Cichlids are a hugely popular tropical fish with many fish keepers. However, this species needs quite a lot of space in the tank, and they can be territorial and semi-aggressive. But just how much space do cichlids need to be peaceful and thrive? You might think that a 55-gallon aquarium is plenty big enough to … Read more
Angelfish. Big, intelligent tropical fish that shine with personality. But did you know that angelfish can also be quite territorial? It’s important to give them plenty of swimming space and choose their tank mates carefully. I’d recommend only ever keeping a maximum of two angelfish in a 40-gallon aquarium, either alone or with some hardy … Read more
Chili rasboras are gorgeous nano fish that are perfect for life in a small, single-species tank or as part of a community setup. These delightful little fish are peaceful and get along with other fish and inverts, and they’re relatively straightforward to care for, although they do best in a mature aquarium. So, how many … Read more
Now there have been some reports online of tetras eating dwarf shrimp species, especially cherry shrimp. Are these stories true, and how can we protect our precious shrimp from the ravages of our hungry tetras? The truth is that tetras can sometimes eat dwarf shrimp, but usually only when larger tetras are kept with the … Read more
Ludwigias are a popular family of aquarium plants because of their stunning red colors, but it’s important to know that some species are much easier to grow than others. Ludwigia arcuata is a beautiful variety with slender, narrow red leaves, but it is also harder to grow than some of its relatives. Let’s look closer … Read more
Your aquarium is not only a perfect habitat for your fishy friends, but it’s also a visually pleasing focal point in any room. Most fish keepers like to enhance the look of their tanks by using various decorations and live plants, and these additions can provide hiding places and shelter for shy species of fish, … Read more
Some aquarium fish are quite expensive to buy, so when you splash your hard-earned cash on a pet fish, you want to know how long the creature is likely to live. But do fish die of old age, or is some health issue more likely to see a fish off before it reaches its natural … Read more
Aquatic snails are the perfect animals to use as cleanup crew members and for providing company for territorial or semi-aggressive fish that don’t do well with regular tank mates. Aquarium snails come in lots of different sizes, colors, and patterns, are easy to care for, are readily available, and they’re beginner-friendly, too. When you add … Read more
One of the joys of keeping tropical fish is their exciting and diverse range of behaviors. While some fish love to hover around at the surface, others spend their time at the bottom of the aquarium and will even dig vigorously in the sand or gravel. There can be different reasons for your fish digging … Read more
Betta fish always require an aquarium filter to remain happy and healthy. But why is your betta spending all of its time hanging out by the filter? It could be for several reasons, and many of them are related to the principle that betta fish need a filter flow that is not too weak, nor … Read more
If you’ve ever put your hand into your guppy tank, you may have been surprised to receive little nibbles and pecks from your pet fish. Were your guppies trying to bite you, and do they have teeth? The answer is that guppies do have teeth, but not like we have, and their bites are quite … Read more
Losing one of your favorite pet fish can be very upsetting, especially if the cause of death isn’t obvious. But sometimes, a fish’s eyes bulge out of its head in death. So, why is that? The first thing to understand is that not all fish eyes pop out when they die. In fact, that’s a … Read more
Keeping and breeding betta fish is an incredibly popular hobby these days, so if you have a spacious 20-gallon tank, you might be wondering how many of these beautiful fish you can keep. Can you keep multiple male Siamese fighting fish together in one tank? Do female betta fish fight? And what special adaptations do … Read more
If you love your betta buddy’s bright colors, beautiful fins, and quirky character, you might wonder if your pet could get along with another betta. After all, that would mean twice the enjoyment and would really make your fish tank pop, right? However, these beautiful tropical fish are not known as Siamese Fighting Fish for … Read more
Fish is one of my favorite snack foods, and I use it in cooking, too. But I wondered recently if my fish would appreciate the addition of a few crumbs of this popular food to their diet. So, I did some research, and it turns out that fish cannot eat cheese, and feeding it to … Read more
