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…
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…
The gourami has long been a favorite fish for the home aquarium for many reasons. There are lots of different gourami varieties to choose from, they’re easy to care for, don’t get too big (depending on the species), and make excellent community fishes. What’s…
Ammonia, check. Nitrite, check. Nitrate, check. Water hardness, huh? Water hardness is an important water parameter for healthy saltwater and freshwater fish tanks, but most hobbyists don’t test for it and don’t even know it exists! Knowing the water hardness in your aquarium and…
A 75-gallon aquarium is one of the larger home tanks that you can choose, and a setup of that size gives you a lot of choices when it comes to selecting what fish species to keep. Larger tanks mean that you can choose to…
If you want to get into the fish keeping hobby, a 20-gallon tank could be the ideal size starter aquarium for you. A 20-gallon fish tank is big enough to accommodate a decent range of species while being small enough to maintain easily. As…
One of the most common aquarium sizes available today is the 29 gallon (109.8 L), but maybe you have space for just one more gallon and you can allow for a 30 gallon (113.6 L) setup instead. A 30-gallon aquarium is enough space to…
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…
If you’d like to keep a truly beautiful creature and you fancy the idea of owning something a little bit different from the run-of-the-mill tropical fish that your friends have, how about a Blue crayfish? Blue crayfish are pretty easy to care for, and…
Goldfish are a perennially popular pet with both adults and kids alike, and Shubunkins with their variegated colors are easily the favorite variety of these super-cute, beginner-friendly fish. But there’s more to the mysterious Shubunkin than just pretty colors! In this article, we take…
Keeping live plants in your aquarium not only adds a beautiful, natural look, but they’re great for your fish too. Plants provide shelter for shy fish and fry and help to keep the water clean and well-oxygenated. But some tropical aquatic plants are easier…
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…
Of the many varieties of tetras, the Congo tetra is perhaps the most overlooked when it comes to the aquarium. These beautiful little fishes have luminescent colors all across their body and make a spectacular sight swimming in a large shoal in any community…
If you’re looking for a mid-sized, bottom-dwelling fish that will live harmoniously with others of its own kind, you might want to consider the Redtail loach. You’ll need quite a large, freshwater aquarium to accommodate these quirky, attractive fish, but they are generally quite…
There are species upon species of colorful fish available in the aquarium trade, but nothing quite matches the unparalleled simplicity of the red tail shark. These striking black and red-tailed fish are a favorite for many, but unfortunately, little is actually known about the…