If you’re an aquarist, you’ve probably heard of using Indian almond leaves (also known as catappa leaves) to make your aquarium water more natural and better for your fish. There are a few reasons why you might consider adding Indian almond leaves to your freshwater tank, including their medicinal properties and popular usage as an … Read more
If you’ve seen your Oscar’s skin peeling, or scales flaking off, you have good reason to be concerned. Most of the time, skin conditions indicate a serious underlying problem in your Oscar’s tank that need addressing promptly. Whether your Oscar’s skin is peeling after an ugly encounter with another fish, a skin disease, or incorrect … Read more
Neon and ember tetra are some of the most popular small schooling fish for community aquariums, but can they live together? The answer is yes! Neon tetra and ember tetra make great tank mates for one another, and both of these fish are a great choice for beginners. Let’s take a deeper dive into comparing … Read more
You might be wondering if your betta fish ever gets bored. These beautiful fish are regularly kept in small tanks all alone due to their aggression and territorial nature toward other fish. The truth is that yes, betta fish can get bored. These fish need proper exercise and enrichment through aquarium decorations, different fish foods, … Read more
Kuhli loaches are one of my favorite fish. Mysterious, nocturnal, and eel-like, these beautiful creatures make a fascinating addition to most community tank setups. Some fishkeepers, however, are concerned about keeping kuhli loaches with shrimp. After all, other loach species are notorious for eating invertebrates, and there have been rumors on the internet about kuhlis … Read more
Whether you term angelfish ‘social fish’ or ‘schooling fish‘, it’s clear that they tend to enjoy the company of one another and should ideally be kept in pairs or groups. In no circumstances should an angelfish be kept completely isolated, though some aquarists have successfully kept a single specimen alongside other fish in a community … Read more
When it comes to testing aquarium water parameters, you’ve got two main options: liquid test kits (aka. drop test kits), and test strips. While test strips are sufficient for offering quick, approximate readings, liquid test kits offer a more accurate and reliable method to test both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. But which liquid test kit … Read more
Gouramis are an extremely popular fish that’s often seen in home community tanks. There are 133 known species of these gorgeous fish, many of which you can buy from your local fish store, although more unusual, rarer species can be found for sale online from specialist breeders. In this guide, we introduce you to 20 … Read more
An exploded stomach or ruptured organs is a rare, yet fatal condition in betta fish, where massive inflammation and pressure in the abdomen cause vital organs to burst open, with death following soon after. There are several causes for a burst stomach in betta fish, but luckily, most of them can be prevented or treated … Read more
One of the reasons we all love betta fish so much is their stunning, long flowing fins that they use to show us and one another how they’re feeling. Whereas erect, puffed-out fins indicate a betta in prime health, fins that are constantly clamped or closed can be a sign of an underlying health problem … Read more
When it comes to looking for tankmates for betta fish, rasboras are often mentioned as some of the best. Harlequin rasboras are no exception to this rule, and there are some interesting reasons why these two species of fish can make excellent tank mates. Here we’re going to explore all the reasons why harlequin rasbora … Read more
With the shrimp hobby exploding in the past few years, the number of selectively bred dwarf shrimp species has shot up. New varieties are always appearing, and our knowledge of keeping and breeding these inverts is ever-growing. In need of shrimpspiration? We discuss 19 aquarium shrimp species. From extremely popular to quite uncommon and from … Read more
Gouramis are famous for raising their eggs and young in foamy, floating structures known as bubble nests. But how exactly do they build a bubble nest, do all Gourami species make them, and how should you raise the young Gouramis when they emerge? Stick with me and I’ll answer all of your questions about Gourami … Read more
The KH levels in your fish tank are directly linked to the health and well-being of your fish and other livestock. Sometimes, those levels become out of kilter, being too low or too high, which can affect other crucial water quality factors, such as pH. But why is the correct KH level important? How do … Read more
If you have well water and are thinking about getting an aquarium, you’re probably wondering if you can use it for your fish. The short answer is yes! You can use well water or borehole water for your fish, although in some instances you’ll need to treat it first. This involves a bit of understanding … Read more
