Have you ever heard of the festivum cichlid? Also known as ‘flag cichlids’, festivums were once more popular than they are today. Although less colorful and flashy than some other cichlids, these sociable fish are more peaceful than many of their feisty relatives and can be kept in groups in large community tanks. Some of … Read more
The recently discovered Honduran red point cichlid possesses many of the desirable traits that have made the infamous convict cichlid so popular. Yet this lesser-known fish is smaller, less aggressive, and more suitable for community tanks. While I’ve had lots of fun breeding convict cichlids, Honduran red points (HRPs) have many unique qualities that make … Read more
Named after the colorful pet bird with frilly feathers, cockatoo dwarf cichlids match their feathered namesakes with their exotic colors and impressive crested fins. But while they may be alluring, cockatoo cichlids are not the ideal beginner’s fish, and won’t fit in any old community aquarium. Their complex requirements and aggressive streak mean that this … Read more
Cichlids are some of the most beautiful, intelligent, and exotic freshwater fish in the world, but it can be frustrating how many species are also highly aggressive fish. Not so with the rainbow cichlid. These colorful dwarf cichlids are so peaceful they can be kept in a community tank with other medium-sized species. Let’s take … Read more
Elephant nose fish are one of the classic ‘oddball fish’ of the aquarium trade. Hailing from the murky waters of African rivers, they use electrical signals and their iconic long ‘nose’ to navigate, find food, and communicate. But be warned that elephant noses are very intelligent fish with highly specialized requirements. Their tank mates, tank … Read more
Buenos Aires tetra have long been popular aquarium fish for both tropical aquariums and cold water setups. However, some aquarists are surprised to learn that Buenos Aires tetras grow to a larger size than most other tetras and can become aggressive towards their tank mates, even destroying aquarium plants in some circumstances. In this care … Read more
The humble keyhole cichlid may be less glamorous than some of its dazzling relatives, but this aquarium relic was once more popular than today, and deservedly so! Keyhole cichlids are one of the most peaceful cichlids that you could hope to find. They also remain relatively small, so can be kept with medium-sized community tank … Read more
The Japanese rice fish, or ‘medaka ricefish,’ has been attracting considerable attention over the last few years. Although these tiny fish have been available in the aquarium trade for decades, they’ve suddenly become one of the most trendy species in fish keeping. Thankfully, the Japanese ricefish is up to the challenge of being kept by … Read more
Elegant and beautiful, pearl gouramis could be seen as a pearl in the crown of the gourami family. But while their good looks make them popular, are pearl gouramis the ideal fish for a community tank? In this care guide, I’d like to dispel the myth that pearl gouramis are model community fish. Although some … Read more
If you’ve ever watched Finding Nemo, you’ve probably wondered which fish species the characters are based upon in real life. It turns out that the animators at Pixar really did their homework in researching marine fish for the movie, making their depictions appear amazingly similar to their real-life counterparts. But while the fish in the … Read more
If you’re looking for a peaceful, fun creature to add to your freshwater aquarium, you might want to consider the Pom Pom crab. These fully-aquatic crabs shouldn’t be confused with their marine counterparts, and they aren’t as readily available in the aquarium hobby as other species of micro crabs, so most hobbyists don’t know much … Read more
If you’re in the market for a fancy goldfish, you may be considering a Ranchu goldfish. With their swollen heads and short bodies, Ranchu’s are one of the most iconic fancy goldfish varieties. But Ranchu goldfish are also lacking a dorsal fin, causing some animal rights advocates to suggest the breed should be outlawed. Let’s … Read more
There are many different types of Hillstream loaches belonging to a family of bottom-dwelling fish that hails from the clear, rapidly-flowing waters of Asia. The Reticulated Hillstream loach is a beautiful, unusual-looking fish that makes an eye-catching addition to any freshwater community setup. These fish are hardy and pretty straightforward to care for, too, making … Read more
Rotala indica is a beautiful aquarium plant that does well in most well-maintained tropical freshwater tanks, even without CO2 supplementation. This red-leafed plant species is easy to care for and can grow quite tall, making it an ideal choice to create an exciting backdrop to a deep tank setup. Read this guide to learn everything … Read more
Alternanthera reineckii “mini” is a beautiful red-leafed plant that’s perfect if you want a plant that grows slowly and doesn’t get too tall for a small tank. Unlike many red plants, this variety isn’t especially difficult to care for, making it a good choice for a novice aquarist. The plant is readily available and not … Read more
