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Last update: November 15, 2022

15+ Popular Fish With Big Lips

Most people are familiar with the big-lipped fish often seen in pet stores and at public aquariums. These popular fish come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and many of them make excellent pets.

Here are 15 popular fish with big lips:

  • Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus)
  • Paddletail Snapper (Lutjanus gibbus)
  • Gourami (Osphronemidae)
  • Sweetlips Fish (Plectorhinchus)
  • Queensland Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)
  • Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus)
  • Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
  • Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
  • Red Shoulder Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara stuartgranti)
  • Flowerhorn Fish (Paraneetroplus synspilus)
  • Napoleon Fish (Cheilinus undulatus)
  • Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)
  • Triggerfish (Balistidae)

Let’s take a look at some of the characteristics that make these fish so interesting.

Fish With Big Lips

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1. Pacu

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  • Scientific name: (Piaractus brachypomus)
  • Diet: Omnivorous

Freshwater Pacu fish can only be found in South America. They share a genus with the piranha, but are much bigger. The largest known pacu measured over three feet in length and weighed more than fifty pounds.

Their large size and unique look make them desirable aquarium inhabitants.

Pacu are omnivores, meaning they are capable of digesting a wide variety of foods. Fruits, nuts, seeds, and sometimes tiny animals make up their food when they’re out in the wild.

Pellets or flakes, together with live or frozen items, should constitute their staple diet while in captivity. It’s crucial that they eat a wide variety of foods to receive the full spectrum of nutrients.

2. Paddletail Snapper

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  • Scientific name: (Lutjanus gibbus)
  • Diet: Carnivore 

The Paddletail Snapper is a species of ray-finned fish that is part of the family Lutjanidae. This fish is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea all the way to Samoa. It can grow up to 60 cm in length and has a silver body with dark vertical bars. 

The Paddletail Snapper is a species of ray-finned fish that is part of the family Lutjanidae. This fish is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea all the way to Samoa. It can grow up to 60 cm in length and has a silver body with dark vertical bars. 

3. Gourami

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  • Scientific name: Osphronemidae)
  • Diet: Omnivorous

Gourami fish are a popular type of freshwater aquarium fish. They are known for their vibrant colors and peaceful nature. Gouramis come in many different species, and they can range in size from two inches to over a foot long.

There are many different types of gourami fish, but some of the most popular include the pearl gourami, the chocolate gourami, and the kissing gourami.

Pearl gouramis get their name from the pearlescent scales that cover their bodies. Chocolate gouramis are brown or black with orange fins. Kissing gouramis get their name from their habit of “kissing” other fish in the aquarium.

Gouramis are able to digest both plant and animal matter, making them omnivores. The majority of their diet consists of zooplankton, tiny crustaceans, and insects when they’re out in the wild.

Pellets, flakes, live food, frozen food, and fresh veggies are only some of the items that can be offered to them in captivity. You must feed your gouramis a balanced diet to ensure their continued health and success in the aquarium.

4. Sweetlips Fish

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  • Scientific name: (Plectorhinchus)
  • Diet: Omnivorous

Tropical sweetlips fish can only be found in the oceans of the Indo-Pacific. The huge, fleshy lips that help them hoover up food from the ocean floor are the inspiration for their moniker. Due to their eye-catching hues and patterns, sweetlips fish are frequently found in private aquariums.

Sweetlips fish are omnivorous, which means they will eat both plants and animals. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of small crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates that they suck up from the seafloor using their large lips. They will also consume algae and other plant matter.

In a home aquarium, sweetlips fish can be fed a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, live food, and frozen food. It’s important to offer them a varied diet so that they get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Feed them several times a day in small amounts so that they can eat all their food before it sinks to the bottom of the tank.

5. Queensland Grouper

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  • Scientific name: (Epinephelus lanceolatus)
  • Diet: Omnivorous

The Queensland grouper is a large fish that can be found in the waters of Australia and New Guinea. These fish are also known as brindlebass, brown-marbled grouper, and tiger grouper.

They are a popular choice for aquariums because of their beautiful coloration. Read on to learn more about the Queensland grouper, including their diet.

The Queensland grouper is an opportunistic feeder, meaning that they will eat whatever food is available to them. Their diet consists of smaller fishes, squid, octopus, and crustaceans.

In the wild, they have been known to eat poisonous animals, such as stonefish and lionfish, without being affected by the toxins.

If you are thinking about adding a Queensland grouper to your home aquarium, there are a few things you need to know first. These fish grow to be quite large—up to four feet in length—so you will need an aquarium that can accommodate a fish of that size.

Additionally, Queensland groupers are not compatible with other tank mates because they are known to be aggressive towards other fish. 

6. Koi

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  • Scientific name: (Cyprinus rubrofuscus)
  • Diet: Omnivorous

Koi are a subspecies of the common carp. They were originally native to East Asia but they have been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Australia.

Koi are popular pets because of their beautiful colors and patterns. They come in a wide variety of colors, including white, black, yellow, orange, and red.

Koi are typically between 2 and 4 feet long but they can grow up to 6 feet long. They can live for up to 40 years if they are well cared for!

7. Carp 

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  • Scientific name: (Cyprinus carpio)
  • Diet: Omnivorous

Carp are a type of fish that are native to Europe and Asia. They have been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America, where they are considered to be an invasive species. Carp are prized by anglers for their fighting ability and are a popular target for sport fishing.

Carp are omnivorous and their diet consists of both plant and animal matter. They feed on aquatic plants, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks.

Carp will also eat small fish and amphibians. In lakes and ponds, carp often uproot aquatic plants in search of food. This can cause problems for native species of plants and animals that rely on those plants for shelter and food.

8. Humphead Wrasse

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  • Scientific name: (Cheilinus undulatus)
  • Diet: Carnivore 

The humphead wrasse is a large, brightly-colored fish that is found in coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They get their name from the large hump on their head, which is used to smash open hard shells to eat crustaceans and mollusks.

Humphead wrasses are also known to eat smaller fish, echinoderms, and even turtles!

These voracious predators can grow up to six feet long and weigh up to 400 pounds. Luckily for smaller fish, humphead wrasses have a lifespan of 30 years or more, so they aren’t around to hunt them for too long!

Along with their long life spans, humphead wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they all start out as female but can change into males if there are not enough males in the area. These amazing fish truly are something special!

9. Red Shoulder Peacock Cichlid

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  • Scientific name: Aulonocara stuartgranti)
  • Diet: Omnivorous

The Red Shoulder Peacock Cichlid is a beautiful freshwater fish that originates from the rivers of Central and South America.

Peacock cichlids are one of the most popular types of cichlids, due to their vibrant colors and friendly demeanor. These fish are relatively easy to care for, and can live for up to 10 years with proper care.

Red shoulder peacock cichlids are omnivorous, and will eat a variety of foods, including pellets, flakes, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. In the wild, these fish also consume algae and other plant matter. It is important to provide a varied diet in order to ensure optimal health and coloration.

Peacock cichlids are social creatures, and do best when kept in groups of 6 or more. They are relatively peaceful fish, but can become aggressive if they feel threatened. With proper care, red shoulder peacock cichlids make beautiful and lively additions to any freshwater aquarium.

10. Flowerhorn Fish

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  • Scientific name: (Paraneetroplus synspilus)
  • Diet:  Omnivorous

The Red Shoulder Flowerhorn fish is a tropical freshwater fish that is native to Southeast Asia. They are usually between 12 and 16 inches long, and they have a bright red coloration on their shoulders and fins.

Flowerhorns are omnivorous, meaning that they will eat both plants and animals.

Their diet should include a variety of live, frozen, and pellet foods. Live foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms are a good source of protein, while frozen foods like krill and mysis shrimp provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Pellets should make up the bulk of the diet, and there are many different types of pellets available that are specifically designed for Flowerhorns. In general, it is best to feed them small meals several times a day rather than one large meal.

By providing a varied diet, you will help to ensure that your Red Shoulder Flowerhorn stays healthy and happy.

11. Napoleon Fish

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  • Scientific name: (Cheilinus undulatus)
  • Diet: Carnivore 

The Napoleon fish is a species of ray-finned fish that is found in the Indo-Pacific region. They are also known as Maori wrasse, Napoleon wrasse, or simply Napoleon.

Adults can grow to be up to two feet long and they are distinguished by their bright blue coloration and their large, protruding forehead.

Napoleon fish are carnivores and their diet consists primarily of smaller fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They have been known to eat up to 30% of their body weight in a single day.

In addition to being excellent predators, Napoleon fish are also considered to be highly valuable as food fish.

Their flesh is regarded as being very tasty and they are often consumed by humans. As a result of their popularity as both a predator and a food fish, the Napoleon fish is considered to be one of the most important commercial fisheries in the Indo-Pacific region.

12. Piranha

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  • Scientific name: (Pygocentrus nattereri)
  • Diet: Carnivore

The Piranha fish are a species of freshwater fish that are native to the rivers of South America. They are known for their sharp teeth and voracious appetite, and they have been featured in many movies and TV shows as ferocious predators.

However, not all Piranhas are dangerous to humans; in fact, most varieties are harmless.

The two most common types of Piranha are the Red-Bellied Piranha and the Black Piranha. Both species can grow up to 18 inches in length and weigh up to 8 pounds.

The diet of a Piranha fish is mainly carnivorous, although they will also consume some fruits and vegetables. Their sharp teeth are perfectly adapted for tearing flesh, and they will often attack smaller fish in groups. In the wild, Piranhas typically eat insects, small mammals, and other fish.

However, they have been known to attack larger animals, including cows and humans. Consequently, it is important to be aware of the potential danger when swimming in waters where Piranhas may be present.

13. Triggerfish

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  • Scientific name: (Balistidae)
  • Diet: Carnivore 

The triggerfish is a type of marine fish that gets its name from the large spine located on its dorsal fin. This spine can be erected to lock the fish into place in the event that it is threatened by a predator.

Triggerfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters all over the world, and they are popular among aquarium enthusiasts for their brightly colored markings.

While most triggerfish are relatively peaceful, some species can be quite aggressive, particularly when defending their nests. triggerfish typically eat small invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, and snails.

However, larger species may also feed on small fish and crustaceans. Some triggerfish have been known to use tools to open shells and reach the tasty morsels inside. Overall, the triggerfish is a fascinating and diverse group of marine creatures.

Ian Sterling

Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.

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