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The American Flagfish (Jordanella floridae) is a captivating and underrated freshwater fish, native to the southeastern United States. Named for its striking resemblance to the American flag, especially in males during breeding, it sports a series of vertical red bars and horizontal stripes on a greenish-brown body, often with a prominent dark spot on its flank. Females are typically less vibrantly colored. These hardy and relatively small fish, reaching about 2.5 inches (6 cm), are an excellent choice for peaceful community aquariums, though males can be territorial with each other. They are particularly valued for their voracious appetite for various types of algae, including hair algae and even black beard algae, making them a fantastic natural clean-up crew. American Flagfish thrive in well-planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots and open swimming areas. A minimum tank size of 10-20 gallons is recommended, with stable water parameters: pH between 6.5-7.5, and temperatures ranging from 68-79°F (20-26°C). Their diet should be varied, including high-quality flake or pellet food, supplemented with blanched vegetables, spirulina, and occasional live or frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia. Their unique appearance, peaceful demeanor, and algae-eating prowess make the American Flagfish a highly beneficial and aesthetically pleasing addition to many home aquariums.

May eat hair algae.