Fish that Start with Z – Discover the 10 Unique Aquatic Species

Table 1: Quick Overview of Fish that Start with Z

Fish Name	Size	Preferred Temperature	Fun Fact
Zebra Danio (Danio rerio)	2-3 inches	65-77°F	Great at regenerating and often used in research
Zebra Pleco	Up to 4 inches	79-86°F	Nocturnal and more active during the nighttime
Zebra Loach (Botia striata)	3-4 inches	Varies	Known to be “snail-eaters” and control snail populations
Zamora Woodcatfish	Around 5 inches	Varies	Highly elusive and a rare sight in aquariums
Zebra Lionfish	Up to 7 inches	Varies	Known for their majestic appearance and venomous spines
Zebra Moray Eel	Up to 5 feet	Varies	One of the more docile moray eels
Zebrafish (Danio rerio)	Around 2.5 inches	64-75°F	Transparent embryos used for developmental studies
Zebra Tilapia	Up to 1 foot	Varies	Skilled excavators and territorial in nature
Zambezi Bream	Up to 16 inches	Varies	Known for their endurance and adaptability
Zebra Oto	1.5 to 2 inches	Varies	Efficiently cleans algae off aquarium surfaces

Finding interesting new species of fish for your aquarium can be a big challenge, but one of the easiest ways to do this is by going through the alphabet. If you’ve been on this journey, congrats – you’ve finally made it to the letter “Z!”

Did you know that “Z” starts the name of over 75 different fish species? (*)

Below, we’ll share some of the most fascinating types of fish that start with the last letter of the alphabet for you to consider for your home tank. To learn more about the size, care, and personality of each of these species, read on!

1. The Magical Regenerating Zebra Danio (Danio rerio)

• Size: Around 2-3 inches
• Care: Zebra danios thrive in well-filtered water with a temperature between 65-77°F. They also enjoy a diet of flake foods, small pellets, and some live foods.
• Fun Fact: Zebra danios are known for their robust nature and are often used in scientific research because they’re great at regenerating!

In the underwater realm, zebra danios paint a lively picture with mesmerizing stripes and quick movements. You can think of them like actual underwater zebras!

Usually, these little fish only grow to around 2-3 inches, which makes them great for smaller tanks. They’re also very hardy, so they make a great option for any beginners when it comes to raising fish.

They’ll want a home with clean water and lots of aeration, and love a balanced diet of flakes, pellets, and some live food. 

2. See Them at Night: Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus zebra)

• Size: Up to 4 inches
• Care: They prefer warmer waters between 79-86°F and require a diet rich in proteins from sources like brine shrimp and bloodworms.
• Fun Fact: Zebra plecos are nocturnal, so they’re more active and visible during the nighttime.

Believe it or not, there’s actually a lot of fish out there described as “zebra” (you’ll see more on this list, too). 

Zebra plecos are another example of this, darting around their tank with bright black and white stripes. These fast fish grow to around 4 inches in length and are known to get pretty active once the sun goes down, so be sure to watch them at night for a real treat.

You’ll want to make sure you give them a high-protein diet with meaty foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms to keep them happy and healthy. 

3. The Snail-Loving Zebra Loach (Botia striata)

• Size: Around 3-4 inches
• Care: These loaches need soft, slightly acidic water to stay healthy. They also thrive on a varied diet including vegetables and live food.
• Fun Fact: Zebra loaches are peace-loving and are known to be “snail-eaters.” They’re great at helping to control snail populations in aquariums.

If you want a sweet, gentle fish, consider the zebra loach. Zebra loaches have long, elegant stripes and reach an average length of 3-4 inches. 

One thing that makes zebra loaches unique is their love for snails. Not as friends, though – they definitely consider them food! If you have a snail population issue, a few zebra loaches can help get your population back in check. 

Between their docile nature and helpful appetite, this fish species is a favorite in home aquariums.

4. The Bottomfeeding Zamora Woodcatfish (Auchenipterichthys coracoideus)

• Size: Around 5 inches
• Care: This “Z” fish prefers subdued lighting and a diet of meaty foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.
• Fun Fact: Zamora woodcatfish are highly elusive and are often a rare, charming sight in aquariums.

If you love bottom feeders, consider the Zamora woodcatfish. This “Z” catfish reaches a length of around 5 inches and is known for its elusive behavior.

Because they’re used to being at the bottom of the water, they prefer dimly lit aquariums and lots of meaty foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp. The meatier the treat, the happier they’ll be!

As elusive little fish, seeing them is often quite a treat. They’re extremely docile fish that make for a fascinating home aquarium.

5. The Majestic Zebra Lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra)

• Size: Up to 7 inches
• Care: The zebra lionfish needs lots of hiding spaces and a diet of live feed like shrimp and small fish.
• Fun Fact: Despite their venomous spines, these special lionfish are known for their majestic appearance and slow, graceful movements.

What’s more majestic than a fish that has the name of two different wild animals?

That’s right, the zebra lionfish is one of the most gorgeous fish out there. They’re adorned with venomous spines along their bodies and tend to grow up to 7 inches in length.

Because of their size, they’ll need a very large tank and live feed to eat, such as small shrimp and fish. But don’t let their size scare you too much – though you should watch out for their spines, they have some of the most elegant natures in the animal kingdom.

The bold pattern of the zebra lionfish makes for a gorgeous, exotic aquarium in any home. 

6. Zebra Moray Eel: Gentle Giant (Gymnomuraena zebra)

• Size: Up to 5 feet
• Care: These eels need a spacious tank and a diet rich in meaty foods, such as fish and crustaceans.
• Fun Fact: Zebra moray eels have a robust and muscular body, but are known to be one of the more docile moray eels.

Want a more extreme aquatic pet? How about the zebra moray eel?

This magnificent eel can reach an impressive length of 5 feet, so you’ll need a pretty big tank here!

They also have incredibly muscular bodies, and need a diet of meaty foods like fish and crustaceans to keep strong and healthy. But don’t let their size scare you – they’re actually some of the most docile eels out there. 

Think of them as gentle giants!

Because of their intriguing nature and beautiful appearance, they’re a great choice for committed aquarists with enough space and dedication.

7. The Transparent Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

• Size: Around 2.5 inches
• Care: They enjoy a well-aerated tank with a stable temperature between 64-75°F and a mix of flake, live, and frozen food.
• Fun Fact: Zebrafish are a favorite model organism in scientific research due to their transparent embryos allowing for developmental studies.

Of course, this “Z” fish list wouldn’t be complete without the zebrafish. These little fish reach 2.5 inches in length and are pretty lively creatures!

You can expect to find these fish zipping around your aquarium at high speeds, as long as you give them a well-aerated tank and balanced diet to stay nice and healthy.

These friendly fish are also favorites for scientists doing developmental studies. Because their embryos are pretty transparent, scientists can clearly see everything going on inside them. 

So not only are they beautiful – they’re also incredibly helpful to the scientific community!

8. Zebra Tilapia: Underwater Excavators (Heterotilapia buttikoferi)

• Size: Up to 1 foot
• Care: They prefer a spacious environment with plenty of hiding spaces and a diet rich in vegetables and high-quality pellets.
• Fun Fact: Known for their territorial nature, Zebra Tilapias are skilled excavators and will rearrange their tank setups to their liking.

Yet another large-sized fish, the zebra tilapia can grow up to a foot long. Though this fish is beautiful, it can be pretty territorial, so they need plenty of space and aren’t best for a community tank.

One fun thing about zebra tilapias is that they’re pretty good at excavating, so you’ll often see them digging around in their tank to make it to their preference. 

As long as you care for them well, you’ll be endlessly entertained watching their rearranging antics in their aquarium. 

9. The Hearty Zambezi Bream (Serranochromis robustus)

• Size: Up to 16 inches
• Care: These fish need a large tank and enjoy a varied diet of insects, small fish, and plant matter.
• Fun Fact: Zambezi breams are renowned for their endurance and ability to adapt to various water conditions.

The Zambezi bream comes from South Africa and is one of the many different types of cichlids originating there. This resilient fish can reach up to 16 inches in length and is well-known for its ability to adapt to a wide range of water conditions.

Because of their resiliency, they make a good choice for beginner aquarists looking for something larger than a guppy.

You’ll want to give them a diverse diet of fish, insects, and plant matter and plenty of space to swim around. Because they can be aggressive, plan to keep them without other tank mates. 

10. Zebra Oto, aka “Dwarf Suckermouth” (Otocinclus cocama)

• Size: 1.5 to 2 inches
• Care: They need clean water with stable parameters and a diet rich in algae and vegetables.
• Fun Fact: Often referred to as “Dwarf Suckermouths,” zebra otos are known to clean algae off aquarium surfaces pretty efficiently.

The zebra oto is a little fish that can make a big impact. Sometimes called the “Dwarf Suckermouth,” these fish are known for their powerful little mouths. 

Got an algae problem? Let the zebra oto fix that for you. 

You’ll want to give these fish plenty of clean water to swim in and lots of rocks to suckle on. They also love to eat algae (obviously) and their fair share of vegetables. 

Because of their small size and efficient cleaning habits, they’re a practical (and adorable) addition to any aquarium.

Fish From A to Z

In the end, every fish, with its distinct personality and needs, brings a unique essence to your aquatic world. Remember, the well-being of your finned friends relies on the careful consideration of their individual requirements and preferences. 

Though we’ve finally reached the last letter of the alphabet, don’t let that stop you from looking for other ideas! Check out our other fish letter articles, like Fish Starting with Y.