If you want a small, peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish and proven algae eater for your fish tank, then the Zebra otocinclus (Otocinclus cocama) might be what you’re looking for. These sweet little fish make an unusual addition to a freshwater aquarium, but they do have a reputation of being difficult fish to keep. In this guide, … Read more
Piranhas have been a favorite with fish keepers for well over 50 years. These tropical fish are considered dangerous, predatory maneaters with a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth. So, is it safe to keep these iconic fish in captivity? Do piranhas bite their keepers? And are there any tank mates that can live safely with … Read more
The Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) is an active fish and one of the most popular barbs in the hobby. These fish are relatively undemanding and easy to keep, making them excellent beginner fish for a peaceful community aquarium. So, if you’re a new hobbyist to the aquarium trade looking for a nice addition to your … Read more
The strangely-named badis badis is a small yet beautiful fish that has the remarkable ability to change colors depending on its mood. These interesting creatures are easy to care for and can make a good choice for a beginner who is looking to add something a little different to their collection. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll … Read more
Most hobbyists began their lifelong fishkeeping obsession as kids with a pet goldfish. But, those goldfish were most likely a comet, or common, goldfish rather than one of the more exotic fancy varieties. These types of goldfish are relatively easy to keep, which makes them good beginner fish, and can be relocated to a garden pond if … Read more
Did you have a pet goldfish when you were a kid? Many of us did, but that fish was likely nowhere near as exotic or downright weird-looking as the oranda fancy goldfish. In this guide, we introduce you to the beautiful oranda and include top tips and advice on how to keep this peaceful fish happy and … Read more
The pike cichlid also named the Crenicichla lepidota, is a striking, attractive fish that can make an impressive addition to a large aquarium. Unfortunately, these fish are aggressive and predatory, so they don’t generally make suitable candidates for a peaceful community tank. However, the enigmatic pike cichlid is popular with many hobbyists who enjoy keeping these … Read more
Betta fish come in many color morphs and forms, making them an extremely popular choice of aquarium fish with hobbyists worldwide. In this guide, we take a detailed look at the beautiful mustard gas betta, including how to care for the fish and where you can buy them. What is a mustard gas betta? The … 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
Most fish tanks are relatively smell-free. However, sometimes aquarium owners notice unusually stinky tank water, and that shouldn’t happen. Basically, if you can smell your fish tank when the lid is closed, and you’re in another room, there’s a problem that requires your immediate attention. In this guide, we take a closer look (or sniff!) … Read more
A betta fish may be the very first fish you plan on getting. But since the pet store keeps them in small containers with no filtration, that obviously means that you can get a small tank for your betta fish, right? No. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about caring for bettas. This article … Read more
If you fancy keeping something a little bit different from the usual tropical fish and invertebrates that you see in most home aquariums, you might like to consider keeping freshwater eels. In this guide, we provide an overview of how to care for freshwater eels so that you know exactly what you’re taking on. Of … Read more
If you have a large freshwater setup and you’re looking for an impressive specimen that’s sure to be a conversation starter, you might want to check out this guide to the Texas cichlid. These are big fish, and they can be aggressive, so we don’t recommend one of these big bruisers for inexperienced hobbyists who … Read more
Rosy barbs are a favorite fish among hobbyists for many reasons. Rosy barbs are active and peaceful fish that do well in community tanks, and their bright, metallic coloration can create a truly spectacular display. These fish are easy to look after, making them a great choice for beginner aquarists. The Rosy barb is one … Read more
In the wild environment, fish are often seen leaping right out of the water, and to the alarm of hobbyists, some tank-kept fish do that too, sometimes jumping out of the tank! But why do fish jump out of the water, how do they manage to do that, and what can you do to stop … Read more
