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The charity making life better by water

Freshwater fish species

Discover fascinating freshwater fish species in the UK. Learn about their habitats, behaviours, and how to identify these remarkable creatures in rivers and lakes.

From Barbel to Chub

From Dace to Minnow

From Pike to Tench

Note: All references to record-breaking size fish are taken from the British Record Fish Committee January 2015.

Our fish species guide has been brought to life thanks to wonderful images from Jack Perks Photography.

Last Edited: 17 July 2025

photo of a location on the canals
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