Care Guide for Zebra and Leopard Danios – Energetic Little SpeedstersBesides betta fish and guppies, one of the most popular beginner fish in the freshwater aquarium hobby is the zebra danio. They’re known for their eye-popping stripes, cheap cost, and adaptability to a wide range of water parameters. Plus, they are commonly used in science experiments (e.g., genetics, environmental studies, and medical research) because of their relative ease of breeding. Find out why this speedy schooling fish is so fun to keep and how to care for them in your home aquarium....
Top 10 Rasboras for Your Next Community AquariumLooking for the perfect schooling fish? Most people tend to think of tetras and danios, but don’t forget about the breathtaking world of rasboras. They look similar with their torpedo-shaped bodies and peaceful personalities, but most species are found in Southeast Asia and come in a wide array of unique colors and patterns. The common name “rasbora” actually refers to several genera of fish, including Rasbora, Boraras, Trigonostigma, Microdevario, and many more. Let’s talk about 10 different...
Top 5 Aquarium Fish That Love Soft WaterMost beginners in the fishkeeping hobby are not aware that not all fish can live in their tap water. Some species are quite sensitive and will only thrive if the pH and GH (or general hardness) of the aquarium match their native habitats. Try measuring the pH and GH levels in your tap water using a multi-test strip. If you have a GH number that is 4 degrees (75 ppm) or lower, then your water contains fewer minerals (e.g., calcium and magnesium) than normal. Rather than fight your naturally so...
Top 5 Oddball Fish for a 40-Gallon AquariumIf you’re looking for something rare or unusual, oddball species are a great way to spice up your fish tank. Specifically, the 40-gallon breeder aquarium is very versatile and really opens up the world to medium-sized animals. Learn about 5 fantastical aquatic pets that are sure to make you stop and stare. 1. Humphead Glassfish Parambassis pulcinella The humphead glassfish is a bizarre sight to behold. Imagine a 3- to 4-inch (8–10 cm) schooling fish with big, googly eyes and a translucent nu...
5 Easy Tips to Save Time in the Fishkeeping HobbyWe all love the thought of relaxing in front of our aquariums, staring at our beautiful fish peacefully swimming back and forth amidst an underwater forest of aquatic plants. However, keeping a fish tank looking clean and pristine takes a lot of time, which can end up decreasing our enjoyment of the hobby. Learn about our top 5 time-saving hacks to simplify your aquarium care and maintenance. 1. Use an Automatic Timer Electrical outlet timers are often used for things like Christmas lights, i...
Care Guide for Cardinal Tetras — Gorgeous Cousin of the Neon TetraMost people have heard of the neon tetra — an extremely popular, little fish that displays a pair of blue and red horizontal stripes. However, many veteran fishkeepers often prefer its more colorful, higher-priced cousin, the cardinal tetra. Imagine watching an entire school of these colorful jewels swimming back and forth in the midst of a forest of lush, green plants. Find out what it takes to keep this gorgeous species and why they’re totally worth saving up for. Female cardinal tetra Wha...
How to Share 1 Air Pump with Multiple AquariumsAs you may know, we are big proponents of using sponge filters in all of our aquariums, but what happens if you have multiple tanks running sponge filters? Is there any way to save money (and improve cable management) by only using one air pump to run all the filtration? It depends on how many tanks need air and how strong your air pump is, so here are some different configurations to try: 2 tanks next to each other can share a dual-outlet air pump. If you only have a single-outlet air pump,...
Care Guide for American Flagfish — Algae Eater for Unheated AquariumsThe American flagfish (or Florida flagfish) is one of the few native fish from the United States that is available in the aquarium trade. Because of their beautiful colors and algae-eating appetite, many fishkeepers keep them as clean-up crew members for their unheated aquariums and outdoor ponds. In fact, we personally use them in our plant-holding tanks at the Aquarium Co-Op fish store and warehouse to keep the leaves free of algae. Learn how to care for, feed, and breed this lively species...
Care Guide for Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE) — Housing, Food, and MoreIf you visit our retail store or warehouse, you’ll notice that many of our plant tanks employ the services of the Siamese algae eater (SAE). This hungry animal is always looking for food, which makes it one of the best algae eaters and cleaner fish in the fishkeeping hobby. However, its 6-inch (15 cm) adult size means the SAE more suitable for medium to large aquariums. Learn what it takes to care for this very energetic and effective algae eater. What are Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE)? Crossoch...
5 Amazing Wild Betta Species that You Should Try BreedingEveryone has heard of Betta splendens, the colorful, flowy-finned betta fish you see in pet stores. But did you know there are several other species in the Betta genus that can be kept in home aquariums? As with B. splendens, most of them come from the vegetation-filled swamps and marshes of tropical countries in Southeast Asia. Because of the low oxygen levels in stagnant waters, these anabantoids have a special labyrinth organ that allows them to swim up to the water surface to gulp air. Th...
Top 10 Livebearer Fish to Try Breeding in Your Next AquariumBreeding fish is one of our favorite parts of the aquarium hobby because of the immense satisfaction you get from caring for your pets and seeing them produce the next generation of offspring. Most fish lay eggs, which have a much higher likelihood of getting eaten since the eggs have no natural defenses. In contrast, livebearers (or species that give birth to live young) have a reputation for being easier to breed because the newborns are capable of swimming away and hiding from would-be pre...
Top 7 Warm Water Fish That Aren’t Afraid of a Little HeatDuring the hot summer months, it can be hard to keep your aquarium water cool enough for certain fish. Fortunately, there are some species that can survive in higher-than-normal temperatures. Just remember that warmer water cannot hold as much dissolved oxygen as cooler water, so reduce your risk of oxygen deprivation by adding an air stone, sponge filter, or other form of surface agitation. Also, look for aquatic plants that can tolerate higher temperatures, such as anubias, java fern, bacop...
Care Guide for Apistogramma Dwarf Cichlids — Housing, Breeding, & MoreHow would you like to have a small, gorgeous, and inquisitive fish to add to your community tank as a showstopper? Then you need to try the Apistogramma dwarf cichlids, commonly known as “apistos.” What are Apistogramma Cichlids? This genus originates from habitats all over South America and encompasses almost 100 species. The brightly colorful males tend to reach 3–3.5 inches (8–9 cm) and often come with impressive, extended dorsal fins, while females are a bit drabber and stay around 2–2.5 ...
5 Easy Methods for Cooling Aquarium Water During a Heat WaveDuring the hot weather seasons when heat waves hit, you may struggle to keep your aquarium water cold enough for goldfish, goodeid livebearers, axolotls, and other cool water species. While it is relatively affordable to warm up the water with a heater, it can be much more expensive to buy equipment that reliably cools down the temperature. One simple tool to start with would be some kind of digital thermometer with an alarm that beeps if the water gets too hot (or cold). Then you know when i...
7 Reasons Why Your Aquarium Water Has Bubbles or FoamingHave you ever seen bubbles or foam in your aquarium water and wondered if it’s safe for your fish? Bubbles can happen for many reasons — some of them good and some of them bad — so let’s talk about what to watch out for and how to fix the problem if needed. 1. Normal Bubbles from an Air Pump Of course, the most obvious reason for bubbles is that you are using an air pump that sucks in air from outside of the aquarium, pushes it through airline tubing, and pumps it into the water. Typically, t...
How to Clean Aquarium Filters — Sponge, Hang-on-Back, Canister Filters and MoreDo you wish you had crystal clear water in your aquarium? One of the keys to having an amazing-looking fish tank is to make sure you regularly maintenance the filter. Aquarium filters collect debris much like a vacuum, and eventually they must be emptied out or else they no longer work as efficiently. The frequency of filter cleanings depends on how quickly it gets clogged up, the size of the filter, the bioload or stocking level of the aquarium, how much food goes into the tank, and so forth...
Care Guide for Zebra and Leopard Danios – Energetic Little Speedsters
Besides betta fish and guppies, one of the most popular beginner fish in the freshwater aquarium hobby is the zebra danio. They’re known for their eye-popping stripes, cheap cost, and adaptability to a wide range of water parameters. Plus, they are commonly used in science experiments (e.g., genetics, environmental studies, and medical research) because of their relative ease of breeding. Find out why this speedy schooling fish is so fun to keep and how to care for them in your home aquarium....
Top 10 Rasboras for Your Next Community Aquarium
Looking for the perfect schooling fish? Most people tend to think of tetras and danios, but don’t forget about the breathtaking world of rasboras. They look similar with their torpedo-shaped bodies and peaceful personalities, but most species are found in Southeast Asia and come in a wide array of unique colors and patterns. The common name “rasbora” actually refers to several genera of fish, including Rasbora, Boraras, Trigonostigma, Microdevario, and many more. Let’s talk about 10 different...
Top 5 Aquarium Fish That Love Soft Water
Most beginners in the fishkeeping hobby are not aware that not all fish can live in their tap water. Some species are quite sensitive and will only thrive if the pH and GH (or general hardness) of the aquarium match their native habitats. Try measuring the pH and GH levels in your tap water using a multi-test strip. If you have a GH number that is 4 degrees (75 ppm) or lower, then your water contains fewer minerals (e.g., calcium and magnesium) than normal. Rather than fight your naturally so...
Top 5 Oddball Fish for a 40-Gallon Aquarium
If you’re looking for something rare or unusual, oddball species are a great way to spice up your fish tank. Specifically, the 40-gallon breeder aquarium is very versatile and really opens up the world to medium-sized animals. Learn about 5 fantastical aquatic pets that are sure to make you stop and stare. 1. Humphead Glassfish Parambassis pulcinella The humphead glassfish is a bizarre sight to behold. Imagine a 3- to 4-inch (8–10 cm) schooling fish with big, googly eyes and a translucent nu...
5 Easy Tips to Save Time in the Fishkeeping Hobby
We all love the thought of relaxing in front of our aquariums, staring at our beautiful fish peacefully swimming back and forth amidst an underwater forest of aquatic plants. However, keeping a fish tank looking clean and pristine takes a lot of time, which can end up decreasing our enjoyment of the hobby. Learn about our top 5 time-saving hacks to simplify your aquarium care and maintenance. 1. Use an Automatic Timer Electrical outlet timers are often used for things like Christmas lights, i...
Care Guide for Cardinal Tetras — Gorgeous Cousin of the Neon Tetra
Most people have heard of the neon tetra — an extremely popular, little fish that displays a pair of blue and red horizontal stripes. However, many veteran fishkeepers often prefer its more colorful, higher-priced cousin, the cardinal tetra. Imagine watching an entire school of these colorful jewels swimming back and forth in the midst of a forest of lush, green plants. Find out what it takes to keep this gorgeous species and why they’re totally worth saving up for. Female cardinal tetra Wha...
How to Share 1 Air Pump with Multiple Aquariums
As you may know, we are big proponents of using sponge filters in all of our aquariums, but what happens if you have multiple tanks running sponge filters? Is there any way to save money (and improve cable management) by only using one air pump to run all the filtration? It depends on how many tanks need air and how strong your air pump is, so here are some different configurations to try: 2 tanks next to each other can share a dual-outlet air pump. If you only have a single-outlet air pump,...
Care Guide for American Flagfish — Algae Eater for Unheated Aquariums
The American flagfish (or Florida flagfish) is one of the few native fish from the United States that is available in the aquarium trade. Because of their beautiful colors and algae-eating appetite, many fishkeepers keep them as clean-up crew members for their unheated aquariums and outdoor ponds. In fact, we personally use them in our plant-holding tanks at the Aquarium Co-Op fish store and warehouse to keep the leaves free of algae. Learn how to care for, feed, and breed this lively species...
Care Guide for Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE) — Housing, Food, and More
If you visit our retail store or warehouse, you’ll notice that many of our plant tanks employ the services of the Siamese algae eater (SAE). This hungry animal is always looking for food, which makes it one of the best algae eaters and cleaner fish in the fishkeeping hobby. However, its 6-inch (15 cm) adult size means the SAE more suitable for medium to large aquariums. Learn what it takes to care for this very energetic and effective algae eater. What are Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE)? Crossoch...
5 Amazing Wild Betta Species that You Should Try Breeding
Everyone has heard of Betta splendens, the colorful, flowy-finned betta fish you see in pet stores. But did you know there are several other species in the Betta genus that can be kept in home aquariums? As with B. splendens, most of them come from the vegetation-filled swamps and marshes of tropical countries in Southeast Asia. Because of the low oxygen levels in stagnant waters, these anabantoids have a special labyrinth organ that allows them to swim up to the water surface to gulp air. Th...
Top 10 Livebearer Fish to Try Breeding in Your Next Aquarium
Breeding fish is one of our favorite parts of the aquarium hobby because of the immense satisfaction you get from caring for your pets and seeing them produce the next generation of offspring. Most fish lay eggs, which have a much higher likelihood of getting eaten since the eggs have no natural defenses. In contrast, livebearers (or species that give birth to live young) have a reputation for being easier to breed because the newborns are capable of swimming away and hiding from would-be pre...
Top 7 Warm Water Fish That Aren’t Afraid of a Little Heat
During the hot summer months, it can be hard to keep your aquarium water cool enough for certain fish. Fortunately, there are some species that can survive in higher-than-normal temperatures. Just remember that warmer water cannot hold as much dissolved oxygen as cooler water, so reduce your risk of oxygen deprivation by adding an air stone, sponge filter, or other form of surface agitation. Also, look for aquatic plants that can tolerate higher temperatures, such as anubias, java fern, bacop...
Care Guide for Apistogramma Dwarf Cichlids — Housing, Breeding, & More
How would you like to have a small, gorgeous, and inquisitive fish to add to your community tank as a showstopper? Then you need to try the Apistogramma dwarf cichlids, commonly known as “apistos.” What are Apistogramma Cichlids? This genus originates from habitats all over South America and encompasses almost 100 species. The brightly colorful males tend to reach 3–3.5 inches (8–9 cm) and often come with impressive, extended dorsal fins, while females are a bit drabber and stay around 2–2.5 ...
5 Easy Methods for Cooling Aquarium Water During a Heat Wave
During the hot weather seasons when heat waves hit, you may struggle to keep your aquarium water cold enough for goldfish, goodeid livebearers, axolotls, and other cool water species. While it is relatively affordable to warm up the water with a heater, it can be much more expensive to buy equipment that reliably cools down the temperature. One simple tool to start with would be some kind of digital thermometer with an alarm that beeps if the water gets too hot (or cold). Then you know when i...
7 Reasons Why Your Aquarium Water Has Bubbles or Foaming
Have you ever seen bubbles or foam in your aquarium water and wondered if it’s safe for your fish? Bubbles can happen for many reasons — some of them good and some of them bad — so let’s talk about what to watch out for and how to fix the problem if needed. 1. Normal Bubbles from an Air Pump Of course, the most obvious reason for bubbles is that you are using an air pump that sucks in air from outside of the aquarium, pushes it through airline tubing, and pumps it into the water. Typically, t...
How to Clean Aquarium Filters — Sponge, Hang-on-Back, Canister Filters and More
Do you wish you had crystal clear water in your aquarium? One of the keys to having an amazing-looking fish tank is to make sure you regularly maintenance the filter. Aquarium filters collect debris much like a vacuum, and eventually they must be emptied out or else they no longer work as efficiently. The frequency of filter cleanings depends on how quickly it gets clogged up, the size of the filter, the bioload or stocking level of the aquarium, how much food goes into the tank, and so forth...
