How do I get rid of blue-green algae or cyanobacteria?Blue green algae (BGA) is a turquoise slime that can cover your aquarium gravel, decorations, and plants. It's actually a cyanobacteria and therefore does not always respond to traditional algae-fighting techniques. It is very susceptible to antibiotics that contain erythromycin, like Fritz Slime Out. To begin treatment, scrub off as much of the blue-green algae as possible and remove it with a siphon. After vacuuming the substrate and refilling the tank, add one full dose of Slime Out (w...
How big of a power head do I need?Some websites say that water should circulate around a tank at least four times an hour, so if you have a 100-gallon tank, then you need a filter and/or powerhead that can move 400 gallons per hour (GPH). In our experience, the ideal flow rate depends on the plants and animals in your aquarium because some species can’t handle strong current and may become sick from all the stress. If you see that your fish and foliage are being whipped around the tank, choose a less powerful filter or power ...
How to Improve Water Circulation on Aquarium Sponge FiltersSponge filters are one of the most popular types of aquarium filtration, frequently used by fishkeeping veterans, wholesalers, and fish farms who breed millions of ornamental fish. Not only are they simple to use and easy to clean, but they are extremely reliable since they have very few mechanical parts. Plus, sponge filters are gentle enough that they won’t suck up any baby fry, dwarf shrimp, or betta fish with long, flowy fins. However, sometimes the flow can be a little too gentle and not...
Care Guide for Medaka Rice Fish — Best Cool Water Fish for BeginnersHave you ever kept Medaka rice fish? Because of their ability to reproduce very quickly at a young age and tolerance for a wide temperature range, they are commonly used in research areas such as biology, genetics, and toxicology. In 1994, they even became the first vertebrate to successfully mate and lay eggs that hatched while in space. Medaka rice fish have been raised as pet fish in Japan for hundreds of years but recently gained more popularity in the worldwide aquarium trade. Learn how ...
Care Guide for Clown Killifish – Colorful, Top-Dwelling Nano FishLooking for a colorful, little fish that stays in the upper third of your nano aquarium? Say hello to Epiplatys annulatus, also known as the clown killi, rocket killifish, and banded panchax. These common names come from the alternating vertical bands of dark brown and tannish-yellow on its body and the vibrant, flame-like tail that males possess. While adult killies can reach up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm), most of the fish sold at stores are juveniles around 0.5 inch long and won’t display their...
5 Easy Plants for Goldfish AquariumsGoldfish are notorious for munching on or digging up aquatic plants, which is a shame because live plants are both beautiful and beneficial, capable of consuming the toxic chemicals produced by fish waste. Thankfully, we’ve found several plant species that are not only easy to care for but also hardy enough to stand up to your goldfish’s curious nibbling. 1. Crinum calamistratum This slow-growing bulb plant is known for its long, crinkly leaves that can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long. Like g...
How to Breed Aquarium Fish for ProfitFish keeping can be an expensive hobby, so many aquarists wonder if it’s possible to make money by breeding aquarium fish. Based on our experiences from running a fish store, speaking with many fish breeders, and personally breeding fish to sell, we’ve collected the most important things you need to know about the best fish to breed, what supplies to buy, and how to sell them. Can You Make Money Breeding Fish? The reality is that selling fish from home as a full-time job is not a very profita...
How to Join the Aquarium Co-Op Wholesale ProgramAt Aquarium Co-Op, we started with a small fish store in Edmonds, Washington, grew an online sales business through our social media platforms, and now offer wholesale aquarium products to local fish stores all around the United States. This wholesale sector of our business is called the Aquarium Co-Op Retail Partner Program (RPP). What kind of products does Aquarium Co-Op sell wholesale? We offer Aquarium Co-Op-branded fishkeeping and planted tank products that were personally developed and ...
Is a Nano Aquarium right for me?In recent years, the nano aquarium section of the aquarium hobby has been exploding in popularity. With many small fish becoming more available in the hobby, increased popularity of shrimp and other inverts, and even a few striking new discoveries in the last several years, the appeal has never been higher. For many people, the convenience of a small home aquarium is very inviting; however, there are some potential difficulties to consider. The definition of a “nano aquarium” differs from per...
How long will it take for my parcel to arrive?Depending on which state you are located, your parcel will arrive between 1 to 3 days when there are no delays from holidays and weather-related issues. Please visit our shipping page where you will be able to see how long it will take for your state.
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...
Care Guide for Platy Fish – Feeding, Breeding, and Tank MatesLooking for a colorful, hardy fish that’s easy to breed and looks great with live plants? Platies have always been one of our favorite livebearers to recommend to both beginners and veterans. Learn more about their care requirements when it comes to housing, tank mates, feeding, and of course breeding. What are Platy Fish? Platies are a popular livebearer in the freshwater aquarium hobby that are native to Mexico and Central America. The two species most commonly available in fish stores are ...
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 Habrosus Corydoras — The Largest Dwarf Cory CatfishCory catfish are one of our favorite bottom dwellers because of their easy-going personalities, constant scavenging, and silly antics. With more than 150 Corydoras species to choose from, the salt and pepper cory is one of our best-selling fish at Aquarium Co-Op. Find out why these nano bottom dwellers are so popular and how to provide them with a comfortable environment to thrive in. Salt and pepper cory in a planted tank What are Habrosus Corydoras? Corydoras habrosus is the largest of the...
How to Make Your Betta Fish Happy with 5 Enrichment IdeasBetta fish are amazing creatures with beautiful finnage and spirited personalities, but they often lead very sedentary lives in way-too-tiny bowls. If you’ve already seen our betta fish tank setup guide and upsized your betta’s aquarium with the necessary equipment, you may be wondering what else you can do to keep your pet fish entertained. In the wild, Betta splendens spends its time hunting for food, defending its territory, breeding the next generation of offspring, and of course resting....
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...
How to Improve Water Circulation on Aquarium Sponge Filters
Sponge filters are one of the most popular types of aquarium filtration, frequently used by fishkeeping veterans, wholesalers, and fish farms who breed millions of ornamental fish. Not only are they simple to use and easy to clean, but they are extremely reliable since they have very few mechanical parts. Plus, sponge filters are gentle enough that they won’t suck up any baby fry, dwarf shrimp, or betta fish with long, flowy fins. However, sometimes the flow can be a little too gentle and not...
Care Guide for Medaka Rice Fish — Best Cool Water Fish for Beginners
Have you ever kept Medaka rice fish? Because of their ability to reproduce very quickly at a young age and tolerance for a wide temperature range, they are commonly used in research areas such as biology, genetics, and toxicology. In 1994, they even became the first vertebrate to successfully mate and lay eggs that hatched while in space. Medaka rice fish have been raised as pet fish in Japan for hundreds of years but recently gained more popularity in the worldwide aquarium trade. Learn how ...
Care Guide for Clown Killifish – Colorful, Top-Dwelling Nano Fish
Looking for a colorful, little fish that stays in the upper third of your nano aquarium? Say hello to Epiplatys annulatus, also known as the clown killi, rocket killifish, and banded panchax. These common names come from the alternating vertical bands of dark brown and tannish-yellow on its body and the vibrant, flame-like tail that males possess. While adult killies can reach up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm), most of the fish sold at stores are juveniles around 0.5 inch long and won’t display their...
5 Easy Plants for Goldfish Aquariums
Goldfish are notorious for munching on or digging up aquatic plants, which is a shame because live plants are both beautiful and beneficial, capable of consuming the toxic chemicals produced by fish waste. Thankfully, we’ve found several plant species that are not only easy to care for but also hardy enough to stand up to your goldfish’s curious nibbling. 1. Crinum calamistratum This slow-growing bulb plant is known for its long, crinkly leaves that can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long. Like g...
How to Breed Aquarium Fish for Profit
Fish keeping can be an expensive hobby, so many aquarists wonder if it’s possible to make money by breeding aquarium fish. Based on our experiences from running a fish store, speaking with many fish breeders, and personally breeding fish to sell, we’ve collected the most important things you need to know about the best fish to breed, what supplies to buy, and how to sell them. Can You Make Money Breeding Fish? The reality is that selling fish from home as a full-time job is not a very profita...
How to Join the Aquarium Co-Op Wholesale Program
At Aquarium Co-Op, we started with a small fish store in Edmonds, Washington, grew an online sales business through our social media platforms, and now offer wholesale aquarium products to local fish stores all around the United States. This wholesale sector of our business is called the Aquarium Co-Op Retail Partner Program (RPP). What kind of products does Aquarium Co-Op sell wholesale? We offer Aquarium Co-Op-branded fishkeeping and planted tank products that were personally developed and ...
Is a Nano Aquarium right for me?
In recent years, the nano aquarium section of the aquarium hobby has been exploding in popularity. With many small fish becoming more available in the hobby, increased popularity of shrimp and other inverts, and even a few striking new discoveries in the last several years, the appeal has never been higher. For many people, the convenience of a small home aquarium is very inviting; however, there are some potential difficulties to consider. The definition of a “nano aquarium” differs from per...
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...
Care Guide for Platy Fish – Feeding, Breeding, and Tank Mates
Looking for a colorful, hardy fish that’s easy to breed and looks great with live plants? Platies have always been one of our favorite livebearers to recommend to both beginners and veterans. Learn more about their care requirements when it comes to housing, tank mates, feeding, and of course breeding. What are Platy Fish? Platies are a popular livebearer in the freshwater aquarium hobby that are native to Mexico and Central America. The two species most commonly available in fish stores are ...
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 Habrosus Corydoras — The Largest Dwarf Cory Catfish
Cory catfish are one of our favorite bottom dwellers because of their easy-going personalities, constant scavenging, and silly antics. With more than 150 Corydoras species to choose from, the salt and pepper cory is one of our best-selling fish at Aquarium Co-Op. Find out why these nano bottom dwellers are so popular and how to provide them with a comfortable environment to thrive in. Salt and pepper cory in a planted tank What are Habrosus Corydoras? Corydoras habrosus is the largest of the...
How to Make Your Betta Fish Happy with 5 Enrichment Ideas
Betta fish are amazing creatures with beautiful finnage and spirited personalities, but they often lead very sedentary lives in way-too-tiny bowls. If you’ve already seen our betta fish tank setup guide and upsized your betta’s aquarium with the necessary equipment, you may be wondering what else you can do to keep your pet fish entertained. In the wild, Betta splendens spends its time hunting for food, defending its territory, breeding the next generation of offspring, and of course resting....
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...
