Ghana covers an area of approximately 238.500 sq.km inundated by river systems. The drainage of the river systems is basically determined by the Kwahu Plateau. Rivers which originate from the eastern side of the plateau drain into the Atlantic through the Volta river. Rivers originating from the west side of the plateau drain into the Atlantic individually. The most important natural lake in Ghana is the Lake Bosomtwe as it is self contained with many small rivers and streams keeping the water fresh constantly. The Volta Basin is made up of the rivers Oti, Pra, White Volta, Black Volta and Asukawkaw. The Pra Basin is mainly formed by the Pra, Offin and Birim. Other rivers like the Tano, Bia, Ankobra and Densu flow into the Atlantic individually. Along the coast line there are many lagoons and estuaries building an ecosystem of its own.

All these water bodies big or small are full of fish. Most of the larger species are economically used for food but the smaller ones have aquarium value. We have tried to list the ones which have been found and documented till now but there are probably hundreds more which have not been found yet.