If you’re a beginner and have a little bit bigger of a tank to start out with, then the cherry barb could make a great first addition. These peaceful fish have beautiful colors and do not require much extra care. However, they are schooling…
Time for an upgrade? A 100-gallon (378.5 L) tank might be in your future. However, 100-gallon fish tanks are not very common to come across and your local pet store might not carry the option that is absolutely best for you. Whether you’re wanting…
The ember tetra is one of the most colorful and compatible tetra species available in the aquarium trade today. These small and bright fish bring a spark of life to the freshwater aquarium and can be kept with an assortment of other tank mates.…
Maybe one of the simplest pieces of aquarium equipment, the air stone can be used in many different ways, including for oxygenating a tank, filtration, or as decoration. What does an air stone do? Aquarium air stones are typically made from a type of…
One of the first things you’ll be told when starting an aquarium is: bigger is better. But how big is big enough? After 75 gallons (283.9 L), the next most common aquarium size is usually 125 gallons (473.2 L). A 50 gallon (189.3 L)…
At one point or another, the bright and colorful colors of an African cichlid tank have influenced many into setting up their own cichlid aquarium. Being limited to only a few different compatible species for every tank means that color, aggression, and behavior are…
Water sprite is one of the easier freshwater plant species you can get for your aquarium. This plant can either be planted in the substrate or floated at the surface of the water to provide shelter and shade for fish below. Water sprite is…
Meet one of the few catfish that won’t stay at the bottom of your tank: the glass catfish. These fish are truly one of the most unique species available in the aquarium hobby due to their completely transparent bodies and free-swimming behavior. While they…
While many hobbyists keep fish for their amazing colors and interesting behaviors, too often another aquatic life is completely forgotten about and discarded as an option. However, if you already have or have hopes of setting up a pond or paludarium, then you realize…
With hundreds of different cichlid species to choose from, it can be a little difficult to narrow down the perfect one for your tank. The firemouth cichlid is a type of semi-aggressive cichlid from Central America whose brilliant fiery colors match its sometimes territorial…
Is that a… snail? But you have never even bought a snail! How could it have gotten into your aquarium? Unfortunately, this is a story that has been heard too many times. One of the most dreaded things to happen in a freshwater aquarium…
A betta fish may be the very first fish you plan on getting. But since the pet store keeps them in small containers with no filtration, that obviously means that you can get a small tank for your betta fish too, right? No. Unfortunately,…
The koi betta is a variation of Betta splendens, otherwise known as the Siamese fighting fish, with striking patterns that resemble that of a typical koi fish. Their aquarium husbandry does not differ from that of any other betta fish variation, but their beautiful…
Forget watching the news, the dojo loach will let you know when it’s going to rain instead! These fascinating fish are one of the most common loach species to come across in aquarium stores and have some of the most interesting behaviors and personalities.…
One of the most commonly recommended aquarium species of algae eater is the Chinese algae eater. These fish are very popular among beginners due to their algae eater reputation and appealing behavior as they dart around the tank. However, these fish need special consideration…