranhas are the species you encounter most frequently at the workplace, but the second most frequent is also the most aggressive of the two. While Black Piranhas are lone killers that can grow to be 16–20 inches long when fully extended, Red Belies frequently have a reputation for being unpredictable, intelligent fish.

When Black Piranhas grow large enough to break plastic vacuum cleaner tubes and algae rubbing pads, cleaning up their habitat can be difficult. They are typically kept with small fish like Guppies and Tetras because they are too small to be worth pursuing underwater.

23.) Red-Tailed Shark

Taxonomic Name: Epalzeorhynchos bicolor.
Usual Name: Red-Tailed Shark, Red Tail Black Shark.
Treatment Level: Beginner.
Character: Semi-aggressive; Territorial.
Container Size: 30 Gallons.

Since they are Cyprinids and so closely related to Barbs, Goldfish, and Danios, Red-Tailed Sharks are not actually sharks at all. When it comes to individualism, they are not at all like the other members of their family. Red-tailed sharks, together with Rainbow and Black Sharks, are solitary, territorial base inhabitants as opposed to moderate education fish.

Keeping them among others of their kind is a recipe for trouble because they are someone you will undoubtedly deal with frequently. Additionally, they can cause trouble for their container pals; otherwise, offer a cave, a tangle of driftwood, or other hiding places down low. The entire base of the container may be claimed by Red-Tailed Sharks as their turf, and they may attack anyone that tries to swim there.

25 Aggressive Freshwater Fish for Killer Storage Tanks (Variety Overview)