Fresh Water Fish

Freshwater fish are an integral part of ecosystems and culinary traditions worldwide, thriving in rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams. Unlike saltwater species, freshwater fish inhabit non-saline environments and come in a diverse range of types, each adapted to unique habitats. Globally recognized freshwater species include tilapia, known for its mild flavor and widespread cultivation; catfish, prized for its rich, meaty texture; and trout, cherished for its delicate taste in both wild and farmed varieties. Others, such as carp, play a significant role in Asian and Eastern European cuisines, while species like piranha in South America and walleye in North America add local flavors to regional traditions.

Freshwater fish are a valuable protein source, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. They are cultivated widely through aquaculture, with tilapia and catfish leading the industry due to their adaptability and rapid growth rates. Beyond food, freshwater fish like koi and goldfish are treasured for ornamental purposes.

Their versatility in cooking—whether grilled, baked, fried, or used in curries, soups, and stews—combined with their nutritional value, makes freshwater fish a staple in diets worldwide. If you'd like, I can explore specific freshwater species or their significance in certain regions! 🐟✨

List of 100 freshwater fish varieties, formatted as one-line entries with scientific names, key traits, and global trade details:

Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) - Size: 12–40" | Shape: Torpedo | Taste: Earthy | Cooking: Fried/Stewed | Catching: Nets | Producers: China, EU | Exporters: Hungary
Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) - Size: 24–48" | Shape: Elongated | Taste: Mild | Cooking: Steamed | Use: Weed control | Producers: China
Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) - Size: 24–40" | Shape: Deep-bodied | Taste: Delicate | Cooking: Soups | Note: Invasive | Producers: USA, Asia
Catla (Labeo catla) - Size: 24–48" | Taste: Rich | Cooking: Curries | Producers: India, Bangladesh
Rohu (Labeo rohita) - Size: 18–36" | Taste: Sweet | Cooking: Bengali jhol | Producers: India
Tench (Tinca tinca) - Size: 12–24" | Taste: Muddy | Cooking: Purging required | Producers: Europe
Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) - Size: 8–16" | Taste: Mild | Cooking: Grilled | Producers: China, Egypt | Exporters: China
Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) - Size: 6–14" | Taste: Mild | Cooking: Fried | Producers: Africa
Redbelly Tilapia (Coptodon zillii) - Size: 6–12" | Taste: Sweet | Cooking: Steamed | Producers: Africa
Peacock Bass (Cichla spp.) - Size: 12–30" | Taste: Firm | Cooking: Grilled | Note: Sportfish | Producers: Brazil
Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) - Size: 12–40" | Taste: Sweet | Cooking: Fried | Producers: USA
Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) - Size: 12–20" | Taste: Earthy | Note: Invasive | Producers: Southeast Asia
Mekong Giant Catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) - Size: Up to 10 ft | Taste: Fatty | Status: Endangered | Producers: Mekong River
Pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) - Size: 24–48" | Taste: Mild | Cooking: Fillets | Exporters: Vietnam
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - Size: 10–30" | Taste: Nutty | Cooking: Smoked | Producers: Norway, USA
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) - Size: 12–30" | Taste: Buttery | Cooking: Baked | Producers: Europe
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) - Size: 20–60" | Taste: Fatty | Note: Farmed | Producers: Norway, Chile
Nile Perch (Lates niloticus) - Size: 24–80" | Taste: Mild | Exporters: Uganda | Cooking: Fried
European Perch (Perca fluviatilis) - Size: 6–20" | Taste: Sweet | Cooking: Pan-fried | Producers: Europe
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) - Size: 12–30" | Taste: Mild | Cooking: Baked | Producers: USA
Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso) - Size: 10–20 ft | Use: Caviar | Status: Endangered | Producers: Caspian Sea
Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) - Size: 3–6 ft | Use: Sustainable caviar | Producers: China, EU
Zander (Sander lucioperca) - Size: 20–40" | Taste: Delicate | Cooking: Grilled | Producers: Europe
Walleye (Sander vitreus) - Size: 12–30" | Taste: Flaky | Cooking: Pan-fried | Producers: North America
Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) - Size: Up to 15 ft | Taste: Rich | Cooking: Grilled | Note: Amazonian
Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus) - Size: 6–8 ft | Note: Not typically eaten | Habitat: Amazon
Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) - Size: 6–12" | Taste: Bold | Cooking: Grilled | Producers: Amazon
Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) - Size: 1–2" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Global aquariums
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) - Size: 4–6" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Amazon Basin
Arowana (Osteoglossum spp.) - Size: 24–48" | Note: Ornamental | Exporters: Southeast Asia
Basa (Pangasius bocourti) - Size: 24–48" | Taste: Mild | Exporters: Vietnam | Cooking: Fillets
Snakehead (Channa spp.) - Size: 12–40" | Taste: Firm | Cooking: Steamed | Producers: Asia
Bitterling (Rhodeus spp.) - Size: 2–3" | Note: Small/ornamental | Habitat: Europe, Asia
Gourami (Osphronemidae family) - Size: 4–12" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Southeast Asia
Betta (Betta splendens) - Size: 2–3" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Thailand
Discus (Symphysodon spp.) - Size: 6–8" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: Amazon
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) - Size: 4–12" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Global
Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) - Size: 12–36" | Note: Ornamental | Exporters: Japan
Pacu (Colossoma spp.) - Size: 12–36" | Taste: Nutty | Cooking: Grilled | Habitat: Amazon
Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) - Size: 24–36" | Taste: Sweet | Cooking: Fried | Producers: Brazil
Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) - Size: 24–48" | Taste: Rich | Cooking: Grilled | Note: Sportfish
Huchen (Hucho hucho) - Size: 24–60" | Taste: Trout-like | Cooking: Smoked | Producers: Danube River
Marbled Lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) - Size: 3–6 ft | Note: Ancient species | Habitat: Africa
Electric Catfish (Malapterurus electricus) - Size: 12–24" | Note: Bioelectric | Habitat: Africa
Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus) - Size: 6–12" | Taste: Earthy | Cooking: Fried | Producers: Asia
Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) - Size: 12–30" | Taste: Mild | Cooking: Fried | Producers: USA
Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) - Size: 24–60" | Taste: Flaky | Cooking: Grilled | Producers: Australia
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) - Size: 24–60" | Taste: Buttery | Cooking: Pan-seared | Producers: Australia, Asia
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) - Size: 6–20" | Taste: Nutty | Cooking: Smoked | Producers: North America
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) - Size: 24–50" | Taste: Rich | Cooking: Baked | Producers: Canada
Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) - Size: 12–24" | Taste: Oily | Cooking: Curried | Exporters: Bangladesh
African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) - Size: 12–60" | Taste: Earthy | Producers: Africa, Asia
Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis) - Size: Up to 13 ft | Taste: Mild | Cooking: Stewed | Producers: Europe
Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) - Size: 24–60" | Taste: Sweet | Cooking: Fried | Producers: USA
Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) - Size: 12–60" | Taste: Firm | Cooking: Blackened | Producers: USA
Mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) - Size: 12–36" | Taste: Sweet | Cooking: Curried | Producers: India
Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) - Size: 24–60" | Taste: Rich | Note: Sportfish | Habitat: Himalayas
Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) - Size: 8–14" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Southeast Asia
Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) - Size: 2–3" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Indonesia
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) - Size: 1–2" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Sri Lanka
Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus oblongus) - Size: 4–6" | Note: Aquarium cleaner | Producers: Thailand
Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) - Size: 10–14" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Southeast Asia
Redtail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) - Size: 24–48" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: Amazon
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish (Pseudoplatystoma spp.) - Size: 24–60" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: South America
Plecostomus (Hypostomus plecostomus) - Size: 12–24" | Note: Algae eater | Producers: South America
Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) - Size: 10–14" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: Amazon
Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) - Size: 6–10" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Central America
Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) - Size: 4–6" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Mexico
Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) - Size: 3–4" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Central America
Discus Fish (Symphysodon spp.) - Size: 6–8" | Note: Ornamental | Exporters: Brazil
Ram Cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) - Size: 2–3" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: South America
Electric Blue Cichlid (Sciaenochromis fryeri) - Size: 6–8" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: Lake Malawi
Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) - Size: 10–14" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: Lake Tanganyika
Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara spp.) - Size: 4–6" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: Lake Malawi
Zebra Cichlid (Metriaclima zebra) - Size: 4–5" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: Lake Malawi
Blood Parrot Cichlid (Hybrid) - Size: 6–8" | Note: Man-made hybrid | Producers: Taiwan
Flowerhorn Cichlid (Hybrid) - Size: 10–12" | Note: Ornamental | Producers: Malaysia
Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) - Size: 24–48" | Note: Ornamental | Exporters: Amazon Basin
Black Arowana (Osteoglossum ferreirai) - Size: 24–36" | Note: Ornamental | Habitat: Amazon
African Lungfish (Protopterus annectens) - Size: 3–6 ft | Note: Air-breathing | Habitat: Africa
South American Lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) - Size: 3–4 ft | Note: Air-breathing | Habitat: Amazon
Bichir (Polypterus spp.) - Size: 12–24" | Note: Ancient fish | Producers: Africa
Ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) - Size: 12–20" | Note: Eel-like | Habitat: West Africa
Knifefish (Apteronotus spp.) - Size: 12–24" | Note: Weakly electric | Habitat: South America
Elephantnose Fish (Gnathonemus petersii) - Size: 6–10" | Note: Sensory snout | Habitat: Africa
Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) - Size: 4–6" | Note: Surface-dwelling | Habitat: Africa
Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus spp.) - Size: 2–3" | Note: Winged pectorals | Habitat: South America
Pencilfish (Nannostomus spp.) - Size: 1–2" | Note: Small/schooling | Habitat: Amazon
Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) - Size: 3–4" | Note: Colorful | Habitat: Congo River
Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) - Size: 1–2" | Note: Aquarium staple | Producers: Amazon Basin
Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) - Size: 1–2" | Note: Bright red/blue | Exporters: Brazil
Rummy-Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus) - Size: 2–3" | Note: Red "nose" | Habitat: Amazon
Black Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) - Size: 2–3" | Note: Hardy aquarium fish | Producers: South America
Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) - Size: 1–2" | Note: Red fins | Habitat: Amazon
Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) - Size: 1–2" | Note: Glowing stripe | Producers: Guyana
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) - Size: 1" | Note: Bright orange | Habitat: Brazil
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) - Size: 2–3" | Note: Colorful | Producers: South Asia
Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii) - Size: 4–5" | Note: Iridescent spots | Producers: Southeast Asia
Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminckii) - Size: 6–12" | Note: "Kissing" behavior | Producers: Thailand
Moonlight Gourami (Trichopodus microlepis) - Size: 6–8" | Note: Silvery sheen | Habitat: Mekong Basin

Key Producers & Exporters

China: Tilapia, carp.
Vietnam: Pangasius (Basa).
India: Rohu, catla.
USA: Catfish, bass.
Norway/Chile: Farmed trout/salmon.
Thailand: Ornamental fish (gouramis, bettas).

Cooking & Catching Methods

Fried: Catfish, tilapia, carp.
Grilled: Peacock bass, arapaima.
Steamed: Snakehead, hilsa.
Catching: Nets (commercial), angling (sportfish).

This list covers edible and ornamental freshwater species, emphasizing their ecological and culinary roles. Let me know if you need further refinements! 🐟🌊