10 Oddball Fish For Your Aquarium

Are you tired of the same old fish in your tank? Want to add some weird and wonderful creatures that will make your friends say “Wow!”?

Let’s dive into the world of oddball fish that can make your aquarium truly special!

Table of Contents

What Makes a Fish “Oddball”?

Oddball fish are unique creatures that stand out from common aquarium fish. They might:

Look strange or unusual
Have weird behaviors
Require special care
Bring something special to your tank setup

Not all oddball fish get along with others, so we’ll help you pick the right tank mates for these strange swimmers!

1. Amazon Puffer (Colomesus asellus)

Why it’s weird: This freshwater pufferfish looks like it’s always smiling! When scared, it puffs up like a balloon.

Care level: Medium to difficult

Size: Up to 3 inches

Personality: Playful but can be nippy

Tank needs:

At least 30 gallons of water
Clean water with good filtration
Hiding spots and open swimming areas
Teeth need trimming (they grow constantly!)

Best tank mates: Other Amazon puffers or fast-moving fish that won’t get nipped

Fun fact: Unlike many puffers, these can live in freshwater their whole lives!

2. African Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi)

Why it’s weird: This fish looks like it has butterfly wings! It swims at the water’s surface and can even jump out of the water to catch bugs.

Care level: Medium

Size: 4-5 inches

Personality: Shy but curious

Tank needs:

Top-dwelling fish that needs a secure lid
Floating plants for hiding
Calm water with minimal flow
At least 30 gallons

Best tank mates: Other peaceful surface dwellers or mid-water fish

Fun fact: They can breathe air and will drown if they can’t reach the surface!

3. Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons)

Why it’s weird: This spooky-looking fish has a black body, white ring on its nose, and swims backwards! It produces an electric field to find food.

Care level: Difficult

Size: Up to 20 inches

Personality: Shy, mostly active at night

Tank needs:

Large tank (75+ gallons)
Caves and hiding places
Dim lighting
Smooth substrate (no sharp gravel)

Best tank mates: Peaceful, medium to large fish that won’t bother it

Fun fact: They can live up to 15 years with proper care!

4. Elephant Nose Fish (Gnathonemus petersii)

Why it’s weird: Has a long, trunk-like nose that it uses to find food in the tank bottom.

Care level: Difficult

Size: 6-9 inches

Personality: Shy but smart

Tank needs:

Soft, dark substrate
Plenty of hiding spots
Dim lighting
30+ gallons

Best tank mates: Other peaceful fish that won’t outcompete it for food

Fun fact: They have a brain-to-body ratio similar to humans and can solve simple puzzles!

5. Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia)

Why it’s weird: Not actually an eel, but a long fish with bright red stripes that can grow huge!

Care level: Difficult

Size: Up to 3 feet long!

Personality: Shy but friendly once used to you

Tank needs:

Very large tank (125+ gallons)
Soft substrate for burrowing
Lots of hiding spots
Secure lid (they’re escape artists!)

Best tank mates: Large, peaceful fish that won’t fit in its mouth

Fun fact: They can recognize their owners and be hand-fed once tamed!

6. Ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus)

Why it’s weird: Looks like a snake but it’s a fish! Has tiny fins and can breathe air.

Care level: Medium

Size: Up to 15 inches

Personality: Curious and active

Tank needs:

Tight-fitting lid (serious escape artists!)
Plenty of hiding spots
At least 55 gallons
Plants for oxygen

Best tank mates: Other peaceful, medium-sized fish

Fun fact: These ancient fish have barely changed in 65 million years!

7. Doctor Fish (Garra rufa)

Why it’s weird: These fish are famous for eating dead skin in spa treatments!

Care level: Easy

Size: 2-3 inches

Personality: Active and social

Tank needs:

Groups of 5 or more
Good water flow
Rocks and surfaces to graze on
20+ gallons

Best tank mates: Other peaceful community fish

Fun fact: In the wild, they clean parasites off larger fish!

8. Freshwater Frogfish (Antennarius biocellatus)

Why it’s weird: Looks like a rock or sponge and has a “fishing rod” on its head to lure prey!

Care level: Very difficult

Size: 4-5 inches

Personality: Lazy predator

Tank needs:

Brackish water (part salt, part fresh)
Hiding spots that match its color
Live foods
30+ gallons

Best tank mates: Few – they’ll eat smaller fish!

Fun fact: They can change color to match their surroundings!

9. Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma acutirostre)

Why it’s weird: Has a spotted pattern and can “breathe” air using a special organ!

Care level: Medium

Size: Up to 8 inches

Personality: Ambush predator, but peaceful with larger fish

Tank needs:

Dense planting for hiding
Dim lighting
Floating plants
30+ gallons

Best tank mates: Fish too large to be eaten

Fun fact: They can survive in oxygen-poor water where other fish can’t!

10. Bichir (Polypterus species)

Why it’s weird: Looks like a dinosaur fish with primitive lungs and can walk on its fins!

Care level: Medium

Size: 12-24 inches depending on species

Personality: Calm but predatory

Tank needs:

Large tank (75+ gallons)
Secure lid
Smooth substrate
Places to hide

Best tank mates: Large, peaceful fish that won’t fit in its mouth

Fun fact: They’re living fossils that haven’t changed much in 100 million years!

Tips for Keeping Oddball Fish

Research before buying: Always learn about the fish’s needs before bringing it home.
Start with easier species: If you’re new to oddball fish, try Amazon puffers or doctor fish first.
Bigger is better: Most oddball fish need more space than regular community fish.
Watch for compatibility: Many oddball fish are predators or have special needs.
Be patient: Many oddball fish are shy and take time to adjust to a new tank.

Fish	Size	Tank Size	Difficulty	Diet
Amazon Puffer	3″	30+ gallons	Medium	Snails, crustaceans
African Butterflyfish	5″	30+ gallons	Medium	Insects, small fish
Black Ghost Knifefish	20″	75+ gallons	Difficult	Worms, small fish
Elephant Nose Fish	9″	30+ gallons	Difficult	Worms, small crustaceans
Fire Eel	36″	125+ gallons	Difficult	Meaty foods, small fish
Ropefish	15″	55+ gallons	Medium	Worms, small fish
Doctor Fish	3″	20+ gallons	Easy	Algae, skin cells
Freshwater Frogfish	5″	30+ gallons	Very difficult	Live fish
Leopard Bushfish	8″	30+ gallons	Medium	Small fish, insects
Bichir	12-24″	75+ gallons	Medium	Meaty foods, small fish

Conclusion

Adding oddball fish to your aquarium can make it truly special. These weird and wonderful creatures bring new behaviors, looks, and excitement to your tank!

Remember to choose fish that match your skill level and tank setup. Many oddball fish need special care, so start with easier species if you’re new to the hobby.

Which oddball fish caught your eye? Are you ready to make your aquarium stand out with these amazing creatures?