Oscar fish are notorious for being aggressive and difficult to keep. But is that the truth or just an urban myth? Oscar fish are more suitable for experienced fishkeepers, partly because of their temperament but also because of their size. However, once you have oscars in your life, you’ll be captivated by their intelligence, dazzling … Read more
While a sponge filter might not be the first type of filtration you think about for your fish tank, a properly sized sponge filter might be the best option. There are many benefits to using a sponge filter instead of a hang on the back filter or a sump tank, like if housing delicate livestock, … Read more
The Fahaka pufferfish is an intelligent fish that makes a wonderful pet and can even be taught to take food from your hand. These creatures are one of the cutest in the hobby with their brilliant orange eyes, smiling expression, and strange, bumbling way of swimming, and they are one of the few species of … Read more
Unfortunately, algae in your aquarium is an occupational hazard for everyone in the hobby. In fact, algae aren’t completely bad for your tank. These organisms convert waste products into oxygen through the process of photosynthesis, helping to keep your water clean. However, algae are a nuisance, covering your decorations, suffocating living plants, and obscuring the … Read more
Algae is nearly inevitable. Every tank, at one point or another, has experienced algae. While there are other ways to solve algae problems, like more regular tank maintenance, changing source water, and increasing water flow, sometimes these methods don’t work and a more effective cleanup crew is needed. Before adding to your livestock, always make … Read more
The electric blue hap is one of the most popular species of cichlid due to the piercing blue coloration of the male fish. These fish aren’t any more difficult to keep than most other species of cichlid and make a great addition to a Lake Malawi-themed freshwater system. However, they don’t turn up too often … Read more
There is a good reason why 55-gallon (208.2 L) fish tanks seem to be everywhere in the aquarium hobby; they’re not too big and they’re not too small so they allow for a full range of both marine and freshwater species with the required equipment and products being easy to find. If you’re serious about … Read more
Time for an upgrade? A 100-gallon (378.5 L) tank might be in your future. However, 100-gallon fish tanks are not very common to come across and your local pet store might not carry the option that is absolutely best for you. Whether you’re wanting to set up a freshwater or saltwater tank, a larger aquarium … Read more
Water sprite is one of the easier freshwater plant species you can get for your aquarium. This plant can either be planted in the substrate or floated at the surface of the water to provide shelter and shade for fish below. Water sprite is also an incredibly fast grower and will need to be trimmed … Read more
Don’t blink fast or you’ll miss these tiny little fish! Chili rasboras are one of the smallest fish available in the aquarium trade, which makes them a very desirable addition to a nano tank. Their size, peaceful behavior, colorful bodies, and schooling habits make the chili rasbora a minimal yet beautiful addition to the aquarium! … Read more
You’ve got your filter, your heater, and your light all ready to go, so you’re all set to start up your aquarium, right? Well, maybe. You may need to consider investing in a UV sterilizer for problems that you could come across down the line. Or maybe you’ve already reached that point and you’re trying … Read more
Wait. What? If fish can only live underwater, how can fish drown? It seems like a simple yes/no question, but a lot of things can actually go wrong that would deprive a fish of being able to breathe correctly to the point where the fish could suffocate and ‘drown.’ Some reasons for this would be … Read more
If you’re going to go big you might as well go BIG. While it might seem like 200 gallons is a huge aquarium, this amount simply still does not compare to the natural environments that your fish are actually coming from, though your fish will definitely appreciate it. There are a couple of advantages to … Read more
If you have fussy feeders in your tank, offering them live foods can often be a very effective way of persuading the fish to eat when they tire of frozen foods. Unfortunately, the live food that you can buy in your local fish store often comes with a few unwanted extras in the form of … Read more
Need a pop of color in your nano tank? The bright orange Cambarellus patzcuarensis, also known as the CPO crayfish, might be the perfect choice. This dwarf crayfish is pretty tiny, but its bright color and feisty personality make it a fun addition to your aquarium. Keep reading for everything you need to know about … Read more
