Duncan corals are one of the easier Large Polyp Stony corals to keep, making them extremely popular with reef hobbyists. This guide explains how to care for this beautiful LPS coral, including its preferred tank conditions and water parameters. When you’ve finished reading, you should have everything you need to keep your coral happy and … 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
A few years ago, a new hybrid betta arrived on the aquarium scene. Boasting intricate markings and otherworldly colors, the newcomer was branded the ‘Alien Betta,’ although nobody knew exactly why. Much confusion and controversy still surrounds the alien betta: Where it came from and whether it’s an ethical breed. What we do know is … Read more
If you have a reef tank, soft corals can be just as naturally beautiful as your fish. Corals also provide nutrients for many of the other organisms living in your aquarium. But aren’t corals difficult to care for? Are there any corals that are suitable for a beginner tank? And can you grow corals from … 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
Blue Phantom plecos are attractive tropical fish that can keep your aquarium tidy by grazing on algae. These bottom-dwelling, active fish from Venezuela are straightforward to care for and are pretty long-lived too, Making them an excellent option for a large community tank. Read this comprehensive guide to learn everything you need to know about … Read more
Most aquarium fish cannot be described as cute or endearing. However, the porcupine puffer fish, or blowfish as it is sometimes also known, does fit both those labels. Hobbyists love these weird-looking fish for their big personalities and strange appearance, but does the porcupine puffer have a place in a marine community or reef tank, … Read more
The ‘Fungiidae’ or ‘Mushroom Corals’ are a fascinating family of corals that include some of the easiest species of coral for first-time reef keepers to care for. But this broad and diverse family also includes some stunning coral groups like Ricordia and Amplexidiscus that can be expensive and more tricky to care for, too. Here … Read more
Second only to the Caridean shrimp, the Emerald Crab is now one of the most popular crustaceans for saltwater aquariums. Their captivating color, robust character, and algae-eating distinction all have understandable allure. But what about the stories of Emerald Crabs eating coral and attacking fish? In this care guide, we’ll get to the bottom of … Read more
Most hobbyists start their journey into marine fishkeeping with a Clownfish. These colorful saltwater fish found fame in the Captain Nemo film, are easy to keep, relatively cheap to buy, and full of personality. Clownfish are happiest when in a symbiotic relationship with a sea anemone, and Bubble-Tip anemones can make the perfect host for … Read more
The Six-line wrasse makes a bright and beautiful addition to any large saltwater fish tank setup. Although they can be aggressive towards some smaller fish and invertebrates, once they’re established, these vibrantly colored fish are relatively easy to care for and are regarded as reef-safe. This guide explains how to care for the stunning Six-line … 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
Skunk cleaner shrimp (aka. Pacific cleaner shrimp) have been becoming ever-more popular in the aquarium trade, largely due to their fascinating cleaning habits. Not only do these colorful invertebrates help clean the aquarium of algae and leftover food, but they also offer a special cleaning service to your fish, freeing them from harmful bacteria and … 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
