Common Fish Names Beginning With 'S' Explore A-Z lists of common fish names starting with 'S' By Shirlie Sharpe Shirlie Sharpe Shirlie Sharpe is an aquatic expert and writer with over three decades of experience keeping and raising ornamental fish. She has consulted with The Minnesota Zoo and the National Aquarium. Shirlie has also authored a book on setting up aquariums. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 09/18/25 Credit: The Spruce / Adrienne Legault In This Article Expand Serpae Tetra Siamese Fighting Fish Silver Gourami Serrated Piranha Other Common 'S'-Fish Names Key Takeaways The article provides an alphabetical list of fish with names starting with "S", including their common and scientific names.Some fish, like the Serpae Tetra and Siamese Fighting Fish, are popular in aquariums, but they have specific requirements and behaviors that need to be considered.The list offers insights into the varying sizes and care needs of different fish species, emphasizing the importance of suitable tankmates and environments. There are countless fish species worldwide, many seen in lakes and streams, and several are popular aquarium pets like the Sharp-Toothed Tetra and Striped Sleeper Goby. They often go by their common names, but knowing the scientific Latin name can aid research. Here's a list of fish names beginning with 'S', arranged by common name alongside their scientific names. List of Aquarium Fish Species by Common Name Serpae Tetra Hyphessobrycon eques. This is part of the group of tetras known as the "blood tetras," due to its color. This species, from Brazil and Paraguay, grows to only about 1.75 inches, is a peaceful and social fish, and is very easy to care for. Although it requires tankmates, avoid placing it with smaller fish as it may become slightly aggressive and nip, especially during feeding. Originating from the Amazon, it prefers dark waters—using a dark substrate in the tank can enhance its comfort. Siamese Fighting Fish Betta splendens, commonly referred to as a betta, is one of the most popular aquarium species. Its name comes from the males' tendency to spar when placed together—mixed genders are fine, but avoid housing two males in the same tank. Although often kept in small bowls, they prefer more humane conditions with at least two gallons of water. Rarely getting more than 3 inches long, Betta spendens doesn't live more than two or three years in normal circumstances, but the bright color and long flowing fins of the males still make this a very popular fish. Credit: KEMMUD SUDSAKORN / Getty Images Silver Gourami Trichogaster trichopterus, also known as blue gourami, three-spot gourami, or golden gourami, is a popular aquarium fish. It grows to about four inches and is easy to care for. Typically a silvery blue, it darkens during spawning. Gouramis are highly social but should be kept with fish of a similar size, as they can be territorial and may bully smaller fish. Serrated Piranha Serrasalmus serrulatus is a large, distinctive fish that serves as a conversation piece in aquariums. Growing up to 15 inches, it requires a spacious tank (20 gallons or more) with well-circulated water. Being aggressive, it should only be kept with fish of similar size or larger. The Serrated Piranha consumes a variety of foods, including vegetables and aquarium plants. Its tank should be decorated with caves and other hiding spots. Other Common 'S'-Fish Names Saddle Cichlid - Aequidens tetramerus Saddleback Hillstream Loach - Gastromyzon punctulatus Saddled Bichir - Polypterus endlicheri Saddled Hillstream Loach - Homaloptera orthogoniata SAE - Crossocheilus siamensis Sailfin Brochis - Brochis splendens Sailfin Characin - Crenuchus spilurus Sailfin Marbled Pimelodid - Leiarius pictus Sailfin Mollie - Poecilia velifera Sailfin Pleco - Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps Sajica Cichlid - Cichlasoma sajica Salaween River Danio - Brachydanio shanisis Salvini Cichlid - Cichlasoma salvini Saulosi Mbuna - Pseudotropheus saulosi Scat - Scatophagus argus Schwanefeld's Barb - Barbodes schwanefeldii Scissortail Rasbora - Rasbora trilineata Seba Mono - Psettus sebae Senegalus Bichir - Polypterus senegalus Seven-Spot Archerfish - Toxotes chatareus Severum - Heros severus Severus - Heros severus Sharp Toothed Tetra - Micralestes acutidens Short-Finned Congo Tetra - Hemigrammopetersius intermedius Short-Lined Pyrrhulina - Pyrrhulina brevis brevis Shortnose Gar - Lepisosteus platostomus Shortnose Sturgeon - Acipenser brevirostrum Shovelnose Catfish - Sorubim lima Shovelnose Sturgeon - Scaphirhynchus platorynchus Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus siamensis Siamese Flying Fox - Crossocheilus siamensis Siamese Tigerfish - Coius microlepis Sierra Leone Barb - Barbus leonensis Sierra Leone Dwarf Characin - Ladigesia roloffi Silver & Red Barb - Hampala macrolapidota Silver Arowana - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Silver Cichlid - Vieja argentea Silver Distichodus - Distichodus affinis Silver Dollar - Metynnis argenteus Silver Hatchetfish - Gasteropelecus sternicla Silver Hemiodopsis - Hemiodopsis immaculatus Silver Mylossoma - Mylossoma duriventre Silver Needlefish - Xenentodon cancila Silver Pacu - Colossoma brachypomus Silver Prochilodus - Semaprochilodus taeniurus Silver Scat - Selenotoca multifasciata Silver Shark - Balantiocheilus melanopterus Silver Silk - Polynemus paradiseus Silvertip Tetra - Hasemania nana Six-Barred Epiplatys - Epiplatys sexfaciatus Six-Bar Lamprologus - Neolamprologus sexfasciatus Six-Barred Distichodus - Distichodus sexfasciatus Skunk Loach - Botia morleti Slant-Nose Gar - Ctenolucius hujeta hujeta Sleepy Cod - Oxyeleotirs marmoratus Slender Hemiodus - Hemiodus gracilis Slender Mbuna - Pseudotropheus elongatus Slender-Tail Hap - Buccochromis lepturus Smallmouth Buffalo - Ictiobus bubalus Snakefish - Erpetoichthys calabaricus Snakeskin Gourami - Trichogaster pectoralis Snow King Pleco - Liposarcus anisitsi Socolof's Mbuna - Pseudotropheus socolofi Socolof's Tetra - Gymnocorymbus socolofi Southern Julie - Julidochromis ornatus Southern Soft-Spined Rainbowfish - Rhadinocentrus ornatus Spangled Jewel Perch - Leiopotherapon unicolor Spanner Barb - Barbus lateristriga Sparkling Earth Eater - Satanoperca acuticeps Sparkling Geophagus - Geophagus acuticeps Sparkling Panchax - Aplocheilus lineatus Speciosus Cichlid - Lamprologus speciosus Speckled Goby Cichlid - Tanganicodus irsacae Spike-Tailed Paradise Fish - Pseudosphromenus cupanus Spilotum - Cichlasoma nicaraguense Spiny Eel - Macrognathus aculeatus Spiny Pleco - Pseudacanthicus spinosus Splash Tetra - Copella arnoldi Spotfin Tetra - Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma Spot-Line Peacock Cichlid - Cichla temensis Spotted African Lungfish - Protopterus dolloi Spotted Barb - Barbus binotatus Spotted Barramundi - Scleropages leichardtii Spotted Blue-Eye - Pseudomugil gertrudae Spotted Bristlenose Pleco - Ancistrus hoplogenys Spotted Cachorro - Acestrorhynchus falcatus Spotted Climbing Perch - Ctenopoma acutirostre Spotted Doras - Agamyxis pectinifrons Spotted Gar - Lepisosteus oculatus Spotted Gourami - Malpulutta kretseri Spotted Hoplo - Hoplosternum pectorale Spotted Pike Characin - Boulengerella maculata Spotted Pimelodid - Pimelodus maculatus Spotted Pimelodus - Pimelodus pictus Spotted Piranha - Serrasalmus rhombeus Spotted Rasbora - Boraras maculatus Spotted Shovelnose - Hemisorubim platyrhynchos Spotted Silver Dollar - Metynnis lippincottianus Spotted Snakehead - Channa punctata Spotted Tail Mosquitofish - Heterandria bimaculata Spotted Thick-Lipped Loach - Nemacheilus strauchi Spotted Zamora - Auchenipterichthys longimanus Squarehead Earth Eater - Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys Star-Gazing Doradid - Astrodoras asterifrons Star-Gazing Pike Cichlid - Crenicichla cametana Steindachner's Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma steindachneri Sterba's Corydoras - Corydoras sterbai Sterlet - Acipenser ruthenus Stoliczka's Loach - Nemacheilus stoliczkai Stone Loach - Barbatula barbatula Strigata Pike Cichlid - Crenicichla strigata Striolatus Piranha - Serrasalmus striolatus Striped African Darter - Nannocharax fasciatus Striped Anostomus - Anostomus anostomus Striped Goby Cichlid - Eretomodus cyanostictus Striped Headstander - Anostomus anostomus Striped Julie - Julidochromis regani Striped Lamprologus - Neolamprologus buescheri Striped Metynnis - Metynnis fasciatus Striped Panchax - Aplocheilus lineatus Striped Pike Characin - Boulengerella lateristriga Striped Pyrrhulina - Pyrrhulina vittata Striped Silver Dollar - Metynnis hypsauchen fasciatus Striped Sleeper Goby - Dormitator maculatus Striped Snakehead - Channa striata Striped Squirrelfish - Sargocentron xantherythrum Striped Synodontis - Synodontis flavitaeniatus Striped Tailor - Alburnoides taeniatus Sturgeon Catfish - Platystomatichthys sturio Sucker Barb - Barbichthys laevis Sucking Loach - Gyrinocheilus aymonieri Sulphurhead Hap - Otopharynx lithobates Sumatran Barb - Capoeta tetrazona Sun Loach - Botia eos Suriname Eartheater - Geophagus proximus Swordtail - Xiphophorus hellerii Swordtail Characin - Corynopoma riisei Common Fish Names Beginning With 'S' Explore more: Fish & Aquariums Freshwater Fish & Aquariums Freshwater Fish Breeds