Jennifer Doll 
Have a big tank or pond and looking for a monster freshwater fish to fill it out? The endangered iridescent shark could be the right species for you. The iridescent shark is a large river fish that needs lots of open water and room to grow to mature size. Because of their space demands, many … Read more
Most pufferfish are known for their bold personalities and beautiful colorations. The Congo puffer is no exception and is becoming an increasingly popular species within the freshwater aquarium hobby. Like other pufferfish, the Congo puffer does best in a tank by itself; this can be boring for some hobbyists, but any puffer-keeper knows that these … Read more
Too many times, beginner hobbyists believe that fish tanks require little to no maintenance after setup. While some experienced hobbyists do run tanks that sustain themselves over years at a time, the rest of us usually need to perform some kind of maintenance at least twice a month. However, fish tank maintenance doesn’t need to … Read more
Goldfish come in many shapes and sizes and it can be difficult to correctly identify the true name and variation of your goldfish. The calico goldfish is one of these variations and can be easily identified by their usual tri-color patterns. It should be noted that sometimes shubunkin goldfish are referred to as calico goldfish … Read more
The harlequin shrimp might be one of the most beautiful saltwater invertebrates currently available in the aquarium hobby. While these shrimp do well in community and reef tank settings, their selective diet makes them slightly more difficult to keep than other marine shrimp. However, if you’re struggling with an Asterina starfish problem, then a harlequin shrimp might … Read more
The rainbow shark’s appearance is far from the colorful array that you might expect from its name, but these fish make a fascinating addition to the freshwater aquarium nevertheless. This species is commonly confused with other similar-looking fish but is easily identified if you know what to look for! Otherwise, a single rainbow shark can … Read more
The blue cichlid, also commonly known as the electric blue cichlid, can be easily mixed up with other cichlids from the same genus. However, this fish is an African cichlid all of its own and has some slight differences from the other similar fish found in Lake Malawi. Luckily, the care requirements don’t differ too … Read more
If you’re limited on space or if you just want a clean design for your fish tank setup, then an inline aquarium heater will help keep some equipment out of the display. While these heaters are currently used by many hobbyists, their popularity has not fully caught on in the aquarium trade just yet. Because … Read more
While a sponge filter might not be the first type of filtration you think about for your fish tank, a properly sized sponge filter might be the best option. There are many benefits to using a sponge filter instead of a hang on the back filter or a sump tank, like if housing delicate livestock, … Read more
If you’ve had problems with freshwater algae or maintaining water quality, you may have been recommended a type of floating plant called duckweed. Aquarium duckweed is generally a small plant that sits on top of the surface of many lakes and ponds in the wild. It has been added to the aquarium hobby for nutrient … Read more
Platy fish are probably one of the most recognizable freshwater community fish in the hobby, but did you know that there are several species and colors of this fish? In general, all species of Xiphophorus are extremely easy to keep and a favorite for hobbyists that are just starting to breed freshwater fish. This article … Read more
As an aquarium hobbyist, you may already know that there are many species of marine hermit crab available for your saltwater tank. But did you know that only one family of hermit crabs is officially known as land hermit crabs? These terrestrial crawlers look a lot like the species kept in saltwater aquariums but have … Read more
GloFish® danios are not artificially dyed or cruelly injected with colors. Instead, these fish are the result of genetic testing that has led to their bright fluorescent color assortment. If you plan on getting one of these fish, it’s important to know how to properly take care of it as their attractive colors have often … Read more
The dragon puffer, also commonly known as the humpback puffer, is unlike any other freshwater fish you’ve seen before. These fish are not commonly found in the aquarium hobby and require a pretty specific setup. Their camouflaged appearance can make them blend into natural aquascapes, but their personality definitely comes through when they’re ready to … Read more
When setting up a new tank, an aquarium lighting timer might be the last thing that comes to mind on your list of things to buy. However, lighting is one of the most important aspects of reef and planted aquarium systems, and without it, many organisms fail to survive. Not only does the actual light … Read more
