If you’re looking for a more exotic creature to fill up your lovely aquarium, why not get a baby snapping turtle? To get you started, let’s take a look at what baby snapping turtles are like, how to care for them throughout their long lifespan, and answer the question, “What do baby snapping turtles eat?” … Read more
Many aquarists strive to create the most colorful or beautiful aquarium they can. Typically, this means keeping a wide variety of bright fish, exotic plants, and fun decorations. With so many different fish species out there, it can be hard to pick which to keep. Luckily, freshwater schooling fish are a great option for both … Read more
Curious about the different types of goldfish? Here’s our handy guide to the best of them! Keeping goldfish can be great fun. They’re affordable and easy to maintain, and they make practical pets for children or people who haven’t got much time on their hands. Did you know that watching goldfish can help reduce anxiety, … Read more
There are fish that are flashy and eye-catching, and the red tail shark is definitely one of them. It has amazing coloration, with the sharp contrast of a mostly velvet-black body matched to a bright red tail. This brilliant display has made the red tail shark a centerpiece for many home aquariums, despite the troubles … Read more
If you’re seeking a new freshwater species to add a vibrant dash of color to your tank, look no further than the red cherry shrimp! Their bright red color will definitely stand out against your green aquarium plants and grainy substrate. As a plus, they’re a natural tank-cleaning creature, ideal for those who need extra … Read more
Looking to add some vibrant color to your tank, or are you just dipping your toes into the hobby? Either way, getting a few freshwater crabs is a great place to start. Red claw crabs, in particular, are rather easy pets to care for, making them ideal for even novice aquarium enthusiasts. What can you … Read more
Stingrays are some of the most interesting freshwater fish around. From the entrancing way they glide in the water to their fascinating appearance, the pure novelty of owning a stingray is a fun venture for any seasoned aquarium enthusiast. Most species of stingray are a drab brown or gray color, which may turn you away … Read more
A favorite among experienced aquarists, puffer fish are wonderful to raise. It’s not hard to understand why; many consider the puffer to be one of the most interesting species to keep. They are often regarded as having the most distinct personalities – not only when compared to other species, but even among themselves. Two puffers … Read more
Are you interested in caring for some aquatic frogs, but not sure where to start? The African dwarf frog is a popular aquarium pet. Its peaceful personality and low-maintenance lifestyle make it an ideal beginner’s frog – not to mention that it’s completely adorable! Here’s what you need to know about African dwarf frogs before … Read more
Fish are some of the easiest pets to care for, according to pop culture. However, none of the children on your favorite TV shows ever had to worry about overly-aggressive tank mates. Predatory freshwater fish are a real concern. When bringing one of these aggressive fish into your home aquarium, you have to consider both … Read more
Whether you’re a veteran aquarist or a beginner, whose experience in buying fish is restricted to longingly perusing pet stores, you may be overwhelmed by the large variety of species at your fingertips. With so many to choose from, there are those which tend to be overlooked. The most common species in this regard is … Read more
If you’re interested in fish-keeping, you may wonder if there’s a ‘perfect place’ to start. Before you begin collecting your tank, filters, and food, you’ll need to decide on the type of fish to bring into your home. There are a number of species that are low-maintenance and make excellent tank-based companions. One is the … Read more
The Kribensis cichlid, also known as the krib cichlid, is a favorite among beginning aquarists. They are both hardy and beautiful, two qualities that beginners seek. They are a flexible fish, able to adapt to most aquarium conditions, and their lovely colors provide great flare to nearly any tank set-up. The Krib Cichlid Appearance Colloquially, … Read more
Amano shrimp, also known as Japanese Algae Shrimp, Japanese Algae-Eater Shrimp, and Japonica Shrimp, are the friends many aquarists and aquascapers love. These crustaceans are native to parts of Asia, and are a favorite of many due to how they love devouring algae. In fact, they are known as the best shrimp available for managing … Read more
Mbuna cichlids are a must-have for any freshwater aquarium. Colorful, interesting, and with unique personalities, this species of fish can enhance any fish tank set-up, so long as they’re properly cared for. Here you’ll find a definitive guide to the care of mbuna cichlids in your home aquarium, so you can dive right into enjoying … Read more
If you’re looking for a fish that requires a bit more attention than your average goldfish and that can beautify your home or office tank, then you’ll have likely looked into the care and keeping of a dwarf gourami. Dwarf gourami care does demand a bit of additional know-how, but the fish make excellent additions … Read more
Butterfly fish are a beautiful, elegant family of tropical fish that make quite the pretty picture. Their vivid colors as well as graceful swimming attracts aquarists and divers alike, and make little kids visiting the aquarium go ‘Ooh!’ while squishing their face against the glass. Given this, it isn’t all that surprising to know that … Read more
The Otocinclus catfish has many alternative names and is also known as the oto catfish, as well as the dwarf sucker and the otto fish. This genus of fish can most frequently be found in freshwater streams and cannot thrive in brackish or saltwater. Oto catfish are also scavengers, though they are primarily herbivores, preferring … Read more
The Blood Parrot Cichlid gets its dramatic and somewhat piratical name from its unusually bright coloring, though it is more commonly referred to simply as a parrot cichlid. These fish are particularly notable for their unique set of physical traits – traits which are genuinely one of a kind, as blood parrot fish are hybrid … Read more
When you’re filling a home aquarium, snails are not the first occupants that come to mind. Snails, though, can prove excellent additions to any aquarium, so long as you take their personalities and those of their tankmates into account. The zebra nerite snail is an especially companionable subspecies of snail. Their coloring makes them distinctive … Read more
When you think of adding snails into your home aquarium, you’re not likely to assume that they will demand more attention than your fish. If you want to introduce an assassin snail to your tank, however, you must do so with great forethought. Assassin snails defy snail expectations; they are an unusually aggressive species. While … Read more
Are you looking to diversify your fish tank? Rainbow sharks, as a breed, may be the ideal fish for you to bring into your home or office. While these fish are more aggressive than average, their unique name and unexpected coloring will make them a joy to view at your leisure. Likewise, these fish are … Read more
Thinking about keeping fish, but don’t know where to start? The platy fish might be just what you’re looking for! Platys are part of the genus Xiphophorus, though unlike most of their cousins in the freshwater kingdom, they lack the sword-like fins on the undersides of their tails. Like both mollies and guppies, the platy … Read more
The Blue Tang fish – or, more popularly known as Dory. The lovable (and forgetful!) blue, black, and yellow fish was made famous in the hit Disney/Pixar movies Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, voiced by the remarkable Ellen DeGeneres. With the release of these films came a love for the Blue Tang from saltwater aquarium … Read more
The Arowana is a prehistoric-looking fish – long, sleek, and beautiful. Also called the Dragon fish, Bony Tongues, or Monkey fish, they are thought to bring good luck and fortune. Featured in many Chinese mythologies and folklores due to their resemblance to the Chinese dragon, they are voracious predators. While considered unique and challenging fish … Read more
When starting your saltwater tank, there are a lot of different fish to choose from. What is a wrasse, though? The Wrasse is of the family Labridae, and has over 500 species of fish! Found throughout the tropical waters of the world, they range in size from a few inches, up to the massive Napoleon … Read more
Keeping aquariums can turn into something of an obsession. There are so many possibilities in keeping aquatic animals, from saltwater to freshwater, open ocean tanks and reef tanks, and the more you understand about keeping your own little ecosystems, the more you may be ready for more challenges. So, what about a shark? There are … Read more
When building aquariums, people love to have unique, colorful, and interesting fish for their tank. Well, what better way to make an impact than a few quirky little seahorses? Most people recognize these fish at first glance, and almost everyone has heard of their unique reproductive systems, but how easy are they to keep and … Read more
Ghost shrimp are fun little invertebrates, and are sold frequently in pet stores, though they are usually used as feeder fish. So, why would you want any in your tank? It’s not as if you’d keep a tank full of fish flakes and nothing else. These feisty little critters are more than just fish food, … Read more
What’s worse in a new fish tank than a layer of green, slimy algae over everything? While there are plenty of ways to manage algae in the tank, from chemicals to elbow grease, you can help control it with a new addition to your tank too. How about a funny little cold water pleco fish? … Read more
Chinese Algae Eaters are very popular little freshwater fish. They are also called Indian algae eaters, sucker loach, sucker fish, sucking catfish, Siamese algae eater, Siamese headbreather, honey sucker, biforated carp, and golden algae eater. Whew! They are often confused with other similar-looking or similar-named fish, but the easiest way to find them is by … Read more
Angelfish are a great starter fish for your aquarium. Available in a variety of colors and with their long, flowing fins, it’s easy to see why they are so popular. Luckily, they are also relatively easy to care for! They come in a large variety of sizes, and because they are easy to breed in … Read more
Grouper fish, otherwise known as part of the Serranidae family, are a large saltwater carnivorous species with a wide variety in size and color. They used to be big sport for those that enjoyed fishing, but their numbers have dwindled to less than 80% of what they used to be. However, these big fish can … Read more
What on earth is a pipefish? They are a cousin of seahorses, and there are over 200 species of pipefish worldwide! Pipefish are a unique fish, slender and long-bodied with rings of bony armour around their bodies, much like seahorses. There are freshwater pipefish, but most live in either marine or brackish waters. A great … Read more
Lionfish are a strikingly beautiful addition to any saltwater tank. Elegant and colourful, they are also equipped with poisonous spines and are voracious predators. Don’t let this dissuade you; with some knowledge and basic care, these amazing fish can become a beloved and healthy part of your saltwater collection. There are a few different kinds … Read more
Snowflake eels are carnivorous saltwater creatures, and while this might seem too dangerous for an aquarium, on the contrary – they’re great additions to your tank! They are also known as snowflake morays, clouded morays, and starry morays. Scientifically, they are known as Echidna nebulosa and are part of the Muraenidae family. People keep morays … Read more
Damselfish are a beautiful species that can add life and colour to your aquarium. However, while they’re relatively simple to care for, it’s important to know the breeds to select from and what unique advantages or challenges they’ll each present. Interested in owning one for yourself? Here we break down all you need to know … Read more
The Flowerhorn Cichlid is a gorgeous fish breed that many people love to look at. The easily-recognizable hump on their forehead, paired with their bright colours and interesting patterns, make them an attractive decision for an aquarium fish. However, Flowerhorns are not the easiest pet to care for, and it’s important to know what you’re … Read more
Many people are interested in having axolotls for pets. They’re cute, for starters, and are fun pets to watch swim in your aquarium. However, it’s important to know how to care for this species before you make the big choice to buy them for your aquarium. Here we break down all the nitty-gritty as well … Read more
The Royal Gramma Basslet is a popular fish for any reef tank due to their docile temperament, small size, and ease of care. Their bright colouring and label as a cleaning fish make them a great choice for any aquarist looking to add some serious vibrancy to their tank. You may recognize this vivid little … Read more
Since Disney’s release of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, the clownfish species’ popularity has skyrocketed. But did you know they are actually a fun and easy fish to care for? Amphiprion ocellaris is their scientific name, but they go by a variety of names – mostly known as the Common Clownfish or the False Percula … Read more
Whether you’re a beginner to fish keeping or you’re looking for some colorful new additions to your tank, kuhli loaches (also Anglicized as ‘coolie’ loaches) are a good species to begin with. Though they look like eels, they are classified instead alongside carps and minnows. Kuhli Loach Appearance Kuhli loaches are most often caught in … Read more
If you have (or are looking at getting) an aquarium, you’ve probably considered investing in a guppy. Guppies are one of the most popular aquarium fish, as they’re small and look very pretty, but anytime you’re seeking out a pet, you should learn how to take care of it first. Here’s all you need to … Read more
If you are looking to populate an aquarium or liven up your living space, it’s more than likely that you have considered getting a Molly fish. As a species, they’re very prone to hybridization, so you may have glanced at them in a pet store without even realizing it. There are three different species of … Read more
If you’re a long-time aquarium owner, then you may be considering the Discus as a species perfect for your collection. Though it’s not an easy breed to care for, it can be a very rewarding one! But what special needs should you look out for? What are some advantages they offer over other fish? Here … Read more
If you already have an aquarium, it’s likely that you’ve considered getting a Corydoras Catfish, often just referred to as Corys. They’re bottom feeders, very peaceful, and accepting of many tank conditions, which mean they’re perfect for beginners – especially ones fresh to mixing species in their aquarium! As with any type of fish, it’s … Read more
With their gorgeous, vibrant colors and stunning stripes, it’s no wonder why the Mandarin Fish (also known as the Mandarin Goby, Psychedelic Goby, or the Mandarin Dragonet) is considered one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean. Their exotic array of green, yellow, blue, red, and orange coloring makes them popular among aquarium and … Read more
While not the most popular fish at the pet store, the Oscar fish is a favorite among fish keepers for their variety of beautiful colors and their bountiful personalities. However, like other cichlids, Oscars tend to run on the aggressive side and should not be considered as an addition to a crowded or small aquarium. … Read more
If you are a dedicated fish owner and are looking to expand your freshwater home aquarium, you may want to consider a freshwater puffer fish. True freshwater puffers are a brilliant specialist fish and are very worthwhile to keep as pets, provided that they are looked after properly. Unfortunately, puffer fish are relatively misunderstood. Many … Read more
Whether you’re planning to bring home a new Betta fish or you already have one, it’s important to be educated on the specific needs of these beautiful creatures. Unlike many beginner freshwater aquarium fish, Bettas require a great deal of specialized treatment and care to keep them healthy and happy. Although there is plenty involved … Read more
If you’re looking for a fish that’s low maintenance, isn’t costly to invest in, but still offers style and beauty to your aquarium, then we have just the creature. Tetra fish are widely known for their beautiful colors, small size, and the mesmerizing way they swim together in schools. Perfect for both beginner and advanced … Read more
