Fish of Guyana: The Complete List

Guyana’s rivers, flooded forests and coastal marshes support a wide variety of freshwater and estuarine fish that matter for local food, culture and ecosystems. From fast-moving tributaries to quiet savannah creeks, the country’s waterways offer very different habitats within a relatively small area.

There are 91 Fish of Guyana, ranging from Arapaima to Zebra Acara. For each species you’ll find below Scientific name,Max length (cm),Primary habitat & range to help with quick identification and comparison — see the list you’ll find below.

Where in Guyana are you most likely to see different fish species?

Large rivers like the Essequibo and Rupununi, seasonally flooded forests and coastal estuaries each host distinct communities: big-bodied species (e.g., Arapaima) prefer deep river channels and lakes, while smaller cichlids (e.g., Zebra Acara) occupy shallow margins and streams. Visit during the dry season to find concentrated fish in pools and consider local guides for access and safety.

How should I use the Scientific name, Max length (cm) and Primary habitat & range columns?

Use the scientific name for exact identification, Max length (cm) to set size expectations, and Primary habitat & range to narrow where a species occurs; together these columns let you match an observed fish to likely candidates quickly, then confirm with photos or regional field guides.

Fish of Guyana

Images and Descriptions

Arapaima

One of the world’s largest freshwater fish, an ancient air-breather with massive, armored scales. This culturally significant species is a top predator in its floodplain habitat and a focus of conservation efforts.

Silver Arowana

A sleek, surface-dwelling predator known as the “water monkey” for its ability to leap out of the water to catch insects and small animals from overhanging branches. Its large, pearlescent scales are distinctive.

Red Piranha

The most famous piranha, known for its powerful jaws and sharp, interlocking teeth. While feared, it’s primarily a scavenger and opportunistic predator, playing a key role in riverine ecosystems.

Black Piranha

A large, solitary piranha species with a powerful bite capable of shearing through bone. It is a formidable predator, often darker in coloration than its relatives, and highly respected by local fishermen.

Payara

Often called the “vampire fish” due to two enormous fangs on its lower jaw used to impale prey. It’s a ferocious predator and a highly sought-after game fish for its aggressive nature and powerful fight.

Electric Eel

Not a true eel but a knifefish, it can generate powerful electric shocks up to 600 volts for hunting and defense. It navigates murky waters using a weak electric field, making it a unique predator.

Redtail Catfish

A strikingly colored, giant catfish with a dark back, white belly, and vibrant red-orange tail. This powerful bottom-dweller is a prized catch for anglers and a popular (though demanding) aquarium giant.

Giant Trahira

A massive, cylindrical predator also known as the wolf fish, armed with canine-like teeth. It is an ambush hunter that lurks among rocks and submerged logs, preying on fish, mammals, and birds.

Piraiba

One of the largest catfishes in the world, a true river monster of the Amazon and Essequibo basins. This migratory giant is a top-level predator, feeding on large fish in the deep, murky waters it calls home.

Black Pacu

A large relative of the piranha, but with molar-like teeth adapted for crushing seeds and fruits that fall into the water. It plays a vital role in seed dispersal within flooded forest ecosystems.

Butterfly Peacock Bass

A popular and hard-fighting sport fish known for its vibrant colors and the distinctive “eye spot” on its tail. It’s an aggressive predator that feeds on smaller fish, making it a prized catch for anglers.

Freshwater Angelfish

The wild ancestor of the popular aquarium angelfish, this species has a compressed, diamond-shaped body perfect for navigating through dense aquatic plants. It is a graceful cichlid that feeds on small invertebrates.

Rummy-nose Tetra

A small, popular aquarium fish instantly recognizable by its bright red nose and black-and-white striped tail fin. The intensity of its red snout is often considered an indicator of water quality and fish health.

Cardinal Tetra

Famous for its brilliant, iridescent blue stripe above a vivid red stripe that runs the entire length of its body. This tiny schooling fish is one of the most popular and iconic species in the aquarium trade.

Common Pleco

A heavily armored suckermouth catfish that feeds on algae and detritus. Often seen in aquariums, wild individuals grow much larger and are an important part of the river cleanup crew, keeping rocks and logs clean.

Ocellate River Stingray

A freshwater stingray with a circular, disc-like body covered in distinct orange-yellow spots. It spends its time buried in the sand, ambushing small fish and invertebrates, and possesses a venomous tail barb for defense.

Tarpon

A massive, silver-sided fish famous for its acrobatic leaps when hooked. This prehistoric-looking sport fish can tolerate a wide range of salinities and gulps air from the surface to survive in low-oxygen waters.

Common Snook

A prized inshore game fish identified by its prominent black lateral line. It is an ambush predator that thrives in brackish environments, moving between saltwater and freshwater to feed on fish and crustaceans.

Bull Shark

A uniquely adaptable shark famous for its ability to tolerate freshwater. Its aggressive nature and presence in both coastal areas and major rivers like the Essequibo make it a formidable and respected apex predator.

Goliath Grouper

A truly immense grouper, one of the largest in the Atlantic. These gentle giants are critically endangered and known for their curious nature. They inhabit specific structures like wrecks and are a rare but incredible sight.

Atlantic Goliath Catfish

A very large, migratory catfish that travels vast distances to spawn. Known locally as “lau-lau,” it is a commercially important food fish, characterized by its long body and silvery coloration.

Tiger Shovelnose Catfish

A large, predatory catfish named for the striking black stripes and spots covering its body. It is a highly sought-after food and sport fish, known for its powerful runs and excellent taste.

Red-bellied Piranha

Similar to the Red Piranha, but typically found in the Orinoco basin which influences some of Guyana’s northern rivers. It is known for its aggressive feeding behavior and shoaling habits, especially in the dry season.

Golden Dorado

A powerful, predatory game fish renowned for its brilliant golden scales and aggressive, acrobatic nature. It is the “river tiger” of South America, preying on other fish in turbulent waters.

Jau Catfish

A massive, thick-bodied catfish with a reputation for being one of the strongest freshwater fish. It prefers deep, rocky areas and is a nocturnal predator, feeding on large fish near the river bottom.

Bicuda

A long, slender, pike-like predator that hunts near the water’s surface. It uses incredible bursts of speed to catch smaller fish, making it an exciting and challenging catch for light-tackle anglers.

Armored Catfish

Known locally as “hassar,” this fish builds a floating bubble nest for its eggs. It’s a popular food fish, especially during the rainy season when it migrates across flooded savannas.

Splash Tetra

This remarkable little fish is famous for its breeding behavior, where the male and female leap out of the water together to lay and fertilize eggs on the underside of an overhanging leaf.

Creek whiptail catfish

An incredibly camouflaged catfish that perfectly mimics a twig or sunken stick. Its long, slender body and peaceful nature make it a fascinating species that feeds on algae and biofilm.

Guyana leaffish

A master of camouflage, this fish looks exactly like a dead leaf, right down to the “stem” on its chin. It drifts motionless in the current, ambushing small fish and shrimp that swim too close.

Redeye Piranha

A smaller, less aggressive piranha species easily identified by its bright red eye. It often forms loose schools and is more of a fin-nipper and opportunistic feeder than a pack hunter.

Wimple Piranha

A specialized piranha that feeds almost exclusively on the scales of other fish. It has unique, chisel-like teeth designed for scraping scales off its victims without killing them.

Spotted Headstander

This small characin is known for its peculiar habit of swimming at a 45-degree angle, head down. It forages for algae and microorganisms on plants and the substrate in this unique posture.

Green-streaked Eartheater

A cichlid that gets its name from its feeding method: it takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates, expelling the clean sand through its gills. Known for its subtle but beautiful colors.

Three-spot Cichlid

An introduced species, this large, aggressive cichlid is recognized by the three prominent spots along its flank. It can disrupt native ecosystems due to its territorial nature and voracious appetite.

Golden Pencilfish

A small, slender fish with a horizontal stripe and beautiful coloration, especially in males. They are peaceful surface-dwellers, often seen picking at microorganisms among floating plants.

Dwarf Pencilfish

One of the smallest pencilfish, this species is beautifully marked with distinct black stripes. It is a peaceful, schooling fish that is popular in nano aquariums for its small size and intricate patterns.

Marbled Hatchetfish

A uniquely shaped fish with a deep, rounded belly, resembling a hatchet. They are surface dwellers that can leap and glide for short distances to escape predators, using their large pectoral fins like wings.

Black-winged Hatchetfish

Similar to its marbled cousin, this hatchetfish has a deep body profile and is an expert jumper. Its fins are often clear or dusky, giving it a more subtle, ghost-like appearance at the water’s surface.

Lined Raphael Catfish

Known as the “talking catfish,” it can produce audible squeaking sounds by vibrating its pectoral fin spines. It has a row of sharp, bony plates along its side, providing excellent armor against predators.

Four-eyed Fish

This incredible fish swims at the surface with eyes that are split horizontally. The top half sees above the water for predators, while the bottom half sees below for food, giving it 360-degree vision.

Bloodfin Tetra

A lively, schooling tetra named for the vibrant red coloration of its fins, which contrast beautifully with its silvery body. They are active swimmers and a hardy species popular in the aquarium hobby.

Black Skirt Tetra

A popular aquarium fish with a distinct black anal fin that looks like a skirt. Its dignified, silvery-grey body and peaceful demeanor make it a classic choice for community tanks. Wild specimens are common.

Southern Red Snapper

A commercially vital marine fish, this snapper is a key target for the Guyanese fishing industry. It has a distinctive red coloration and is prized for its high-quality white flesh.

King Mackerel

A large, fast-swimming predator known for its blistering runs when hooked. It is a popular sport and commercial fish, easily identified by its long, slender body and silvery sides.

Cero Mackerel

Smaller than the King Mackerel, the Cero is distinguished by the yellow-orange stripe running along its side. It is a fast-moving predator that feeds on small fish and squid in coastal waters.

Atlantic Spadefish

A deep-bodied, silvery fish with dark vertical bands, resembling an angelfish. They form large schools and are often found around man-made structures like jetties and offshore platforms.

Crevalle Jack

A powerful, aggressive predatory fish that travels in schools to hunt smaller fish. Its brute strength and stamina make it a formidable opponent for coastal anglers.

Permit

A deep-bodied and powerful member of the jack family, highly prized by sport fishermen for its elusiveness and strength. It uses its hard mouth to crush the shells of crabs and mollusks.

Banded Butterflyfish

A small, beautiful reef fish with a compressed, disc-like body. It is easily recognized by its white body, black vertical stripes, and a black bar running through its eye, helping to camouflage it from predators.

Doctorfish

A type of surgeonfish named for the sharp, scalpel-like spine at the base of its tail, which it uses for defense. It is an herbivore, grazing on algae covering rocks and reefs.

Blue Tang

A vibrant surgeonfish that is deep blue to purple as an adult, but bright yellow as a juvenile. It grazes on algae and is a crucial part of maintaining the health of reef ecosystems.

Great Barracuda

A large, fearsome-looking predator with a long, streamlined body and a mouth full of dagger-like teeth. It is an ambush hunter that relies on short bursts of speed to catch its prey.

Spotted Moray

A common moray eel with a snake-like body covered in dark spots. It spends its days hiding in holes and crevices, emerging at night to hunt for fish, crustaceans, and octopus.

Green Moray

Despite its name, this eel is not actually green. Its skin is dark, but covered in a yellowish mucus that gives it a green appearance. It is one of the largest moray species in the Atlantic.

Guppy

The wild ancestor of the famous “million fish,” native to the region. Wild males are smaller but still display iridescent spots of color to attract the duller, larger females. It’s a prolific livebearer.

Swamp Guppy

A small livebearer adapted to brackish water conditions. Males are brightly colored with red, black, and blue markings, making them stand out in the shallow, muddy waters they inhabit.

Zebra Acara

A stunningly beautiful but notoriously aggressive dwarf cichlid for its size. It inhabits acidic, tannin-stained waters, where its intricate blue, red, and black markings provide camouflage among the leaves.

Blue-black Acara

A common and hardy cichlid known locally as “patwa.” It has iridescent blue-green scales and is an adaptable species, often found in a variety of water conditions. It is a devoted parent, guarding its fry diligently.

Spotted Sleeper Goby

A bottom-dwelling fish with a stout body covered in dark spots. It is often found resting on the substrate, sifting through mud and sand for small invertebrates and organic matter.

Fat Sleeper

A large, predatory goby-like fish that ambushes its prey from the bottom. It is a popular food fish in many regions, known for its white, flaky meat. It lies motionless before striking at passing fish.

Silver Dollar

Named for its round, laterally compressed, and highly reflective silver body, which resembles a coin. This peaceful, schooling fish is primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants.

Striped Headstander

A beautifully colored fish with alternating gold and black horizontal stripes. It is known for swimming in a head-down position as it grazes on algae from rocks in the strong current.

Glass Knifefish

A nocturnal fish with a translucent, greenish body that navigates and hunts in total darkness using a weak electric field. It swims by undulating its long anal fin, allowing it to move forward and backward with precision.

Banded Knifefish

A nocturnal, eel-like fish with a brown body covered in irregular dark bands. It generates a weak electric field to sense its surroundings and locate prey like insects and small fish in murky water.

Jaguar Catfish

A beautifully patterned driftwood catfish with markings reminiscent of a jaguar. This nocturnal species is highly secretive, spending its days hiding in hollow logs or among dense leaf litter on the riverbed.

Spotted Pike-characin

A fast and agile predator with a streamlined, pike-like body and a mouthful of sharp, conical teeth. It hunts in schools, preying on smaller fish like tetras with incredible speed.

Redhook Myleus

A large, deep-bodied pacu relative, known for the distinct, hook-shaped extension on the male’s anal fin. It is primarily herbivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and leaves, especially during the flood season.

Bronze Corydoras

A small, peaceful, and popular aquarium catfish. In the wild, they are active bottom-dwellers, using their sensitive barbels to search for food in the sand and mud. They can breathe air from the surface.

Peppered Corydoras

Another popular corydoras species, recognized by its mottled or “peppered” pattern. It is a social, bottom-feeding catfish that plays an important role in cleaning up detritus in its habitat.

Emerald Catfish

A larger and very beautiful corydoras with a shimmering, metallic green sheen. Like its relatives, it is a peaceful bottom-dweller that lives in schools and forages for small invertebrates in the substrate.

Yellowfin Tuna

A large, fast-swimming tuna found in the warm offshore waters of Guyana. It is a prized commercial and sport fish, known for its powerful fight and high-quality meat used for steaks and sashimi.

Atlantic Sailfish

One of the fastest fish in the ocean, recognized by its enormous, sail-like dorsal fin. It is a spectacular billfish that hunts smaller fish and squid near the surface, often in small groups.

White Marlin

A smaller but highly sought-after billfish, prized by sport anglers for its acrobatic fights. It uses its bill to stun prey within schools of fish before consuming them.

Wahoo

An incredibly fast, streamlined predator with razor-sharp teeth. Known for its high-speed runs, it is a top-tier game fish whose name is said to derive from the angler’s cry of “Wahoo!” when one is hooked.

Dolphin Fish

Also known as mahi-mahi, this brilliantly colored fish flashes neon blue, green, and yellow when excited. They are fast-growing and voracious predators, commonly found congregating under floating sargassum.

Lane Snapper

A smaller snapper species with a pinkish-red body and a series of yellow horizontal stripes. It is a common catch for coastal fishermen and is an important component of the nearshore reef ecosystem.

Mutton Snapper

A large, colorful snapper known for its intelligence and wariness, making it a challenging target for anglers and spearfishers. It feeds primarily on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish.

Yellowtail Snapper

A sleek, colorful snapper easily identified by its prominent yellow mid-body stripe that extends to its entirely yellow tail. They are fast swimmers that often form large schools well above the reef.

Barred Sorubim

A beautiful shovelnose catfish with a pattern of vertical bars. It is an active predator that hunts in the main channels of large rivers, feeding on fish that it locates with its long, sensitive whiskers.

Red-breasted Acara

A peaceful dwarf cichlid with subtle but beautiful red and blue markings, especially on the fins and chest. It is often found in leaf litter, where it carefully tends to its eggs and fry.

Ornate Pimelodus

A strikingly patterned and active catfish with a silver body, a black horizontal stripe, and spotted fins. It is a fast-moving, opportunistic feeder, often traveling in groups in the main river channels.

Suriname Geophagus

An eartheater cichlid found in the border regions with Suriname. It is known for its graceful swimming and the sifting feeding behavior typical of its genus, with subtle but attractive coloration.

Candiru

A tiny, parasitic catfish infamous for its alleged ability to swim into the urethras of bathers, though documented cases are rare. It is a hematophage, feeding on blood by parasitizing the gills of larger fish.

Hogfish

A species of wrasse with a unique, pig-like snout. It can change color rapidly for camouflage or communication and uses its powerful jaws to crush shelled invertebrates like mollusks and crabs.

Spotted Trunkfish

An unusual, boxy fish encased in a hard, bony armor. It is a slow swimmer that propels itself with small fins, often blowing jets of water into the sand to uncover buried crustaceans and worms.

Sand-diving Lizardfish

An ambush predator that buries itself in the sand with only its eyes exposed, waiting for unsuspecting small fish to swim by. It has a mouth full of sharp, needle-like teeth.

Yellowhead Jawfish

This small, colorful fish is famous for its large mouth and its habit of building elaborate burrows in the sand. They are mouthbrooders, with the male incubating the eggs inside his mouth until they hatch.

Redlip Blenny

A small, curious fish that often perches on rocks, propped up by its pectoral fins. It is an herbivore, using its comb-like teeth to scrape algae from rock surfaces in the turbulent surge zone.

Sargassumfish

A master of camouflage, this frogfish perfectly mimics the Sargassum seaweed it lives in. It has limb-like fins it uses to crawl through the weeds and a “lure” on its head to attract prey.

Flying Gurnard

Despite its name, this fish doesn’t fly but “walks” on the seafloor using modified pelvic fins. It has huge, wing-like pectoral fins with bright blue markings, which it flashes to startle predators.

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