Dwarf sucker catfish (Otocinclus vittatus) is an example of a fish name that starts with the letter D. Many other freshwater and saltwater fishes kept as pets in aquariums are also examples.
Whether you are interested in these fish for advertisements or making a list of alphabetized fish names, this article can help you learn the fish names that start with D and more!
Check out our top 5 picks. Pay attention to each common name as you do!
Our Top 5 Fish Names Beginning With Letter D
Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma nijsseni)
Dwarf cichlid is a family name for many a lot of Apistogramma species. Apistogramma is a genus, and many species, including the A. cacatuoides, A. macmasteri, and a few others, have been selectively bred by aquarium hobbyists.
They usually grow up to a maximum length of 3 inches, and most of the species under the genus are sexually dimorphic. A distinctive feature about them is that they are brightly colored fish.
They are very active bottom dwellers. If you are looking for tankmates, top dwellers are a perfect choice for them. They are also very interactive. You will notice that they spot you from afar and are always ready to greet you as you approach the tank.
They are pretty cool to keep.
Dartfish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
Dartfish is a popular ornamental saltwater option in the aquarium hobby. Other common names for this beauty are fire goby, Magnificent dartfish, fire dartfish, and red fire goby. As its scientific name suggests, it is a truly magnificent fish.
If you are interested in having a colorful pet in your aquarium, this fish species is the fish to keep.
You cannot keep plenty firefish as they often become aggressive toward other fish of the same family. But you can buy a bonded pair.
You can feed them brine shrimp and Mysis shrimp, but you want to feed them only twice a day. They also eat the zooplankton in the aquariums.
Danio Sp. or Zebra Danio
Are you in search of an alternative to Tetras? Danio sp. is the perfect pet for your aquariums. These small cyprinids are related to barbs and rasboras as they all belong to the Cyprinidae family.
Their scientific names vary as there are different species in the same genus, Danio. For example, there is the black-barred Danio Danio absconditus, Panther Danio Danio aesculapii, and the Moustached Danio Danio dangila.
They are typically small as their maximum length is usually no more than 2 inches. Keeping a group of about 5-6 makes them peaceful in the aquarium. They tend to be stressed and aggressive when you don’t keep them in groups.
Dwarf Gouranmi (Trichogaster lalius)
Dwarf Gouramis are native to the slow-moving freshwater bodies of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. There are many species, and each of these other species has its distinct scientific and common name. They also have come in various colors, with some having a very brilliant blue color.
They are peaceful and are pretty unique for their shy nature. Dwarf Gouramis are small, growing only up to a maximum length of 3.5 inches. You want to keep plenty Dwarf Gouramis to avoid putting them under stress.
Dwarf Gouramis, unlike other fish, can take in oxygen straight from the air to supplement the oxygen they get with their gills. They do this efficiently with the help of a unique labyrinth organ. In aquariums, you can replicate the natural habitat of Dwarf Gourami by including live plants in the tank.
Dwarf Giraffe Catfish (Anaspidoglanis macrostoma)
Like a loach, the Dwarf Giraffe cat is a bottom dweller. This predatory fish uses its long barbels and sharp teeth to find food at the bottom of the aquarium. It is a shy browser and will only come out at night.
Other scientific names for this fish include Parauchenoglanis macrostoma and Auchenoglanis macrostoma. It is common to find this fish peaceful with other big fish in the tank but aggressive and even territorial to its kind.
Growing up to 9.5 inches, this fish is no ordinary browser. It is a voracious eater with pretty sharp teeth. It will eat most fish food that you feed it; shrimp, crustaceans, and bloodworms.
You want to replicate their natural habitat by keeping them in aquariums with a soft sandy substrate as they love to dig. You also want to keep some live plants in the water for covers.
List of Fish Beginning With D
Check out the lists below to learn of saltwater and freshwater fish species with names that begin with D.
Freshwater Fish Beginning with D
- Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus)
- Daggertooth Pike Conger (Muraenesox cinereus)
- Darter (Percina pantherina)
- Dawn loach (Botia striata)
- Dawn tetra (Aphyocharax paraguayensis)
- Debauwi Cat (Pareutropius buffei)
- Decorated synodontis (Synodontis decorus)
- Deepwater hap (Placidochromis electra)
- Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus)
- Denison’s Flying Fox (Crossocheilus denisonii)
- Denticle Herring (Denticeps clupeoides)
- Desert Pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius)
- Devario (Devario auropurpureus)
- Dew Fish (Tandanus tandanus)
- Diamond tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri)
- Dickfeld’s Julie (Julidochromis dickfeldi)
- Disco fish (Chanda sp.)
- Discus (Blue) (Symphysodon aequifasciatus haraldi)
- Discus (Green) (Symphysodon aequifasciatus aequifasciatus)
- Dogtooth Cichlid (Cynotilapia afra)
- Dogtooth Tetra (Cynodontidae)
- Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
- Dolphin Catfish (Oxydoras niger)
- Dorab Wolf-Herring (Chirocentrus dorab)
- Dorado (Salminus hilarii)
- Dorsey’s pimelodid (Pimelodella dorseyi)
- Dotted-line barb (Barbus lineomaculatus)
- Dovii (Parachromis dovii)
- Dragon Fish (Gobioides broussonneti)
- Dragon Goby (Gobioides broussonnetii)
- Dusky Black-Striped Barb (Barbus eutaenia)
- Dusky Corydoras (Corydoras septentrionalis)
- Dusky Doradid (Anadoras grypus)
- Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)
- Dusky Pimelodid (Pimelodus blochii)
- Dusky Piranha (Pristobrycon calmoni)
- Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma nijsseni)
- Dwarf Corydoras (Corydoras hastatus)
- Dwarf Croaking Gourami (Trichopsis pumilis)
- Dwarf Distichodus (Distichodus decemmaculatus)
- Dwarf Driftwood Catfish (Tatia creutzbergi)
- Dwarf Giraffe Catfish (Anaspidoglanis macrostoma)
- Dwarf Gouranmi (Trichogaster lalius)
- Dwarf Livebearer (Heterandria formosa)
- Dwarf Loach (Botia nigrolineata)
- Dwarf Ornate Bagrid (Pelteobagrus ornatus)
- Dwarf Otocinclus (Otocinclus macrospilus)
- Dwarf Pencilfish (Nannostomus marginatus)
- Dwarf Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia maccullochi)
- Dwarf Rasbora (Boraras maculatu)
- Dwarf Snakehead (Channa gachua)
Saltwater Fish Beginning with D
- Dab (Limanda limanda)
- Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)
- Dartfish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
- Dealfish (Desmodema polystictum)
- Death Valley Pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus)
- Deep Sea Eel (Serrivomer sector)
- Deep Sea Smelt (Bathylagus euryops)
- Deepwater Cardinalfish (Epigonus pandionis)
- Deepwater Flathead (Bembradium roseum)
- Deepwater Stingray (Plesiobatis daviesi)
- Devil Ray (Mobula mobular)
- Dhufish (Glaucosoma hebraicum)
- Diver (Tewara cranwellae)
- Dogfish (Squalus acanthias)
- Dolly Varden Trout (Salvelinus malma)
- Dolphin Fish (Coryphaena hippurus)
- Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus)
- Dory (Zeus faber)
- Dottyback (Manonichthys splendens)
- Dragonet (Synchiropus ocellatus)
- Driftfish (Psenes pellucidus)
- Drum (Micropogonias undulatus)
- Duckbill (Bembrops gobioides)
- Duckbill Eel (Venefica tentaculata)
- Dusky Shark (Carcharhinus obscurus)
Final Thoughts
This piece may not be exhaustive, but the information here is a good starting point to learn about fish that have D at the start of their common names. If you are looking for the answer to that term paper or weekend assignment, this piece is the solution. For more fish names, check our directory.
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