How to Fertilize Your Planted Tank the EASY WayWe're big proponents of getting live aquatic plants because of their natural beauty and ability to purify water, but a common question we get is, “Do I need to fertilize my aquarium plants?” From our experience, most people have to fertilize because fish waste does not provide the proper amounts of nitrate, potassium, phosphate, and other trace minerals that plants require to flourish. Another big factor is your local tap water. If you live on well water, your water may contain lots of he...
Care Guide for Dwarf Gouramis — Feisty Relative of Betta FishLooking for an eye-catching fish that isn’t a betta fish? The dwarf gourami is a very popular alternative because of its vibrant colors, bold personality, and hardiness. Despite the beginner-friendly reputation, it isn’t always the most peaceful community fish, so before you get one, let’s talk about its care requirements when it comes to housing, potential tank mates, food, and breeding. What are Dwarf Gouramis? Trichogaster lalius is a gourami with the classic oblong silhouette and two whis...
Care Guide for Chili Rasboras — Spicy Red Nano Fish for Planted TanksIf you are thinking of setting up a nano tank with live aquarium plants, then you have to try chili rasboras or mosquito rasboras. Unlike most red aquarium fish that tend to have a warmer, red-orange hue, these tiny rasboras display a deep, cool-toned red with distinct black markings. However, they often get passed over because the juveniles sold at pet stores are miniscule and look washed-out. Find out what it takes to raise these stunning nano fish so they reach their full adult coloration ...
Care Guide for Ember Tetras — Orange Jewels of the Nano AquariumA staple of the freshwater nano aquarium world is the ember tetra. Just imagine a school of tiny, flame-colored fish darting back and forth amongst a lush forest of green aquarium plants. Plus, its peaceful nature and hardiness makes it an attractive choice for both beginners and veterans in the fishkeeping hobby. If you’ve never tried keeping ember tetras before, then keep reading to find out why they’re such a top-selling species at our fish store. What are Ember Tetras? Hyphessobrycon aman...
Top 5 Oddball Fish for a 20-Gallon AquariumLooking for a fish that is bizarre in appearance, has unique behaviors, or is rarer in availability? In the aquarium hobby, we have a whole category dedicated to these “oddball fish.” Some species are quite hardy and easy to keep, while others have specialized care requirements to accommodate their unusual physiology. Learn about 5 of the coolest oddballs that you can keep in a 20-gallon aquarium. 1. Marbled Hachetfish Carnegiella strigata This 1.25-inch (3 cm) species is one of the smallest...
How to Treat Camallanus Red Worms in Aquarium FishFish diseases can be notoriously hard to diagnose, but one of the more easily recognizable illnesses is an internal parasite called the camallanus red worm. There are multiple species of nematodes or roundworms that are part of the Camallanus genus that can infect aquarium fish. They feed by attaching to the intestinal walls and can often co-exist with their host for a long time. However, added stress factors like bad water quality or tank aggression may weaken the immune system, allowing the...
Top 10 Amazing Rainbowfish for Your Next Freshwater AquariumRainbowfish and blue-eyes are a unique group of colorful, community fish that can be found primarily in the freshwater habitats of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Australia. These energetic schooling fish usually hang out in the top half of the fish tank, so make sure to keep a tight aquarium lid to prevent them from jumping out. While males are more vibrant than females, we recommend keeping more females than males to ensure that the boys show off their brightest colors. Having both sexes a...
Top 10 Aquarium Plants for Breeding Fish and Raising FryIf you plan on breeding fish and want to increase the survival rate and growth of the babies, we love using live aquarium plants. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but the foliage serves as spawning sites for the parents to lay their eggs. Once the newborns hatch, they need constant feedings to keep their small stomachs full, and the plants help cultivate the growth of microfauna that the fry can graze on. They also purify the water by absorbing the toxic waste chemicals produced by the...
Care Guide for Bucephalandra — A Colorful Alternative to AnubiasWhen it comes to beginner-friendly aquarium plants, most people think of anubias or java fern. But if you’re looking for something a little more unique, try bucephalandra. This lovely plant has unusual, iridescent leaves, does well in low lighting, and is perfect for nano aquariums. However, they tend to cost more than anubias and are very slow growing compared to other aquatic plants. Keep reading to learn all about the beautiful bucephalandra. What is Bucephalandra? Bucephalandra (or “buce”...
5 Best Fish Tank Ideas for a 55-Gallon Aquarium55-gallon fish tanks are one of our favorite sizes because the 48" length x 13" width x 21" height (122 x 33 x 53 cm) dimensions give you a lot of options to play with. Everyone has different preferences for the types of aquariums they like to keep, so to help inspire you, we have put together our top 5 freshwater setups that you should try. 1. The Planted Livebearer Tank Fancy mollies Livebearers are fish that bear live young instead of eggs, and they are often prominently featu...
Top 5 Colorful Killifish That Every Fish Keeper Should TryKillifish are one of the most colorful fish in the freshwater aquarium hobby, but with such an amazing array of hues and patterns, why aren’t they as popular as livebearers or African cichlids? Many veteran fishkeepers will tell you that they are top-dwelling fish that love to jump out of the water, so you must have a close-fitting lid and cover even the smallest hole to prevent their escape. Also, annual killifish can be harder to keep because they only live for a few months after you hatch ...
Care Guide for Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish — Housing, Food, and BreedingThe neon dwarf rainbowfish is a beautiful, almond-shaped fish with an iridescent blue sheen that flashes under the light. This hardy species is quite active and has a mild disposition that pairs well with many peaceful and semi-aggressive tank mates. Learn how to care for this beginner-friendly rainbowfish. What are Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish? Melanotaenia praecox is a 3-inch (8 cm) rainbowfish found in streams and tributaries of the New Guinea rainforest. The males have a shiny blue body with re...
Care Guide for Dwarf Chain Loaches – Snail-Eating Nano FishMany loaches have the reputation for being fun-loving but boisterous schooling fish that may stress out their shyer tank mates. Dwarf chain loaches are more chill and come in a nano-sized package, making them suitable for peaceful community tanks. If you have a smaller planted aquarium with a pest snail problem, you have to try out the loveable pygmy loach. What are Dwarf Chain Loaches? Ambastaia sidthimunki come from rivers and floodplain forests in Thailand, and because they are endangered ...
How to Make a DIY Fry Trap for Breeding Aquarium FishIn our previous article How to Raise Baby Fish Fry in Your Aquarium, we mentioned several techniques that help prevent the adult fish from predating on their offspring. Many fish farms and breeders have significantly increased their fry survival rate by making DIY fry traps — simple enclosures with holes that are small enough for the young to swim through but not big enough to let the parents pass. You can put all the adults or a pregnant livebearer inside the trap so that the eggs and fry es...
Top 10 Live Foods to Feed Your Aquarium FishIf you are looking for the very best fish food to feed your aquarium animals, most veteran fishkeepers will agree there is nothing that tops live foods. This premium food is the closest thing to what fish eat in nature and has numerous benefits. The movement of the food entices the fish to eat, which is especially useful if they are underweight or growing and need to consume more nutrients than usual. Plus, hunting provides both physical and mental enrichment for your aquarium animals and all...
10 Easy Plants for African Cichlid AquariumsWhen you think of the stereotypical aquarium for African cichlids, it usually has a somewhat barren appearance consisting of sand, rockwork, and maybe fake decorations. The reason for the lack of live plants is because (1) many omnivorous and herbivorous cichlids like mbunas love to eat vegetation and (2) a lot of them enjoy digging to create spawning sites, which inadvertently uproots plants. At Aquarium Co-Op, we’re all about aquarium plants because of their natural beauty and ability to ab...
How to Fertilize Your Planted Tank the EASY Way
We're big proponents of getting live aquatic plants because of their natural beauty and ability to purify water, but a common question we get is, “Do I need to fertilize my aquarium plants?” From our experience, most people have to fertilize because fish waste does not provide the proper amounts of nitrate, potassium, phosphate, and other trace minerals that plants require to flourish. Another big factor is your local tap water. If you live on well water, your water may contain lots of he...
Care Guide for Dwarf Gouramis — Feisty Relative of Betta Fish
Looking for an eye-catching fish that isn’t a betta fish? The dwarf gourami is a very popular alternative because of its vibrant colors, bold personality, and hardiness. Despite the beginner-friendly reputation, it isn’t always the most peaceful community fish, so before you get one, let’s talk about its care requirements when it comes to housing, potential tank mates, food, and breeding. What are Dwarf Gouramis? Trichogaster lalius is a gourami with the classic oblong silhouette and two whis...
Care Guide for Chili Rasboras — Spicy Red Nano Fish for Planted Tanks
If you are thinking of setting up a nano tank with live aquarium plants, then you have to try chili rasboras or mosquito rasboras. Unlike most red aquarium fish that tend to have a warmer, red-orange hue, these tiny rasboras display a deep, cool-toned red with distinct black markings. However, they often get passed over because the juveniles sold at pet stores are miniscule and look washed-out. Find out what it takes to raise these stunning nano fish so they reach their full adult coloration ...
Care Guide for Ember Tetras — Orange Jewels of the Nano Aquarium
A staple of the freshwater nano aquarium world is the ember tetra. Just imagine a school of tiny, flame-colored fish darting back and forth amongst a lush forest of green aquarium plants. Plus, its peaceful nature and hardiness makes it an attractive choice for both beginners and veterans in the fishkeeping hobby. If you’ve never tried keeping ember tetras before, then keep reading to find out why they’re such a top-selling species at our fish store. What are Ember Tetras? Hyphessobrycon aman...
Top 5 Oddball Fish for a 20-Gallon Aquarium
Looking for a fish that is bizarre in appearance, has unique behaviors, or is rarer in availability? In the aquarium hobby, we have a whole category dedicated to these “oddball fish.” Some species are quite hardy and easy to keep, while others have specialized care requirements to accommodate their unusual physiology. Learn about 5 of the coolest oddballs that you can keep in a 20-gallon aquarium. 1. Marbled Hachetfish Carnegiella strigata This 1.25-inch (3 cm) species is one of the smallest...
How to Treat Camallanus Red Worms in Aquarium Fish
Fish diseases can be notoriously hard to diagnose, but one of the more easily recognizable illnesses is an internal parasite called the camallanus red worm. There are multiple species of nematodes or roundworms that are part of the Camallanus genus that can infect aquarium fish. They feed by attaching to the intestinal walls and can often co-exist with their host for a long time. However, added stress factors like bad water quality or tank aggression may weaken the immune system, allowing the...
Top 10 Amazing Rainbowfish for Your Next Freshwater Aquarium
Rainbowfish and blue-eyes are a unique group of colorful, community fish that can be found primarily in the freshwater habitats of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Australia. These energetic schooling fish usually hang out in the top half of the fish tank, so make sure to keep a tight aquarium lid to prevent them from jumping out. While males are more vibrant than females, we recommend keeping more females than males to ensure that the boys show off their brightest colors. Having both sexes a...
Top 10 Aquarium Plants for Breeding Fish and Raising Fry
If you plan on breeding fish and want to increase the survival rate and growth of the babies, we love using live aquarium plants. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but the foliage serves as spawning sites for the parents to lay their eggs. Once the newborns hatch, they need constant feedings to keep their small stomachs full, and the plants help cultivate the growth of microfauna that the fry can graze on. They also purify the water by absorbing the toxic waste chemicals produced by the...
Care Guide for Bucephalandra — A Colorful Alternative to Anubias
When it comes to beginner-friendly aquarium plants, most people think of anubias or java fern. But if you’re looking for something a little more unique, try bucephalandra. This lovely plant has unusual, iridescent leaves, does well in low lighting, and is perfect for nano aquariums. However, they tend to cost more than anubias and are very slow growing compared to other aquatic plants. Keep reading to learn all about the beautiful bucephalandra. What is Bucephalandra? Bucephalandra (or “buce”...
5 Best Fish Tank Ideas for a 55-Gallon Aquarium
55-gallon fish tanks are one of our favorite sizes because the 48" length x 13" width x 21" height (122 x 33 x 53 cm) dimensions give you a lot of options to play with. Everyone has different preferences for the types of aquariums they like to keep, so to help inspire you, we have put together our top 5 freshwater setups that you should try. 1. The Planted Livebearer Tank Fancy mollies Livebearers are fish that bear live young instead of eggs, and they are often prominently featu...
Top 5 Colorful Killifish That Every Fish Keeper Should Try
Killifish are one of the most colorful fish in the freshwater aquarium hobby, but with such an amazing array of hues and patterns, why aren’t they as popular as livebearers or African cichlids? Many veteran fishkeepers will tell you that they are top-dwelling fish that love to jump out of the water, so you must have a close-fitting lid and cover even the smallest hole to prevent their escape. Also, annual killifish can be harder to keep because they only live for a few months after you hatch ...
Care Guide for Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish — Housing, Food, and Breeding
The neon dwarf rainbowfish is a beautiful, almond-shaped fish with an iridescent blue sheen that flashes under the light. This hardy species is quite active and has a mild disposition that pairs well with many peaceful and semi-aggressive tank mates. Learn how to care for this beginner-friendly rainbowfish. What are Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish? Melanotaenia praecox is a 3-inch (8 cm) rainbowfish found in streams and tributaries of the New Guinea rainforest. The males have a shiny blue body with re...
Care Guide for Dwarf Chain Loaches – Snail-Eating Nano Fish
Many loaches have the reputation for being fun-loving but boisterous schooling fish that may stress out their shyer tank mates. Dwarf chain loaches are more chill and come in a nano-sized package, making them suitable for peaceful community tanks. If you have a smaller planted aquarium with a pest snail problem, you have to try out the loveable pygmy loach. What are Dwarf Chain Loaches? Ambastaia sidthimunki come from rivers and floodplain forests in Thailand, and because they are endangered ...
How to Make a DIY Fry Trap for Breeding Aquarium Fish
In our previous article How to Raise Baby Fish Fry in Your Aquarium, we mentioned several techniques that help prevent the adult fish from predating on their offspring. Many fish farms and breeders have significantly increased their fry survival rate by making DIY fry traps — simple enclosures with holes that are small enough for the young to swim through but not big enough to let the parents pass. You can put all the adults or a pregnant livebearer inside the trap so that the eggs and fry es...
Top 10 Live Foods to Feed Your Aquarium Fish
If you are looking for the very best fish food to feed your aquarium animals, most veteran fishkeepers will agree there is nothing that tops live foods. This premium food is the closest thing to what fish eat in nature and has numerous benefits. The movement of the food entices the fish to eat, which is especially useful if they are underweight or growing and need to consume more nutrients than usual. Plus, hunting provides both physical and mental enrichment for your aquarium animals and all...
10 Easy Plants for African Cichlid Aquariums
When you think of the stereotypical aquarium for African cichlids, it usually has a somewhat barren appearance consisting of sand, rockwork, and maybe fake decorations. The reason for the lack of live plants is because (1) many omnivorous and herbivorous cichlids like mbunas love to eat vegetation and (2) a lot of them enjoy digging to create spawning sites, which inadvertently uproots plants. At Aquarium Co-Op, we’re all about aquarium plants because of their natural beauty and ability to ab...
