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
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’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
From my childhood trip to The Sea Life London Aquarium, one fish captured my imagination more than all the rest. That fish’s name is the archerfish, and it has evolved a hunting strategy unlike any other. I watched spellbound as they pursed their lips to the water’s surface and spat jets of water into the … 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
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
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
People who are new to the world of betta keeping are sometimes surprised to learn that the classic betta splendens fish with long, flowing fins are always male. The less showy female betta fish are rarely seen in the hobby and are only kept by specialists who wish to keep several of them together in … Read more
When it comes to setting up a community fish tank, mollies have to be at the top of the list for many hobbyists! These brightly colored, active fish add a wonderful pop of color to your aquarium, are easy to care for, and are prolific livebearers, providing you with lots of new fish. However, one … Read more
Neon and ember tetra are some of the most popular small schooling fish for community aquariums, but can they live together? The answer is yes! Neon tetra and ember tetra make great tank mates for one another, and both of these fish are a great choice for beginners. Let’s take a deeper dive into comparing … Read more
Rainbow fish are beautiful and energetic tropical fish that are often kept in community tanks with other community fish. But some fish keepers have reported problems with aggression in rainbow fish, especially from males that can get territorial at breeding time. Here we’re going to look at which species of rainbow fish are more prone … Read more
If you’ve noticed your mystery snail’s shell becoming thinner, more pale, cracked, deformed, or damaged, it may be suffering from snail shell erosion or ‘shell rot’. This can be due to several factors, but acidic water is often one of the root causes. Here I’ll run you through some of the main causes of shell … Read more
Guppies and angelfish are two popular tropical fish species that you’ll see for sale in most fish stores. Now, you might think that these two fish would make fabulous tank mates. After all, angelfish are elegant, graceful fish that seem to cruise effortlessly and peacefully through the water column, while adult guppies come in rainbow … Read more
With their bright colors, vibrant patterns, and livebearing habit, Mollies are among the most popular fish in the hobby. Mollies are usually displayed in large groups in pet stores, so many beginners assume that these are schooling fish. But is that so? Well, Mollies are actually not schooling fish, although they do like to shoal! … Read more
